There are many credit cards offered by Chase that help students build credit even if they have low or no credit history, like Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card, Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card, Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card, and many others.
These credit cards do not charge any annual fee for students, provide a sign-in bonus, and offer low interest rates in the starting period.
Below is a detailed overview of each card:
Summary TLDR
Top 5 Chase Credit Cards for Students to Build Credit for 2025
| Serial Number | Name of Chase Credit Cards for Students to Build Credit | Best Known & Value for |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Chase Credit Card Best Known For Excellent Value Travel Rewards |
| 2. | Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card | Chase Credit Card Best Known For Cashback Rewards |
| 3. | Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card | Chase Credit Card Best Known For Building Credit |
| 4. | Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card | Chase Credit Card Best Known For Unlimited Cashback |
| 5. | Chase Slate Edge® Credit Card | Chase Credit Card Best Known For No Annual Fee |
Best Chase Credit Cards for Students to Build Credit for [March 2025]
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card may help students with a bad or no credit history to build credit by maintaining their balances. Students may also enjoy other benefits such as travel rewards, bonus points, dining points, and many more.
Excellent Travel Rewards
- Issuer – Chase
- Payment Gateway – Visa
- Credit Score – Good-Excellent
- Intro APR – N/A
- Regular APR – 21.24%–28.24%
- Annual Fee – $95
- International Transaction Fee – No Foreign
- Transaction Fee
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – N/A
- Sign-up Bonus – 60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months
- Best For – Frequent Travelers, Foodies
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great option for travel enthusiasts which is issued by Chase. This card offers various travel rewards, dining reward points and flexible redemption options, which allow users to maximize their travel benefits while managing expenses efficiently.
The card has an annual fee of $95 and provides 2X points on travel and dining purchases. Credit limits vary, and applicants need a good credit score to qualify. In many cases, it may also allow beginners to have a credit card. This card also includes a referral program and travel insurance.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Rewards | 5x points on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards | Offers primary rental car insurance |
| Dining Benefits | 3x points on dining, streaming, and online grocery | 1:1 point transfers to airline and hotel partners. |
| Transferable points to airlines | – | – |
| Offers 60,000 Bonus Points | – | – |
| No Foreign Transaction Fee | – | – |
| Charges $95 Annual Fee | – | – |
| Charges 5% or $10 Cash Advance Fee | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Generous travel rewards and dining points.
- 25% more value when redeeming through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Comprehensive travel protections like trip cancellation and baggage delay insurance.
Cons
- Requires a good credit score for approval.
- The reward categories may not suit all students’ spending habits.
- Point redemption is complex for beginners.
Expert Advice
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a great travel card. Along with this, it also helps students build their credit. It may approve students with low or no credit history to build positive credit by applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which offers a 0% international transaction fee. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Credit Card also allows students to earn various reward points on travel purchases, dining, online grocery, streaming services, and many more.
2. Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card can assist students in building credit, even with a poor or no credit history, by managing their balances responsibly. Students may also enjoy other benefits, such as high cashback rewards on various purchases such as travel, dining, drug stores, gas stations, and many others.
Best Cashback Rewards
- Issuer – Chase
- Payment Gateway – MasterCard
- Credit Score – Good-Excellent
- Intro APR – 0% for 15 months
- Regular APR – 20.24%–28.99%
- Annual Fee – $0
- International Transaction Fee – 3%
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – 20.24%–28.99%
- Sign-up Bonus – $200 after $500 spent in 3 months
- Best For – General Consumers, Budget Shoppers
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card is designed for everyday spending and it is issued by Chase. It offers high cash back rewards on various categories and helps to manage expenses efficiently. It provides flexibility in earning rewards.
The card does not charge any annual fee and offers 5% cash back on rotating categories. The credit limit varies, and a good credit score is required. It also includes a referral program and purchase protection.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| No Annual Fee | 5% cashback on rotating categories | Includes purchase protection and extended warranty coverage |
| Rotating Categories | 3% cashback on dining & drugstores | Earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which can be transferred. |
| 5% Cashback on Travel Purchased through Chase Travel | – | – |
| 5% Cashback on upto $1,500 Purchase in Quarterly Bonus Categories | – | – |
| Charges 3% International Transaction Fee | – | – |
| Charges 5% or $10 Cash Advance Fee | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Cashback on rotating categories (up to a limit), helping students with daily needs.
