Best Credit Cards for Young Adults (2026)
Finding the right credit card as a young adult can feel overwhelming. With dozens of options targeting different spending habits and credit profiles, it helps to narrow down what matters most: no annual fee, solid cash back, and easy approval.
We reviewed every card in our database and ranked them based on our 67-Score methodology, which weights rewards value, fees, welcome bonus, benefits, and accessibility for young adults.
The Ranking
#1
Apple Card
Apple
3.5/5
Best for Apple users3% Daily Cash on Apple purchases, 2% on Apple Pay, zero fees.
Fee: $0APR: 19.24%-29.49% variable
#2
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Wells Fargo
3.4/5
Best flat-rate cash backFlat 2% cash rewards on all purchases with no annual fee.
Fee: $0APR: 0% intro for 12 months, then 18.74%–28.74% variable
#3
Discover it® Student Cash Back
Discover
3.8/5
Best for students5% rotating categories, cash back match first year, no annual fee.
Fee: $0APR: 17.24%-26.24% variable
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for someone under 25?▼
For most young adults, a no-annual-fee cash back card like the Apple Card or Wells Fargo Active Cash is the best starting point.
Do I need good credit to get a credit card?▼
Not necessarily. Cards like the Discover it Student are designed for people with limited credit history.
Should I pay an annual fee on my first card?▼
Generally no. Start with a no-fee card to build credit, then consider a fee card once your spending justifies the rewards.
How we ranked these
Every card is scored 0-5 across 5 weighted criteria. Read our methodology.