5 Best Student Credit Cards of 2023 (Reviewed and Ranked)

A Complete Guide to Best Student Credit Cards.

When it comes to managing finances as a student, having a credit card can be a valuable tool. 

Not only can it help you build your credit history, but it can also provide a convenient way to make purchases and manage expenses. 

However, not all credit cards are created equal, and choosing the right one for your needs can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best student credit cards on the market. 

Whether you’re a first-time credit card user or looking to upgrade your current card, this guide will help you make an informed decision and find the best student credit card for you.

What are the Best Student Credit Cards?

Here are our top selection for the best Student Credit Cards you should consider using this year, we are calling 2023:

1. Discover it® Student Cash Back Card.
2. Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students.
3. Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students.
4. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card.
5. Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students.

Each of these accordingly ranked Student Credit Cards based on our real experience with them has its own pros and cons, so be sure to read through each review carefully before making all the way to your final decision.

1. Discover it® Student Cash Back Card.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back Card is one of the best student credit cards on the market. It offers a great rewards program, no annual fee, and a low APR.

Features

Discover it® Student Cash Back Card offers a wide range of features, including:

• No annual fee
• Low APR: 14.49% – 24.49% variable
• 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories
• Cashback Match™: Discover will match all of the cash back you earn in your first year
• 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

Pros and cons

Pros

• Great rewards program: You can earn 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories, 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• No annual fee: This card is free to use, so you won’t have to worry about paying any annual fees.
• Low APR: The APR on this card is relatively low, so you won’t have to pay as much interest on your purchases.
• Cashback Match™: Discover will match all of the cash back you earn in your first year, up to $600. This is a great way to boost your rewards earnings.

Cons

• Rotating bonus categories: The bonus categories on this card rotate quarterly, so you’ll need to make sure you activate them each quarter in order to earn the bonus cash back.
• Foreign transaction fee: There is a 3% foreign transaction fee on all purchases made outside of the United States.

Fee

Discover it® Student Cash Back Card has no annual fee. The APR on this card is variable, so it will fluctuate based on your creditworthiness. The current APR range is 14.49% – 24.49%.

Overall, the Discover it® Student Cash Back Card is a great option for students who are looking for a rewards card with no annual fee and a low APR.

The rotating bonus categories offer a great way to earn cash back on your everyday purchases, and the Cashback Match™ is a great way to boost your rewards earnings in your first year.

2. Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students.

The Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students credit card is a great option for students who want to earn cash back on their everyday spending. 

It offers a flat rate of 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, and streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no annual fee, and the card also offers a sign-up bonus of $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.

Features

Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students offers a wide range of features, including:

• No foreign transaction fees
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months
• 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, and streaming services
• 1% cash back on all other purchases
• Sign-up bonus of $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months
• No annual fee

Pros and cons

Pros

• Great cash back rewards on everyday spending
• No annual fee
• Sign-up bonus
• No foreign transaction fees
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 15 months

Cons

• The cash back rewards are not as high as some other student credit cards
• There is a 3% foreign transaction fee on cash advances

Fee

The Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students credit card has a variable APR of 16.49% – 26.49%. There is no annual fee.

Overall, the Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students credit card is a great option for students who want to earn cash back on their everyday spending.

It offers a flat rate of 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, and streaming services, and 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no annual fee, and the card also offers a sign-up bonus of $200 after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.

3. Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students.

The Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students is a great option for students who are looking for a no-annual-fee credit card with cash back rewards.

Features

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students offers a wide range of features, including:

• 1.5% cash back on all purchases: This is a flat-rate cash back rewards program, so you earn the same rate of cash back no matter what you buy.
• No annual fee: This card doesn’t have any annual fees, so you can use it without worrying about paying extra money.
• No foreign transaction fees: This card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, so you can use it abroad without having to worry about extra charges.
• Qualifies for Discover Cashback Match: In your first year with the card, Discover will match all of the cash back you earn. This is a great way to boost your earnings even further.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• No annual fee
• Good for building credit history
• 1.5% cash back on all purchases
• Qualifies for Discover Cashback Match
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons:

• No introductory APR offer
• Cash back rewards are not as high as some other cards
• Late payment fees and other fees can be high

Fee

Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students has a variable APR of 16.49% to 26.49%. There is no annual fee.

Overall, if you are a student looking for a no-annual-fee credit card with cash back rewards, the Capital One Quicksilver Rewards for Students is a great option.

The credit card offers a flat-rate cash back rewards program, no foreign transaction fees, and no annual fee. You can also qualify for Discover Cashback Match in your first year with the card.

4. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card.

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card for Students is a great option for college students who want to earn rewards on their travel purchases. 

The card offers 2 points per dollar spent on travel, plus 1 point per dollar spent on gas, dining, and online purchases. There is no annual fee, and the card also offers a sign-up bonus of 25,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months.

Features

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Card offers a wide range of features, including:

• No annual fee
• 2 points per dollar spent on travel
• 1 point per dollar spent on gas, dining, and online purchases
• Sign-up bonus of 25,000 points after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months
• Travel benefits, such as travel insurance and purchase protection
• No foreign transaction fees

Pros and cons

Pros

• No annual fee
• No foreign transaction fees
• Sign-up bonus
• Great rewards on travel purchases
• Travel benefits

Cons

• High APR
• Earns 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
• Late payment fee of $39

Fee

• Annual fee: $0
• APR: 16.49% – 25.49% variable
• Late payment fee: $39
• Foreign transaction fee: 3%

Overall, the Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students is a great option for college students who want to earn rewards on their travel purchases.

