Best Student Card for Target
Target purchases can code as grocery or general retail depending on your card. Pick the right one for maximum rewards. Student cards approve at lower credit scores and help build a long credit history early.
Top student picks for Target
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover · No annual fee
The best student credit card overall. Discover's Cashback Match effectively doubles all rewards earned in your first year — making a 5% rotating category card worth up to 10% on quarterly categories during year one. No annual fee, no late fee on your first missed payment, and a $20 Good Grades reward make this extraordinarily forgiving for first-time cardholders.
Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards
Capital One · No annual fee
The best student card for international students or study-abroad situations — flat 1.5% cashback with zero foreign transaction fees. Combined with Capital One's automatic credit limit increases, this is a strong launching pad for building an excellent credit score throughout college.
Discover it Student Chrome
Discover · No annual fee
A student-friendly card with Cashback Match and good grades rewards.
Chase Freedom Rise
Chase · No annual fee
Chase's student card earns an impressive 1.5% on all purchases — the same rate as many mainstream cards — making it one of the most rewarding cards for college students building credit. A $25 Good Standing reward each account anniversary incentivizes responsible use. Path to upgrading to Chase Freedom Unlimited after graduation.
Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students
Bank of America · No annual fee
Bank of America's student travel card earns flat 1.5x on everything with no foreign transaction fees — perfect for students who travel internationally or study abroad. The 25,000-point welcome bonus is worth $250 toward travel (flights, hotels, car rentals), providing excellent first-year value with no annual fee.
Annual value math — Discover it Student Cash Back at Target
Typical spend
$3,000
per year at Target
Earn rate
1%
base rate on general purchases
Annual value
$30
rewards earned per year
Pro tips for maximizing rewards at Target
- Target RedCard gives 5% off all Target purchases
- SuperTarget locations may code as grocery
- Target.com orders work with online shopping bonus cards
More card picks for Target
Best student cards for other retailers
Frequently asked questions
What is the best student credit card for Target?⌄
Our top pick is the Discover it Student Cash Back — it's a student card. With typical spending of $3,000/year at Target, that's about $30/year in rewards.
Do Target purchases count as Groceries?⌄
Target purchases typically code as Groceries or Supermarkets depending on the issuer. Card networks determine merchant category codes (MCC), so coding can vary between Visa and Mastercard for the same retailer.
Is a student card worth it just for Target?⌄
A student card is only worth it if its broader utility matches your spending. The Target fit is a bonus — not the primary reason to open one.
Any pro tips for using a card at Target?⌄
Target RedCard gives 5% off all Target purchases SuperTarget locations may code as grocery Target.com orders work with online shopping bonus cards
How much can I earn per year on Target with a student card?⌄
Earnings depend on the specific card. Most cards earn 1-2% at Target, giving $45-60/year at the $3,000 typical spend level.