Best Phone Plans for College Students

Getting a wireless phone plan that offers excellent coverage and extra goodies without costing a fortune is a dream for everyone, especially for those with a tight budget. As a college student, you must have faced a tough time choosing a budget-friendly provider. Considering all those extra taxes, fees, and potential overages, there’s a high chance you might empty your pocket days before the month ends.

But you should stop freaking out, as we’ve got you covered. Our experts compared tons of providers available on the market and compiled a list of the five best phone plans for college students that are worth trying.

Check all the options mentioned below and nab one of the best deals to avoid spending extra bucks. In addition, the guide also outlines some essential pointers that should be considered before jumping into a commitment.

Best Phone Plans for College Students

Choosing the appropriate phone plan that fulfills your daily calling requirements without throwing any surprises at the end of the month is more complex than it may sound. Therefore, our experts have mapped out the five best student cell phone plans to help you make an informed choice.

1. Tello

Tello Mobile offers around 48 different prepaid plans, thus allowing students to mix and match based on their needs and budget. While all plans offer value for money, we always favor Tello’s custom-made options that allow you to choose the data allowance and number of minutes.

Every Tello Plan, custom-made or pre-defined, comes with a mobile hotspot and international calling facility to 60+ countries worldwide. Also, with no contracts or commitments, upgrading or downgrading your Tello plan at any time without being penalized is simple. There are no hidden fees, which means that what you see is what you pay.

Tello offers 7 data options, including No Data, 1GB, 2GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB and Unlimited options, No Minutes, 100 minutes, 300 minutes, 500 minutes, and Unlimited minutes. The cheapest customized plan is available for $5, while the expensive is reasonably priced at $25 for unlimited data. All these plans include free unlimited texting throughout the country.

Data	Minutes and Texts	Price
1GB	Unlimited	$9/ month
2GB	Unlimited	$10/ month
5GB	Unlimited	$14/ month
10GB	Unlimited	$19/ month
15GB	Unlimited	$24/ month
Unlimited	Unlimited	$25/ month

In addition, its free tethering and WiFi calling facility make Tello, an ideal choice for students. With free mobile tethering, students can quickly turn their phones into personal hotspots and use their data allowance on their PCs or tablets. The WiFi calling facility keeps them connected to their near and dear ones even if they are in a bad reception area.

So, all in all, Tello plans are ideal for those who don’t want to shell out extra bucks on minutes or data allowance they are not using or not even required. For more details about Tello, please check our post Tello Mobile review.

2. Visible

Visible is a prepaid cell phone service that operates on Verizon’s 4G LTE network. There are no contracts, credit checks, or hidden fees with Visible, making it ideal for college students. You can bring your phone to Visible as long as it’s compatible with Verizon’s network.

This carrier offers two plans, namely Visible and Visible+. The base price for Visible is $25 per month, which includes unlimited talk, text, and data. It offers 5G nationwide and 4G LTE coverage, unlimited mobile hotspot, spam protection, unlimited talk and text to Canada and Mexico, and more.

In addition to what’s included in the base plan, Visible+ offers a premium network experience, unlimited talk, text, and data roaming in Canada and Mexico, international calling to 30+ countries, and international texting to over 200 countries.

Counted among the best phone plans for college students, Visible is specially crafted for social junkies who prefer connected to everyone without having to worry about overages. Whether you choose Visible or Visible+, you’ll get unlimited everything, be it data, messages, or minutes without hidden fees. Moreover, there’s no data limit on hotspot usage; hence, you can turn your phone into a personal hotspot whenever you want.

Since Visible use the award-winning Verizon infrastructure, it covers 99% of the population. However, there are some areas where the network is not as strong, and customers may experience dropped calls or slower data speeds. Hence, check the network checker to evaluate whether Visible covers your residential area fully before committing.

All in all, Visible Plans are highly generous compared to other low-cost carriers. For $25 a month, Visible offers unlimited everything to protect users from unwanted overages. Discount carriers are usually not known for family plans, but Visible also stands out on that front. Its Party Pay program offers various discounts as you add more lines.

However, Visible also has some restrictions that you should be aware of. It reserves the right to slow down the data speed when Verizon’s network is congested. The carrier also caps video streaming at 480p resolution.

3. Boost Mobile

Yet another option included on the list of the best student cell phone plans is Boost Mobile. Boost Mobile is an excellent choice for college students looking for an affordable, reliable wireless service. The company offers a variety of plans to fit any budget, and the coverage is excellent.

The carrier offers a variety of unlimited cell phone plans. Prices range from $25 per moth. Including unlimited talk and text, ad 30GB high-speed data.