The card offers a competitive rewards rate, no annual fee, and a sign-up bonus. However, it’s important to note that the card has a high APR and a late payment fee.

5. Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students.

The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students is a great option for international students or students with limited credit history. It offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, and then a variable APR of 13.99% to 23.99%. There is no annual fee.

Features

Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students offers a wide range of features, including:

• No annual fee
• 1% cash back on all purchases
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months
• $200 welcome bonus after spending $500 in the first 3 months
• No foreign transaction fees

Pros and cons

Pros:

• No annual fee is a nice perk, especially for students on a budget.
• 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months is great for students who are just starting to build their credit history.
• No foreign transaction fees are helpful for students who travel abroad.
• 1% cash back on all purchases is a good way to earn rewards without having to worry about rotating categories.
• $200 welcome bonus is a nice way to start off with some extra cash.

Cons:

• The cash back rewards are not as high as some other student credit cards.
• The variable APR after the intro period is high, so it’s important to pay off your balance in full each month.

Fee

The Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students has no annual fee. There is a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Overall, the Deserve EDU Mastercard for Students is a great option for international students or students with limited credit history. It offers a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months, no annual fee, and 1% cash back on all purchases.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Do student credit cards exist?

Yes, student credit cards exist. They are designed for students who are just starting to build their credit history. These cards typically have lower credit limits and annual fees than regular credit cards, and they may offer rewards or other benefits.

Which is the best credit card for students?

The best credit card for students depends on your individual needs and spending habits. Some factors to consider include the rewards program, annual fee, APR, and credit requirements.

Here are some of the best student credit cards in 2023:

• Discover it® Student Cash Back: This card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories, 1% cash back on all other purchases, and a $20 welcome bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a $200 welcome bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
• Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card for Students: This card offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% back on everything else. There is no annual fee.
• Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students: This card is designed for international students and offers 1% cash back on all purchases. There is no annual fee.

What kind of credit card can a student get?

Students can get a variety of credit cards, including secured credit cards, student credit cards, and rewards credit cards.

• Secured credit cards: These cards require a security deposit, which is held by the issuer as collateral. This can be a good option for students with no credit history or bad credit.
• Student credit cards: These cards are designed for students and typically have lower interest rates and fees than other types of credit cards.
• Rewards credit cards: These cards offer rewards, such as cash back or travel points, for your purchases.

Which card is best for international students?

The best credit card for international students depends on your individual needs and spending habits. Some factors to consider include the fees, foreign transaction fees, and credit requirements.

Here are some of the best credit cards for international students in 2023:

• Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students: This card is designed for international students and offers 1% cash back on all purchases. There is no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.
• Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers 3% cash back on dining and entertainment, 2% cash back at grocery stores and streaming services, and 1% cash back on everything else. There is no foreign transaction fee.
• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card for Students: This card offers 2 miles per dollar spent on travel and dining, and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. There is a $39 annual fee and a 3% foreign transaction fee.

Which card is best for students in the USA?

The best credit card for students in the USA depends on your individual needs and spending habits. Some factors to consider include the rewards program, annual fee, APR, and credit requirements.

Here are some of the best student credit cards in the USA in 2023:

• Discover it® Student Cash Back: This card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories, 1% cash back on all other purchases, and a $20 welcome bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
• Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card: This card offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases and a $200 welcome bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
• Chase Freedom® Student credit card: This card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories, 1% cash back on all other purchases, and a $200 welcome bonus after you spend $500 in the first 3 months.
• Bank of America® Cash Rewards credit card for Students: This card offers 3% cash back in a category of your choice, 2% back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and 1% back on everything else. There is no annual fee.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Get a Student Credit Card?

The age requirement for getting a student credit card varies by issuer. Some issuers may require students to be at least 18 years old, while others may allow students as young as 16 to apply.

Is credit card or debit card better for students?

Whether a credit card or debit card is better for students depends on their individual needs and spending habits. Credit cards offer more flexibility in terms of how you can use them, but they also come with the risk of debt if you are not careful. Debit cards, on the other hand, are linked directly to your bank account, so you can only spend money that you already have.

How many credit cards does a student need?

The number of credit cards that a student needs depends on their individual spending habits and financial goals. Some students may only need one card, while others may need more to maximize their rewards. It is important to be responsible with credit cards and to only use them for purchases that you can afford to pay off in full each month.

How can I get a credit card if I am a student?

To get a credit card as a student, you will need to apply for one through an issuer. You will need to provide some personal information, such as your name, address, and Social Security number. You may also need to provide proof of income or student status.

Does the visa have a student card?

Yes, Visa offers a student credit card called the Visa® Signature for Students. This card offers 1% cash back on all purchases and a $0 annual fee.

Summary on 5 Best Student Credit Cards of 2023

In conclusion, choosing the best student credit card is an important decision for young adults entering into the world of financial responsibility. 

Furthermore, when doing so, it is essential to consider factors such as APR, credit limits, rewards programs, fees, and others. 

By carefully selecting a student credit card that aligns with your financial goals and offers benefits tailored to your needs, you can build a solid credit history while enjoying the perks of responsible credit card usage. 

Take the time to research and compare the options available to find the best student credit card that suits your unique financial situation and aspirations.

Read: What is a Credit Card: Everything You Need to Know in 2023.