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Seychelle is a credit card writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor℠ at Bankrate where she employs a cumulative 12 years of experience in the finance industry to help readers navigate the intersection of their money choices and consumer credit.
Courtney Mihocik is an editor at Bankrate Credit Cards and CreditCards.com specializing in credit card news and personal finance advice. Previously, she led insurance content at Reviews.com and worked as the loans editor at The Simple Dollar.
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If you want to get approved for a student card but you haven’t started building credit yet, there’s no reason to despair. Building credit can be challenging when you’re first starting out, but there are credit cards geared to students with no credit history or who have a thin credit profile.
Many student cards for no credit are secured cards — meaning they require a security deposit. However, there are plenty of unsecured credit cards for students that we’ve included if you’re not a fan of putting your money on hold. Our card recommendations were made with people like you in mind, so compare them to find the right fit.
Top cards for students with no credit
When you’re trying to build credit from scratch, you’ll want the cards with the best approval odds. Here are the cards we’d recommend, their greatest attributes and who they’re best for.
This rating reflects the average overall score given by real cardholders in response to questions about this card's benefits, rewards, customer service, and data security.
Bankrate score
4.6
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. If you'd like to learn more about how we rank our cards, explore our ranking methodology here.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Earn $50
Rewards Rate
8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply), 3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, 1% Cash Back on all other purchases
1% – 8%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
Reward Details
8%8% Cash Back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
5%5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
3%3% Cash Back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services
1%1% Cash Back on all other purchases
Bankrate’s view
Students without a credit history don’t usually get the best credit card rewards, but that changes with the Capital One Savor Student Cash Rewards card. It’s made for students with a social life, as you’ll earn the highest rewards by booking entertainment, hotels and rental cars through Capital One’s portal. The everyday, unlimited rewards are strong and make this card easy to understand for first-time cardholders. Without an annual fee or foreign transaction fees, it’s also affordable to keep each year if you choose to study abroad.
Pros
This card has top-rated unlimited cash back rewards on popular student categories.
There’s a $50 welcome bonus when you spend $100 in the first three months.
Cons
There’s no late fee forgiveness like with other student cards, which could get expensive as you learn responsible credit card use.
Carrying a balance could be costly since there’s a potentially high variable APR.
Card Details
Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 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
This rating reflects the average overall score given by real cardholders in response to questions about this card's benefits, rewards, customer service, and data security.
Bankrate score
5.0
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. If you'd like to learn more about how we rank our cards, explore our ranking methodology here.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
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! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
Cashback Match
Rewards Rate
Earn 5% Cashback Bonus® at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs, April 1 through June 30, 2025, on up to $1,500 in purchases, when you activate. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
1% – 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
17.24% – 26.24% Variable APR
Reward Details
5%Earn 5% Cashback Bonus® at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs, April 1 through June 30, 2025, on up to $1,500 in purchases, when you activate.
1%Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Bankrate’s view
Without a credit history, you may need a security deposit for some credit cards. The Discover it® Student Cash Back, however, doesn’t require a credit score or security deposit for you to qualify. This card offers exceptional cash back rewards on rotating categories and a potentially lucrative welcome offer. The Discover Cashback Match is like creating your own welcome offer — no matter how much cash back you earn, Discover will match it at the end of your first year.
Pros
The Cashback Match is unlimited, so the more cash back you earn in the first year the larger your cashback match bonus will be.
Pay for school supplies over time with 0 percent for six months on purchases, then 17.24% – 26.24% Variable APR.
Cons
The 5 percent cash back is capped at $1,500 per quarter, so spending beyond that shortens your potential reward earnings.
Activating rotating categories every quarter may be a lot to keep up with for a busy student.
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! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. So you could turn $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
Earn 5% Cashback Bonus® at Grocery Stores and Wholesale Clubs, April 1 through June 30, 2025, on up to $1,500 in purchases, when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
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. Activate by mobile app for free.
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 17.24% – 26.24% applies.
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. If you'd like to learn more about how we rank our cards, explore our ranking methodology here.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Early Spend Bonus: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Earn $50
Rewards Rate
Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day, Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
1.5% – 5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
Reward Details
1.5%Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
5%Earn 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
Bankrate’s view
Every student could use some cash back on their purchases. With the Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards credit card, you’ll earn unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase, which is the gold standard for a straightforward student card. To boost your credit-building efforts, Capital One reviews student accounts every six months to consider you for a higher credit limit, which could take your credit score to the next level with responsible use.
Pros
Six months of responsible card use and timely payments can make you eligible for a credit limit increase.
There are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees, which adds to this card’s cost-effectiveness.
Cons
This card has a potentially high APR, which makes it expensive to carry a balance.
There’s no late fee forgiveness while you’re still learning to use credit responsibly.