- Cell phone protection is available when paying with a card.
- Strong grocery and dining cashback offers.
Cons
- Requires activation of quarterly rotating categories.
- 3% foreign transaction fees.
- Cashback rewards expire if the account is closed.
Expert Advice
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card is a great option for people who are interested in cashback rewards, including students. It can be an ideal choice for students who want to build credit as it does not charge any annual fee and it charges 0% intro APR for 15 months. It offers approx 5% cashback rewards on upto $1,500 on combined purchases in quarterly bonus categories and several cashback on different purchases such as dining at restaurants along with takeout, drugstore purchases, and many more.
3. Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Card is a great option for students who want to earn cashback rewards and build credit. It offers 1.5% cashback on all purchases and approximately $25 in statement credit for signing up for automatic payments.
Credit Building
- Issuer – Chase
- Payment Gateway – Visa
- Credit Score – Fair-Good
- Intro APR – 0% for 6 months
- Regular APR – 27.24%
- Annual Fee – $0
- International Transaction Fee – 3%
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – 27.24%
- Sign-up Bonus – $25 after first purchase in 3 months
- Best For – Credit Builders , Students
Chase Freedom Rise℠ is a solid starter credit card for those building credit. It offers 1.5% cash back on every purchase and has no categories to track, making it a simple and effective way to earn rewards while improving credit.
This card has a $0 annual fee and requires a fair credit score. Chase provides tools such as credit monitoring, automatic credit limit reviews, and fraud protection. It does not have a referral program but includes benefits such as purchase protection and extended warranties.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| No Annual Fee | 1.5 % cashback on all purchases. | No minimum redemption amount for cashback. |
| Offers Cashback | – | Auto credit lines increase eligibility with responsible use. |
| Helps to Build Credit | – | – |
| Earn $25 for Enrolling in Automatic Payments | – | – |
| Free Access to FICO Score | – | – |
| Charges 5% or $10 Cash Advance Fee | – | – |
| Charges 3% International Transaction fee | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Designed specifically for students and first-time credit users.
- Cashback rewards on everyday purchases.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus.
Cons
- Lower credit limit compared to other cards.
- Limited bonus categories for cashback.
- It is harder to qualify without a bank account with Chase.
Expert Advice
The Chase Freedom Rise℠ Card is an excellent choice for students looking to earn cashback rewards and build credit. It has no annual fee and offers a 0% introductory APR for 6 months on purchases and balance transfers. You can earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases, with no expiration on rewards as long as your account is active. Students can also receive a $25 statement credit for signing up for automatic payments within the first 3 months.
4. Chase Freedom Unlimited®
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card can assist students in building credit, even with a poor or no credit history, by managing their balances responsibly. Students may also enjoy other benefits, such as high cashback rewards on various purchases such as travel, dining, drug stores, gas stations, and many others.
Unlimited Cashback Rewards
- Issuer – Chase
- Payment Gateway – Visa
- Credit Score – Good-Excellent
- Intro APR – 0% for 15 months
- Regular APR – 20.24%–28.99%
- Annual Fee – $0
- International Transaction Fee – 3%
- Cash Advance Fee – 5% or $10
- Balance Transfer APR – 20.24%–28.99%
- Sign-up Bonus – $200 after $500 spent in 3 months
- Best For – General Consumers, N/A
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card is designed for everyday spending. Issued by Chase, it offers unlimited cash back on all purchases and helps manage expenses efficiently. It provides flexibility in earning rewards.
The card has no annual fee and offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases. The credit limit varies, and a good credit score is required. It also includes a referral program and purchase protection.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| Offers Cashback Rewards | 1.5% unlimited cashback on all purchases | Offers trip cancellation and purchase protection. |
| 5% Cash on Travel Purchases | 3% cashback on dining & drugstores. | Cashback can be converted to Chase Ultimate Rewards® points. |
| No Annual Fee | – | – |
| Charges 5% or $10 Cash Advance Fee | – | – |
| Charges 3% International Transaction fee | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Bonus cashback on travel, dining, and drugstore purchases.
- No expiration on rewards as long as the account is open.
- Complimentary three months of DashPass membership.
Cons
- It has a lower cashback rate compared to rotating category cards.
