it Student Cash Back vs Quicksilver: Which Is Actually Worth It?
Discover is the better first card for full-time students; Quicksilver is the better card for recent grads or young earners.
it Student Cash Back
Average earners get double their cash back in year one with no annual fee tacked on.
Quicksilver
Earns unlimited 1.5x cashback, but APRs are alarmingly high otherwise.
Side-by-side specs
| it Student Cash Back | Quicksilver | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Signup bonus | Cashback Match, doubles all cash back earned in year one | $200 after $500 in 3 months |
| APR range | 17.24–26.24% Variable | 19.74–29.74% Variable |
| Foreign tx fee | None | None |
| Credit target | limited or fair | good |
it Student Cash Back earn rates
Quicksilver earn rates
The verdict
You're a student with limited credit, Discover is specifically built for students, has better approval rates, and the cashback match makes year one extraordinary.
Apply at Discover →Your credit is past the student stage but not yet 'good', Quicksilver's flat 1.5% is simpler and carries no student-card stigma.
Apply at Capital One →it Student Cash Back annual fee $0, APR 17.24–26.24% Variable, signup offer Cashback Match, doubles all cash back earned in year one, terms as of 2026-05-06. Quicksilver annual fee $0, APR 19.74–29.74% Variable, signup offer $200 after $500 in 3 months, terms as of 2026-05-06. Verify current terms on the issuer's site before applying. Apply links go directly to the issuer; picksbycard is independent and does not earn a commission on card approvals.