Verdict · Updated April 2026
SoFi Credit Card for College Students
The SoFi Credit Card is a solid pick for college students — ranked #17 of 47 eligible cards. It's a reasonable choice but not the category leader; check the alternatives below before committing.
Rank #17 of 4765th percentileSolid option — check alternatives
Reviewed by CardCompare Editorial Board
|Data-driven ranking|Updated April 2026
SoFi Credit Card
SoFi · No annual fee
SoFi's fintech credit card offers an impressive 2% unlimited cashback when you redeem into a SoFi checking/savings account or invest it (including crypto). No annual fee, no FTF, no late fees, and no BT fees — the fee structure is the cleanest in the market. You can buy crypto directly with your rewards.
Full card review
Earn math — College Students profile
Based on typical college students spending of $9,960/year across the categories below.
Annual rewards
$202
Annual fee
$0
Net value
$202
Approvable with no creditZero annual feeBuild credit historyGraduation bonus
Where the SoFi Credit Card 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
- No intro 0% APR and a high regular APR (27.49%) — carrying a balance is expensive
Top 3 alternatives for college students
Cards that rank higher than or close to the SoFi Credit Card on our college students scoring model.
How the SoFi Credit Card performs for other use cases
Frequently asked questions
Is the SoFi Credit Card a good card for college students?⌄
The SoFi Credit Card is a solid pick for college students — ranked #17 of 47 eligible cards. It's a reasonable choice but not the category leader; check the alternatives below before committing.
How much can I earn with the SoFi Credit Card on college students spending?⌄
At the typical college students spending profile of $9,960/year, this card earns approximately $202 in rewards — net $202 after the $0 annual fee.
What are better alternatives to the SoFi Credit Card 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 SoFi Credit Card?⌄
The SoFi Credit Card 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 SoFi Credit Card's annual fee worth it for this use case?⌄
The SoFi Credit Card 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 SoFi Credit Card