Chase Freedom Rise vs Discover it Student Cash Back Card
Fees, rewards and real yearly value, side by side. Updated October 29, 2026.
Chase Freedom Rise
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$312/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. Year one adds a $25 welcome bonus: $337
Discover it Student Cash Back Card
Estimated value every year on typical spending
$312/ year
Every year, after the annual fee. No welcome bonus.
The short answer
- On typical spending both cards are worth about $312 a year after fees.
- In the first year the welcome bonus flips it: the Chase Freedom Rise is worth about $337 in year one.
Side by side
| Chase Freedom Rise | Discover it Student Cash Back Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 |
| Rewards | 1.5% cash back on all purchases | 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate; 1% cash back on all other purchases |
| Welcome bonus | $25 Statement Credit After You Set Up Automatic Payments In The First 3 Months From Account Opening | Unlimited Cashback Match: Get an unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all the cash back you earn at the end of your first year, automatically. |
| Credits counted | $0/yr | $0/yr |
| Intro APR | Not applicable | 0% for the first 6 months |
| Regular APR | 18.49% to 27.99% variable | 16.74% to 25.74% variable |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Credit needed | Good/Excellent | Not specified |
Yearly rewards by category
| Category (monthly spend) | Chase Freedom Rise | Discover it Student Cash Back Card |
|---|---|---|
| groceries ($500) | $60 | $60 |
| dining ($400) | $48 | $48 |
| gas ($200) | $24 | $24 |
| travel ($300) | $36 | $36 |
| everything else ($1,200) | $144 | $144 |
Yearly value is rewards plus credits you'd realistically use, minus the annual fee, on $2,600/month: $500 groceries, $400 dining, $200 gas, $300 travel, $1,200 everything else. Points use conservative cash values; store-only rewards count at half. How we rank · Use your own spending
Questions people ask
Which is better, the Chase Freedom Rise or the Discover it Student Cash Back Card?
On typical spending the Chase Freedom Rise is worth more: about $312 a year after its fee, against $312 for the Discover it Student Cash Back Card. Which is better for you depends on where you spend most; see the category answers below.
Put any two cards head to head.
Pick any cards, including ones you already hold, and compare them on your own spending.
Open CompareRelated comparisons
- Discover it Student Cash Back Card vs Savor Student Credit Card
- Discover it Student Cash Back Card vs Quicksilver Rewards for Students
Card details are collected from issuer websites and were last refreshed October 29, 2026. Terms change often; confirm them with the issuer before you apply.