Here is some good news most card ads will not tell you. If you are shopping for credit cards for a 600 credit score, you are not stuck with the most expensive subprime offers anymore. A 600 credit score sits at the top of the "poor" range, close to fair territory, and several issuers will say yes at that level.
That position matters because it gives you choices. Prequalify smart, and you may skip the cards that charge $175 in first-year fees entirely.
What a 600 Credit Score Qualifies You For
At 600, most premium and mid-tier rewards cards are still out of reach. But you are typically above the cutoff for the better subprime and starter cards, which often approve applicants from about 580 and up.
That means you can aim for cards with lower fees, small rewards, and soft-pull prequalification. The deep-subprime cards built for scores in the low 500s are still available to you, but at 600 they should be a backup plan, not the first application.
One rule before anything else: never fire off applications blindly. Each hard inquiry can cost you a few points, and at 600 every point matters.
Our Top Picks: Credit Cards for a 600 Credit Score
Our picks are the Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard, the Arro Card, the Milestone Mastercard, and the Self Visa. APRs and fees vary by offer, and terms and conditions apply.
1. Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard: Best Overall at 600
Aspire Mastercard targets applicants starting around a 580 FICO score, which puts a 600 score comfortably inside its approval range.
- Cost: annual fee runs $49 to $175 in year one depending on your offer, with a 36% APR, as of July 2026
- Standout benefit: up to 3% cash back on gas, groceries, and utilities, plus 1% on most other purchases
- Approval: soft-pull prequalification with limits up to $1,000, no deposit required
- Best for: 600-score applicants who want an unsecured card with actual rewards
Aspire earns the lead spot because at 600 you have a real shot at its lower fee tiers, and you can confirm your offer with a soft pull before committing.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
2. Arro Card: Best for Zero Hard Inquiries
Arro Card decides with a soft pull only, using your income and bank activity instead of just your score.
- Cost: no security deposit; an annual fee of about $60 applies as of July 2026
- Standout benefit: limits start around $50 to $300 and can grow to $2,500 with on-time payments
- Rewards: 1% back on gas and groceries
- Best for: protecting a 600 score from any new inquiry while it recovers
Arro is a solid fit if your score recently dropped to 600 and you want to rebuild without risking a single point on an application.
Arro Card
Arro Card
No deposit. No hard credit check. Start with up to $300 and grow your credit line to $2,500 by completing in-app tasks. Earn 1% cash back on gas and groceries — including Walmart and Target.
Standout feature
Unsecured — no deposit required
Fees
up to $60/ year
Pros
1% cash back on gas & groceries
Cons
Starting credit limit: $50–$300
3. Milestone Mastercard: Backup Option, Know the Fees
Milestone Mastercard approves lower scores than almost anyone, so at 600 an approval is very likely. The honest catch is cost.
- Cost: typically $175 in year one, then $49 per year plus $12.50 per month afterward, with a 35.9% APR, as of July 2026
- Standout benefit: reports to all three credit bureaus on a limit around $700
- Best for: applicants who were declined by the cards above and still need unsecured credit
At 600, treat Milestone as a fallback rather than a first choice, because those fees eat a big share of a $700 limit. Our full Milestone credit card review breaks down the fee tiers before you apply.
Milestone® Mastercard®
Milestone® Mastercard®
The Milestone® Mastercard® gives you real, unsecured purchasing power: a $700 credit limit if approved, no security deposit, and card activity reported to Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion every month.
Standout feature
Mastercard ID Theft Protection™ at no extra cost
Fees
Annual fee: $175 first year, then $49. Monthly maintenance fee: $0 first year, then $12.50/mo.
Pros
No security deposit and $700 credit limit if approved
Cons
No rewards program
4. Self Visa Credit Card: Best Secured Fallback
Self Visa flips the model. You put down a refundable deposit of at least $100 as of July 2026, and that deposit becomes your limit.
- Cost: $100 minimum deposit, returned when you close the account in good standing
- Standout benefit: no credit check to open, and payments report to the major bureaus
- Best for: building from 600 toward 650+ at the lowest total cost
If your goal is the cheapest path upward rather than instant spending power, Self Visa usually wins the two-year math.
How to Apply With a 600 Credit Score and Skip the Fee Traps
Start every application with prequalification. A soft pull shows your likely offer, including the fee tier, before any hard inquiry happens. The Aspire Mastercard review shows what that process looks like step by step.
Compare total cost, not just the annual fee. A card's rate matters too if you ever carry a balance, so make sure you understand what is APR before accepting any offer in the 36% range.
Finally, confirm the card reports everywhere. A secured credit card or unsecured card only helps your 600 score grow if it reports to all three bureaus. Every pick on this list does.
What Users Commonly Report
Many users report that approval at 600 comes fast, often within minutes, and that prequalification offers matched their final terms. People who kept balances low frequently mention moving from 600 into the mid-600s within six to twelve months.
On the downside, many users report disappointment with low starting limits and with monthly fees that begin in year two on some cards. Reading the full fee schedule before accepting an offer is the most common advice users share. Individual results vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get an unsecured credit card with a 600 credit score?
Yes. Cards like Aspire and Arro regularly approve applicants at 600 without a deposit. Expect modest starting limits and higher APRs than prime cards, and prequalify first so you can see your fee tier before applying.
What credit limit can you expect with a 600 score?
Most unsecured cards in this range start between $300 and $1,000. Some, like Arro, can grow limits to $2,500 with on-time payments. Secured cards set your limit at whatever deposit you can afford.
Should someone with a 600 score take a card with a $175 first-year fee?
Usually only as a last resort. At 600 you can often qualify for cards with lower fees, so exhaust soft-pull prequalification with those first. High-fee cards make more sense for scores deep in the 500s with recent negative marks.
How long does it take to move from 600 to 650?
With on-time payments and utilization under 30%, many people see meaningful gains within six to twelve months. Progress depends on what dragged your score to 600 in the first place. Recent missed payments take longer to outweigh than a thin file.
