Verdict · Updated April 2026
Chase Freedom Rise for First Credit Card
The Chase Freedom Rise is a top choice for first credit card — ranked #1 of 47 eligible cards on our use-case scoring model. If first credit card is your primary need, this card is a strong primary pick.
Rank #1 of 47100th percentileStrong primary pick
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
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.
Full card review
Earn math — First Credit Card profile
Based on typical first credit card spending of $9,720/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$146
Annual fee
$0
Net value
$146
Easy approvalZero feeSimple rewardsReports to all 3 bureaus
Where the Chase Freedom Rise wins for first credit card
- Approvable with no credit history
- Zero annual fee — no fixed cost to worry about
- Simple reward structure — easy to maximize without category tracking
Where it falls short
- No intro 0% APR and a high regular APR (26.99%) — carrying a balance is expensive
Top 3 alternatives for first credit card
Cards that rank higher than or close to the Chase Freedom Rise on our first credit card scoring model.
How the Chase Freedom Rise performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chase Freedom Rise a good card for first credit card?⌄
The Chase Freedom Rise is a top choice for first credit card — ranked #1 of 47 eligible cards on our use-case scoring model. If first credit card is your primary need, this card is a strong primary pick.
How much can I earn with the Chase Freedom Rise on first credit card spending?⌄
At the typical first credit card spending profile of $9,720/year, this card earns approximately $146 in rewards — net $146 after the $0 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the Chase Freedom Rise for first credit card?⌄
Our top 3 alternatives are Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students, Discover it Student Cash Back, Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa. Each ranks higher on our use-case scoring model for first credit card.
What credit score do I need for the Chase Freedom Rise?⌄
The Chase Freedom Rise typically requires no-credit credit. Approval also depends on income, existing debt, and application history — a score in the stated range doesn't guarantee approval.
Is the Chase Freedom Rise's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The Chase Freedom Rise has no annual fee — there's no breakeven to clear, so any rewards earned on first credit card spending are pure profit.
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