Student credit cards 21 August 2023

7 Easiest Unsecured Credit Cards for 600 Credit Score

You can apply for an unsecured credit card with a credit score of 600 and may qualify for it too. However, the interest rates you get may be higher. This blog suggests top recommendations for credit cards for 600 credit score and no deposit to choose from.

Unsecured Credit Cards for 600 Credit Score

There are many unsecured credit cards available for a 600 credit score like the Chase Freedom Rise™ Credit Card. The Freedom Rise™ Credit Card is also one of the easiest no-deposit cards to get as it approves applicants with any level of credit. You can apply for such credit-builder cards even with no credit at all.

Apart from credit-builder cards, student credit cards also do not require a high credit score for approval. In fact, some of them do not have any minimum credit score requirement and everyone is welcome to apply as long as they are a college student and they meet the minimum age requirement.

However, it may be hard to access top-tier cards with credit scores that are around 600. Moreover, most credit cards for lower credit scores come with higher-than-average interest rates that may be above 24%.

We’ve rounded up a list of the best credit cards for 600 credit score with no deposit and have included their best features, pros, cons, and eligibility requirements. Most of these cards also come with rewards and benefits like cashback offers, travel benefits, and welcome bonuses.

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What's the Easiest Credit Card to Get with a 600 Credit Score?

It is hard to get high rewards unsecured cards with a credit score of around 600. Therefore, those with a lower credit score, under 700, will find it easiest to qualify for a secured credit card as they charge a security deposit as collateral. Getting a secured card first can also help in building credit and one of the many easiest options to consider is the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. Once, the credit score is up to par, individuals can apply for other unsecured top-tier cards with higher rewards and more benefits.

However, for people looking for no-deposit cards with a FICO score of 600, there are a few limited options available that are easy to get. These cards are credit-builder cards specifically targeted towards those with lower credit scores.

Best Unsecured Credit Cards for 600 Credit Score

LenderScholaroo ratingRegular APRCredit Score

Chase Freedom Rise™ Credit Card

Best for rewards without an annual fee

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4.9/526.74%N/A

Capital One® Platinum Mastercard®

The best secured card with low deposit

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4.8/529.99%580+

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards

Best for overall rewards

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4.6/519.99% - 29.99%580+

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

Best for cashback rewards

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4.5/519.99% - 29.99%580+

Discover It® Student Cash Back

Best for cash back rewards

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4.5/517.99% - 26.99%N/A

Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

Good for building credit

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4.0/529.99%300+

Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®

Best for poor credit

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4.0/529.99%300+
Lender

Chase Freedom Rise™ Credit Card

Best for rewards without an annual fee

Scholaroo rating
4.9/5
Regular APR
26.74%
Credit Score
N/A
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Lender

Capital One® Platinum Mastercard®

The best secured card with low deposit

Scholaroo rating
4.8/5
Regular APR
29.99%
Credit Score
580+
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Lender

Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards

Best for overall rewards

Scholaroo rating
4.6/5
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99%
Credit Score
580+
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Lender

Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

Best for cashback rewards

Scholaroo rating
4.5/5
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99%
Credit Score
580+
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Lender

Discover It® Student Cash Back

Best for cash back rewards

Scholaroo rating
4.5/5
Regular APR
17.99% - 26.99%
Credit Score
N/A
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Lender

Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

Good for building credit

Scholaroo rating
4.0/5
Regular APR
29.99%
Credit Score
300+
Visit website
Lender

Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®

Best for poor credit

Scholaroo rating
4.0/5
Regular APR
29.99%
Credit Score
300+
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1. Chase Freedom Rise™ Credit Card

Best for rewards without an annual fee

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Chase Freedom Rise™ Credit Card

4.9
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR26.74%
Annual Fee$0
RewardsEarn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
Credit ScoreN/A
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Chase Freedom Rise does not require a credit history for approval. Therefore, even if your credit score is below the mark, you can still apply for the card and get approved. This card is designed exclusively for those who want to rebuild or build their credit from scratch. However, you will need to use the card responsibly to do so.

You can sign up for automatic payments which can help you to avoid missing any payments while earning you $25 as a statement credit upon joining. You can use their Chase Credit Journey service to track your credit for free. Along with building up credit, you can even collect a 1.5% cash back on all purchases by using Chase Freedom Rise.

In terms of fees, Chase does not charge any annual fee for its Freedom Rise Credit Card, but there is a foreign transaction fee of 3% and a late payment fee of up to $40.

