Verdict · Updated April 2026
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards for College Students
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards isn't optimized for college students — ranked #37 of 47 eligible cards. Unless you already hold it for other reasons, consider one of the alternatives below.
Rank #37 of 4722th percentileConsider alternatives
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards
Bank of America · No annual fee
Choose your own 3% cash back category — gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement — and earn 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs (up to 2,500 dollars combined per quarter). Bank of America Preferred Rewards members earn up to 75% more cash back, making this a powerhouse for existing BoA customers.
Full card review
Earn math — College Students profile
Based on typical college students spending of $9,960/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$179
Annual fee
$0
Net value
$179
Approvable with no creditZero annual feeBuild credit historyGraduation bonus
Where the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards 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 Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards on our college students scoring model.
How the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards a good card for college students?⌄
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards isn't optimized for college students — ranked #37 of 47 eligible cards. Unless you already hold it for other reasons, consider one of the alternatives below.
How much can I earn with the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards on college students spending?⌄
At the typical college students spending profile of $9,960/year, this card earns approximately $179 in rewards — net $179 after the $0 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards 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 Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards?⌄
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards 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 Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards 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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