10 Most Popular Gift Cards for College Students 

Out looking for a gift of college gift cards? Look no further! In this article, Send Credit will go through the best gift cards for college students that will bring joy and convenience in their lives.

From essential supplies to dining and entertainment we have got you covered with the most popular gift cards in the market.  

Our team conducted thorough research and came up with 10 best gift cards for college students. Before we move towards the best gift card to give, we will rank the best gift card among the 10.

The winner is Visa gift card as it is one of the most unique gift cards in the list. There are two reasons behind the Visa E-gift card being the best: 

1. You can use the Visa E-gift card at stores that accept payments made with a Visa card. 
2. You can always recover your funds if the gift card is lost or stolen. 

This gift card may not be the best for everyone, so if you think there is an even better gift card for college students out there do not forget to leave a comment. 

10 Best Gift Card Choices to Consider for College Students

This is the list of best gift cards for college students  

1. Barnes and Noble Gift Cards 

Every major program offered by a college will need some sort of reading. Books are an important part of any education and provide a lot of insights about the subject and its lectures.

Buying books is bound to happen you can make life easy of a college student with a Barnes and Noble gift cards.  

The national bookstore sells many book titles across many different genres, including any book that a college student might need for class.

You can even find games and toys at your local Barnes and Noble. This is why Barnes and Noble gift cards for young adults are best for students who are in college. 

Why Should You Choose Barnes and Noble Gift Card? 

This comparison will help you decide whether to gift a Barnes and Noble gift card to a college student.

Pros	Cons
College students can get their textbooks, guides, and other academic materials.	The gift card can only be used at a Barnes and Noble store.
Students may get the chance to avail special offers and discounts at Barnes and Noble maximizing value of the gift card.	If the college student doesn’t visit Barnes and Noble frequently the gift card may be underutilized.
The gift card can be used not only for textbooks, but also leisure reading and stationary.
Due to the limited amount on the gift card, college students can learn to manage their gift card effectively during a semester.

Finally, it comes down to the needs of the college student. You need to ensure you can understand the students’ needs and gift the best gift card. 

2. Visa Gift Card 

Visa gift cards are one of the best gift cards for college students because they are usable almost anywhere, which means the gift cards are perfect and convenience for students.

It’s usable online, as well as in store. Millions of merchants use Visa for payments, and college students can use it at any of these merchants. 

Visa gift card is one of the most basic gift cards suitable for a college student because it can be used at any given time at any location that accepts Visa. 

Why Should You Choose Visa Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
You can always recover your funds if the gift card is lost or stolen.	You can only spend the amount that is loaded on the gift card.
You can use the Visa e-gift card at stores that accept payments made with Visa.	The gift card can have purchase or monthly fees depending upon the retailer you buy the card from.
The gift card is accepted by millions of merchants worldwide.
It’s a secure way to pay due to its huge payment infrastructure.

3. Mastercard Gift Card 

Mastercard is a payment network that issues credit, debit, and prepaid cards. It is one of the major credit card networks. The Mastercard gift card can be used at locations that accept Mastercard.

A college student can use the gift card to get food, games, movie night tickets, clothes and more.  

The Mastercard gift card can be a great gift for college student, either they are starting their semester or finishing a big project.

Mastercard gift card makes life easy for busy college students by providing a quick financial relief, whether for books or other academic supplies. 

Why Should You Choose Mastercard Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
Mastercard gift cards provide a fantastic way for college student to pay during transactions.	Mastercard gift cards cannot be reloaded for more credit.
The gift card offers high security and has no risk.	The gift card is region locked. It can only be used in the country it was bought.
Mastercard e-gift card allows you to keep your funds safe from losing them.
The gift card can be a great alternative to cash for students.

4. Amazon Gift Card 

Online shopping has disrupted the global shopping markets around the world. Amazon is a trusted merchant in the online marketplace where you can find almost everything.

College students can buy anything at Amazon from dorm room decorations that fit the aesthetics to items that are must for college survival. 

You just need to pick an item, and it will be shipped to your college. If you have Amazon Prime the shipping will be free of charge.

Amazon gift card is one of the best gift cards for college students who do not have the time to go to a store or cannot find items at their local store. 

Why Should You Choose an Amazon Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
You can use the gift card to shop for a wide range of products on Amazon.	Amazon gift card bought in one country cannot be used in another.
Students can use the gift card to purchase digital content from the Amazon platform.	You cannot transfer Amazon gift card balance to another account.
If you have an Amazon subscription service, you can pay for that with a gift card.
You can control your spending using an Amazon gift card.

5. Starbucks Gift Card 

College students often find themselves in a pickle when it comes to make deadlines for papers or complete heavy workload that is piled up.

They tend to pull all-nighters and get little to no sleep. Caffiene is the most appropriate solution from a college student point of view. 

This is the reason we have selected Starbucks gift cards to be one of the best gift cards for college students as a gift.

It is the perfect place for student to get clarity on finishing a project, get coffee before a lecture, or even to survive a late-night group study. 