Pros

  • Can help build or rebuild credit
  • No credit history needed
  • Gives $25 for signing up for automatic payments
  • 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • Allows to track your credit scores for free through their app

Cons

  • Late payment fees of up to $40
  • Charges foreign transaction fees of 3%
  • Balance transfer fee of up to 5%
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Can apply with an ITIN
  • Earn 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • Cash back rewards do not expire as long as you keep your account open
  • Earn a $25 statement credit when signing up for AutoPay within the first 3 months after opening your account

2. Capital One® Platinum Mastercard®

Best for worldwide acceptance

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Capital One® Platinum Mastercard®

4.8
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR30.49%
Annual Fee$0
RewardsN/A
Credit Score580+
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

This is another card by Capital One that does not require a security deposit and can be approved with a ‘fair’ credit score of around 580 and above. It is a card you can use to build up your credit score with responsible use as it reports to the three major credit bureaus. Upon using the card with responsibility, you can be considered for a higher credit line automatically in just 6 months. Moreover, there are no annual fees or foreign transaction fees associated with this card.

Capital One® Platinum Mastercard® is best for users who carry out international transactions often or travel a lot. This is because this card uses Mastercard as its payment network which has the highest acceptance worldwide and is acceptable almost anywhere around the globe.

However, for individuals looking for a card with rewards, Capital One® Platinum Mastercard® is not the best option for them as it offers no cash back rewards, welcome bonuses, or any other kind of benefits to its holders.

Pros

  • Helps build up credit by reporting the three major credit bureaus
  • Wider acceptance worldwide
  • Earn back your security deposit as a statement credit
  • Low credit scores are accepted

Cons

  • Higher APR than most competitors
  • Late fees of up to $40
  • No rewards
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Can apply with an ITIN
  • Must have a checking or savings account
  • Must pay a security deposit between $49 and $200
  • Must have a physical U.S. address

Pay a refundable deposit starting at $49 to get an initial credit limit of $200.

3. Capital One SavorOne Student Cash Rewards

Best for overall rewards

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Capital One SavorOne Rewards for Students

4.6
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR19.99% - 29.99%
Annual Fee$0
RewardsUnlimited 3% cash back on dining
Credit Score580+
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Capital One SavorOne card is also a card exclusively for students and they require a ‘fair’ level of credit score at least for approval. This is because students generally do not have a high score or an established credit history. They can apply for this card even if their credit is around 580 or above. Moreover, Capital One SavorOne Rewards Card offers the best cash back rewards for students to enjoy in various categories.

The SavorOne comes with an unlimited cash back of 3% on categories including dining, grocery stores, online streaming services, and entertainment. You can get a higher cash back reward of 10% on Uber and Uber Eats, 8% on entertainment purchases, and 5% on hotels and rental cars. On all other purchases, you can get an unlimited 1% cashback.

This card is free from any annual fees, foreign transaction fees, and security deposits which makes it more convenient for students to manage the expenses of this card easily.

Pros

  • Students with limited credit history and below average scores can qualify
  • Quick approval process
  • Comes with travel accident insurance
  • High cash back rewards

Cons

  • May be hard to qualify with credit scores less than 580
  • Charges late payment fee of up to $40
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must be enrolled as a student
  • Unlimited 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, grocery stores, and streaming services
  • Earn 1% on all other purchases
  • Earn 10% cash back on purchases from Uber and Uber Eats
  • Earn 8% cash back on entertainment purchases through Capital One Entertainment

4. Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

Best for cashback rewards

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Capital One Quicksilver Student Cash Rewards

4.5
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR19.99% - 29.99%
Annual Fee$0
RewardsUnlimited 1.5% cash back on purchases
Credit Score580+
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Capital One Quicksilver Card for Students is one of the best no-deposit cards to get for a 600 credit score and a limited credit history of less than 3 years. It requires a minimum credit that is of a ‘fair’ level, which generally starts at 580. Moreover, the card’s various cash back rewards make it a good choice for students.

Holders of the Quicksilver Credit Card can avail an unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase. On paying for Uber and Uber Eats through this card, students can earn back 10% of the purchase; whereas, on hotels and rental cars, they can earn a cash back of 5%. There is also a $50 cash bonus offered on spending $100 within the first 90 days of opening the account.

The rewards earned can be redeemed in various ways and it has no annual or foreign transaction fees either.

