OMAHA, Neb. -- Studies show the average college student's outstanding balance on a credit card is $2,000 or more, and 92 percent of college students now carry credit cards.

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Parents may not have total control over their children's spending at that stage in their lives, but KETV in Omaha, Neb., offered advice on picking the right plastic for students.

Encouraging college students to use cards responsibly now can prevent problems in the future.

Credit card companies know college students are good customers.

"And there's table after table after table of credit card offers. Sign up for a credit card, get a five-pound bag of M&Ms," said Sam Homan, with Credit Advisors.

Homan said the key to credit for students, as with anyone else, is smart use of the cards. Establishing good credit now can help a student get a job or a loan down the road.

"I think almost every college kid should have a credit card, especially if they're leaving home for the first time. There are situations. Their car breaks down and they need it fixed immediately," Homan said. "What you don't want to do though is use your credit card to finance your spring break."

Choose a card with no annual fee and the lowest interest rate possible.

KETV reported that the Wells Fargo College Visa is a good choice, offering no annual fee and an annual percentage rate around 10 percent.

"If you don't pay it off every month, it really does add up," said Jessie Holder, a college student who has several credit cards. "I probably owe, like, $1,600 on one 'cause they send you $2,000-limit ones. I'm like, 'That's great. I can buy whatever.'"

Note that student cards have lower credit limits. Homan said most companies will let students exceed those limits, but that's where the really high fees kick in.

Homan said that secured credit cards, in which parents to deposit a set amount of money, usually carry annual fees and do not allow students to build credit ratings.