Plans	Data	Hotspot	Perks	Price
Prepaid Plans
Unlimited	30GB	Not Included	Price Guarantee (valid as long as plan is active & enrolled in autopay)	$25/mo (Plus tax)
Unlimited+	40GB	Included	Global Talk & Text included	$50/mo (Tax included)
Unlimited Premium	50GB	Included	– Global Talk & Text included – North America Connect included	$60/mo (Tax included)
PostPaid Plans
Infinite Access for iPhone	30GB	Not Included	– New iPhone included – Annual device upgrades – Up to $830 in device savings – Global Talk & Text included – North America Connect included	$65/mo (plus taxes)
Infinite Access for Galaxy	30GB	Not Included	– New Galaxy included – Annual device upgrades – Up to $800 in device savings – Global Talk & Text included – North America Connect included	$65/mo (plus taxes)

Boost Mobile provide several unlimited plans, available at $25-$60 per month with different unlimited data amount.

Boost also offers add-on services to ease the users, including data packs, phone insurance, international services, and a boost call screener. This mobile carrier is best known for maintaining transparency and thus charges no hidden costs. Make a long-term commitment with Boost, and your monthly payment automatically shrinks as you stay longer.

So, if you’re considering switching to Boost Mobile, weigh the pros and cons carefully before deciding. You can also check our Boost Mobile review article to learn more about it.

4. US Mobile

If you want to enjoy flexibility, affordability, and reliability under one roof, think no further and turn to US Mobile without a second thought.

This prepaid carrier and MVNO is widely acclaimed for its customizable plans, blazing-fast data speeds, and pocket-friendly pricing. In addition to them, what makes US mobile appealing is its contract-free policy, which is no less than a cherry on the cake. Customers can freely move in and out of the plan whenever they want.

Unlike other MVNOs that offer limited phone plans, US Mobile stands out from the crowd by providing a vast library of options to satisfy all mobile users. It has share-data plans By the Big for those who prefer sharing data allowance across the family. The carrier also features talk and text-only plans for those students who don’t like scrolling or streaming.

Apart from these, custom plans and data bundles are available for those who want to create phone plans based on their requirements. Customers can easily mix and match the value and make something just right for their needs.

Data	High Speed Data	Minutes & Texts	Price
2GB Light Plan	2 GB	Unlimited	$10/mo. $8/mo. ( pay annually)
By the Big 2GB (Add line $8/line/mo. Share data)	2 GB	Unlimited	$10/mo.
By the Big 10GB (Add line $8/line/mo. Share data)	10 GB	Unlimited	$20/mo.
Unlimited Flex	10 GB	Unlimited	$17.5/mo.
Unlimited Starter	35 GB	Unlimited	$25/mo. $22.5/mo. ( pay annually)
Unlimited Premium	100 GB	Unlimited	$44/mo. $32.5/mo. ( pay annually)

While having this level of customization is excellent, the real value of this carrier lies in unlimited plans. It starts at $17.5 per line and offers unlimited text, talk, and fast data speeds to ease the users.

If you are unsure which unlimited plan, you should go for, then choose the US Mobile Light Plan and By the Big plans. The first one includes 2GB data and the second one allows you to share data across multiple lines.

Still looking for more reasons to join the US Mobile? You’ll be glad to find out that US Mobile guarantees a 30-day risk-free trial, so you can check whether you wish to go with the plan. Also, US Mobile relies on two of the country’s big careers for its service, T-Mobile and Verizon; hence, network coverage isn’t an issue with this MVNO. If you want to learn more about US Mobile, you can check US Mobile review.

5. Mint Mobile

Let’s wind up the list of the best college student phone plans with yet another classic option, Mint Mobile. This virtual network operator uses the infrastructure of T-Mobile, which has the third-best nationwide data coverage. And Mint Mobile features a wide array of phone plans.

This award-winning prepaid carrier offers a solid lineup of advantages, so you won’t regret your decision after choosing it. Mint Mobile service is available nationwide so you can use your phone anywhere in the United States.

Data	3 Months	6 Months	12 Months
5GB	$15/mo.	$20/mo.	$15/mo.	View Plans »
15GB	$20/mo.	$25/mo.	$20/mo.	View Plans »
20GB	$25/mo.	$35/mo.	$25/mo.	View Plans »
Unlimited (40GB)	$30/mo.	$35/mo.	$30/mo.	View Plans »

Mint Mobile’s plans start at $15 per month for 5GB of 4G LTE data, unlimited talk and text, and a mobile hotspot. You can also get 15GB for $20 per month, 20GB for $25 per month, or unlimited data for $30 per month. All plans include international calling to Mexico and Canada, so you can keep in touch with your neighbours without having to pay extra charges.

Mint Mobile also offers discounts if you commit for several months in advance, making it a great option if you’re looking for an affordable prepaid cell phone plan with no annual contract. One nice thing about Mint Mobile is that all plans come with unlimited talk and text. So, if you need to stay connected, Mint Mobile has you covered.

