Key takeaways
Given the potentially massive expense associated with college tuition, it’s understandable that students and parents want to squeeze every possible benefit out of their payments.
Paying for college tuition with a credit card to earn rewards — or to earn a welcome bonus with a sizable spending requirement — is one such strategy that comes up frequently.
Yes, you can technically pay your college tuition with a credit card. However, this payment option is unlikely to make financial sense in most cases.
Earning a college degree is one way to advance your education and broaden job opportunities. It can also put you into some of the most costly debt you will take on in your lifetime.
College tuition is expensive. College Board estimates that it costs $43,350 on average to earn a bachelor’s degree at a private university and $11,610 to earn a four-year degree at an in-state university. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Americans today carry a staggering 1.7 trillion dollars in college debt.
So, can you pay tuition with a credit card? Some colleges allow this, and if you’re spending the money either way, shouldn’t you get some rewards back in the process? The short answer is yes, you might get rewards, says Bankrate credit card senior industry analyst Ted Rossman, but they can come at a steep price.
When does paying tuition with a credit card make sense?
The only time it might make sense to pay for tuition with a credit card is:
If you’re able to produce rewards that outweigh the fees.
If you’re able to responsibly earn a credit card’s welcome offer.
If you have a long promotional APR offer.
However, outweighing the cons of using a credit card to pay for tuition is no small feat.
The key to making this work, though, is to pay the balance in full. “I think even going for a zero percent promotional rate is too risky because this could be a big charge, and the interest rate would skyrocket at the end of the term,” says Rossman. “Student loans have much more favorable interest rates and repayment terms than credit cards.”
When does paying for college tuition with a credit card not make sense?
To be clear, paying college tuition with a credit card almost never makes sense. Here are some common reasons:
You will be subject to a high APR — on average over 20 percent — if you don’t pay your tuition payment off in full and on time.
Your credit score is at risk.
Your college simply may not accept credit cards as a payment method.
On top of these reasons, you may get hit with fees. Colleges that accept credit cards will often charge a processing fee to complete your payment. These fees are typically 2.5 percent or more of the tuition charge, which can add up quickly. To put that into perspective, if you’re charging $12,000 in tuition, you will pay an additional $300 in fees.
If you’re going to be charged, say, a 3 percent fee for using a credit card, that’s probably more than you could expect to earn in rewards. Also, this would be a very dangerous strategy if you end up carrying a balance. I’d steer clear of this strategy.
— Ted Rossman, Bankrate credit card senior industry analyst
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If you’re going to be charged, say, a 3 percent fee for using a credit card, that’s probably more than you could expect to earn in rewards. Also, this would be a very dangerous strategy if you end up carrying a balance. I’d steer clear of this strategy.
— Ted Rossman, Bankrate credit card senior industry analyst
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If you’re going to be charged, say, a 3 percent fee for using a credit card, that’s probably more than you could expect to earn in rewards. Also, this would be a very dangerous strategy if you end up carrying a balance. I’d steer clear of this strategy.
— Ted Rossman, Bankrate credit card senior industry analyst
Alternative ways to pay for college tuition
Apply for financial aid
To apply for financial aid you will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to see how much aid you are eligible for. FAFSA allows the Department of Education to see how much aid you qualify for. Scholarships and financial aid can come in the form of grants, work-study programs, low-interest loans and scholarships.
Explore scholarship options
FAFSA is not the only way to qualify for a scholarship. Many students can obtain partial or even full scholarships for academic success, athletics, extenuating circumstances such as a disability, being part of a protected minority class or falling below the federal poverty line, just to name a few. There are scholarships available from a variety of institutions, so do your research before paying your tuition in full.
The U.S. Department of Education offers tools to help you find and apply for scholarships you may qualify for.
See if your university offers installment payment plans
If you can’t find a scholarship that fits your needs, consider reaching out to your university directly. Many institutions offer installment plans to pay for your tuition in more manageable installments, rather than all at once.
The bottom line
While paying your tuition with a credit card is possible, it’s rarely the smartest financial move. Although you can earn decent rewards by having one of the best student credit cards, those will disappear fast if you carry a balance. On top of the interest you’ll pay on that balance, colleges that allow card payments tend to charge processing fees for each payment, further negating the value of your rewards.
It’s also important to be aware that many college students end up in credit card debt, as well as student loan debt, before leaving school. In the long run, you’ll likely be much better off exploring scholarships and types of financial aid that are not subject to high interest rates when paying your tuition.
