Best Credit Cards for College Graduates

Short Review of Best Credit Cards for College Graduates

Who should apply for?

Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card is a great starter card if you want to build your credit. Use it responsibly, and you’ll be automatically considered for a higher credit limit in as little as six months. You can monitor your credit profile for free with the CreditWise app and get customized alerts via the Capital One app to help you manage your account.

Read more about Capital One QuicksilverOne Cash Rewards Credit Card

Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Although the Capital One Platinum Secured Mastercard® doesn’t offer a rewards program, it features a possibility of a lower security deposit, reasonable fees, and an easy way to get a higher credit line, which makes it a good card for those looking to build credit or who have made some credit mistakes in the past.

Read more about Capital One Platinum Secured Credit Card

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a card designed for those who want an all-purpose cash back card with a good bonus offer. If you’re a frequent Lyft user, you’ll do particularly well in the rewards category, and if you travel frequently, you’ll have access to valuable travel protections and insurances. If you want to maximize your rewards, you can transfer them to other Chase Ultimate Rewards credit cards.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred®

If you travel and dine out frequently, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card might be a good fit for you. It’s a great first travel card and enables cardholders to stretch rewards points with travel redemptions. Although it comes with a $95 annual fee, you can get that $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit and make the rest up with the generous rewards structure in practically no time.

Read more about Chase Sapphire Preferred®

American Express® Cash Magnet®

This no-annual-fee card is another good pick for those who want a flat rate of rewards without worrying about enrollment or categories. Additionally, if you’re making a large purchase, you can take advantage of the Pay it Plan it program.

Read more about American Express® Cash Magnet®

American Express® EveryDay®

If you use your card a lot — and spend a lot on groceries — this could be the card for you. It’s a no-annual-fee card that earns a nice rewards rate, and you can transfer your points to American Express airline partners to get the most out of them.

Read more about American Express® EveryDay®

How to choose the right credit card after graduation?

Recent grads should keep in mind that there is no “one” best credit card. There’s simply the one best for you. So, when making a decision, consider essential features for you, interest rates, and rewards programs.

Before you apply for a credit card, there are a few steps you should take. First, check your credit score to figure out which cards make the most sense for you to apply for. If it’s high, you’ll likely be able to qualify for offers from the top cards with the best rewards. On the flip side, if your score is low, your choices will be more limited. You can check your credit score for free every 12 months at AnnualCreditReport.com.

Next, decide which types of rewards you want to earn. Is cash back most important to you? Airline or hotel points? Or flexible rewards points? Once you figure out what you want, it will narrow your options. Also, look for the perks you need most, such as travel protection, extended warranties, no foreign transaction fees, rental car coverage, etc.

Because many graduating college students haven’t found jobs yet, it’s always a good idea to look for a card with no annual fee. There are plenty of them out there, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one. If you go for a card that charges an annual fee, decide if the rewards and benefits are worth paying for.

What should you do with your student credit card after graduation?

New graduates might already have student credit cards when they finish college, and there’s no reason to get rid of them. In fact, keeping your oldest student credit card can help raise your credit score because the length of credit history counts for 15% of your FICO score. Consider putting a recurring monthly bill on it so that it still contributes to your credit score.

You can always ask your issuer to upgrade your student card to something more appropriate for post-grads. And if you like the card, choosing one after college might be as easy as getting it reclassified by the issuer, so it’s no longer considered a student card. Keep in mind that once you start a job, you can always ask the issuer to increase your credit limit or lower your APR (assuming you’ve always paid on time).

Should you get a student card if you are about to graduate?

Student card issuers typically ask for verification that you are indeed enrolled in college, so if you’re about to graduate, it’s not a great time to sign up for one. That said, the Journey Student Credit Card Capital One is unusual as it does not require proof of enrollment, so you can consider applying for this card if you really like it.

How can recent graduates use credit cards responsibly?

College graduates, just like all adults, must learn to use their credit cards responsibly. The best advice for anyone with a credit card is to pay off the balance each month, which will enable you to avoid paying interest and keep your credit score where you want it. In addition, creating a budget and sticking to it will likely allow you to make those payments easily. If you can’t pay off the balance, make sure you send in the minimum payment on time.

Use your card for things that you really need, not just want. Purchase items you would buy even if you didn’t have a credit card — think groceries, gas, restaurants. And, when you make purchases, think about how they will affect your rewards.

For example, if you have a card that rewards you more for groceries or gas, make sure you use it for those purchases.

Never spend to the point where you’re close to your card’s limit because it will increase your credit utilization. Credit utilization is how much you owe compared to your limit. The general rule of thumb is to keep it at 30% or below.

You can easily calculate your utilization ratio with our helpful calculator.

Which credit card offers the best rewards for recent graduates?

Of all the cards we reviewed, Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers the best rewards for recent grads.

The current offer includes a $200 bonus when you spend $500 on the card during your first three months of having the card, plus you’ll earn 5% cash back on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) for up to $12,000 during the first year.

You’ll also earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 3% on dining (including takeout) and drugstores, and 1.5% on all other purchases. Your cash back rewards won’t expire, and there is no minimum amount required to redeem them.

Partner benefits include three free months of DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service ( must activate by Dec. 31, 2021), and 5% cash back on Lyft rides through March 2022.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® comes without an annual fee, plus a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, you’ll pay a variable APR of 20.49% - 29.24%.

This card also comes with many built-in benefits, including zero liability, extended warranty and purchase protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance; fraud protection and alerts; and auto rental collision waiver.

Another excellent feature for recent grads is access to Chase’s Credit Journey, a program that gives you insights to help you manage your credit. You can get your credit score for free and utilize other resources, such as score simulator and score factor breakdown, to help you understand your credit health.