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Best Credit Cards for College Graduates of 2023

At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education. This post may contain links and references to one or more of our partners, but we provide an objective view to help you make the best decisions. For more information, see our Editorial Policy.

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.

2 Partner Offers

Our Picks for the Best Credit Cards for College Graduates
Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Be automatically considered for a higher credit line in as little as 6 months

No annual fee

Rates and fees

Bank of America<sup>®</sup> Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card

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

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.

Just make sure you pay your balance in full every month to avoid the card's 30.74% (Variable) APR. See rates and fees.

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

Apply

on Capital One's website

Rates and Fees

Fair, New to Credit

Capital One Platinum Credit Card

APR

30.74% (Variable)

Intro APR

N/A*

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.