Best credit cards for college students & recent grads 💳
If you’re a college student/recent grad and never had a credit card before (or just browsing for options), you’re at the right place! I’ve always been big into researching personal finance and credit cards, so I think I have a decent grasp on this stuff. XD Credit cards are great if you use them responsibly because you build credit (which is essential to renting an apartment, buying a car, etc.), get cash back and points, and other rewards!
However, with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. Here are some of the best credit cards for college students and recent grads based on their rewards, annual fees, intro offers, and other features (plus the ones I used).
Chase Freedom Unlimited
The Chase Freedom Unlimited is a great option for college students and recent grads. I used this card for several years as a college student before I upgraded (more on that below)! This card provides 5% cash back on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% cash back on dining at restaurants, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases, as well as 1.5% cash back on all other purchases. Additionally, Chase Freedom offers a $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. There is no annual fee for this card, making it a great option for those who want to earn rewards without paying extra fees.
Chase Sapphire Preferred
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a bit more pricey, it can be a great option for recent grads who want to earn travel rewards. I upgraded to this card after holding the Chase Freedom for a couple of years. This card offers 3X points on dining, 2X on travel purchases (outside of Chase Ultimate Rewards), 3X points on dining + groceries + streaming services, and 1X point on all other purchases. Additionally, if you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening, you can earn 60,000 bonus points (which can be used to redeem cash back or book flights). This card does have an annual fee of $95, so it may not be the best option for those on a tight budget. But I would say the annual fee is worth it, because the benefits of the card can easily cover it. I got this card when I knew I was going to have big purchases coming up, so it was nice to get the bonus!
One of the best credit cards for college students is the Discover it Student Cash Back card, and it’s a popular choice among students. This card offers 5% cash back on rotating categories such as gas, restaurants, and Amazon.com. Additionally, you can earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. There is no annual fee for this card, making it an affordable option for those on a budget. As an added bonus, Discover will match all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year.
Citi Rewards+ Student Card
The Citi Rewards+ Student Card is another great option for college students. This card offers 2X ThankYou points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year, and 1X ThankYou point on all other purchases. Additionally, Citi rounds up your rewards to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, making it easy to earn rewards quickly. There is no annual fee for this card, and it also offers a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months on purchases.
I hope this is helpful! There are so many options to choose from, so you really can’t go wrong with any of them. As always, thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions below!
Love,
Lillian
