Best Student Cards
Build credit while in school. Here are our top picks for 2026.
OUR TOP PICK
Avant
Avant Credit Card
ANNUAL FEE
$0-$59 (varies based on creditworthiness)
APR
26.99%-35.99% variable
WELCOME BONUS
No welcome bonus
REWARDS
No rewards program
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Unsecured card with no security deposit for credit scores of 580+
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- No penalty APR
- Pre-qualification with soft pull available
- Credit limit increases with responsible use
- Mobile app with credit score monitoring and payment scheduling
- Potential for $0 annual fee on better credit profiles
- Simple card with no complicated terms
MORE GREAT OPTIONS
Bank Of America
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards for Students
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:$200 online cash rewards bonus...
REWARDS
3% in your choice category, 2% grocery, 1% everything else
Bank Of America
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards for Students
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:$200 online cash rewards bonus...
REWARDS
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Capital One
Capital One Platinum Secured
Capital One
Capital One Platinum
Capital One
Capital One Quicksilver Secured Cash Rewards
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:None...
REWARDS
Unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase
Capital One
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:$50 cash bonus after making...
REWARDS
8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment, 5% on hotels and rental cars via C1 Travel, 3% on dining, entertainment, grocery, and streaming, 1% on everything else
Chase
Chase Freedom Rise℠
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:$25 monthly bonus for on-time...
REWARDS
1.5% cash back on all purchases
Chase
Chase Freedom® Student
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:$50 bonus after making your...
REWARDS
1% cash back on all purchases
Chime
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa®
Deserve
Deserve® EDU Mastercard
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:$30 statement credit bonus...
REWARDS
1% cash back on all purchases
Discover
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:Cashback Match: Discover matches all...
REWARDS
2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter), 1% on everything else
Discover
Discover it® Student Cash Back
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:Cashback Match: Discover matches all...
REWARDS
5% cash back in rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500/quarter), 1% on everything else
Discover
Discover it® Student Chrome
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:Cashback Match: Discover matches all...
REWARDS
2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter), 1% on everything else
First Progress
First Progress Platinum Prestige Mastercard® Secured Credit Card
Mission Lane
Mission Lane Visa®
Annual Fee:$0-$59 (varies based on creditworthiness)
Welcome Bonus:No welcome bonus...
REWARDS
1%-1.5% cash back on all purchases (rate varies by account)
Opensky
OpenSky® Plus Secured Visa®
Opensky
OpenSky® Secured Visa®
Petal
Petal® 1 “No Annual Fee” Visa®
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:No welcome bonus...
REWARDS
2%-10% cash back at select merchants through Petal's merchant offers program. No base rewards on non-partner purchases.
Sable
Secured Sable ONE Credit Card
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:No welcome bonus...
REWARDS
2% cash back on dining, 1% cash back on all other purchases
Self
Self Visa® Credit Card
Tomo
Tomo Credit Card
NO FEE
Annual Fee:$0
Welcome Bonus:No welcome bonus...
REWARDS
1% cash back on all purchases
What to Consider
How do I choose the right student cards card?▼
Consider your spending habits, credit score, and financial goals. Look at the rewards structure, annual fees, and additional benefits to find the best match for your needs.
What credit score do I need?▼
Most student cards cards require good to excellent credit (670+). However, some cards are available for those building or rebuilding credit. Check each card's requirements before applying.
Are annual fees worth it?▼
It depends on how you use the card. Cards with annual fees often offer higher rewards rates and premium benefits. Calculate if the rewards and perks you'll use outweigh the fee.
Ready to Apply?
Compare all student cards cards or explore other categories to find your perfect match.