The Ultimate Guide to Credit Cards
Thursday, July 2, 2026

5 Best Credit Cards for Paying Tuition (June 2026)

Best Credit Cards For Paying Tuition
Eric Bank

Writer: Eric Bank

Eric Bank

Eric Bank, Finance Writer

Eric Bank is an M.B.A. who has covered financial and business topics since 1985, appearing regularly on Credible, eHow, WiseBread, The Nest, Zacks, Chron, BadCredit.org and dozens of other outlets. Eric specializes in taking complex subject matters and explaining them in simple terms for consumer audiences, particularly in the world of personal finance. Eric holds a Master's in Business Administration from New York University and a Master's in Finance from DePaul University.

See Full Bio »
Close
Lillian Guevara-Castro

Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro

Lillian Guevara-Castro, Senior Editor

Lillian Guevara-Castro brings more than 30 years of editing and journalism experience to the CardRates team. She has worked at The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, Gwinnett Daily News, Gainesville Sun, and The New York Times, where she covered demographics, consumer issues, and the business and financial sectors. Lillian has a degree in journalism and communications from Georgia State University and brings her fact-checking expertise to ensure Digital Brands content is accurate and engaging.

See Full Bio »
Close
Ashley Fricker

Reviewer: Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker

Ashley Fricker, Senior Editor

Ashley Fricker has more than a decade of experience as a finance contributor and editor, and has specialized in the credit card industry since 2015. Her credit card commentary is featured on national media outlets that include CNBC, MarketWatch, Investopedia, and Reader's Digest, among many others. She has worked closely with the world’s largest banks and financial institutions, up-and-coming fintech companies, and press and news outlets to curate comprehensive content and media. Ashley holds a bachelor's degree in multimedia journalism from Florida Atlantic University.

See Full Bio »
Close

Disclosure: When you apply through links on our site, we may earn a referral fee from our partners. For more, see our ad disclosure and review policy.

Follow Us:
5.6k
13.4k
41.0k
4.7k

You can pony up your tuition in many ways, including a student loan, a 529 plan, even cash. Credit cards may not immediately spring to mind when mulling over how to pay your tuition, but you might be surprised that, under the right conditions, using credit cards can be a savvy move.

In this article, we’ll review the best credit cards for paying tuition, one of which may be the perfect choice to have in your pocket for your appointment with the bursar.

0% Interest | Signup Bonus | Student Offers
FAQs & Methodology

Best Cards with 0% Interest for Paying Tuition

These cards offer new cardmembers a 0% APR for an introductory period following account opening. Using one makes good sense if you can pay most or all of the balance before the period ends.

Any balance remaining after the introductory period expires will incur interest at the card’s regular APR, which is why it’s critical to compare interest rates before applying.

1

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
  • Intro Offer: Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
  • Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.99% - 28.49%.
  • No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
Regular APR 18.99% - 28.49% Variable
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Unlimited® was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® offers new cardmembers a promotional APR (0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months) after opening the account. In addition, you can earn an introductory bonus when you meet the very attainable time frame and purchase requirements.

The card also lets you earn cash back on every purchase. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card has no annual fee, no redemption minimums, and no reward expiration while the account remains open.

2

Chase Freedom Flex℠

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
  • Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening.
  • 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases in bonus categories each quarter you activate. Enjoy new 5% categories each quarter!
  • 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more
  • 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can choose to receive a statement credit or direct deposit into most U.S. checking and savings accounts. Cash Back rewards do not expire as long as your account is open!
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 19.24% - 27.99%.
  • No annual fee - You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Flex℠ card
  • Keep tabs on your credit health - Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, real-time alerts, and more.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months
Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers 15 months
Regular APR 19.24% - 27.99% Variable
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Freedom Flex℠ was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.

The Chase Freedom Flex℠ card gives new cardmembers a promotional APR (0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months) after opening the account. In addition, you can receive a cash back bonus when you exceed a set spending limit during the first three months. This card has no annual fee.

3

Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • Earn a one-time $200 cash bonus after you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase, every day
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus, cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) 0% for 15 months
Intro (Transfers) 0% for 15 months
Regular APR 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent, Good

After opening your account, the Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card offers an introductory purchase APR of 0% for 15 months.

The card pays you cash back on all purchases. The card charges no foreign transaction fees, no annual fee, and your cash back rewards don’t expire while the account remains open.

