Best value AT&T plans for students in 2024

The key to finding the most affordable students phone plan on the AT&T network is all about leveraging the competitive rates offered by low-cost carriers. You'll get the same AT&T coverage for a fraction of the cost without the worry of hidden fees and price hikes. Here are the best value providers to consider in 2024.

Share:

MoneySavingPro independently researches the products & services to bring you our recommendations. We may earn money when you click our links - disclosure policy.

If it's been a while since you shopped for the best student cell phone plan, you're in for a treat. This sector of the mobile service market has undergone huge changes in recent years.

You can now choose flexible - and affordable - plans designed to meet your needs and still get the AT&T coverage you trust.

We'll show you how to find the best AT&T prepaid phone plans, including how to save up to $600 per year!

Best plans on AT&T for students

Top 3 most affordable plans with AT&T coverage to consider.

Cheap AT&T plan

Red Pocket 1GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
1GB
data
$10/mo
4.1 Read our Red Pocket review
$780 in annual savings

Best family plan on AT&T

Red Pocket 20GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
20GB
data
$20/mo*
$25/mo
See at Red Pocket

*$240 for 12 Mths

4.1 Read our Red Pocket review
$660 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on AT&T

Boost Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Boost Mobile
  • AT&T coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$12.50/mo*
$25/mo
See at Boost Mobile

*50% Off 1st Mth

4 Read our Boost Mobile review
$612.50 in annual savings

How AT&T compares

The table below demonstrates that choosing the Boost Mobile unlimited data plan would save you $612.50 per year compared to buying an unlimited data plan from AT&T directly.

AT&T AT&T coverage at a fraction of the cost
See at Red Pocket See at Red Pocket
*$240 for 12 Mths
See at Boost Mobile
*50% Off 1st Mth
AT&T & Verizon 4G & 5GAT&T 4G & 5GAT&T & T-Mobile 4G & 5G
Unlimited data
*not unlimited
Unlimited dataUnlimited dataUnlimited data
$75/mo$10/mo$20/mo*$25/mo$12.50/mo*$25/mo
$900/yr$120/yr$240/yr$287.50/yr
1.3 on Trustpilot
4.4 on Trustpilot
4.4 on Trustpilot
1.3 on Trustpilot
Annual savings$780/yr$660/yr$612.50/yr

AT&T vs T-Mobile plans for students

Top 3 most affordable plans with T-Mobile coverage to consider.

Cheap T-Mobile plan

Tello 2GB plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$10/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$780 in annual savings

Best family plan on T-Mobile

Mint Mobile 15GB plan

Image of cell phone with Mint Mobile
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
15GB
data
$15/mo*
$20/mo
See at Mint Mobile

*$45 for 3 Months

4.2 Read our Mint Mobile review
$675 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on T-Mobile

Tello unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

How AT&T compares

The table below demonstrates that choosing the Tello unlimited data plan would save you $600 per year compared to buying an unlimited data plan from AT&T directly.

AT&T How do AT&T plans compare?
See at Tello See at Mint Mobile
*$45 for 3 Months
See at Tello
T-Mobile 4G & 5GT-Mobile 4G & 5GT-Mobile 4G & 5G
Unlimited data
*not unlimited
Unlimited dataUnlimited dataUnlimited data
$75/mo$10/mo$15/mo*$20/mo$25/mo
$900/yr$120/yr$225/yr$300/yr
1.3 on Trustpilot
4.6 on Trustpilot
2.9 on Trustpilot
4.6 on Trustpilot
Annual savings$780/yr$675/yr$600/yr

AT&T vs Verizon plans for students

Top 3 most affordable plans with Verizon coverage to consider.

