Verdict · Updated April 2026
American Express Blue Business Plus for College Students
The American Express Blue Business Plus is workable for college students but not the strongest fit — ranked #29 of 47 eligible cards. Several cards listed in alternatives outperform it for this specific use case.
Rank #29 of 4739th percentileWorkable but not optimal
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
American Express Blue Business Plus
American Express · No annual fee
The best no-annual-fee business card for earning Membership Rewards points. Earn 2x on every purchase up to $50,000 per year, then 1x after. Pairs perfectly with the Amex Gold or Platinum for everyday business spending.
Full card review
Earn math — College Students profile
Based on typical college students spending of $9,960/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$121
Annual fee
$0
Net value
$121
Approvable with no creditZero annual feeBuild credit historyGraduation bonus
Where the American Express Blue Business Plus wins for college students
- No annual fee — zero cost to keep the account open while building history
Where it falls short
- Typically requires good credit — may deny thin-file applicants
Top 3 alternatives for college students
Cards that rank higher than or close to the American Express Blue Business Plus on our college students scoring model.
How the American Express Blue Business Plus performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the American Express Blue Business Plus a good card for college students?⌄
The American Express Blue Business Plus is workable for college students but not the strongest fit — ranked #29 of 47 eligible cards. Several cards listed in alternatives outperform it for this specific use case.
How much can I earn with the American Express Blue Business Plus on college students spending?⌄
At the typical college students spending profile of $9,960/year, this card earns approximately $121 in rewards — net $121 after the $0 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the American Express Blue Business Plus for college students?⌄
Our top 3 alternatives are Discover it Student Cash Back, Discover it Student Chrome, Chase Freedom Rise. Each ranks higher on our use-case scoring model for college students.
What credit score do I need for the American Express Blue Business Plus?⌄
The American Express Blue Business Plus typically requires good credit. Approval also depends on income, existing debt, and application history — a score in the stated range doesn't guarantee approval.
Is the American Express Blue Business Plus's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The American Express Blue Business Plus has no annual fee — there's no breakeven to clear, so any rewards earned on college students spending are pure profit.
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