Alex Johnson, Member
@nobarter
The best secured credit card for students is Discover it Secured, as it adds 1%-2% cash back rewards on top of no annual or foreign transaction fees. There aren’t any secured cards that are specifically for students, but students can definitely qualify for any of them. Secured cards are best for students with bad credit or those under the age of 21 who don’t have independent income. Students with limited or no credit history can get unsecured student credit cards with much better terms, as long as they have a bit of their own money saved up. Capital One Journey Student Rewards and Discover it Chrome for Students are two of the best options.
Here are the best secured credit cards for students:
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Best for everyday rewards: Discover it Secured
2% cash back on $1,000 spent per quarter at restaurants and gas stations. 1% back on everything else. Double rewards the first year. Minimum deposit of $200. No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. -
Best for students tight on cash: Capital One Secured Mastercard
No rewards. Minimum deposit of $49, $99, or $200 depending on your credit. $200 limit. No annual fee and no foreign transaction fees. -
Best for study abroad & spring break: AeroMexico Secured Visa
3,500 bonus miles and a companion certificate for using your card once. 2 miles per $1 spent on gas and groceries (1 point per $1 on everything else). Companion certificate each account anniversary. Free baggage on AeroMexico flights. $300 minimum deposit. $25 annual fee. -
Easiest approval: OpenSky Secured Visa
No rewards. No credit check. $35 annual fee. $200 minimum deposit.
If you’re a student with bad credit, a secured card is right for you. But if you have limited credit or better, there are plenty of unsecured student credit cards you can get that will pay you, rather than the other way around.

2021's Best Secured Credit Cards
Compare CardsPercy Rossman, Member
@percy_rossman
I think the best one is the Capital One Secured Mastercard. The security deposit can be $49, $99, or $200, depending on your credit worthiness. This will double as your credit limit, and you can deposit more money if you want a higher limit. The card has no annual fee, and an APR of 24.99%. If you make your first 5 monthly payments on time, you’re eligible for a credit limit increase.
Steven Beck, Member
@steven_beck_2
If you're just starting out, Opensky is a good option, since it doesn't even have a credit check. There's no fancy rewards, but you're pretty much guaranteed to get it, since it's a secured card.
If you do really care about getting rewards so early in your credit-building adventure, then yeah, Discover Secured is a better option.
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