Featured Partner Offer
Discover it® Student Cash Back
On Discover's Website
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Discover's Website
Up to 5% Reward Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations,Read More
Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match™
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Credit Score
Fair/New to Credit
Editorial Review
Here’s an excellent way for students with average or limited credit scores to gain experience managing credit. No annual fee, no penalty APR, plus up to 5% cashback rewards in rotating categories (up to a quarterly cap with enrollment, 1% back on other purchases) earn this card an “A” in our book.
Pros & Cons
- 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories after enrollment
- First-year Cashback Match
- Intro APR on purchases for 6 months
- 5% bonus cash-back rate is limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending on select categories
- Bonus categories must be activated quarterly
- Low 1% base reward rate
Card Details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 cash back 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 you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- 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.
- Terms and conditions apply.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best Credit Cards for Students With No Credit of 2024
Best Rotating Bonus Categories for Students With No Credit
Discover it® Student Cash Back
On Discover's Website
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Discover's Website
Up to 5% Reward Rate
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations,Read More
Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match™
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR
Credit Score
Fair/New to Credit
Our Expert Take
The Discover it® Student Cash Back offers a unique combination of strong earning rates and a generous welcome bonus not typical of student cards.
Why We Like It
This no annual fee card doesn’t require a credit score to apply. And if you leverage it properly, you can earn serious cash back. Student cards don’t always come with high welcome bonuses, but the Discover it® Student Cash Back matches all the cash back you earned at the end of your first year.
We also like the introductory APR offer on purchases, which means students can adjust and ease into paying off their balance.
What We Don’t Like
Discover isn’t as widely accepted as Mastercard, Visa or even American Express. This could be a drawback for students who travel or study abroad. Also, the rotating quarterly bonus categories may not align with your spending, meaning you might not maximize your earning potential every quarter. Finally, 5% cash back is capped at $1,500 on purchases per quarter and activation is required.
Who It’s Best For
The Discover it® Student Cash Back card is one of the best credit cards for students without credit or those who are making a move to college and have a lot of upfront expenses they may need a few extra months to pay off.
Expert Commentary
Albert Hsieh
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
Albert Hsieh is founder and CEO of Foxtrot Dash Inc., a San Francisco-based travel rewards marketplace offering a smart wallet that recommends 30,000 ways to maximize the redemption of hard-earned credit card and travel rewards points. He has proudly redeemed over 30 million reward points, and he and the Foxtrot Dash team boast over three decades of points and miles experience.
Albert has had a lifelong passion for aviation largely sparked by his dad, who retired after 30 years with United Airlines at San Francisco and Oakland. Since childhood, Albert grew fascinated by premium air travel and flew “The Tulip” (the nickname for United's fondly remembered "U" logo) to destinations far and near, with Taiwan, Japan and Egypt ranked as his top favorites.
With an unwavering commitment to the global travel industry, Albert served for 20 years as a commercial and marketing leader at Fortune 500 travel companies including JetBlue, China Airlines, XOJET and Westfield Airports LAX. He later worked as a consultant for Jet Edge, leading a companywide rebrand before their VistaJet acquisition. In recent years, Albert launched his Instagram feed where he captures his global credit card points and airline miles adventures with impeccable photography of luxury airline cabins and beautiful hotels.
His work is regularly featured in social campaigns, and he has drawn mentions in The New York Times and Nob Hill Gazette. On the Money Seed podcast, he has been heard discussing the future of credit card reward points, global travel trends and loyalty programs. When he's not traveling, Albert enjoys life on the West Coast by seeking out new restaurants and world-class wineries, and by spending quality time with loved ones.
Albert Hsieh
Albert Hsieh
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
Albert Hsieh is founder and CEO of Foxtrot Dash Inc., a San Francisco-based travel rewards marketplace offering a smart wallet that recommends 30,000 ways to maximize the redemption of hard-earned credit card and travel rewards points. He has proudly redeemed over 30 million reward points, and he and the Foxtrot Dash team boast over three decades of points and miles experience.
Albert has had a lifelong passion for aviation largely sparked by his dad, who retired after 30 years with United Airlines at San Francisco and Oakland. Since childhood, Albert grew fascinated by premium air travel and flew “The Tulip” (the nickname for United's fondly remembered "U" logo) to destinations far and near, with Taiwan, Japan and Egypt ranked as his top favorites.
