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College graduation is a significant milestone for students who are preparing to begin the rest of their lives. Having a good credit card can help you not only build and maintain a good credit score but also provide you with everyday benefits as you use it responsibly.
Our top picks for the best credit cards for college students offer a mix of rewards and benefits, including some that can help you expand a thin credit file.
4 Partner Offers
| Our Picks for the Best Credit Cards for College Graduates | |
|---|---|
 Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening 5 per dollar on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; NULL points per dollar on dining; 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases; and 1 point per dollar on everything else $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more $95 annual fee |
 Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card | 1.5% cash back on every purchase; 5% cash back on hotels and car rentals booked through Capital One Travel Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months $39 annual fee |
 Capital One Platinum Credit Card | Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months No annual fee |
 Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card | $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $1,000 in the first 90 days from account opening Intro 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and any balance transfers made in the first 60 days; 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR after that; 3% intro balance transfer fee for the first 60 days, then 4%. 1.5% cash back on every purchase Earn up to 75% more rewards as a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member No annual fee |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If you've established a good credit history and want an excellent introduction to travel credit cards, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which offers outsized value for its modest $95 annual fee. For starters, you can earn an impressive 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening with the card. That's worth $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
The card also offers solid rewards, giving you 5 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards; NULL points per dollar on dining; 2 points per dollar on other travel purchases; and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
Rewards are worth 25% more if you use them to book travel through Chase, or you can transfer your points to certain airline and hotel loyalty programs.
In addition to a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, the card also offers a suite of travel insurance benefits, as well as perks with select partners, including DoorDash.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
APR
21.49% - 28.49% Variable
Intro APR
Rewards
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
3x Points on dining, select streaming services and online groceries
2x Points on Other Travel
1x Points on All Other Purchases
Intro Bonus
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Annual Fee
$95
Card Details
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®; 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
- Member FDIC
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
If you have a limited credit history, the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an opportunity to continue building your credit while earning rewards along the way. The card offers a solid 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make and 5% cash back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
While you may start out with a relatively low credit limit, the card issuer will review your account starting at six months to determine if you qualify for a credit line increase.
The card doesn't offer a lot of perks, but you will get up to six months of complimentary Uber One membership through November 14, 2024.
Because of the card's $39 annual fee and its high 29.99% (Variable) APR, it's a good option for building credit, but you may want to replace it later if you can qualify for a less expensive card or one with more perks.
Read full reviewCapital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
on Capital One's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
APR
29.99% (Variable)
Intro APR
Rewards
1.5% Cash Back on every purchase, every day, 5% Cash Back on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel (terms apply)
1.5% Cash Back on All Purchases
Annual Fee
$39
Card Details
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
- No rotating categories or limits to how much you can earn, and cash back doesn't expire for the life of the account. It's that simple
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Help strengthen your credit for the future with responsible card use
- Enjoy up to 6 months of complimentary Uber One membership statement credits through 11/14/2024
- 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
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
The Capital One Platinum Credit Card is another card that can be a good option if you're still relatively new to credit.
Just keep in mind the card doesn't offer any rewards, and it doesn't provide much beyond standard credit card benefits. However, you may be able to get a credit limit increase starting at six months, and the card doesn't charge an annual fee. If you want to build credit but won't spend enough to cover the Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card's annual fee, this can be a good alternative.
Just make sure you pay your balance in full every month to avoid the card's 29.99% (Variable) APR. See rates and fees.
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
on Capital One's website
Recommended FICO® Score*
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
APR
29.99% (Variable)
Intro APR
Rewards
None
Annual Fee
$0
Card Details
- No annual or hidden fees. See if you're approved in seconds
- Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months
- Help build your credit through responsible use of a card like this
- Enjoy peace of mind with $0 Fraud Liability so that you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Monitor your credit score with CreditWise from Capital One. It's free for everyone
- Get access to your account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with online banking from your desktop or smartphone, with Capital One's mobile app
- Check out quickly and securely with a contactless card, without touching a terminal or handing your card to a cashier. Just hover your card over a contactless reader, wait for the confirmation, and you're all set
- Pay by check, online or at a local branch, all with no fee - and pick the monthly due date that works best for you
Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card
If you have established good credit and you prefer simplicity, the no-annual-fee Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card can be a good option. The card offers a flat 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make.
Additionally, new cardholders will earn a $200 cash rewards bonus when they spend $1,000 in the first 90 days, as well as an introductory 0% APR for 15 billing cycles on purchases and any balance transfers made within 60 days from account opening. After that, the APR is 18.24% - 28.24% Variable. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After that, a 4% fee applies to all balance transfers.
If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, which requires that you have at least $20,000 in eligible accounts with the bank and its investment arm, Merrill Lynch, you can earn between 25% and 75% more cash back with your card. If you can maximize that perk, you can earn up to an impressive 2.62% back on every purchase you make.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Choose a Credit Card as a Recent College Graduate
With so many credit card options available, there's no single card that's best for everyone. As a result, it's important that you consider several factors to determine which card is right for you:
- Review your credit score. Most of the best credit cards available require good or excellent credit, which typically means a FICO® Score☉ of 670 or higher. Review your credit score to gauge your odds of approval for the cards you're considering.
- Consider your spending habits. If you're looking at rewards credit cards, consider how each card structures its rewards program and pick the card that allows you to make the most of your everyday spending. If you spend a lot on groceries and gas, for instance, focus on cards that provide bonus cash back, points or miles on those expenses.
- Define your preferences. Credit cards can offer a wide variety of rewards and benefits, so it's important to know what you want in a card. For example, if you prefer simplicity, consider going with a card that offers a high, flat rewards rate on everything. But if you want to maximize rewards, consider a card that offers bonus rewards in your top spending categories. Also, take a look at other card benefits and features to determine which one will give you the most overall value.
While it may be tempting to compare cards based on their welcome bonuses, make sure you pick the card that will give you the most value in the long run.
What to Do if You Don't Have a Credit Score
If you're just starting out with credit, focus your efforts on cards, such as the Capital One Platinum Credit Card, that are geared toward new-to-credit applicants.
There are also other credit cards out there that you can get approved for without a credit score.
As you work to establish your credit profile, Experian Go™ can help you by providing resources to help you build healthy credit habits. You'll also get free access to your FICO® Score and Experian credit report so you can track your progress.
Do I Need a Job to Get a Credit Card?
You'll need to have a source of income to get approved for a credit card, and having a steady job can help improve your odds of getting approved. However, if you have access to sufficient income from other sources, a job isn't necessary to get approved.
The Bottom Line
Having a good credit card right out of college can help you to build your credit history and develop healthy credit habits. In some cases, you'll also be able to take advantage of great rewards and perks along the way.
If you're not sure where to start or you're concerned about applying for a card you're not eligible for, consider using Experian CreditMatch™ to get matched with credit card offers based on your credit profile.