Find Your Best
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
vs. Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
Updated: December 5, 2024
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You can compare the features, fees and rewards of these two student credit cards to see which one is right for you.
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is a solid choice for international students and students with poor credit histories. You won't have to pay an annual fee or put down a security deposit, and you'll get 1% cash back on all of your purchases.
As for the Chase Freedom® Student credit card, every purchase you make earns you 1% cash back with no annual fee. Additionally, you can qualify for a $20 yearly incentive by maintaining an excellent credit rating for a maximum of five years.
Comparison Overview: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students vs. Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
- Deserve® EDU Mastercard for StudentsChase Freedom® Student Credit Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students At a Glance
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card is designed for students with limited or less than perfect credit history. When you have the card, you will also receive a year of Amazon Prime Student for a year and cell phone protection. Additionally, this card is an excellent choice for international students in the United States since you don't need a Social Security number to apply.
- Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students
Best student cash back card for limited credit history
- 1% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 23.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- (No Credit History)Recommended Credit
Pros
- Earn 1% cash back on all your purchases
- There is no annual fee or foreign transaction fee
- You will have complimentary Amazon Prime Student for a year
- Complimentary cell phone protection when you use your card to pay your cell phone bill
- Do not need a Social Security Number (SSN) to apply
- Access to Mastercard Platinum benefits
Cons
- High APR on purchases
Rewards
Earn 1% cash back on all purchases, making it easy for students to earn rewards on everyday spending.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- Enjoy no annual fee, helping you save money each year.
- Make purchases abroad without worrying about foreign transaction fees.
Perks & Benefits
- Get one year of Amazon Prime Student, adding value to your online shopping experience.
- Protect your cell phone with coverage up to $600 when you pay your phone bill with your card.
- Benefit from Mastercard Platinum perks, including rental car insurance.
- Use the easy-to-use app to manage your account and pause card access if you misplace it, all on the go.
Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card At a Glance
Students who seek a no annual fee student credit card that will help them establish good credit could find value in the Chase Freedom® Student credit card. The card features a modest rewards program, where you’ll earn 1% back on every transaction. And when you make your first purchase within the first three months of card membership, you will earn a $50 bonus.
- Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card
A solid card with rewards students are sure to appreciate
- 1-5% Cash BackRewards Rate
- 19.99% VariableAPR
- $0Annual Fee
- Good–ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- Small, but attainable welcome offer
- Simple rewards structure with no cap
- Anniversary bonuses for good standing
- No annual fee
Cons
- Low rewards rate
- No intro APR
Rewards
- Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all purchases.
- Get 5% cash back on Lyft rides until March 31, 2025.
Introductory Offers
- Earn a $50 bonus after making your first purchase within the first three months.
Perks & Benefits
- Receive a $20 Good Standing Reward after each account anniversary, up to 5 years.
- Enjoy a complimentary three-month DashPass membership.
APRS, Fees, and Penalties
- No annual fee.
Comparison Summary
By comparing the differences between Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students vs. Chase Freedom® Student credit card on MoneyGeek, you can determine the best student credit card for your needs.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Foreign Transaction Fee | The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card doesn't charge foreign transaction fees, which makes it a great choice if you're traveling outside of the United States. The Chase Freedom® Student credit card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. Winner: Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students |
Regular APR | The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students has a high variable APR of 18.74%, much higher than the rate on several other cards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited Credit Card carries an APR of 14.99% on purchases. Winner: Chase Freedom Unlimited |
Rewards | Both of these credit cards will give you a flat 1% cashback on all purchases. Many other cards have better rates and bonus categories that make it easier to get rewards faster. Winner: Tie |
Annual Fee | Both cards have a $0 annual fee. Winner: Tie |
Credit Score | Because both cards are student credit cards, the barrier to entry is quite low. There are no verifiable credit scores needed for either card, but it’s best to have at least a 640 credit score to give yourself a chance of being approved. Winner: Tie |
Which Card Should You Get?
When deciding between the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students and Chase Freedom® Student credit cards, it's important to consider your financial situation.
Who Should Consider the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students?
The Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students is designed mainly for students with a low credit history and need to establish credit quickly. Typically, those with poor credit histories would be required to put down a security deposit or have a co-signer authorized for a credit card.
Because there are no foreign transaction fees with this card, it’s an excellent choice for anyone traveling overseas.
Pre-qualification for this card is possible without negatively impacting your credit score.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Chase Freedom® Student Credit Card?
For students who want to use a card often in the U.S. and receive cash back, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card is a great option.
There is no expiration date on your rewards, and there is no minimum redemption amount required to get your cash back.
If you make your first purchase within three months of opening the card, you'll get a $50 bonus.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
The Deserve EDU Card is a solid option for people with less than perfect credit history, or do not have a Social Security number. However, if you don’t fall into either category, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card will be the better option as you can earn a quick welcome bonus and have the opportunity to build a history with Chase Bank, which offers other great credit cards.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
Choosing a credit card can often be a difficult decision. MoneyGeek answers some frequently asked questions about the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card and the Chase Freedom® Student credit cards to help you better understand them.
Is the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students credit card better than the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?
If you want to build a good credit history, you may choose the Deserve EDU Student Mastercard. On the other hand, the Chase Freedom® Student credit card is a great option for students who want to use a card often and receive cash back.
Can you get the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card if you have the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?
You can apply and be approved for both credit cards. But note that you will not be able to get a Chase credit card if you’ve been approved for five or more credit cards in the past 24 months.
Can you transfer points from the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card to the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?
Neither card earns points.
Can you switch from the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card to the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?
Yes you can, since each card is associated with a different bank and issuer.
What’s harder to get, the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students card or the Chase Freedom® Student credit card?
Both cards are fairly easy to be approved for as they don’t require perfect credit. However, both cards have similar requirements including verifiable income to pay your bill.
How much do you have to spend for the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students and Chase Freedom® Student credit card to get the welcome bonus?
There is no welcome bonus available with the Deserve® EDU Mastercard for Students. The Chase Freedom® Student credit card gives a $50 welcome bonus after the first purchase made within the first three months of use.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
Both the Deserve EDU Student Mastercard and the Chase Freedom® Student credit cards are great student credit cards. However, if you're looking for other methods to earn rewards, consider shopping around for another student rewards credit card.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.