Whether you have a little one starting preschool or a big one heading off to college, one thing remains the same: School shopping can get expensive. They all need books, new wardrobes and tech to help them learn. Besides shopping sales and looking for used items, applying for the right credit card can help you save this year.
Using credit cards that earn cash back, include welcome bonuses and maybe even offer promotional financing can help you stretch your back-to-school budget. The picks below are either no annual fee or low annual fee credit cards that help maximize your savings on school supplies and beyond.
Read more: Best Student Credit Cards
CNET’S PICK
Best overall credit card for school shopping
Intro Offer
$200 cash rewards
Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Select “Apply Now” to take advantage of this specific offer and learn more about product features, terms and conditions.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card has a top cash rewards rate for your spending, regardless of which brands you prefer or whether you shop online or in physical stores. It’s low maintenance with no annual fee, and you can likely unlock the welcome bonus between your school shopping and day-to-day purchases. And if you need a little extra time to pay off books, dorm room furnishings or other school supplies, you can make use of the introductory APR. Just be sure to make all your minimum payments on time and pay off the balance by the end of the introductory period to avoid interest charges.
See more details in our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
Pros
-
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
-
Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
-
No annual fee
-
Introductory APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
-
Up to $600 in cell phone damage or theft protection subject to a $25 deductible
Cons
-
No outstanding cardholder perks or statement credits
-
3% foreign currency conversion fee
-
Rewards must be redeemed in $20 or $25 increments for some redemption options
Rating Breakdown
4.4
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%, min: $5
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
The Wells Fargo Active Cash Card has a top cash rewards rate for your spending, regardless of which brands you prefer or whether you shop online or in physical stores. It’s low maintenance with no annual fee, and you can likely unlock the welcome bonus between your school shopping and day-to-day purchases. And if you need a little extra time to pay off books, dorm room furnishings or other school supplies, you can make use of the introductory APR. Just be sure to make all your minimum payments on time and pay off the balance by the end of the introductory period to avoid interest charges.
See more details in our full review of the Wells Fargo Active Cash Card.
Pros
-
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
-
Easy-to-earn welcome bonus
-
No annual fee
-
Introductory APR offer on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
-
Up to $600 in cell phone damage or theft protection subject to a $25 deductible
Cons
-
No outstanding cardholder perks or statement credits
-
3% foreign currency conversion fee
-
Rewards must be redeemed in $20 or $25 increments for some redemption options
Rating Breakdown
4.4
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening
- Regular APR
- 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- up to 5%, min: $5
2%
Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases
To incentivize good credit behavior
Intro Offer
$200 cash back
Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
While you won’t get an introductory APR on purchases like with the Active Cash, you can still earn a top cash-back rate on all of your school spending with the Citi Double Cash Card. The catch is that you earn the first 1% when you make the purchase, like with most rewards credit cards, but you only earn the second 1% after you pay off those purchases. While this could be seen as inconvenient, it can help incentivize cardholders to pay off their card on time and in full, which can in turn boost your credit.
Check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash Card for more details.
Rating Breakdown
4.0
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
5%
Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
1%
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
While you won’t get an introductory APR on purchases like with the Active Cash, you can still earn a top cash-back rate on all of your school spending with the Citi Double Cash Card. The catch is that you earn the first 1% when you make the purchase, like with most rewards credit cards, but you only earn the second 1% after you pay off those purchases. While this could be seen as inconvenient, it can help incentivize cardholders to pay off their card on time and in full, which can in turn boost your credit.
Check out our full review of the Citi Double Cash Card for more details.
Rating Breakdown
4.0
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% intro for 18 months on Balance Transfers
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)
- Balance Transfer Fee
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum) applies if completed after 4 months of account opening.
5%
Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
1%
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
For school supplies on Amazon
Intro Offer
Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card
Get a $100 Amazon Gift Card instantly upon approval exclusively for Prime members
You can stock up on fashion, supplies and dorm furnishings for the school year on Amazon. The Prime Visa will earn you top rewards on Amazon, and it’s one of the few retailer credit cards that lets you also earn cash back on other spending categories. While there’s no annual fee, you’ll need to have a Prime membership ($139 annually) to maintain this card. Otherwise, you’ll get the rewards with the non-Prime version: the Amazon Visa*.
Check out our full review of the Prime Visa for more information.
