Head to head 
Discover it Cash Back vs. Discover it Student Cash Back
Even split across the criteria below. Pick the one whose strengths match how you'll actually use it.
Discover it Cash Back
Discover
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover
At a glance
Discover it Cash Back and Discover it Student Cash Back split the criteria evenly. Neither is the obvious all-rounder; the right pick depends on which dimensions matter to you.
Who wins what
0 vs 0 (3 tie)- First-year math Tie
Both cards land within $25 of each other after the annual fee.
- Annual fee Tie
Same annual fee.
- Earning ceiling Tie
Same peak earning rate.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- Free
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- —
- —
- First-year net
- +$0
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 5×
- 5×
- Top categories
- Rotating Quarterly
- Rotating Quarterly
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- No
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- Discover Cashback
- Discover Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.