Why Should You Choose Starbucks Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
Starbuck is available widely at most college campuses.	Students may purchase more than one drinks causing excessive caffeine intake leading to health issues.
Starbuck offers better student deals as compared to other coffee shops out there.	If the Starbucks is not close to the campus, then the Starbucks gift card is no use to the student.
Starbucks allows you to get a variety of drink customizations.
The Starbuck gift cards never expire.

Interesting read: Best gift cards for teenagers

6. Netflix Gift Card 

To relieve stress and create distraction from schoolwork to avoid a burnout or breakdown, one way is to watch movies or a series. For a college student, a Netflix gift card is the best way to steam premium content on the Netflix platform.

There is no doubt that the Netflix gift card is one of the best gift cards for college students when it comes to the entertainment category. This is due to the ability of a student to access Netflix from anywhere worldwide.

It’s not like a movie theatre where you have to book a ticket and wait in line to then watch a movie. With the Netflix gift card, entertainment is made easy for everyone. 

Why Should You Choose Netflix Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
Netflix gift cards do not expire.	The gift cards are non-refundable.
Seamless payment on the Netflix platform.	There are regional restrictions on the gift card.
There is no need for a credit or debit card.
You get special offers and discount.

7. Spotify Gift Card 

Either one of the Spotify gift cards can be a perfect gift for a college student as Gen Z is into listening music.

Music can be a way to drive motivation to complete an assignment that could take countless hours. It can also be a way to relax and unwind after a hectic week lined up with deadlines and work. 

Gift of music is always a great idea. It may be for any activity like cleaning, studying, workouts, relaxing, or any other activity.  

Why Should You Choose Netflix Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
You get to listen music ad free.	You can only use the gift card at Spotify.
You can download music and play it offline.	The gift card is non-refundable.
There is no data cap to stream music.
You can enjoy high quality music with Spotify gift card.

8. Microsoft Xbox Gift Card 

Microsoft’s Xbox Gift card is on our list of the best gift cards for college students due to the budget friendly and versatile entertainment that aligns with the college lifestyle.

The gift card provides access to a number of digital games and services like Xbox Game Pass. This helps students to relieve stress and stay socially connected through multiplayer modes.  

Furthermore, the Xbox gift card helps to save money since a college students don’t have to keep using their credit or debit cards.

The affordability, entertainment, and convenience make the Xbox Gift Card perfect for any college student as an exciting and workable way of balancing academics with entertainment. 

Why Should You Choose Xbox Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
Students can use the gift card to choose from a wide selection of games.	You can only the Xbox gift card at the Microsoft Store.
You do not require any credit card to make online purchases.	You do not get a refund on the gift card unless required by law.
Promotion and discounts on games and subscription.
Your Xbox gift card will not expire, so you can take time to decide what to get online.

9. eBay Gift Card 

eBay gift card made the final list as one of the shopping gift cards that are essential for college students.

Since the Covid pandemic, we have seen a stern shift in the buy pattern of customers around the world. The popularity of online shopping and payments. 

eBay is one of the most visited e-commerce platforms and college students can use their eBay gift card to make purchases on the platform conveniently and buy things that can help students amplify their academic journey.  

Why Should You Choose eBay Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
You can enjoy great deals on the eBay platform if you have a gift card.	You can only use the eBay gift card on the eBay platform.
You can choose from a wide selection of products.	You cannot use the gift card on some categories of products.
It is a convenient way to pay for the items you get at eBay.
You can manage your funds over a long period of time.

10. Buffalo Wild Wings Gift Card 

If a college student loves to go out and enjoy great food occasionally, then the Buffalo Wild Wings gift card is great gift for young adults.

They can enjoy the atmosphere and vibes of the restaurant. The college student can pick up the tab for his/her friends the next time they visit Buffalo Wild Wings. 

The gift card can help student when they get fed up with eating cafeteria food or making their meals by themselves.

Most college campuses have fast food restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings in the vicinity, so students can use the gift card to enjoy the best wings on the market. 

Why Should You Choose Buffalo Wild Wings Gift Card? 

Pros	Cons
You can enjoy the best wings with the gift card.	You cannot get a refund on gift card unless required by law.
Save time on making your meals instead ordering meals from Buffalo Wild Wings.	The gift cards cannot be used at locations other than participating stores.
Large network of restaurants nationwide.
The Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards do not expire.

How to Choose the Right Gift Card for College Students? 

When choosing a gift card for college students you must be aware of the needs of the students. Each student is different and has different tastes.

Some find books intriguing whereas others find gaming to help relieve stress and some find movies and TV shows to avoid burnout.  

So, you must know the college student’s likes and dislikes to get one of the best gift cards for the college student. Conduct research and find out what will work best and add value to the student’s experience at college.  

Wrapping It Up 

To sum up, finding the perfect gift card for college students requires you to understand what is unique to their needs and interests.

Our comprehensive list of the top 10 gift cards, from the versatile Visa gift card which we believe is the best of the best due to its wide acceptance and fund recovery feature.  

Specialized options like Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, Netflix, and Xbox have something for every college lifestyle. Choose wisely and you’ll be giving a gift that really enhances their college experience.