- No travel-specific perks like airport lounge access.
- Requires a strong credit profile for approval.
Expert Advice
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card is a great option for students who want to earn cashback rewards while building their credit. This card has no annual fee and provides a 0% introductory APR for the first 6 months on purchases and balance transfers. You can earn 1.5% cashback on all purchases. Students can earn 3% cashback on dining at restaurants, including takeout, drugstore purchases, and more. For travel expenses made through Chase Travel, you can earn an impressive 5% cashback.
5. Chase Slate Edge® Credit Card
The Chase Slate Edge® Credit Card can assist students in building credit, even with a poor or no credit history, by managing their balances responsibly. Students may also enjoy other benefits, such as getting their interest rate reduced by 2% every year and an increase in credit limit.
Credit Building
- Issuer – Chase
- Payment Gateway – Visa
- Credit Score – Good to Excellent
- Intro APR – 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 18 months; then 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Regular APR – 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Annual Fee – $0
- International Transaction Fee – 3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
- Cash Advance Fee – Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater
- Balance Transfer APR – 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months; then 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Sign-up Bonus – N/A
- Best For – Individuals
The Chase Slate Edge® Credit Card is a low-interest card designed for individuals looking to reduce existing credit card debt. Issued by Chase, its standout feature is the 0% intro APR for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers, along with potential APR reductions over time for responsible usage. It also offers automatic credit line reviews to help improve financial flexibility.
With no annual fee, this card is an affordable option for managing finances. It requires a good credit score (670+), and credit limits are determined by creditworthiness. The Slate Edge® also includes Chase’s Zero Liability Protection against fraud, free credit score tracking, and contactless payment for convenience. There is no referral program for this card.
| Key Features | Reward Rate | Other Information |
|---|---|---|
| No Annual Fee | N/A | Lower interest rates are available with responsible usage |
| Automatic Credit Limit Review After Meeting Certain Criteria | – | Access to Chase’s credit education tools. |
| Automatic APR Reduction Consideration After Meeting Certain Criteria | – | – |
| Charges 3% International Transaction Fee | – | – |
| Charges 5% or $10 Cash Advance Fee | – | – |
Pros & Cons:
Pros
- Ideal for students aiming to manage their credit score.
- Automatic credit limit review for responsible users.
- Lower APR over time with responsible usage.
Cons
- No rewards program or cashback.
- Limited travel and purchase protections.
- Not the best option for maximizing rewards or perks.
Expert Advice
The Chase Slate Edge® credit card is a great option for students looking to build credit. It comes with no annual fee and offers a 0% introductory APR for the first 18 months. If students pay their bills on time and spend at least $1,000 on their cards, their APR rate is reduced by 2% each year. Chase Slate Edge® credit card also provides free access to your latest credit score which helps them to monitor their credit effectively.
Table of Comparison
Chase Credit Cards for Students to Build Credit
| Name of the Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card | Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card | Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card | Chase Freedom Unlimited® Card | Chase Slate Edge® Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payment Gateway | Visa | MasterCard | Visa | Visa | Visa |
| Best For | Frequent Travellers, Food Enthusiasts | General Consumers, Budget Shoppers | Credit Builders, Students | General Consumers | Individuals |
| Credit Score | Good-Excellent | Good-Excellent | Fair-Good | Good-Excellent | Good-Excellent |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Annual Percentage Rate (Intro APR) | N/A | 0% for 15 months | 0% for 6 months | 0% for 15 months | 0% for 18 months |
| Regular APR | 21.49% – 28.49% Variable | 20.49% – 29.24% Variable | 27.49% Variable | 20.49% – 29.24% Variable | 20.49% – 29.24% Variable |
| Balance Transfer | N/A | 20.24%–28.99% | 27.24% | 20.24%–28.99% | 20.49%–29.24% |
| Sign in Bonus | 60,000 points after $4,000 spent in 3 months | $200 after $500 spent in 3 months | $25 after first purchase in 3 months | $200 after $500 spent in 3 months | N/A |
| Decision Criteria | Best for students who travel & dine out; the rewards & perks outweigh the $95 fee. | Great for cash back on rotating categories & a 0% intro APR for new cardholders. | Perfect for building credit; offers simple rewards without any annual fee. | Solid cash back on all purchases & 0% intro APR make it great for everyday spending. | Best for transferring balances and saving on interest with a long 0% intro APR period. |
Methodology
Choosing the best Chase credit card for student credit building requires evaluating approval ease, rewards, fees, and credit-building tools to ensure financial growth and smart money management.