With an unwavering commitment to the global travel industry, Albert served for 20 years as a commercial and marketing leader at Fortune 500 travel companies including JetBlue, China Airlines, XOJET and Westfield Airports LAX. He later worked as a consultant for Jet Edge, leading a companywide rebrand before their VistaJet acquisition. In recent years, Albert launched his Instagram feed where he captures his global credit card points and airline miles adventures with impeccable photography of luxury airline cabins and beautiful hotels.
His work is regularly featured in social campaigns, and he has drawn mentions in The New York Times and Nob Hill Gazette. On the Money Seed podcast, he has been heard discussing the future of credit card reward points, global travel trends and loyalty programs. When he's not traveling, Albert enjoys life on the West Coast by seeking out new restaurants and world-class wineries, and by spending quality time with loved ones.
Credit Cards and Reward Points Expert
An engaging and fun student credit card, the Discover it® Student Cash Back combines useful benefits for cardholders to learn about building credit history while earning extra cash back each quarter on select categories.
Pros & Cons
- 5% cash back on rotating bonus categories after enrollment
- First-year Cashback Match
- Intro APR on purchases for 6 months
- 5% bonus cash-back rate is limited to $1,500 per quarter in spending on select categories
- Bonus categories must be activated quarterly
- Low 1% base reward rate
Card Details
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 cash back 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 you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases—automatically.
- Redeem your rewards for cash at any time.
- 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.
- Terms and conditions apply.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best for Elevated Flat-Rate Cash Back
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Website
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 5% Reward Rate
Unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 1.5% unlimited cash back onRead More
Welcome Bonus
$50
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
Our Expert Take
The Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees) is a no annual fee card that makes earning cash back a simple process for students who want to focus on learning rather than remembering bonus categories.
Why We Like It
It’s easy to understand the benefits of this card. You get a base rate of 1.5% cash back on all purchases, plain and simple. The welcome bonus isn’t anything too impressive, but it’s nice to have.
What We Don’t Like
The APR can run high, at between 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable), depending on creditworthiness (rates & fees). With no introductory APR offer, make sure you’re confident you can cover those large start of the semester purchases before you use your card.
Who It’s Best For
Capital One’s Quicksilver Student card is ideal for students who want a straightforward card with a simple rewards system. Because the APR is high, it’s best for those responsible enough to pay their bill in full each month to avoid getting into debt.
Pros & Cons
- No foreign transaction fees
- No annual fee
- Excellent extra benefits
- Solid cash-back rewards for a student credit card
- Other student cards may offer better earning potential
Card Details
- 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
- 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
Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Best for Maximizing Everyday Spending Categories
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
On Capital One's Website
4.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Capital One's Website
Up to 8% Reward Rate
Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® andRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn $50 bonus
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Average, Fair, Limited
Our Expert Take
The Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card is a card that rewards students for things they actually want to spend money on, earning it a spot on our list of best credit cards for students with no credit.
Why We Like It
One of the best things about this no annual fee card is that the rewards make sense for students (rates & fees). You’ll also earn the same rewards whether you’re shopping around campus or outside the U.S. With no foreign transaction fees, this is a great card for travelers and those studying abroad.
What We Don’t Like
Students will need Average, Fair, Limited credit to apply for this card, and the APR is high at between 19.99% – 29.99% (Variable), depending on creditworthiness.
Who It’s Best For
This card has student-centric bonus categories. It makes sense for most students, especially those who are already familiar with responsible spending habits and who dine out or buy groceries often.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- No foreign transaction fees
- Excellent cash back rewards
- No low introductory APR
- Limited bonus cash back reward categories
Card Details
- 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
- 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
- Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get Capital One’s best prices on thousands of trip options. Terms apply
- 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
Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Summary of the Best Credit Cards for Students With No Credit
Credit Card
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Credit Card
Best For
Credit Score
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Best Rotating Bonus Categories for Students With No Credit
Fair/New to Credit
$0
Cashback Match™
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for Elevated Flat-Rate Cash Back
Average, Fair, Limited
$0
$50
Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card
Best for Maximizing Everyday Spending Categories
Average, Fair, Limited
$0
Earn $50 bonus
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – 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 cash back into $200. There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months.
Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
