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BestCreditCardsGuide

Credit Cards for Graduates

Cards in this group are aimed at recent graduates and young professionals who are early in building a credit history. Issuers often look at income prospects and limited credit history rather than a long record, and the details of each offer can differ.

We may be compensated when you click links to issuer sites. Advertiser Disclosure. Rates, fees and offers vary and change often; confirm current terms on the issuer’s site.

21 cards · select up to 3 to compare side by side

Discover it® Chrome for Students

  • Get $20 statement credit each school year your GPA is 3.0 or higher for up to next five years
  • Earn 2% cash back at gas and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus 1% cash back on all…
Annual fee
None
Recommended credit
Fair / No Credit Required
Intro APR
0% for 6 months from date of account opening date

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • 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
Annual fee
None
Recommended credit
Fair
Purchase APR
19.99% - 29.99% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards Credit Card

  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, popular streaming services and at grocery stores (excluding…
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months
Annual fee
None
Recommended credit
Fair
Purchase APR
19.99% - 29.99%% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card for Students

  • Introductory 0% purchase APR for your first 12 months
  • Introductory 0% APR for 15 months
Annual fee
None
Recommended credit
Poor / No Credit Required
Intro APR
0% for 18 months from account opening date

Clearview Student Platinum Mastercard®

  • Emergency cash advance and card replacement
  • Text alerts when the bank detects potentially fraudulent activity on your account 25-day grace period for purchases
Annual fee
None
Recommended credit
Poor / No Credit Required
Purchase APR
11.99% to 18.00% variable based on creditworthiness and the Prime Rate

Bank of America® Travel Rewards Credit Card for Students

  • 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within 90 days
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases
Annual fee
None
Recommended credit
Fair / No Credit Required
Intro APR
0% for 18 months from account opening date

OneMain Financial BrightWay℠ Card

  • Build your credit with no-time payments and graduate to the $0 annual fee Brightway+ credit card
  • Lower APR or higher credit limit with 6 on-time payments
Annual fee
See issuer terms
Recommended credit
Fair
Purchase APR
29.74% or 30.49% variable based on the Prime Rate

Park National Bank Visa Signature® College Real Rewards Card

  • Earn 1.5 points for every eligible net $1 you spend
  • Earn unlimited points that do not expire for five years
Annual fee
See issuer terms
Recommended credit
Poor
Intro APR
0% for 6 months from account opening date

What to look for

  • Credit history: many graduate cards accept thin files, but approval is never guaranteed.
  • Rewards versus fees: confirm the annual fee on the issuer site before applying.
  • Habits: use the card for small purchases you can repay in full to build a record of on-time payments.