Student Credit Cards Compared
A student credit card can build your credit history if you pay it in full every month. All four cards here have no annual fee; the differences are rewards and intro offers.
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards | Intro offer at our check | Variable APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Discover it Student Cash Back | $0 | 5% in quarterly categories (up to a quarterly maximum, when activated); 1% otherwise | Cashback Match: all cash back matched at the end of year one; 0% on purchases for 6 months | 16.74%–25.74% |
| Capital One Savor Student | $0 | 3% on grocery, dining, entertainment and popular streaming; 1% otherwise | $50 after $100 in purchases within 3 months | 18.74%–28.74% |
| Capital One Quicksilver Student | $0 | 1.5% on everything | $50 after $100 in purchases within 3 months | 18.74%–28.74% |
| Chase Freedom Rise | $0 | 1.5% on everything | $25 for enrolling in autopay within the first 3 months and staying enrolled 90 days | About 18.49%–29.99% (check pricing and terms) |
From the issuers’ pages, checked 13 October 2026; Savor Student APR confirmed by Bankrate (8 September 2026), Quicksilver Student APR from Capital One’s card page on 9 October 2026. Bank of America’s student card page showed a “temporarily unavailable” notice on 9 October 2026, so it is not in the table.
How to use a student card well
- Pay the full balance every month. Interest at 16–29% wipes out any cash back.
- Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment, so you never miss a due date. Chase even pays $25 for doing this on Freedom Rise.
- Keep spending low compared with your limit. Use it for a few regular costs, like a phone bill or groceries, then pay it off.
- Do not apply for several cards at once. Each application can show on your credit report.
Which one fits?
If you spend mostly on food, groceries and streaming, Savor Student pays 3% there. If you want one simple rate on everything, Quicksilver Student or Freedom Rise pay 1.5%; Chase says having $250+ in a Chase account increases your chances of approval for Freedom Rise. Discover it Student can earn the most in year one thanks to Cashback Match, but its 5% categories need activating each quarter.
This page compares published card terms. It is not financial advice. Credit cards are borrowing; only spend what you can repay in full.
Students also ask
What is the best credit card for a college student?
It depends on how you spend. All four cards in our table have no annual fee; Savor Student pays 3% on food and entertainment, Quicksilver Student and Freedom Rise pay 1.5% on everything.
Do student credit cards have an annual fee?
None of the four cards in our table has an annual fee.
Does a student credit card build credit?
Card issuers report your payments to credit bureaus, so paying on time every month builds your credit history.
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