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
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. If you'd like to learn more about how we rank our cards, explore our ranking methodology here.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Intro offer is not available for this Firstcard credit card.
N/A
Rewards Rate
Get up to 15% Merchant Cashback at 29,000 partner merchants, Get up to 10% Random Cashback on all qualifying transactions, Earn an additional 1% Unlimited Cashback with Firstcard Premium on all qualifying transactions on top of the two cashback offerings (Merchant Cashback and Random Cashback)
1% – Up to 15%
Annual fee
N/A
Regular APR
0% APR
Reward Details
Up to 15%Get up to 15% Merchant Cashback at 29,000 partner merchants
Up to 10%Get up to 10% Random Cashback on all qualifying transactions
1%Earn an additional 1% Unlimited Cashback with Firstcard Premium on all qualifying transactions on top of the two cashback offerings (Merchant Cashback and Random Cashback)
Bankrate view
International students are often left out of starter credit cards that require a Social Security number to apply. Firstcard® Secured Credit Builder Card with Cashback breaks that barrier by offering a credit card alternative for immigrants and students from other countries. It operates similarly to a debit card since you can only spend what you deposit, but reports to all three credit bureaus each month. Since it doesn’t allow you to carry a balance, there are no interest charges, which makes it a lower-stakes way to start navigating the U.S. credit system.
Pros
This card works well for applicants without an SSN who have a passport and a visa.
There’s no credit check or hard inquiry during the application process.
Cons
Your monthly payments are reported to credit bureaus, but your credit utilization isn’t, which may complicate credit building.
There are no standard rewards associated with your everyday purchases.
Card Details
Build credit faster, cheaper, and safer
No credit checks and no credit history are required to open a credit card
Accepts immigrants and internationals without an SSN – apply with a passport and visa.
0% APR. Don’t worry about overspending. What you deposit is what you can spend.
No account minimum, no interest, and no overdraft fee
Get up to 15% Merchant Cashback at 29,000 partner merchants
Get up to 10% Random Cashback on all qualifying transactions
Earn 4.00% APY with Firstcard Premium, 2.00% APY with Firstcard+, or 0.75% APY with Firstcard Standard on the money in your Firstcard
Earn an additional 1% Unlimited Cashback with Firstcard Premium on all qualifying transactions on top of the two cashback offerings (Merchant Cashback and Random Cashback)
Monitor your credit score right in the app
Get an in-depth monthly credit report with Firstcard+ and Firstcard Premium
Instant access to your virtual card once your account is approved and you add your virtual card to your phone’s digital wallet
Your money is protected with Firstcard — automatically insured up to $250,000 by FDIC (backed by the U.S. government)
Our writers, editors and industry experts score credit cards based on a variety of factors including card features, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers have no say or influence on how we rate cards. If you'd like to learn more about how we rank our cards, explore our ranking methodology here.
A FICO score/credit score is used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
$25 statement credit
Rewards Rate
With Chase Freedom Rise®, you can start building credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
1.5%
Annual fee
$0
Regular APR
25.99%
Reward Details
1.5%With Chase Freedom Rise®, you can start building credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
Bankrate’s view
Although most Chase cards require at least good credit, the Chase Freedom Rise caters to students with no credit or limited credit history. For the best approval odds, you’ll need to have a Chase checking or savings account with at least $250 in it within three days of you applying. Chase also encourages good credit habits by rewarding you with $25 when you set up autopay within the first three months. With responsible use and on-time payments, you’ll automatically be considered for an upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited card after one year.
Pros
You’ll be automatically considered for an upgrade to the Chase Freedom Unlimited after one year.
You’ll earn 1.5 percent cash back on every purchase.
Cons
It could be harder to get approved for this card if you’re not a Chase account holder or don’t meet the account balance requirement.
There are several fees that could make this card more costly for first-time card users.
Card Details
Increase your approval chances – Having a Chase checking or savings account with a balance of at least $250 will increase your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Rise®
Earn Cash Back – With Chase Freedom Rise®, you can start building credit while earning 1.5% cash back on all purchases. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open and there is no minimum to redeem for cash back.
Earn a $25 statement credit after signing up for automatic payments within the first three months of opening your account. With automatic payments, just pick a date and dollar amount to make sure your Credit Card gets paid on time.
Credit Limit Increase – As a Freedom Rise cardmember, you’ll be evaluated for a credit line increase in as soon as 6 months. Your credit line is the maximum amount of money you can spend on your Freedom Rise® Card
Free Credit Score – Track your credit score and learn how to build it with Chase Credit Journey.
No Annual Fee – You won’t have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Rise® card.
8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services 1% cash back on all other purchases
No credit history required. Having a Chase checking or savings account with at least $250 can improve your approval chances.
