10 Best Student Cashback Credit Cards
For students navigating their financial journeys, cashback credit cards are a game-changer. These cards not only help you earn rewards on your everyday purchases but also assist in building a solid credit history. As a student, finding the right card tailored to your needs can enhance your financial literacy and encourage smart spending habits.
One of the major benefits of student cashback credit cards is the savings they offer. From earning rewards on dining, groceries, and online shopping to receiving bonuses for good grades, these cards provide numerous opportunities to maximize value. Additionally, they often come with low fees, making them a budget-friendly option for young cardholders.
1.
Discover it® Student Cash Back
The Discover it® Student Cash Back is a student-friendly cashback card that offers 5% cashback on rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in purchases per quarter, then 1%) and 1% cashback on all other purchases.
The card also features an excellent cashback match at the end of the first year.
The card also features an excellent cashback match at the end of the first year.
Cashback match for first-year cardholders, effectively doubling your rewards.
5% rotating categories offer the potential for high cashback in certain categories.
No annual fee.
Student-friendly: Rewards and tools designed to help students manage their finances.
5% rotating categories offer the potential for high cashback in certain categories.
No annual fee.
Student-friendly: Rewards and tools designed to help students manage their finances.
Discover it® Student Cash BackCheck HereDiscover it® Student Cash Back - Earn 5% cashback on rotating categories and unlimited 1% on other purchases.
Pros
5% cashback on rotating categories (great for spending in specific areas).- Cashback match effectively doubles your rewards in the first year.
- No annual fee.
- Good grades bonus for students.
Cons
Rotating categories: Requires tracking and activation each quarter.- Lower cashback (1%) on non-category purchases.
Key Features
5% cashback in rotating categories each quarter, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and Amazon.com (up to $1,500 per quarter).
1% cashback on all other purchases.
No annual fee.
Cashback match at the end of the first year: Discover will match all the cashback you've earned in your first year.
Student benefits: Tools and rewards specifically for students, including good grades bonuses.
1% cashback on all other purchases.
No annual fee.
Cashback match at the end of the first year: Discover will match all the cashback you've earned in your first year.
Student benefits: Tools and rewards specifically for students, including good grades bonuses.
Why Is Recommended
Students who want to maximize cashback and take advantage of the first-year cashback match. The rotating categories and student perks make it a great choice for people just starting to build their credit while earning meaningful rewards.
2.
Chase Freedom® Student credit card
The Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card is a student-focused cashback card that offers 1% cashback on all purchases. It also features a $50 bonus after your first purchase within the first 3 months. As a part of the Chase Freedom family, this card can be a great entry point for students looking to build a relationship with Chase for future credit cards.
$50 bonus: Get a solid starting bonus after your first purchase.
Simple cashback rewards: 1% on every purchase.
Easy credit limit increase: After 5 monthly payments, you may be eligible for a higher credit limit.
No annual fee.
Simple cashback rewards: 1% on every purchase.
Easy credit limit increase: After 5 monthly payments, you may be eligible for a higher credit limit.
No annual fee.
- Chase Freedom® Student credit cardCheck Here
Chase Freedom® Student credit card - : 1% cashback on all purchases and a $50 bonus after your first purchase.
Pros
- No annual fee.
- Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards for future cardholders.
- Quick credit limit increases can help build credit.
Cons
- 1% cashback is basic compared to some student cards offering higher rewards on specific categories.
- No major travel benefits or bonuses for student cardholders.
Key Features
1% cashback on every purchase.
$50 bonus after your first purchase in the first 3 months.
No annual fee.
Credit limit increase eligibility after 5 monthly payments.
Access to Chase's Ultimate Rewards program (when eligible for other Chase cards).
$50 bonus after your first purchase in the first 3 months.
No annual fee.
Credit limit increase eligibility after 5 monthly payments.
Access to Chase's Ultimate Rewards program (when eligible for other Chase cards).
Why Is Recommended
A great card for students just starting to build credit. The $50 sign-up bonus, simple cashback rewards, and potential for future credit increases with Chase make it a good choice for students looking to enter the world of credit.
3.
Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card
The Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card offers 2x points on supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year (then 1x points). All other purchases earn 1x points. Additionally, Citi offers a unique feature where points are automatically rounded up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, which can help students earn more rewards.
Points rounding: The automatic rounding up of points makes it easier to earn rewards.
2x points on everyday expenses like groceries and gas.
No annual fee.
0% intro APR for the first 7 months on purchases.
2x points on everyday expenses like groceries and gas.
No annual fee.
0% intro APR for the first 7 months on purchases.