4

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
  • For a limited time, earn a one-time $250 cash bonus once you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn unlimited 3% cash back at grocery stores (excluding superstores like Walmart® and Target®), on dining, entertainment and popular streaming services, plus 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 8% cash back on Capital One Entertainment purchases
  • Earn unlimited 5% cash back on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • No rotating categories or sign-ups needed to earn cash rewards; plus cash back won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how much you can earn
  • 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) 0% for 12 months
Intro (Transfers) 0% for 12 months
Regular APR 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent, Good

The Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card gives new cardmembers an intro promotional APR on purchases — 0% for 12 months — to pay off your tuition over time.

This no-annual-fee card offers benefits such as virtual card numbers, no foreign transaction fees, and special access to events.

5

Discover it® Cash Back

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. 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.
  • 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. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount. No annual fee.
  • Get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable Purchase APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 15 months
Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR for 15 months
Regular APR 17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent/Good

The Discover it® Cash Back card offers new cardmembers a promotional APR on purchases. The cash back you earn with the card never expires while the account is open, and you can redeem your rewards at any time, in any amount.

6

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card Review

at Bank Of America'ssecure website

Our Review »
  • $200 online cash rewards bonus after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
  • Earn 6% cash back for the first year in the category of your choice. You’ll automatically earn 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. After the first year from account opening, you’ll earn 3% cash back on purchases in your choice category.
  • Earn 6% and 2% cash back on the first $2,500 in combined purchases each quarter in the choice category, and at grocery stores and wholesale clubs, then earn unlimited 1% thereafter. After the 3% first-year bonus offer ends, you will earn 3% and 2% cash back on these purchases up to the quarterly maximum.
  • No annual fee and cash rewards don’t expire as long as your account remains open.
  • Select your card design option when you apply – the Customized Cash Rewards design, or the limited-time FIFA World Cup 2026™ design.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 17.49% - 27.49% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 5%. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America.
  • This offer may not be available elsewhere if you leave this page. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases
Intro (Transfers) 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days (Balance Transfer Fee 3% for 60 days from account opening, then 5%)
Regular APR 17.49% - 27.49% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent/Good

Additional Disclosure: Bank of America is a CardRates advertiser.

The Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card offers a promotional 0% APR on purchases after opening the account. Your cash back is worth 25% to 75% more when redeemed through Preferred Rewards.

7

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
  • $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
  • Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) 0% for 15 months
Intro (Transfers) 0% for 15 months
Regular APR 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Excellent, Good

The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card offers an introductory APR — 0% for 15 months — to new cardmembers. The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card charges no annual or foreign transaction fees. You can transfer your miles to 15+ travel partners or use them for travel without any blackout dates.

Best Cards for Paying Tuition to Earn a Signup Bonus

Signup bonuses incentivize you to obtain a card and then use it right away. You earn the bonus by spending a set amount on purchases during the first three months.

If you’re going to pay some or all of your tuition with a credit card, you may as well use one with a generous signup bonus. These cards all offer large bonuses that can make a substantial dent in your tuition and help ease some of the financial pain.

8

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0
  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
  • Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
  • 10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
  • Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Annual Fee $95
Credit Needed Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card rewards you a hefty sum of introductory bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases (including tuition) during the first three months after opening the account. Those points are worth a large chunk of change, especially toward travel when redeemed at Chase Travel, where points are worth 25% more for certain redemptions.

You can transfer your points one for one to Chase’s airline travel and hotel partners. This is a premium card and it charges an annual fee.

9

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0
  • Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Annual Fee $95
Credit Needed Excellent, Good

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card gives you a one-time signup bonus when you meet a purchase threshold in a set time frame from when you first receive your card. These bonus miles add up to serious travel rewards.

You can transfer your miles to more than a dozen travel partners or redeem your miles for travel with no blackout dates. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card gives you a credit to reimburse up to $120 for TSA Preè or Global Entry fees.

10

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
  • Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
  • Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
  • $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
  • Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
  • Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
  • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
  • Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 20.24% - 28.74% Variable
Annual Fee $795
Credit Needed Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Chase Sapphire Reserve® was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® points you earn are worth 50% more when redeemed at Chase for travel and hotel expenses.

Additionally, the card gives you a $300 credit each year to reimburse travel expenses. This premium travel rewards card charges a hefty annual fee.

