One of the most common questions we get through our free credit card consultations is what credit card to get if you’re a college student with limited credit history and disposable income. First off, if you’re a student and are already planning your credit card strategy, congratulations, you’re already ahead of most people your age.
There are many reasons why it’s important to start building good credit while you’re young. Aside from qualifying for the top credit card offers, you’ll need it to rent an apartment, finance a car, sign up for a new cell phone plan and potentially even to get a job.
As a college student, there are several factors in particular that you should consider when deciding which card to get. For instance, aside from high approval odds, you’ll likely also want a low (or no) annual fee and low spending requirement for the sign-up bonus. And if you’re thinking about studying abroad, you’ll also want a card with no foreign transaction fees so that you could use it overseas without accumulating extra charges.
There are many ways to get creative with your spending if you need help reaching the minimum spend requirements for any of the welcome bonuses I’m going to discuss below. For instance, you could offer to pay for the table when dining out with friends and then have them pay back using cash or Venmo or even pay your tuition with your credit card — so long as your school doesn’t charge hefty fees for doing so. Additionally, it’s important to know that simply being a student may not be enough to qualify for a “student” card. Most cards generally require access to at least some income. If you’re under 21, you can only count personal income from your job, scholarships, or grants, but if you’re over 21 you can include any sources of income to which you have “reasonable expectation of access” such as from a spouse or partner. If you have no income at all, you might need to start with a secured credit card.
With all those things in mind, here are our top five picks for students looking to get their first credit card.
Current offer: 2,500 points after spending $500 in the first three months.
Annual fee: $0
Why it’s great: This card rounds up your earnings on all purchases to the nearest 10 points. This means that your $3 cup of coffee (or tea if you don’t have a coffee addiction like Kara) earns you at least 10 points and a $12 lunch at least 20 points.
Other benefits worth mentioning:
- Earn 2x points per $1 spent at supermarkets and gas stations (for the first $6,000 per year, then 1x)
- Get back 10% of the points redeemed for the first 100,000 points per year
2. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Current offer: 3% cash back on all purchases in your first year (up to $20,000 spent), then an unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
Annual fee: $0
Why it’s great: 3% cash back in your first year and then an uncapped 1.5% thereafter is terrific for purchases that doesn’t fall into the typical bonus categories offered by other cards, such as textbooks and tuition. While these returns are pretty good on their own, the card becomes even more valuable when paired with a Ultimate Rewards-earning credit card like the Chase Sapphire Preferred since you’ll be able to convert your cash back points to fully transferable Ultimate Rewards points.
Other benefits worth mentioning:
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
3. Chase Freedom®
Current offer: $150 after spending $500 on purchases in the first three months.
Annual fee: $0
Why it’s great: This card earns 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in popular rotating categories that change every quarter. Previous bonus categories have included gas stations, grocery stores, department stores and PayPal. Like the Freedom Unlimited, the cash back can be converted to transferable Ultimate Rewards points when paired with an eligible card.
Other benefits worth mentioning:
- Earn 1% cash back on non-bonus purchases
- Purchase protection
- Extended warranty protection
4. Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card [Learn How to Apply]
Current offer: 20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
Annual fee: $0
Why it’s great: This card earns a flat 1.25 miles per dollar spent on all purchases. While that return isn’t as good as with the Freedom Unlimited, you’re able to transfer your miles to over a dozen airline programs without having to pick up another credit card. This card is especially great for those looking to study abroad as it offers a great bonus on hotel spending and has no foreign transaction fees.
Other benefits worth mentioning:
- Earn 10x points when you book your hotel on hotels.com/venture (through January 2020)
- No foreign transaction fees
- Purchase protection
- Lost luggage reimbursement
5. Journey® Student Rewards from Capital One® [Learn How to Apply]
Current offer: N/A
Annual fee: $0
Why it’s great: This card is similar to the Capital One VentureOne, but is easier to be approved for. It earns 1% cash back on all purchases, but that’s bumped to 1.25% each month you pay on time.
Other benefits worth mentioning:
- No foreign transaction fees
- Special access to concerts and other events
- Extended warranty
That wraps up our review of the top credit cards for students. As long as you pay your bills on time, you’ll establish some good credit and get approved for the big league cards in no time.
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Still not sure which card is right for you? We’re happy to help! All you need to do is click the link below and fill out the form.
i don’t think any student should get a credit card. the more you CAN spend – the more you WILL spend. I have seen many people getting trouble and have 20, 30, 40, 120, thousand dollars in debt and interest is 20-30% a so please don’t get yourself into this mess. use a debit card.