Pros

  • Students with 580+ credit scores and limited history can qualify
  • Offers high cash back rewards of 10% on Uber and Uber Eats, 5% on hotels and rental cars, and 1.5% on all other purchases
  • $50 welcome bonus on spending $100 in the first quarter

Cons

  • Late payment fee of up to $40
  • Be 18 years or older
  • Can apply with an ITIN
  • Have a steady income
  • Be enrolled as a student

Cash Back

  • Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on all purchases
  • Earn 10% cash back on Uber and Uber Eats purchases

Early Spend Bonus

  • Earn $50 when you spend $100 in the first three months

Referral Bonus

  • Earn up to $500 a year by referring family and friends
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5. Discover It® Student Cash Back

Best for cash back rewards

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Discover It® Student Cash Back

4.5
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR18.24% - 27.24%
Annual Fee$0
Rewards5% cash back Amazon and select grocery stores
Credit ScoreN/A
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Students with any level of credit score or those with none can all easily apply for Discover It® Student Cash Back as it does not require a minimum credit for approval. It is an unsecured credit card for students that does not require a security deposit, any annual fee, or a foreign transaction fee. For the first six months, the card charges 0% APR.

Using the Discover It® Student Cash Back, students can earn 5% cash back on purchases at grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations every quarter. Moreover, 1% cash back is automatically earned on all other purchases and you can redeem the rewards earned through PayPal as well. At the end of the first year, the cardholders receive a dollar-for-dollar cash back match which doubles the total cashback they earned in their first year.

Pros

  • No credit requirement
  • 0% Intro APR for 6 months
  • Good cash back rewards
  • Cashback match doubles the rewards earned in the first year

Cons

  • Exclusively for students
  • Charges a late fee of up to $41
  • Not as widely accepted as Visa, Mastercard, or American Express
  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Enrolled in college
  • Be a U.S. citizen
  • Have a Social Security Number
  • Need to have verifiable income (part-time or full-time)

Cash Back

  • 5% cash back on everyday purchases from Amazon as well as selected grocery stores, restaurants, and gas stations. Plus, 1% cash back on all other purchases

Welcome Offer

  • You’ll get an unlimited cashback match, where Discover will automatically match all the cashback rewards you’ve earned at the end of the first year

6. Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

Good for building credit

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Surge® Platinum Mastercard®

4.0
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR29.99%
Annual Fee$75 - $125
RewardsN/A
Credit Score300+
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Surge® Platinum Mastercard® is another product by Continental Finance with features the same as their Reflex® card. Surge® Platinum is a good card for people with any credit score. People with average credit or below are also able to get approved for this product.

Being a Mastercard, Surge® Platinum allows worldwide accessibility as this payment network is usable for transactions worldwide. However, it comes with a maximum spending limit of $1000 which might be limiting. If you make on-time payments on your card and remain below the spending limits for 6 months continuously, you can double up your maximum spending limit.

Surge® Platinum Mastercard® does not offer any rewards and it also has an above average annual fees and maintenance fees associated with it. This makes it an expensing card to manage.

Pros

  • Can double up the maximum spending limit in 6 months of on-time payments
  • Borrowers with all types of credit can apply
  • Can help build credit overtime
  • Mastercard has wider acceptance worldwide

Cons

  • No rewards
  • High annual fee of $75 to $125 in the first year, then a minimum of $95
  • Charges a maintenance fee and a foreign transaction fee

Must be a U.S. citizen
Must have a Social Security Number

No rewards offered.

7. Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®

Best for poor credit

Apply now

Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®

4.0
Scholaroo Rating
Regular APR29.99%
Annual Fee$99
RewardsN/A
Credit Score300+
Why We Like ItPros and ConsEligibility RequirementsBenefits and Rewards

Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® is one of the no-deposit credit cards offered by Continental Finance for people who have an average or poor credit score. However, for low credit scores, it allows a lower credit limit initially of up to $1000, and after 6 months of responsible card use, the spending limit can be doubled.

Reflex® Platinum Mastercard® reports to all three major credit bureaus including TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax, which can help build up your credit score. Through your Reflex Mastercard account, you can even track your credit scroll on a monthly basis through e-statements of your credit card.

Even though this card requires no security deposits, it does charge a hefty annual fee of at least $75 which increases further after the first year. Along with high annual fees, it also charges maintenance fees and foreign transaction fees which makes this quite an expensive option.