Since it doesn’t bind you to a contract, you can cancel your plans without paying early termination fees. So, If you’re looking for an alternative to the traditional big cell phone carriers, Mint Mobile is worth checking out. With low-cost plans, no contracts, and excellent coverage, this carrier has everything to make your college life more manageable.

Things to consider when choosing college student cell phone plans

Choosing student cell phone plans is much more than an affordable price tag. With so many features and perks to consider, it can be overwhelming to find the best pick. Therefore, to help you, we have highlighted some critical factors that should be remembered when making a choice.

Evaluate your needs, narrow down your choices, and pick the option that caters to all your phone requirements without putting a hole in your wallet. Take the following things into consideration and make the best choice.

● Unlimited Talk and Text

Many college students rely heavily on their phones to stay connected with their peers, so having a good phone plan that won’t break the bank is essential. Unlimited talk and text plans are excellent for college students who need to stay in touch without worrying about a huge bill.

However, a few things to remember when choosing an unlimited talk and text plan. First, ensure that your chosen plan has good coverage in your area. There’s nothing worse than being stuck with a bad signal in the middle of a conversation.

Second, consider how much data you’ll need. If you’re only using your phone for texting and talking, you probably won’t need a ton of data, but if you’re planning on doing a lot of streaming or downloading, you’ll want to ensure you have enough data to cover your usage.

● Special Discounts for College Students

As a college student, you always look for ways to save money. So why not get a phone plan that gives you the best bang for your buck? You should look for a plan that offers exceptional discounts for college students, like additional data allowance, free hotspot tethering, no speed restriction, etc.

Many phone companies offer such discounts, so you must shop around and compare plans before making a final choice. Also, several providers offer unique plans for college students only. These are designed by keeping their needs in mind and cover the perks you are looking for. Hence, take your time and compare all available options to choose the best bet.

However, when choosing college student phone plans, it is advised to read the fine print before signing up for any phone plan and be aware of any hidden fees or surcharges that could increase your monthly bill.

● Network Coverage

As a college student, you have plenty of things to look out for; the last thing you want to worry about is network coverage. Students usually rely on cell phones to stay connected with friends, family, and professors.

But not all cell phone plans are created equal. Some have much better coverage than others. Hence, looking for college student plans with good network coverage is vital, as you want to avoid being stuck with a plan that has poor reception or is always down.

There are a few things to remember when looking for a good network coverage plan. First, you should make sure that the plan covers the area where you’ll be attending school. However, if you need clarification on the coverage, you can call the carrier or check online to see what areas are included in the list.

Secondly, students must check the data deprioritization, a common problem with MVNOs, especially during busy hours. Finally, check the speed limit, as there’s no point in committing to phone plans that offer slow download and upload speeds.

● Family or Group Plans:

Some carriers offer discounts if you sign up as part of a family or group plan. If you have roommates or friends who also need a plan, consider signing up together.

● Trial Period:

Some carriers offer a trial period where you can test their service before fully committing. Use this time to ensure the plan meets your needs.

● Extra Perks

There are a few extra things to consider when choosing a phone plan for college students, such as whether the plan offers any discounts for student subscribers or if it includes any data or minutes that can be used for international calling in case you need to stay in touch with family or friends back home.

You should also check to see if the plan offers any other perks, like free access to music or video streaming services. Choose the plan that best fits your needs without going over budget.

● Reasonable Price

If you’re looking for the best phone plans for college students in terms of price, there are a few things to consider. The first is whether you need unlimited data. An unlimited plan is likely your best bet if you’re a heavy data user. However, you can save money by choosing a plan with limited data if you use little data.

The next significant thing is whether you want a contract or not. A contract will typically give you a lower monthly rate, which means you’re locked in for a certain period. However, if you go with a no-contract plan, you’ll have more flexibility, but your monthly rate will be higher.

Finally, think about any other features that are important to you. Do you need international calling? Would you like a plan that includes a mobile hotspot? Remember that the more perks are included in the plan, the higher you’ll have to pay. Nothing comes “free” in this world; hence, opt for the phone plan that covers your basic needs without hitting your pocket.

Summary

There are a lot of college student phone plans out there, so take your time and find the one that’s right for you. You should always research and narrow your choices based on your preferences and daily calling and texting needs. All plans listed above offer a great advantage to college students; hence, you can try out any of them without having a second thought.

If you want to go for cheap custom-made plans, then you should turn to Tello. However, if you are searching for a fully-fledged option with unlimited data, international calling, spam protection, and more, then Visible might be your best bet. Whatever option you’ll choose, make sure it won’t charge any hidden fees down the road.

Article Updates

• Aug 30, 2024: Update Boost Mobile plans