- Focus on Key Student Needs
- Emphasis on dollar value and features beneficial for students
- Approval simplicity for those with new or limited credit history
- Spending tracking functions for effective budget management
- Reliable customer support for student-related queries
- Decision Criteria
- Selection of credit cards that help in building a strong credit history
- Features that align with students’ financial management habits
- Evaluation of Rewards and Perks
- Consideration of cashback, statement credits, and initial incentives
- Focus on long-term financial benefits
- Consideration of Fees
- Annual fees and foreign transaction fees were examined
- Preference for cards with lower or no fees
- Selection of Chase Credit Cards
- Based on different benefits such as cashback, travel points, intro APR
- Prioritization of cards with no annual fees
- Approval Likelihood
- Assessment of approval conditions like student status and income
- Consideration of linked accounts that could improve approval chances
- Credit-Building Features
- Access to free credit scores
- Tracking responsible usage habits
- Automatic credit limit increases
- Additional Benefits
- Strong customer service support
- Security features for financial protection
- Extra perks like purchase protection and extended warranties
- Final Selection Criteria
- Achieving a balance between affordability, accessibility, and financial growth opportunities for students
Choosing the Best Chase Credit Cards for Students to Build Credit?
To choose the top credit cards for students to establish credit, a systematic approach was employed.
Below are the major points to consider:
1. No Annual Fee
Many Chase credit cards for students, such as the Chase Freedom Rise and Chase Freedom Flex, do not charge an annual fee, which makes these cards more affordable for students on a budget.
2. Building Credit History
A primary reason for students to get a credit card is to build a credit history, which is important for future financial activities such as loans or apartments. The Chase Freedom Rise Credit Card is specifically designed for students to build their credit responsibly.
3. Rewards
Some Chase cards offer rewards programs, such as cash back on purchases. The Chase Freedom Flex offers approx. 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in rotating bonus categories each quarter, plus 1% cash back on all other purchases. The Chase Freedom Rise offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases.
4. Introductory APR Offers
Students may want to look for cards with 0% introductory APR on purchases, which allows them to make necessary purchases without incurring interest charges for a limited time.
5. Joining Fee
Some credit cards may charge a one-time joining fee when opening an account. Many Chase student credit cards, such as the Chase Freedom Flex, have no annual fee, which makes them more accessible and attracts students on a budget. Choosing a card without a joining fee helps keep expenses low while building credit.
6. Credit Limit
Student credit cards typically start with lower credit limits, which allows students to avoid unnecessary or overspending and manage credit responsibly. The Chase Freedom Rise Card has a credit limit of at least $500, with the potential for higher limits based on creditworthiness.
7. Student-Friendly Features
Look for useful features such as budgeting resources or spending trackers, when applying for a credit card.
Why do students need to build credit?
Students should start prioritizing the building of a good credit score, as it can provide various financial opportunities and advantages in the future. A solid credit history plays a major role in securing favorable interest rates on loans such as student and car loans, which can help students save a significant amount of money. It can also help students to get employed in various sectors, such as law enforcement and accounting, where financial responsibility is a key consideration.
Here’s why building credit is essential for students:
A good credit score as a student will enhance the ability to rent apartments and secure financing for cars. It also helps them to get credit easily from lenders as a good credit history displays responsible credit usage.
Securing better loan terms facilitates achieving long-term goals such as buying a new home or car or starting a business. A good credit history may help students get low interest rates and better terms on loans, which automatically leads to money savings.
Securing better loan terms facilitates achieving long-term goals such as buying a new home or car or starting a business. A good credit history may help students get low interest rates and better terms on loans, which automatically leads to money savings.
Early credit management experience helps in understanding financial products and avoiding debt traps set by many credit card companies.
Improves chances of rental application approvals, potentially waiving the need for extra security deposits.
Does Chase offer Credit Cards for Students?
Chase offers various credit card options that can be beneficial for students aiming to build credit. Several Chase cards offer features and rewards that are customized according to the financial needs and spending habits of college students. These cards help students establish a positive credit history, manage expenses, and earn rewards on everyday purchases.
