Wireless plans are notoriously expensive, even without factoring in the average cost of a new phone. Choosing a provider will likely be challenging if your budget is tight, as it is for most students and newly graduated professionals who only have a little extra cash. You risk emptying your wallet before you even have a chance to begin if you add all of those extra taxes, fees, and potential overage charges. And let’s face it, you’re going to pay a pretty penny for one of the best phones for 2022 as well.

The good news is that you can find a reasonably priced and cost-effective phone plan, some explicitly designed for students if you know where to look. Remember that many fantastic deals are available, so you can get one of the best phone deals, especially if you want to use your own phone.

What should you look for in student cell phone plans?

You won’t generally receive the same features and opportunities across providers because no wireless plan is created equal. But the following are the most crucial indicators to watch out for:

• Unlimited: A plan with unlimited talk, text, and data is the holy grail.
• Price: Traditional wireless plans have numerous extra costs, potential charges, etc. If you have a limited budget, you prefer something straightforward with a stoic price tag.
• Coverage: Many independent wireless service providers, excluding well-known brands, use an existing network.
• Phones: You can bring your phone or buy a new one from many wireless providers. But if your budget doesn’t allow you to buy a new phone, you can purchase a used phone at a reasonable price. 
• Contracts: To cover their costs, traditional wireless providers offer steep discounts and offers by issuing long-term contracts. The cost of your service plan and any new devices you buy are typically spread out throughout a two-year contract that you sign.

The best cell phone plans for students in 2022 

We’ve put together the top student cell phone plans for the year, along with some great deals and offers, to ensure you’re looking in the right places and to help you save some of that much-needed money. To find out what those are, keep reading. 

Mint Mobile 

When you sign up for Mint mobile, they send you a SIM card on your phone and encourage you to bring your device. You also pay for everything in advance, which allows them to offer some unique and excellent deals. For only $15 per month, you can get unlimited talk and text and 4GB of 4G or 5G LTE data, but you’ll need to pay for the first three months upfront. For $30 a month, you can get an all-unlimited plan that includes unlimited talk, text, and data. Additionally, you have a choice between three and twelve months for the duration of your plan, changing the cost.

Visible 

Students will seek dependability and affordability during periods of inflation and some surprisingly significant price increases like those we are currently experiencing. More specifically, you should have plenty of extra cash to pay for school supplies, extracurricular activities, and other expenses rather than spending the entirety of your budget on a wireless plan. Powered by the Verizon network, Visible gives you access to one of the most complete, straightforward, and reasonably priced plans available. Starting at $30 per month, you get unlimited talk, text, data, and hotspot access. You have the option of bringing your phone or purchasing one of theirs. You receive free international calling, texting, and scam protection for obtrusive calls to Canada and Mexico. 

Additionally, everything is covered by your plan; there are no unforeseen costs, price increases, annual commitments, or activation fees to be concerned about.

Republic Wireless 

With Republic, you get a hybrid network that, depending on coverage and where you are, uses both Wi-Fi and cellular service for data. You can save a ton of money and use less data by connecting to Wi-Fi. This is an excellent idea for students because almost every establishment you visit has Wi-Fi, even if you don’t spend much time there. All plans include unlimited talk and text for $15, and you can add data packages, such as 1GB of 4G LTE data for $5, to make your total monthly cost $20, with each additional GB costing $5 more. Plans vary, but all include unlimited talk and text for $15. Additionally, you receive a discount if you are a current DISH customer.

Verizon Start Unlimited 

Instead of requiring a contract, Start Unlimited from Verizon offers unlimited talk and text for $35 per month, along with a few extras. Additionally, you’ll receive 15GB of 4G LTE hotspot usage and 22GB of 4G LTE data, with the option to upgrade as necessary. If you decide to use Verizon, keep in mind that there is still a $30 per line activation fee, so be sure to account for that in your spending plan. Verizon and similar providers offer used phones at a reasonable price as well. 

Cricket Wireless 

Within the United States, you can talk, text, and send pictures at no limit for $40 per month with Cricket. You can also use HD voice and Wi-Fi calling with a compatible phone. The plan also includes communications with residents of Canada and Mexico for new customers. You receive up to 10GB of 5G data each month for data. Without contracts, overages, or monthly fees, everything mentioned above is included with activating a new plan on a single line. If you want to enter with a group of loved ones or friends, there are plans with multiple lines available.

Ting Mobile 

Ting is a great choice if you need to call people outside the more than 60 supported countries because there are no extra fees or charges. The cheapest plan, which includes unlimited talk and text, costs $10 per month. You can upgrade to a higher-tier plan or purchase additional data for $5 per month for each GB. You can purchase new phones through Ting’sTing’s storefront or bring your phone and get a SIM.

Conclusion 

Check out Mint Mobile if you want a great plan at a reasonable price. Verizon is the best choice if you want a robust, full-service plan. Check out Republic Wireless if you’re willing to make a small compromise (such as using only Android). They offer an excellent plan for a much lower cost. And, of course, check out all the other providers mentioned in this article to decide for yourself.