Cheap Verizon plan

Twigby 2GB plan

Image of cell phone with Twigby
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
2GB
data
$5/mo*
$15/mo
See at Twigby

*$5/mo for 1st 3 Mths

4.4 Read our Twigby review
$750 in annual savings

Best family plan on Verizon

Red Pocket 20GB plan

Image of cell phone with Red Pocket
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
20GB
data
$20/mo*
$25/mo
See at Red Pocket

*$240 for 12 Mths

4.1 Read our Red Pocket review
$660 in annual savings

Best unlimited plan on Verizon

US Mobile unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with US Mobile
  • Verizon coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$15/mo*
$29/mo
See at US Mobile

*30 Day FREE Trial

5 Read our US Mobile review
$594 in annual savings

How AT&T compares

The table below demonstrates that choosing the US Mobile unlimited data plan would save you $594 per year compared to buying an unlimited data plan from AT&T directly.

AT&T How do AT&T plans compare?
See at Twigby
*$5/mo for 1st 3 Mths
See at Red Pocket
*$240 for 12 Mths
See at US Mobile
*30 Day FREE Trial
Verizon 4G & 5GAT&T 4G & 5GVerizon & T-Mobile 4G & 5G
Unlimited data
*not unlimited
Unlimited dataUnlimited dataUnlimited data
$75/mo$5/mo*$15/mo$20/mo*$25/mo$15/mo*$29/mo
$900/yr$150/yr$240/yr$306/yr
1.3 on Trustpilot
4.4 on Trustpilot
4.4 on Trustpilot
4.7 on Trustpilot
Annual savings$750/yr$660/yr$594/yr

Best overall plan for students

Tello unlimited data plan

Image of cell phone with Tello
  • T-Mobile coverage
  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Instant eSIM activation
Unlimited
data
$25/mo
5 Read our Tello review
$600 in annual savings

Compare AT&T unlimited plans

Plan Data Monthly Price Annual Cost
AT&T Unlimited Starter Unlimited $65 $780
AT&T Unlimited Extra Unlimited $75 $900
AT&T Unlimited Premium Unlimited $85 $1,020

AT&T vs Boost Mobile comparison

Keep your AT&T phone, number & coverage: Save $612 per year

Carrier Network Coverage 4G/5G Data Price Annual Cost
AT&T AT&T 4G & 5G Unlimited $75/mo $900/yr
Boost Mobile AT&T 4G & 5G Unlimited $25/mo $288/yr
Savings $50/mo $612/yr

How to choose the best student plan on AT&T

Does AT&T offer coverage where you live?

Operating on the AT&T 5G & 4G LTE wireless network, AT&T MVNOs offer the same coverage. According to an Opensignal network experience report 2023, AT&T comes out as the best for availability. If you're new to the AT&T network, you can use our coverage map to find the best cell phone service in your area.

How much data do you need?

Do you really need an AT&T unlimited data plan? They want you to believe so, but in reality, the average monthly cellular data consumption is around 10GB. If you primarily use Wi-Fi at home, college, or work, your cellular data usage is likely to be lower, so you have the option to select a data plan that suits your requirements with cheap AT&T MVNO plans, meaning you can pay less if you use less.

Is mobile hotspot data included?

Most AT&T low-cost carriers permit the usage of hotspot data, although there's a restriction on the amount of data that can be used through tethering. The specific limit is determined by the carrier and plan that you select. You can also get AT&T data only plans for iPads, tablets, and mobile hotspots, ideal to use for video streaming and browsing the internet.

What's the monthly cost?

While AT&T unlimited plans cost around $65-85 per month, the best way to get an AT&T unlimited data plan is from one of their low-cost carriers. Offering budget-friendly plans ranging from around $15-45 per month without compromising wireless coverage and data speeds. Be cautious of undisclosed fees and taxes, including activation fees, as certain prepaid carriers incorporate these into the total cost while AT&T doesn't.

How many lines do you need?

With AT&T, you only get the advertised low price if you buy four lines. But with AT&T's low-cost carriers, the price you see is the price you pay, even for a single line. Many low-cost carriers now offer further family plan discounts for multi-line plans so you can save even more on a family plan with friends.

Can I bring my own phone or buy a new device?

AT&T loves keeping you locked into a constant phone upgrade cycle. But you can bring your own phone to AT&T with their Mobile Virtual Network Operators. This means you take back control and only change your phone when it suits you. Just make sure your phone's unlocked from your old carrier. If you do want to purchase a new smartphone, many MVNOs offer a great way with 0% financing over 1-2 years with offers including the latest iPhone and Samsung models.