Rating Breakdown
4.2
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
10%
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
5%
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
2%
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
1%
Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
You can stock up on fashion, supplies and dorm furnishings for the school year on Amazon. The Prime Visa will earn you top rewards on Amazon, and it’s one of the few retailer credit cards that lets you also earn cash back on other spending categories. While there’s no annual fee, you’ll need to have a Prime membership ($139 annually) to maintain this card. Otherwise, you’ll get the rewards with the non-Prime version: the Amazon Visa*.
Check out our full review of the Prime Visa for more information.
Rating Breakdown
4.2
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 20.49% – 29.24% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- Either $5 or 4% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
10%
Prime Card Bonus: Earn 10% back or more on a rotating selection of items and categories on Amazon.com with an eligible Prime membership
5%
Earn unlimited 5% back at Amazon.com, Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods Market, and on Chase Travel purchases with an eligible Prime membership
2%
Earn unlimited 2% back at gas stations, restaurants, and on local transit and commuting (including rideshare)
1%
Earn unlimited 1% back on all other purchases
Furnish a dorm room at Target
Intro Offer
Save $50 on a future qualifying purchase
Save $50 on a future qualifying purchase over $50 when approved for credit or debit Target Circle Card
The Target Circle Card* — which replaced the Target RedCard — can earn you 5% off your purchases online, in-store and at Starbucks located within Target stores. This can come in handy particularly if you’re furnishing an apartment or a dorm room. The card comes with plenty of perks that regular Target shoppers can make use of, long after the school season is over. Among them is free shipping for most Target.com purchases and an extra 30 days for returns.
Rating Breakdown
2.7
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 29.95% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
5%
5% off every day at Target and Target.com
2%
Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases
1%
1% everywhere else outside of Target
The Target Circle Card* — which replaced the Target RedCard — can earn you 5% off your purchases online, in-store and at Starbucks located within Target stores. This can come in handy particularly if you’re furnishing an apartment or a dorm room. The card comes with plenty of perks that regular Target shoppers can make use of, long after the school season is over. Among them is free shipping for most Target.com purchases and an extra 30 days for returns.
Rating Breakdown
2.7
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- N/A
- Intro Purchase APR
- N/A
- Regular APR
- 29.95% Variable
- Balance Transfer Fee
- N/A
5%
5% off every day at Target and Target.com
2%
Earn 2% on dining and gas purchases
1%
1% everywhere else outside of Target
Rotating categories for the whole school year
Intro Offer
Cashback Match
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers – only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
The Discover it Cash Back* offers some flexibility for your school spending. The flagship rotating rewards category often includes school necessities. From July through September, you can earn 5% cash back when you activate (on up to a combined $1,500 in spending for the fiscal quarter, then 1%) at Walmart and grocery stores. And the welcome offer will make your rewards for the first year even better.
Check out more details in our full review of the Discover it Cash Back.
Rating Breakdown
4.1
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
5%
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
The Discover it Cash Back* offers some flexibility for your school spending. The flagship rotating rewards category often includes school necessities. From July through September, you can earn 5% cash back when you activate (on up to a combined $1,500 in spending for the fiscal quarter, then 1%) at Walmart and grocery stores. And the welcome offer will make your rewards for the first year even better.
Check out more details in our full review of the Discover it Cash Back.
Rating Breakdown
4.1
We rate credit cards using our Rewards / Travel methodology for cards tailored to earning rewards. We focus on each card’s reward potential, the value you get compared to the card’s cost, the benefits and the card’s rates and fees. Credit card issuers have no say or influence in our ratings. How we rate credit cards
- Intro Balance Transfer APR
- 0% for 15 months
- Intro Purchase APR
- 0% for 15 months
- Regular APR
- 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR
- Balance Transfer Fee
- 3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
5%
Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate.
1%
Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases – automatically.
Assuming you’re looking for a good return on your shopping, the ideal credit card to use for your school shopping will offer a high reward rate, helpful terms and useful perks.
If you’re sending your child away to college, a card with an introductory purchase APR could help you finance things like expensive textbooks and dorm furnishings. The best might even feature extra card perks like purchase protection or extended warranty protection to insure your purchases for a time.
How to choose the right card for you
The best card for you will come down to what you’re intending to use it for. Generally, credit cards won’t have a specific bonus category for school supplies, but certain cards — like the Active Cash — offer a good cash rewards rate that isn’t dependent on how you’re using it. Other cards may offer rewards at office supply stores.
