Student Credit Cards

Everyone has to start their credit somewhere, and these student credit cards especially designed for young cardholders give the opportunity to build credit while packing extra perks like rewards programs, cash back, and even bonus offerings for good credit behavior. Student-specific cards may have higher rates and more strict application requirements. To minimize costs and build credit, younger cardholders should be careful to use credit responsibly, never carry a balance month to month, and always pay in full. Your best-fit card should teach you to be financially smart while learning to manage credit.

Recommmended just for you

Discover® Student Card - $25 Cash Back Bonus

  • Get $25 Cashback Bonus®* when you make your 1st purchase within 3 months
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 13.99% - 20.99%*
  • 5% Cashback Bonus®* in categories that change like travel, gas, groceries, restaurants, home improvement stores and more. Limitations apply*
  • Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
  • Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy
  • $0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee
  • *Click apply to view rates, fees, rewards, limitations and other important information

Why we recommend it...

The Discover Student Card is an excellent way for a young consumer to start building their credit and earn extra rewards benefits along the way.

Young consumers can score a great cash back rewards program with their first credit card. The Discover Student Card offers 5% Cashback Bonus on rotating categories, including travel, department stores, gas, groceries, restaurants, and more. Additionally, cardholders can get 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on every other purchase. Consumers new to credit can slowly build their credit history, while also getting a little bit of cash back in their pockets every time they spend.

Also, Discover’s Student Card comes with 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months to help cardholders save more on interest.

The Discover Student Card is a great first-time credit card for young consumers, especially because the card has no annual fee. If you’re looking for a card to provide some rewards along with positive credit-building actions, this is a great option to consider.

Pros:

  • No annual fee
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 13.99% - 20.99%*

Cons:

  • High APR
Credit Score Approval Data †

699

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

608

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

JourneySM Student Rewards from Capital One®

  • Designed to help students build good credit with responsible use
  • Access to your monthly credit score, plus an interactive tracking tool to help monitor your credit
  • Customizable text and e-mail alerts to help keep you on track
  • Get 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 25% bonus each month you pay your bill on time
  • No annual fee
  • $0 Fraud Liability if your card is lost or stolen

Why we recommend it...

The Journey Student Rewards Credit Card is a card designed to help young consumers build credit and also earn rewards.

Cardholders earn 1% cash back on all purchases, plus a 25% bonus on the cash back you earn each month that you pay your bill on time. Capital One’s Journey Student Rewards card also provides e-mail and text alerts to help you keep track of your payments, as well as other tools to help you learn about using credit.

This is a great card for students who are responsible and eager to learn more about credit. There is no annual fee, and the cash back you earn just by building good credit make it a rewarding learning experience.

Pros:

  • No annual fee

Cons:

  • High Penalty APR
Credit Score Approval Data †

617

Average Credit Score Approved for this Card

502

Lowest Credit Score Approved for this Card

Additional student credit cards

Discover® Open Road Card for Students

  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 13.99% - 20.99%*
  • Double Cashback Bonus®* at gas stations and restaurants
  • Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
  • Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy
  • $0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee

Discover® Student Card - Monogram Collection

  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 13.99% - 20.99%*
  • 5% Cashback Bonus®* in categories that change like travel, gas, groceries, restaurants, home improvement stores and more. Limitations apply*
  • Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
  • Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy
  • $0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee

Discover® Student Tropical Beach Card

  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 9 months, then the variable standard purchase APR of 13.99% - 20.99%*
  • 5% Cashback Bonus®* in categories that change like travel, gas, groceries, restaurants, home improvement stores and more. Limitations apply*
  • Up to 20% Cashback Bonus at popular retailers when you shop online through Discover.com
  • Up to 1% unlimited Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy
  • $0 Fraud Liability plus mobile and email fraud alert options
  • Great rewards with no annual fee, no rewards redemption fee, and no additional card fee

* See the online Provider's credit card application for details about terms and conditions. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. However all credit card information is presented without warranty. When you click on the "Take Offer" button, you can review the credit card terms and conditions on the provider's website.

† Credit Karma members have received approvals with these Credit Karma credit scores. These approval metrics are only guidelines and approval is not guaranteed. You can learn more about credit card approval through our in-depth article.

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