Discover It Student Cash Back Review 2025 – Forbes Advisor
Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Discover it® Student Chrome
The Discover it® Student Chrome is a simpler alternative to the Discover it® Student Cash Back. Instead of having to activate 5% rotating quarterly categories (up to $1,500 in spending, activation required), this card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
However, this simplicity comes at the cost of less earning potential. If you max out the 2% categories each quarter on the Discover it® Student Chrome card, you’ll earn a maximum of $80 annually in bonus rewards. If you max out the 5% categories on the Discover it® Student Cash Back card at $1,500 each quarter, you’d earn a maximum of $300 annually in the bonus categories alone. Otherwise, the cards are very similar so choose the one whose rewards structure you find most appealing.
Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students*
The Bank of America® Unlimited Cash Rewards credit card for Students* provides an even easier option if the category caps of the Discover it® Student Cash Back and Discover it® Student Chrome sound too limiting or confusing. The card earns a simple and unlimited 1.5% unlimited cash back on all purchases. It also comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases and balance transfers made in the first 60 days, 18.24% to 28.24% variable APR thereafter. A 3% balance transfer fee applies for the first 60 days, then 4%. That could be helpful for anyone with a heavy expense load at the start of a school year or new semester.
One note of caution: The card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so it’s not a good choice when traveling internationally, whether it’s for vacation or a study abroad program.
Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Chase Freedom Rise®
The Chase Freedom Rise® is another option accessible to students and anyone new to credit. The card has no annual fee and earns straightforward rewards of 1.5% cash back on every purchase. The issuer says your approval odds for the card will be increased if you have a total available balance of at least $250 in a Chase checking or savings account. This is not a secured card, where your credit line equals your deposit and that deposit can’t be touched. The money in your Chase bank account is yours to do with as you please.
A major advantage of this card over the Discover it® Student Cash Back card is that you’ll automatically be evaluated each year by Chase to see if you qualify to upgrade to a Chase Freedom Unlimited® if you meet two conditions: You’ve made a purchase on your Rise card in the past 12 months and you’ve made all payments on time to all financial lenders in the past 12 months, and none of your Chase accounts are suspended.