1.5% cash back on general purchases
$25 statement credit when you enroll in autopay within 3 months of account opening and stay enrolled for at least 90 days.
How to choose a student credit card without a credit history
Finding a student credit card that can help you build credit from scratch might be tricky, but it’s worth it. It all starts with knowing what’s important to you. If your main priority is building credit then top-tier rewards might be on the backburner for now. It’s also wise to picture how this card will fit into your life as a student. Will it be hard to keep up with rotating categories or monthly payments as you encounter finals or rush week? Do you plan to travel internationally or study abroad with the card you’re choosing? These are the factors you’ll want to compare as you’re picking your new student credit card:
Interest rates: Check whether cards you’re considering offer introductory rates on purchases. You’ll also want to know your new card’s ongoing APR, which will impact how much interest you’re charged if you carry a balance.
Fees: Look for student credit cards that charge minimal fees or no fees. Don’t settle for cards that charge an annual fee.
Rewards: If rewards are interesting to you, compare student cards to find one that offers more rewards in categories you spend a lot in. Conversely, you can also opt for a card that offers a higher flat rate of rewards on everything you buy.
Credit reporting: Finally, make sure cards you’re considering report your credit balances and payments to the three credit bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Welcome offers: Some cards offer the chance to earn a bonus when you spend a certain amount or meet certain criteria close to account opening. If you’re deciding between two cards with similar stats, this could act as a tie-breaker.
How to build credit when you have none
If you’re just getting started building credit, there are a few key actions you’ll want to take to ensure you kick off your credit on a positive note.
Only spend what you can afford to pay back
Payment history has the biggest influence on your credit score. Once you open a line of credit, like a credit card, do your best to pay your balances in full whenever possible and always pay on time.
Keep your credit utilization ratio low
The second largest influence on your credit score is your credit utilization ratio, or how much credit you use in relation to how much credit you have available to you. Keeping your credit utilization under 30 percent is one of the best ways to help build your credit.
Consider becoming an authorized user
If you aren’t looking to get your own card right away, being an authorized user on someone else’s card could be an alternative. Just make sure that the person you choose is a responsible credit user and someone you can trust.
Is a student credit card right for you?
If you are currently in school, you don’t earn a lot of money and you have limited credit or no credit history on your credit reports then a student card might be the right choice. If you have never had a credit card or any type of loan before, these factors likely apply in your case.
With that being said, you should note that students ages 18 to 20 can only report their own personal income on their credit card applications, which can include income from jobs or income derived from scholarships or financial aid. As a result, it can be difficult to get approved for a student card if you don’t earn much of an income. If you’re 21 or older you may be able to include household income on your application.
If you have fair credit or better and a regular income, on the other hand, you’re more likely to get approved. You may not even have to choose a student credit card at all. The fact is, there are many credit cards for fair credit or good credit you may be eligible for if you have a job and you pay your own bills.How can you decide on your next steps? Your best bet is checking your credit score to see where you stand. You can also take steps to build your credit history, such as using apps like Experian Boost to get credit for subscription services you have or utility bills you pay.
Student credit cards were built with students in mind which is why it’s easier for those with no credit history to get approved. These types of cards also tend to have perks, rewards and fee structures that are tailored to college students.
While there are plenty of unsecured student credit cards available for no credit history, it’s possible that you may still have to apply for a secured card to get started until you’re eligible for an unsecured credit card. Either way, the steps to improving your credit are the same. Always make on-time payments, avoid overspending, don’t apply for credit too often and keep your credit utilization below 30 percent.
Frequently asked questions
Issuers may approve students for a student credit card if they’re at least 18 years of age and they have their own income. However, qualifying for a student credit card before the age of 21 can be a challenge if you don’t have independent income to report on your application.
Many student credit cards offer rewards, although the amount of points or cash back you can earn varies from card to card. You may not want to focus too heavily on rewards when you’re new to credit cards so you don’t fall into the trap of spending beyond your means to earn them.
Student credit cards can help you build credit as long as they report your balances and payments to the three credit bureaus. You’ll also need to prioritize using the card responsibly to build a positive credit history. That looks like making on-time payments, keeping your credit utilization low and avoiding too many hard inquiries.
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Thomas, CFEI®, S. (2025, May 09). Best credit cards for students with no credit. Bankrate. Retrieved May 10, 2025, from https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/building-credit/no-credit-student-cards/
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Thomas, CFEI®, Seychelle. "Best credit cards for students with no credit." Bankrate. 09 May 2025, https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/building-credit/no-credit-student-cards/.
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Thomas, CFEI®, Seychelle. "Best credit cards for students with no credit." Bankrate. May 09, 2025. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/building-credit/no-credit-student-cards/.