If you’ll be making some large purchases soon, whether it’s new furniture or textbooks, consider a credit card that has an introductory purchase APR so you can pay down the balance without having to worry about interest charges. Purchase protections could help insure your new purchases, too.
Other things to consider are a card’s welcome offer, said credit expert Julia Menez said.
“If you’re only using the card right before school starts, [choose one] with a good welcome bonus, where the minimum spend matches your budget for school supplies,” she said.
“For example, if your school supply budget is $500, the Chase Freedom Flex®* is a great option, since you’ll earn a $200 bonus after spending $500 on purchases in the first 3 months.”
Outside of that, the card shouldn’t be a one-use tool. That means, the card should reward you for other types of spending you do regularly. If you’ll only use the card one month out of the year, you might not get very much value from it.
How to maximize your rewards
To maximize how much value you get from your card, you’ll want it to cover more purchases than just school supplies. The more the card fits your spending habits, the more rewards you’ll be able to earn.
When you make a purchase, try to pay it off right away. Unless it has an introductory purchases APR, carrying a balance from month to month will cost you interest charges. Depending on the size of the balance you’re carrying, interest charges could wipe out any value you’d get from your rewards.
How to apply for a credit card
Follow these steps to apply for a new credit card:
- Find a card that matches your needs and lifestyle. Once you find a card that’s a good fit, you can follow the links above to the card issuer’s site.
- Fill out the application with the required personal and financial information. You’ll need to provide your name, address, Social Security number, income, and your rent or mortgage payment, among other things.
- You should hear back instantly with the card issuer’s decision. If you don’t, the issuer will likely reach out for clarification or to get more information. Otherwise, you’ll receive a letter in the mail detailing why you’ve been denied.
FAQs
The average family with school-age children in the US plans to spend roughly $875 on school supplies in 2024, according to the National Retail Federation, approximately $15 less than 2023 but still the second-highest amount in the survey’s history.
For the 2023-2024 school year, college students in four-year institutions averaged $1,250 just in books and other course materials, according to the College Board. Other expenses, like room and board, transportation and tuition, add up to tens of thousands of spending in a year.
Avoid overspending by creating a budget based on the supplies you need and how much you’re willing to spend. Stick tight to your plan and avoid getting swayed by trendy school fashion or sought-after gear. A budget is the best way to avoid spending more than you can afford — when you stick to it.
It’s also smart to comparison-shop. Look online, in-store and in ads to find the best prices on the items you or your kids need. You may need to group supplies by retailer to get the best deals — it might involve buying some items online and others at specific retailers, but the extra effort may be worth the savings.
To maximize rewards and minimize overspending, draw on the power of gift cards by buying one for the amount of your school supply budget. You won’t be able to go over the limit, helping you control your spending. And if you’re smart about where you buy the gift card, you can also earn more cash-back rewards.
Erik Budde is CEO of GigaPoints, a platform that provides personalized credit card recommendations based on your spending. He suggests buying a gift card for your school shopping at a high-rewards category store, such as a grocery store.
“Since Amazon [and other types of] gift cards are sold at so many different types of retailers, this tactic works in a variety of different places,” Budde says. “Many credit cards offer bonus points at office supply stores, drug stores and more.”
Essentially, you may be able to earn points when you buy a gift card at a high rewards category store, while limiting your spending to the gift card amount.
Our methodology
CNET reviews credit cards by exhaustively comparing them across set criteria developed for each major category, including cash back, welcome bonus, travel rewards and balance transfer. We take into consideration the typical spending behavior of a range of consumer profiles — with the understanding that everyone’s financial situation is different — and the designated function of a card.
For cash-back credit cards, for example, key factors include the annual fee, the “welcome bonus” and the cash-back rate (or rates, if they differ by spending category). For rewards and miles cards, we calculate and weigh the net monetary value of a card’s respective perks. And with balance transfer credit cards, we analyze specs such as the duration of the introductory 0% APR period and the balance transfer fee, while acknowledging secondary factors such as the standard APR and the length of time you have to make a balance transfer after you open the account.
More credit card advice
*All information about the Target Circle Card, Amazon Visa, Chase Freedom Flex and the Discover it Cash Back has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
The editorial content on this page is based solely on objective, independent assessments by our writers and is not influenced by advertising or partnerships. It has not been provided or commissioned by any third party. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products or services offered by our partners.