Pros

  • Can apply with 600 credit score or below
  • Reports to the three major credit bureaus
  • Mastercard has worldwide acceptance

Cons

  • High annual fees, maintenance fees, and foreign transaction fee
  • No rewards offered
  • Low maximum spending limit
  • Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Must have a Social Security Number
  • Must have a checking account

No rewards offered.

Can You Get a Credit Card With a 600 Credit Score?

A credit score of 600 is generally considered to be in the “fair” range. With this score, you may be able to qualify for a credit card, but likely not those with premium rewards or low-interest rates.

Your best option may be a secured credit card. These cards require a cash deposit that serves as collateral and usually becomes your credit limit. They are designed to help individuals with lower credit scores build or rebuild their credit.

With a 600 credit score, you may face higher interest rates and annual fees. These terms reflect the lender’s perception of a higher risk associated with lending to someone with a fair credit score. Generally, applicants with such a level of credit score are offered interest rates above 24%. Those with excellent credit scores that are above 740 enjoy lower interest rates which are around 16% to 18%.

If you have a low credit score, you should carefully research and select a card that is designed for individuals in your credit range. Secured credit cards can be a good choice as they often have more lenient approval criteria.

Focus on building your credit by making timely payments and keeping balances low. Once your credit improves, you may qualify for cards with better terms and benefits.

What’s the Difference Between a Secured Card and an Unsecured Credit Card?

There are a few key differences between secured and unsecured credit cards. Let’s break it down into categories:

Collateral Requirement

  • Secured Credit Card: Requires a cash deposit that serves as collateral. This deposit typically determines the credit limit.
  • Unsecured Credit Card: Does not require a cash deposit or collateral. The credit limit is determined by factors like income, credit score, and credit history.

Credit Score Requirements

  • Secured Credit Card: Often available to those with lower or no credit scores, making it a suitable option for building or rebuilding credit.
  • Unsecured Credit Card: Generally requires a higher credit score. Those with a 600 credit score may qualify, but likely with higher interest rates and fees.

Interest Rates and Fees

  • Secured Credit Card: May have higher interest rates and annual fees, reflecting the target audience of those with lower credit scores.
  • Unsecured Credit Card: Interest rates and fees vary widely based on the issuer and the applicant’s creditworthiness. Those with higher credit scores may receive better terms.

Credit Building Potential

  • Secured Credit Card: Excellent tool for credit building. Responsible usage is reported to credit bureaus, helping to improve credit scores over time.
  • Unsecured Credit Card: Also reports to credit bureaus and aids in credit building, but may be less accessible to those with lower credit scores.

Access to Rewards and Benefits

  • Secured Credit Card: Typically offers fewer rewards or benefits compared to unsecured cards.
  • Unsecured Credit Card: May offer rewards, cash back, or other benefits, especially for those with good to excellent credit scores.
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FAQs

Can I get an unsecured credit card with a 600 credit score?

Yes, there are unsecured credit cards available for individuals with a 600 credit score. However, they may come with less favorable terms such as higher interest rates or annual fees. Some credit card companies specialize in offering cards to those with fair or rebuilding credit.

One of the best credit cards for a 600 credit score that does not require a deposit is the Chase Freedom Rise™ Credit Card. This card can help to build or rebuild credit and does not require a credit history to apply.

Why can't I get approved for a credit card with a 600 credit score?

Most credit cards with high rewards and better terms require a FICO credit score of at least 700 for approval. Therefore, they deny applications with lower scores.

To get approved for a credit card with a 600 credit score, your best bet would be to apply for a secured credit card. They charge a refundable security deposit and have credit requirements. They might not come with the best rewards but they can help in building credit and accessing better cards in the future.

There are also a few limited options for cards that do not require a deposit but are easier to get approved for with a 600 credit score like the Chase Freedom Rise™ Credit Card or Reflex® Platinum Mastercard®. These, however, may come with higher interest rates and lower rewards. Students with such low credit scores can access student credit cards instead as these cards also do not require a minimum credit score for approval.

Can I get a Discover card with a 600 credit score?

Those with a 600 credit score can access the Discover it® Secured Credit Card. This card does not have any credit requirements and applicants can get approved for it easily as long as they meet the minimum age and residency requirements and pay the refundable security deposit. Discover it® Secured does not charge any annual fee and also offers various cash-back rewards to its users also.