11

Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0
  • Earn 90k bonus points after you spend $8,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 cash back or $1,125 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel℠
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each account anniversary year. Earn 1 point per $1 on all other purchases
  • Round-the-clock monitoring for unusual credit card purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • Redeem points for cash back, gift cards, travel and more - your points don't expire as long as your account is open
  • Points are worth more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel℠
  • Purchase Protection covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account.
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases) N/A
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 20.24% - 26.24% Variable
Annual Fee $95
Credit Needed Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.

The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card points you earn are worth 25% more if you redeem them through Chase Travel℠ for travel-related purchases.

The card provides 3X points on combined purchases, up to $150,000 per year, on selected expenses, including social media advertising, internet, cable, phone, travel, and shipping. All other purchases earn unlimited 1X points. This card has an annual fee.

12

Ink Business Cash® Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.6/5.0
  • Earn $350 when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months and an additional $400 when you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first six months after account opening
  • Earn 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at office supply stores and on internet, cable and phone services each account anniversary year
  • Earn 2% cash back on the first $25,000 spent in combined purchases at gas stations and restaurants each account anniversary year. Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases
  • With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
  • No Annual Fee
  • Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
  • 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
  • Member FDIC
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR on Purchases 12 months
Intro (Transfers) N/A
Regular APR 17.49% - 25.49% Variable
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Good/Excellent

Additional Disclosure: Non-Monetized. The information related to Ink Business Cash® Credit Card was collected by CardRates and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this product/card. Product details may vary. Please see issuer website for current information. CardRates does not receive commission for this product.

The Ink Business Cash® Credit Card gives you a cash back bonus when you meet a set purchase threshold in the first three months of your account opening. This no-annual-fee card gives you 5% cash back on the first $25,000 spent each year on purchases at office supply stores and for phone, cable, and internet services.

Best Student Cards for Paying Tuition

It’s not unusual for students to have poor or limited credit. Fortunately, these three cards are optimized for students, which comes in handy if your parents aren’t paying all your tuition costs.

These cards offer one or more features that can at least partially offset your tuition and/or interest costs.

13

Discover it® Student Cash Back

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.5/5.0
  • 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 $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • 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. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 6 months
Intro (Transfers) 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
Regular APR 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Fair/New to Credit

The Discover it® Student Cash Back card provides a promotional APR on new accounts. Not only is there no annual fee, but there are also no late fee on your first late payment and no APR change for paying late.

Students will earn cash back rewards with this card that never expire.

14

Discover it® Student Chrome

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★ 4.0/5.0
  • 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 $50 cash back into $100. Or turn $100 cash back into $200.
  • Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
  • Redeem cash back for any amount
  • No credit score required to apply.
  • No annual fee and build credit with responsible use.
  • 0% intro APR on purchases for 6 months, then the standard variable purchase APR of 16.49% - 25.49% applies.
  • Terms and conditions apply.
Intro (Purchases) 0% Intro APR for 6 months
Intro (Transfers) 10.99% Intro APR for 6 months
Regular APR 16.49% - 25.49% Variable APR
Annual Fee $0
Credit Needed Fair/New to Credit

The Discover it® Student Chrome offers tiered cash back rewards on gas and restaurant purchases each calendar quarter (up to the quarterly limit).

New cardmembers receive a promotional APR, and like the previously mentioned Discover student card, statement credit is awarded when students refer their friends who get approved for the card.

Can You Use a Credit Card to Pay Tuition?

There is a mixed picture regarding tuition payment via credit card. Most public colleges and community colleges accept credit cards for tuition purposes, but many private colleges do not.

However, some top private schools accept credit cards for tuition, including Johns Hopkins, Carnegie Mellon, Northwestern, Rice, and Wellesley. You can use your credit card at virtually all post-secondary schools to pay for other expenses, such as books, supplies, meal plans, fees, and more.

It’s important to carefully consider whether using your credit card for tuition is your best option.

Pros: 

  • You can earn a signup bonus potentially worth hundreds of dollars.
  • Many cards provide a year or more of 0% APR to new cardmembers, which saves you the cost of interest.
  • You can earn rewards in the form of cash back, points, or miles.
  • Some cards offer cash back matches or enhanced redemption values.

