Verdict · Updated April 2026
Chase Freedom Rise for College Students
The Chase Freedom Rise is a top choice for college students — ranked #3 of 47 eligible cards on our use-case scoring model. If college students is your primary need, this card is a strong primary pick.
Rank #3 of 4796th 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 — College Students profile
Based on typical college students spending of $9,960/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$151
Annual fee
$0
Net value
$151
Approvable with no creditZero annual feeBuild credit historyGraduation bonus
Where the Chase Freedom Rise wins for college students
- Explicitly built for college students — approval process accounts for thin credit files
- Approvable with no credit history — perfect for a first-ever card
- No annual fee — zero cost to keep the account open while building history
Where it falls short
- No intro 0% APR and a high regular APR (26.99%) — carrying a balance is expensive
Top 3 alternatives for college students
Cards that rank higher than or close to the Chase Freedom Rise on our college students scoring model.
How the Chase Freedom Rise performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chase Freedom Rise a good card for college students?⌄
The Chase Freedom Rise is a top choice for college students — ranked #3 of 47 eligible cards on our use-case scoring model. If college students is your primary need, this card is a strong primary pick.
How much can I earn with the Chase Freedom Rise on college students spending?⌄
At the typical college students spending profile of $9,960/year, this card earns approximately $151 in rewards — net $151 after the $0 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the Chase Freedom Rise for college students?⌄
Our top 3 alternatives are Discover it Student Cash Back, Discover it Student Chrome, Bank of America Travel Rewards for Students. Each ranks higher on our use-case scoring model for college students.
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 college students spending are pure profit.
Want the full card review?
See rewards, fees, and all perks of the Chase Freedom Rise