- Citi Rewards+℠ Student CardCheck Here
Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card - Rounds up rewards to the nearest 10 points on every purchase.
Pros
- Points rounding ensures you get more value from each purchase.
- 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations is great for everyday spending.
- No annual fee.
Cons
- Limited 2x points to the first $6,000 annually, after which it drops to 1x.
- Lower points rate on purchases outside of specific categories.
Key Features
2x points at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 per year (then 1x).
1x points on all other purchases.
Points rounded up to the nearest 10 on every purchase.
No annual fee.
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 7 months (then a variable APR applies).
1x points on all other purchases.
Points rounded up to the nearest 10 on every purchase.
No annual fee.
0% intro APR on purchases for the first 7 months (then a variable APR applies).
Why Is Recommended
Students who want to earn more on groceries and gas while also getting the benefit of automatic point rounding. It's a good entry-level rewards card for those who want to build credit and earn rewards for daily expenses.
4.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
- Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit CardCheck Here
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card - : 1.5% cashback on all purchases with no spending caps.
5.
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students
The Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students card is a no-annual-fee student credit card that rewards you with unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases. Points can be redeemed for travel expenses, including flights, hotels, car rentals, and more, making it ideal for students who want to earn rewards while they build credit.
Simple rewards structure: Earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases.
Bonus points: The 25,000-point sign-up bonus is valuable for students planning travel.
No annual fee: Keeps costs low while earning rewards.
Travel benefits: No foreign transaction fees and easy redemption for travel purchases.
Bonus points: The 25,000-point sign-up bonus is valuable for students planning travel.
No annual fee: Keeps costs low while earning rewards.
Travel benefits: No foreign transaction fees and easy redemption for travel purchases.
- Bank of America® Travel Rewards for StudentsCheck Here
Bank of America® Travel Rewards for Students - : 1.5 points per $1 spent, redeemable for travel credits.
Pros
- Easy-to-understand rewards with no complicated categories.
- Great sign-up bonus: $250 in travel rewards after meeting the spending requirement.
- No foreign transaction fees, which is ideal for international travel.
Cons
- Limited travel benefits compared to higher-end travel cards.
- High APR after the introductory 0% APR period.
Key Features
1.5 points per dollar on every purchase, with no category restrictions.
25,000 online bonus points (worth $250 in travel credit) when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
No annual fee.
No foreign transaction fees: Ideal for students who plan to travel internationally.
0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles (then a variable APR applies).
25,000 online bonus points (worth $250 in travel credit) when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days.
No annual fee.
No foreign transaction fees: Ideal for students who plan to travel internationally.
0% Intro APR on purchases for the first 9 billing cycles (then a variable APR applies).
Why Is Recommended
Students who travel or want to earn rewards toward future trips. This card is ideal for those who prefer a simple, no-annual-fee credit card that earns rewards for all purchases, with no categories to track.
6.
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Cash back rewards on dining, entertainment, and other purchases.
No annual fee.
Easy-to-use online account management.
No annual fee.
Easy-to-use online account management.
3% Cash Back on dining and entertainment.
1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
No annual fee.
No foreign transaction fees.
Access to Capital One's credit monitoring tools.
1% Cash Back on all other purchases.
No annual fee.
No foreign transaction fees.
Access to Capital One's credit monitoring tools.
- Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit CardCheck Here
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card - : 3% cashback on dining, entertainment, and grocery stores.
Pros
- High rewards rate for dining and entertainment.
- No annual or foreign transaction fees.
- Simple, easy-to-understand cash back structure.
Cons
- No introductory 0% APR on purchases.
- Limited to 1% cash back on most other purchases.
Key Features
3% cash back on dining and entertainment.
No annual fee.
1% cash back on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.
Mobile app for account management.
No annual fee.
1% cash back on all other purchases.
No foreign transaction fees.
Mobile app for account management.
Why Is Recommended
This card is great for students who spend a lot on dining or entertainment and want a straightforward cash back structure without complicated rotating categories. It also has no foreign transaction fees, which is useful for students traveling abroad.
7.
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is a student-friendly credit card that rewards you for your everyday purchases. It offers 1% cashback on all purchases, with a unique benefit of providing a free year of Amazon Prime for eligible cardholders. The card also has no annual fee and doesn't require a Social Security number for application, making it accessible for international students as well.
Amazon Prime membership: Access to Prime benefits such as free shipping, Prime Video, and more for free the first year.
1% cashback on all purchases, helping students earn rewards on everyday spending.
No Social Security number required: A great option for international students without US credit history.
No annual fee.
1% cashback on all purchases, helping students earn rewards on everyday spending.