Cons: 

  • Credit card APRs are higher than student loan APRs. According to U.S. News, the average minimum and maximum credit card APRs for consumers with fair credit are 24.96% and 25.81%, respectively. The averages for student credit cards are a minimum of 16.54% and a maximum of 24.25%. Compare that to the APR of 4.53% for undergraduate federal student loans.
  • Most colleges will charge a fee, usually 2.5% to 3%, when you use a credit card to pay tuition. You’ll want to compare the fee against the card’s regular and bonus rewards.
  • Your credit card spending limit may be too low to cover the cost of tuition.

This last point deserves discussion. If your tuition cost exceeds your card’s spending limit, you may want to consider using multiple cards — if you can qualify for them. If you do use multiple cards, you may want to consolidate the balances afterward.

Several of the cards in this review offer new cardmembers a 0% APR for balance transfers (fees apply, usually around 3%). Balance transfers make monthly payments more convenient and may reduce your minimum payment amount.

Do You Earn Rewards for Paying Tuition?

Tuition can cost thousands of dollars, so it would be nice to reap some rewards when paying it. The cards in this review offer a variety of rewards for paying tuition.

Our top choice for cards offering an introductory 0% APR on purchases is the Chase Freedom Unlimited®. The current introductory period is 0% Intro APR on Purchases 15 months after opening the account. This gives you some time to pay as much of the card balance as possible without the drag caused by interest.

How to Earn a Signup Bonus

Another popular reward for new cardmembers is a signup bonus. Our choice in this category is the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card card. It currently provides bonus points if you spend the required amount on purchases during the first three months that are redeemable for cash. If you redeem these points for travel booked through Chase, the monetary value is even higher.

Naturally, you need to time your application for a bonus reward card so you receive the card just prior to your tuition due date. If you happen to have good to excellent credit, you may consider getting multiple new cards with generous introductory bonuses. This will maximize your total bonus, and you can then choose to consolidate your balances through a 0% APR transfer.

If your credit is thin or poor, your only option may be a student credit card. Our winner in this category is the Discover it® Student Cash Back card.

The Discover it® Student Cash Back provides new cardmembers an introductory APR and bonus cash back on quarterly rotating merchant categories that you activate, up to the quarterly limit.

How Does the Tuition Tax Credit Work?

A tax credit reduces your tax bill dollar for dollar. Compare this to a less-valuable tax deduction, which reduces your taxable income. You must multiply a tax deduction by your marginal tax rate to compute the tax savings. Clearly, a credit is worth more than an equal-sized deduction.

The federal government offers two tuition tax credit programs. The first is the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC). The credit reimburses eligible students for qualified education expenses, up to $2,500 a year.

The credit pays 100% of the first $2,000 in qualified education expenses and 25% of the second $2,000. To qualify, students must:

  • Be working toward a degree or other education credential.
  • Be enrolled at least half time.
  • Not have claimed previous AOTC credits for more than four tax years.
  • Have qualified expenses that include tuition, enrollment fees, and required course materials.
  • Not have finished four years of higher education.
  • Have no convictions for felony drug crimes.
  • Not have a modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) above $90,000 for single filers or $180,000 for joint filers.

Alternatively, eligible students can apply for a Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC) to cover tuition and other qualified expenses. The credit is worth up to $2,000 per year.

You can use it if you are an undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, or you pay qualified education expenses for a dependent or third party. There is no restriction on the number of years you can apply for this credit.

To receive the LLC, you must:

  • Be taking courses at an eligible institution.
  • Be taking post-secondary-school courses or courses to gain a job.
  • Be enrolled for at least one course per year.
  • Have qualified expenses that include tuition and fees.
  • Not have a MAGI in 2020 exceeding $68,000 for single filers or $136,000 for joint filers.
  • Not have claimed the AOTC for the same year.

To claim either credit, you must file Schedule 3 of Form 1040 and Form 8863, Education Credits.

Ranking Methodology

Our list of the best cards for paying tuition considers various factors that are important when making a large purchase on a credit card, such as a promotional 0% interest rate, signup bonus offered, rewards earning rates, and the ongoing APR of each card. CardRates’ reviews undergo a thorough editorial integrity process to ensure that content is not compromised by advertiser influence.

Advertiser Disclosure

CardRates.com is a free online resource that offers valuable content and comparison services to users. To keep this resource 100% free, we receive compensation for referrals for many of the offers listed on the site. Along with key review factors, this compensation may impact how and where products appear across CardRates.com (including, for example, the order in which they appear). CardRates.com does not include the entire universe of available offers. Editorial opinions expressed on the site are strictly our own and are not provided, endorsed, or approved by advertisers.