Examples of Chase Credit Card Options for Students:
| Chase Freedom Flex Credit Card | Chase Freedom Rise℠ Credit Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
|---|---|---|
| The Chase Freedom Flex offers benefits that can appeal to college students. It offers approximately 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases for rotating bonus categories each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases. It does not charge any annual fee, and it also offers a 0% introductory APR for 15 months on purchases. | This card is designed for individuals new to credit cards, including students, and offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases. New card members who have activated their automatic online bill payment within three months of receiving their card will receive a one-time $25 statement credit. Chase suggests having at least $250 in any Chase account to increase your chances of getting approved for Chase Freedom Rise®. | This card offers travel benefits such as earning points on travel and dining and no foreign transaction fees, which can be beneficial and attract many students who are studying abroad. The Ultimate Rewards Program allows cardholders to redeem points for travel, cashback, dining, or gift cards. |
How Do Chase Credit Cards Help Students Build Credit?
Chase offers credit cards that can help students build credit in several ways.
Here’s how:
- Healthy Spending Habits: Chase provides resources and features to help students understand and manage credit responsibly, which promotes healthy spending habits.
- Low Maintenance Cost: Many Chase credit cards do not charge annual fees, which helps students manage their finances without any additional costs.
- Supports No Credit History: Chase offers student credit cards that are designed for college students who have little to no credit history.
- Promotes Higher Credit Score: If the cardholders make timely payments for the first five months, then they can be eligible for a higher credit limit.
- Reporting to Credit Bureaus: The Chase Freedom Rise credit card was a good option for students building credit. It reports to the three major credit agencies, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which is important for building a credit history, but now Chase has discontinued this card.
Chase provides an unsecured credit card (not backed by collateral) where the card member agrees to pay back the amount charged to the card. Each month, a statement reflecting the total balance and minimum due is issued, and paying bills on time indicates responsible credit use, which can help build a credit score.
Advantages of Chase Credit Cards for Students
Chase student credit cards offer a practical way for students to begin building their credit history responsibly. These cards provide several advantages, from building credit to learning essential financial management skills.
| Advantage | Description |
|---|---|
| Build Credit History | Reports on-time payments to major credit bureaus, helping you establish a credit history. |
| No Annual Fee | Saves money by eliminating annual fees, a common feature of student credit cards. |
| Earning Rewards | Earn rewards on spending, such as cashback or points, making purchases more beneficial. |
| Credit Line Increase | Option to increase credit line after timely payments, improving credit utilization ratio. |
| Good Standing Bonuses | Some cards offer bonuses for keeping the account in good standing and for responsible credit management. |
| Additional Perks | Potential access to benefits such as purchase protection and travel insurance. |
| Financial Flexibility | Provides the ability to make purchases and pay them off over time, offering financial flexibility. |
| Money Management Skills | Helps in learning about APR, budgeting, and responsible credit card usage. |
| Emergency Fund Access | Offers a financial safety net for unexpected expenses or emergencies. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Chase Student Card?
A Chase student credit card is designed for college students who want to begin building their credit history. It often has easier qualification requirements compared to regular credit cards, making it accessible for students with limited credit history.
Does Chase offer Student Accounts?
Yes, Chase provides options for students to begin building credit. While Chase doesn’t offer specific student credit cards, the Chase Freedom Rise™ is available for individuals new to credit cards, including students.
How Does Chase Credit Card Help Students Build a Credit Score?
Students can build a positive credit history by making consistent, on-time payments with a Chase student credit card. This responsible credit use can lead to a solid credit score which is beneficial for future financial ventures such as renting an apartment or applying for loans.
What Are Chase Credit Cards Best Known For?
Chase credit cards are known for their rewards programs, such as the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, which offers flexibility in redeeming points for cash back, travel, or gift cards. They are also recognized for providing various benefits and perks.
Does Chase Credit Cards Provide Rewards Along With Building Credit?
Yes, Chase student credit cards often provide rewards such as cash back on purchases. These cards allow students to earn rewards while simultaneously building their credit.
Is There an Annual Fee for Chase Student Credit Cards?
Many Chase student credit cards have no annual fee which makes them a cost-effective option for students on a tight budget. The Chase Freedom Flex card, for example, has no annual fee.