The 10 best banks for college students in 2026

Core Insights - The article evaluates the best banks for college students based on fees, account features, customer service, and other factors, identifying the top 10 banks suitable for this demographic [1][2]. Bank Rankings - Ally Bank is ranked as the best overall bank for college students due to its no-fee accounts, no minimum deposit requirement, and overdraft protection through "CoverDraft" [3][4]. - Discover Bank is noted for avoiding overdraft fees and having no monthly fees or minimum deposit requirements, although it lacks advanced budgeting tools [6][7]. - SoFi offers a no-fee model with no minimum deposit and a bonus of up to $30 for new student account holders [8]. - Axos Bank provides early direct deposit and interest-bearing accounts, but lacks Zelle integration [10][11]. - Capital One features a large fee-free ATM network and a competitive 3.3% APY on its savings account [12]. - Chase Bank offers a student checking account with no monthly fees while in school and various budgeting tools [14][15]. - TD Bank provides live customer support and features like waived fees and early paychecks for students [16]. - Wells Fargo focuses on financial literacy with its CollegeSTEPS® program and offers a student checking account with no monthly fees [18][19]. - PNC Bank allows easy money transfers and has a large ATM network, with no overdraft fees for students [20][21]. - Huntington Bank offers multiple checking account options and features like early direct deposit and Zelle payments [22]. Selection Criteria - The evaluation criteria included dedicated student accounts, minimum opening deposits, monthly fees, overdraft fees and protection, waived fees, financial education resources, Zelle availability, and 24/7 customer service [24].