A father and teenage son look at a tablet screen together to compare credit cards.

Discover it® Student Cash Back vs. Discover it® Student Chrome

4 min read

Last Updated: January 29, 2026

Table of contents

Key Takeaways

Discover® offers two student cash back credit cards.
Both cards have many of the same features and perks designed for students beginning their credit journeys.
Each card offers a slightly different rewards program.

Are you a college student on the lookout for your first credit card? Even if you don’t yet have a credit score, you may have a few good options for building credit history and learning credit management. Discover offers two student rewards credit cards: the Discover it^® Student Cash Back card and Discover it^® Student Chrome credit card.

The ideal card for you depends on your needs and priorities. Both student credit cards from Discover offer similar perks, but you earn rewards differently. Compare your options to find the best fit.

Compare Discover it® Student Chrome and Discover it® Student Cash Back credit cards

What credit card features are important to you? Consider factors such as annual fees, cash back rewards, and other benefits as you search for the right card to meet your needs.

While the Discover student cards share many features, rewards set them apart. To decide on your best option, consider how you would prefer to earn rewards.

What features does the Discover it Card have for students?

The Discover it^® Student Chrome card and the Discover it^® Student Cash Back credit card may be excellent student credit card options, depending on your circumstances.

Finding a credit card before you’ve established a credit history may be challenging. Fortunately, there’s no credit score required to apply for a Discover it^® Student credit card.¹ If approved, you may build credit with responsible use.²

See if You're Pre-Approved

Both cards offer many of the same perks that may work well for college students who are just starting their credit journeys. Benefits include:

No annual fee
Unlimited Cashback Match. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year.³
Automatically earn rewards on all purchases.
$0 Fraud Liability Guarantee. You’re never responsible for unauthorized purchases on your Discover Card.⁴

Discover it Student Cash Back vs. Chrome rewards

The Student Cash Back and Chrome cards offer different ways to earn rewards. Both credit cards allow you to earn unlimited 1% cash back on all your purchases, automatically. But the eligible purchase categories that earn cash back at a higher rate differ.

The Discover it^® Student Cash Back card offers a higher cash back rate in different spending categories each quarter. Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. You have to activate the new offer every three months to earn rewards at a higher rate.
The Discover it^® Student Chrome card offers extra cash back on gas and grocery purchases. You earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically.⁵ You don’t have to activate the offer, and it doesn’t change throughout the year.

Who should get the Discover it Student Chrome card?

The Discover it^® Student Chrome card may be ideal for students who:

Drive to classes each day or travel off campus often
Frequently go out to eat
Don’t have the time to keep track of changing rewards categories
Value convenient, low-maintenance credit card rewards
Have no credit history

Who should get the Discover it Student Cash Back card?

The Discover it^® Student Cash Back card may be a great fit for students who:

Plan to use the credit card for a variety of expenses
Frequently shop at grocery stores, pharmacies, or online
Have the time to keep track of changing rewards categories and activating new offers
Value rewards earnings over convenience
Have no credit history

Did you know?

Establishing a strong credit history while you’re in college may help you qualify for a broader range of credit cards after graduation with rewards and features that fit your changing needs.

Learn More

The bottom line

It’s never too early to begin your credit-building journey, especially when you have a card that meets your needs. The best card option for you depends on your personal spending habits. Both Discover student credit cards offer rewards and tools that may help you learn responsible credit habits and hone your personal finance skills.

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