Best Credit cards for students in USA 2025
Top Student Credit Cards in 2025
1. Discover it® Student Cash Back
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Why it stands out:
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No annual fee
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5% cash back on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 per quarter, activation required); 1% on all other purchases
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First-year Cashback Match: Discover doubles all your cashback earnings at year-end Moneymakes my money
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Free FICO score monitoring and identity alerts UMA Technology Wikipedia
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2. Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards
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Why it’s popular:
3. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
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What to know:
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No annual fee
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1.5% unlimited cashback on all purchases
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Simple flat-rate structure makes it easy to manage Moneypolyeyes.com
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4. Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students
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Ideal for travelers and international students:
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No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
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1.5 points per $1 spent, with points that never expire
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Welcome bonus: 25,000 points (~$250 in travel credit) after $1,000 spent in the first 90 days.comCNNFit My Money
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5. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students
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Highlights:
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No annual fee
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2% cashback on all purchases in the first year; 1.5% thereafter
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0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and balance transfers (some fees apply)
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Generous $200 bonus after $1,000 in purchases within 90 days, Forbes
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6. Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
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Key features:
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No annual fee
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$50 bonus after first purchase within 3 months
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0% intro APR on purchases for the first 12 months UMA Technology
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7. Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
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Great for international students:
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No annual fee
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No Social Security Number (SSN) required
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1% cashback on all purchases and potential Netflix reimbursement after timely payments.comUMA Technology
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8. Journey Student Rewards from Capital One
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Unique perk:
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No annual fee
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1% cashback, which increases to 1.25% with on-time monthly payments
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Higher credit limit possible after consistent payments, UMA Technology
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9. Petal 2 “Cash Back, No Fees” Visa Credit Card
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Why it stands out:
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No annual, late, or foreign transaction fees
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Up to 1.5% cashback based on responsible use
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Great for building credit with transparent terms, UMA Technology
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What Real Students Say (Reddit Insights)
Students frequently recommend:
“In my opinion the three best first cards for Students are: 1) Discover IT Cashback for Students. 2) Capital One Savor Rewards for Students. 3) Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for Students.” Reddit
Another adds:
“Discover It is the best start... as it’s easy to get approved for ... long-term use potential ... first sign-up bonus … the sky is the limit after that.” Reddit
For international students without SSNs:
“Many international students I know are approved for Chase Freedom Unlimited pretty easily. Maybe start there? Yes, that or Savor!” Reddit
Quick Comparison Table
| Card | Annual Fee | Rewards Type | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it® Student Cash Back | $0 | Rotating categories + 1% flat | High cashback on diverse spending |
| Capital One Savor Student | $0 | Flat multiple-category cashback | Dining, streaming, and everyday rewards |
| Capital One Quicksilver Student | $0 | 1.5% flat cashback | Simplicity across all purchases |
| BoA Travel Rewards Student | $0 | 1.5x travel points | Travel & no foreign transaction fee |
| BoA Unlimited Cash Rewards Student | $0 | 2% first year / 1.5% after | Intro APR, broad cashback |
| Chase Freedom Student | $0 | Flat + intro APR | Flexibility and APR relief |
| Deserve EDU Mastercard | $0 | 1% cashback, SSN not needed | International students |
| Capital One Journey Student | $0 | 1% → 1.25% with on-time pay | Credit-building discipline |
| Petal 2 Visa | $0 | Up to 1.5% based on usage | No fees, clear terms, credit-building |
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