Discover it® Student Chrome
vs. Discover it® Student Cash Back

If you're a student looking for a rewarding credit card experience, you may be considering the Discover it® Student Chrome and the Discover it® Student Cash Back. Both cards offer attractive features for those with no credit history, such as a $0 annual fee and a six-month introductory 0% APR on purchases. The Discover it Student Cash Back is better if you can maximize the 5% cash back in rotating categories, while the Discover it Student Chrome caters to consistent earners with 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants.

You might prefer the Discover it Student Chrome if you value a higher effective reward rate for your spending. It is particularly beneficial if you frequently spend at gas stations and restaurants, where you can earn 2% cash back. It's forgiving for the occasional slip-up, with no late fee on the first late payment and no penalty APR. For those who plan to use their card regularly for eligible purchases, the card has an expected reward value of $341.

You might prefer the Discover it Student Cash Back if you can maximize the 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places each quarter, like Amazon.com, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations and when you pay using PayPal, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. The rotating categories can be highly rewarding if your spending aligns with the featured categories. Consumers can benefit from no annual fee and an introductory offer of 0% for six months on purchases, making this card a cost-effective choice for students starting their credit journey.

Our breakdown will help compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features, helping you align your choice with your spending patterns and financial goals — whether you dine out frequently or commute and can benefit from the Discover it Student Chrome or your spending is varied and the Discover itStudent Cash Back is more advantageous for you.

When it comes to rewards, the Discover it Student Cash Back card leads with its 5% cash back in rotating categories, which can be highly rewarding if your spending aligns with those categories. However, it requires quarterly activation and tracking, which might not suit everyone's preferences.

On the other hand, the Discover it Student Chrome card offers a steady 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants, making it a straightforward choice for those who consistently spend in these areas.

For those who prefer simplicity and dine out or drive frequently, the Discover it Student Chrome card's consistent rewards in these categories could be more appealing. However, for those willing to activate and align their spending with the rotating categories, the Discover it Student Cash Back card could yield a higher rewards rate. The table below provides a detailed comparison of the bonus categories for each card.

After accumulating rewards with either the Discover it Student Cash Back or Discover it Student Chrome, you can redeem your cash back at any time and in any amount, ensuring that your rewards are always accessible. Both cards offer various redemption options, including statement credits, direct deposits to bank accounts and gift cards.

MoneyGeek evaluates credit cards like Discover it Student Chrome and Discover it Student Cash Back using a detailed ranking process. For each card, scores are assigned for various use cases, such as cash back and balance transfers.

In this comparison, the cards' highest-scoring use case is cash back. The most significant factors determining their scores include the effective reward rate and the return on investment for offers. Other considerations include annual fees, introductory purchase rates and issuer satisfaction. To better understand our scoring system, you can review our ranking methodology.