No Social Security number required: A great option for international students without US credit history.
No annual fee.
- Deserve® EDU Mastercard for StudentsCheck Here
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students - : 1% unlimited cashback and perks like Amazon Prime Student reimbursement.
Pros
- Free Amazon Prime for students.
- 1% cashback on all purchases, which is good for a student card.
- No SSN required, ideal for international students.
Cons
- Low cashback rate compared to other cards with higher earning potential in specific categories.
- No major travel perks or high-level rewards.
Key Features
1% cashback on every purchase.
Free Amazon Prime membership for eligible cardholders (for the first year).
No annual fee.
No Social Security number required (for international students).
$0 fraud liability for unauthorized transactions.
Free Amazon Prime membership for eligible cardholders (for the first year).
No annual fee.
No Social Security number required (for international students).
$0 fraud liability for unauthorized transactions.
Why Is Recommended
International students and students who shop frequently on Amazon will find this card appealing because of the free Amazon Prime membership and accessibility without a US credit history. It's perfect for students looking for simple rewards and solid benefits.
8.
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card
No annual fees, no late fees, no foreign transaction fees.
Offers cash back rewards.
Designed to help build credit with transparent fee structures and easy-to-use mobile app.
Offers cash back rewards.
Designed to help build credit with transparent fee structures and easy-to-use mobile app.
1% Cash Back on all purchases.
1.5% Cash Back on all purchases after making 12 on-time payments.
No fees: no annual fee, no late payment fee, no foreign transaction fees.
No credit history required to apply—Petal uses alternative data such as banking history to assess applicants.
Credit score monitoring and access to tools for building credit.
1.5% Cash Back on all purchases after making 12 on-time payments.
No fees: no annual fee, no late payment fee, no foreign transaction fees.
No credit history required to apply—Petal uses alternative data such as banking history to assess applicants.
Credit score monitoring and access to tools for building credit.
- Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit CardCheck Here
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card - : Up to 1.5% cashback on eligible purchases with no fees.
Pros
- No annual fee or fees for foreign transactions.
- Straightforward cash back structure with a bump after on-time payments.
- Ideal for students and those new to credit.
- Transparent and easy-to-understand terms.
Cons
- Lower cash back rate (1%) for new cardholders.
- 1.5% cash back is only available after making 12 on-time payments.
- Limited reward categories (only flat-rate cash back).
Key Features
1% to 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
No fees: no annual, late, or foreign transaction fees.
Easy access to credit score and tools for improving credit.
Designed for users with limited or no credit history.
No fees: no annual, late, or foreign transaction fees.
Easy access to credit score and tools for improving credit.
Designed for users with limited or no credit history.
Why Is Recommended
Petal 2 is recommended for individuals looking to build or improve their credit without worrying about fees. The transparent and fee-free structure makes it ideal for students or first-time credit cardholders, with the added bonus of a straightforward cash back program.
9.
Discover it® Chrome for Students
- Discover it® Chrome for StudentsCheck Here
Discover it® Chrome for Students - : 2% cashback on gas and dining, plus cashback match for the first year.
10.
Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card
The Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card offers 3% cashback on the first $2,500 spent on gas, grocery store purchases, and drugstores each quarter (then 1%), and 1% cashback on all other purchases. It's ideal for college students who want to maximize their cashback on common expenses while keeping things simple.
3% cashback on the first $2,500 spent on common student expenses like gas, groceries, and drugstore purchases.
0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers.
No annual fee.
0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers.
No annual fee.
- Wells Fargo Cash Back College CardCheck Here
Wells Fargo Cash Back College Card - : 3% cashback on groceries, gas, and drugstores for the first six months.
Pros
- 3% cashback in common spending categories.
- No annual fee.
- 0% intro APR for 6 months is great for students with large purchases or balance transfers.
Cons
- Limited 3% cashback to the first $2,500 per quarter.
- Higher APR after the introductory period.
Key Features
3% cashback on the first $2,500 in combined purchases at gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores each quarter (then 1%).
1% cashback on all other purchases.
No annual fee.
0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers.
1% cashback on all other purchases.
No annual fee.
0% intro APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers.
Why Is Recommended
Ideal for students looking to earn cashback on everyday purchases like gas and groceries. The intro APR offer also makes it a good card for students who may need to finance purchases for a short period without paying interest.
Conclusion
Choosing the right student cashback credit card can make a significant difference in your financial journey. These cards not only offer savings through rewards and cashback but also help you build good credit habits early on. By selecting a card that aligns with your spending patterns and financial goals, you can enjoy the benefits of responsible credit use and long-term financial success.