Are there any deals or promotions?

Promotions on AT&T's wireless service can seem good at a glance. But once you read the small print, it often leads to buying things you don't need and being stuck in 3-year phone contracts. MVNOs offer a unique service model to build your own plan to fit your needs. Often with unlimited minutes and texts, with many offering short-term introductory discounts for new customers, and their pricing is more transparent.

What perks are included?

Some AT&T plans have premium data along with complimentary TV subscriptions for SD and 4K UHD TV streaming. But these often convert into paid subscriptions that are automatically billed after a few months. Some affordable carriers do provide plan choices with free subscription services like HBO Max. However, it's generally advisable to keep these subscriptions separate to avoid paying for unnecessary things.

What international features are available?

Several low-cost carriers on AT&T's network offer unlimited international talk to 60 or more countries, with some also offering unlimited international texting. If this is important to you, make sure to choose a provider that includes this. If you travel regularly, checking the carrier's data roaming availability is vital to avoid unexpected costs or inconveniences while you're abroad.

Check out our comparison of the cheapest AT&T cell phone plans before you decide.


Find the best cell phone service in your area

Cut your phone bill by up to $600/yr
Find a cheaper plan in seconds
Same coverage - switch instantly

You still have options if AT&T isn't giving you the best coverage. Check out the best Verizon student phone plans and T-Mobile student phone plans.

Compare the cheapest AT&T student phone plans

Carrier Data Monthly Price Annual Price Savings
Red Pocket 1GB $10/mo $120/yr $780/yr See at Red Pocket
Red Pocket 20GB $20/mo*$25/mo $240/yr $660/yr See at Red Pocket
*$240 for 12 Mths
Boost Mobile Unlimited $12.50/mo*$25/mo $287.50/yr $612.50/yr See at Boost Mobile
*50% Off 1st Mth

AT&T student plans FAQs


Recap: What is the best AT&T phone plan for students?

Switching to an AT&T MVNO can save you up to $600 per year on your cell phone bill.

Bringing your phone is a great idea if you want to save the most money when switching carriers.

AT&T phone plan guides

How we choose the best carriers and plans

To select the best carriers and plans, MoneySavingPro's team of experts evaluated over 30 different carriers.

Carriers were rated in five categories, with a star rating from 1-5, with 5 stars being the best. We then calculate the overall star rating using the five categories:

  1. Value for money: We compare carriers based on price, features, benefits, and promotions. It's not just about the lowest price but getting the most bang for your buck.
  2. Coverage: We look at network 5G and 4G LTE coverage across the US. We use coverage maps to determine service availability and data speeds in urban, suburban, and rural locations.
  3. Customer experience: We take into account items such as current user experience, website and app usability, ease of switching, and customer service in terms of availability, channels, and satisfaction ratings.
  4. Transparency: We assess whether carrier pricing is clear and straightforward. We examine the fine print to check for hidden fees, confusing terms or conditions, and misleading offers to ensure upfront, honest prices and advertising.
  5. Range of choice: We evaluate the diversity of plan options to determine if they fit the individual needs of all customers.

Read more about our carrier ratings methodology and our editorial process.

We regularly update our comparisons. Updating cell phone plans weekly and our content monthly to ensure we are showing the latest and most accurate information.

Related Content

Phone plans guides
Best 5G cell phone plans in 2024
19 min read
Mar 11, 2024
Best bring your own phone plans in 2024
19 min read
Mar 11, 2024
Best cell phone plans in 2024
20 min read
Mar 07, 2024
Best cell phone plans for kids in 2024
19 min read
Mar 08, 2024
Best cell phone plans for seniors in 2024
20 min read
Mar 01, 2024
Best cell phone plans for students in 2024
19 min read
Mar 11, 2024
Best cell phone plans for two in 2024
19 min read
Mar 03, 2024
Best phone plans for one in 2024
20 min read
Mar 03, 2024
How much could you save?
Calculate your savings now
Same coverage - cut your bill by up to $600/yr
Women floating over network logos
Find a cheaper plan in seconds
Switch in minutes