Developing responsible credit habits as a student is a vital lesson to learn. In addition to building a good credit history with responsible use, students can also earn cash back with these fantastic options.
Purchase APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
580 – 740
Rewards
1% – 10%
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®)
Earn 1% on all other purchases
Intro Bonus
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months

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Critics' Overview
If you are actively enrolled as a student in a higher education institution and are looking for a credit card that offers rewards on everyday purchases, then this no annual fee card is a fantastic option for you. You will earn 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®) and 1% on your other purchases.
Purchase APR & Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited (580 – 740)
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), with 1% on all other purchases
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they’re approved for a Capital One credit card
- Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases when you book through the Capital One Entertainment portal
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you’re at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Apply Now
On Capital One's Secure site
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
10.99% Intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, then 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
Fair/New to Credit
Cash Back
1% – 5%
Earn 5% Cash Back At Different Places Each Quarter Up To The Quarterly Maximum When You Activate.
Earn 1% Unlimited Cash Back On All Other Purchases – Automatically
Intro Bonus
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

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Critics' Overview
Start building your credit history and earn compelling cash back rewards with this top rated student credit card. The cash back you earn your first year is even matched!
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
10.99% Intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, then 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
Fair/New to Credit
Card Details From Issuer
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% – 27.24% applies.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Apply Now
On Discover's Secure site
Purchase APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
580 – 740
Rewards
1.5% – 10%
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
Intro Bonus
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months

View All Card Details
Critics' Overview
If you are seeking a simple way to earn cash back as a student, then this card is a great option you. It offers straightforward rewards on everyday purchases and it charges no annual fee. You can even pick the monthly due date that works best for you.
Purchase APR & Balance Transfer APR
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
Recommended Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited (580 – 740)
Card Details From Issuer
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
- Earn 10% cash back on purchases made through Uber & Uber Eats, plus complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Enjoy no annual fee, foreign transaction fees, or hidden fees
- Lock your card in the Capital One Mobile app if it’s misplaced, lost or stolen
- Earn up to $500 a year by referring friends and family when they’re approved for a Capital One credit card
- Build your credit with responsible card use
- Whether you’re at a 4-year university, community college or other higher education institution, this card might be an option for you
Apply Now
On Capital One's Secure site
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
10.99% Intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, then 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
Fair/New to Credit
Cash Back
1% – 2%
Earn 2% Cash Back At Gas Stations And Restaurants On Up To $1,000 In Combined Purchases Each Quarter.
Earn 1% Unlimited Cash Back On All Other Purchases – Automatically
Intro Bonus
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.

View All Card Details
Critics' Overview
If you are not interested in rotating cash back categories then this no annual fee student card may be the right fit for you. It is an especially good option for those who spend more on gas and at restaurants. There is also a dollar-for-dollar match of the cash back you’ve earned your first year.
Purchase APR
0% Intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Balance Transfer APR
10.99% Intro APR on balance transfers for 6 months, then 18.24% – 27.24% Variable APR
Recommended Credit Score
Fair/New to Credit
Card Details From Issuer
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
- No credit score required to apply.
- Discover could help you reduce exposure of your personal information online by helping you remove it from select people-search sites that could sell your data. It’s free, activate with the mobile app.
- No annual fee and build your credit with responsible use.
- 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 18.24% – 27.24% applies.
- Click through to Discover’s website to see terms and conditions.
Apply Now
On Discover's Secure site
Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.
*CardCritics references a FICO® 8 score, which is one of many different types of credit scores. A financial institution may use a different score when evaluating your application.