College is expensive. Textbooks, housing, food, and extras can add up fast. Most students need extra money to manage costs. But with hectic class, activity, and study schedules, finding time to work can be tough.
What about side hustles? These part-time gigs let you choose your own hours. There are so many options out there to fit different interests and time commitments. If you need to boost your budget during school, check out this list of the best side hustles for students!
Best Side Hustles For Students
1. Babysitting or nannying
Like kids? Babysitting or nannying could work for you. These gigs can pay decently, especially if you have some experience or a CPR certificate. The Red Cross has online classes for just $37. Some places even do it for free.
What you earn depends partly on location and number of kids. According to UrbanSitter, babysitting one kid typically pays $22.68 an hour in the U.S. You may get downtime to study when the children sleep or do homework.
To start, ask friends or family for recommendations. Their tips can help you find jobs.
2. Survey Apps
Taking surveys is a great way for college students to make some extra money. You don’t need any special skills or a lot of time. Just download an app like Swagbucks or Survey Junkie, fill out your profile, and start taking surveys.
Companies use surveys to get opinions from real consumers like you to help them improve their products. In return for your opinions, they pay you. It’s an easy way to make money from your phone.
You won’t get rich taking surveys, but if you’re active on a few good survey sites and give lots of detail in your profile, over time it can add up to cover some bills or spending money.
Survey opportunities go fast, so log in often to catch the best paying ones. Even 10 minutes here and there can earn you some cash.
3. Blogging and Vlogging
Blogging or vlogging about a topic you enjoy is an easy side hustle for college students. Pick something specific that you love and can talk about for hours!
To earn money, find a blogging niche that doesn’t have too much competition already. If you love fashion, maybe focus on “college fashion on a budget” or “thrift store fashion finds.”
As you build an audience who likes your blog, you can make money in a few ways. Share affiliate links to brands you already buy from. Big brands may even pay you to feature their products. An influencer gig!
You might also get free products from companies hoping you’ll show them to your followers. Hey, free stuff is nice even if it’s not cash!
The key is blogging about a topic you genuinely enjoy and know a lot about. Then readers will come back and the money follows.
4. Rideshare driving
Driving for Uber or Lyft lets college students make money on their own schedule. You pick when you want to drive. Drivers typically make $15-$25 per hour including tips. Not bad!
Before hitting the road, get rideshare coverage on your auto insurance. You’ll need it. Also have your car inspected to start driving. While gas and maintenance add up, you can drive around your classes and studying.
If you stay organized, rideshare driving fits great for making some cash between classes or on weekends. The flexibility is perfect for students.
5. Pet sitting or housesitting
Apps like Wag and Rover also link you to paid pet sitting or boarding jobs. You usually need to be available for longer stretches vs. dog walking. But more time can mean more cash.
Look on sites like HouseSitter.com and House Sitters America for house sitting gigs. Staying in someone else’s home is great for a break from tiny dorms and annoying roomies. Plus you’ll get tons of study time. But expect light chores like mail and watering plants.
Sitters typically make $20-$100 per day depending on area and responsibilities.
6. Sell Items Online
If you’re good at finding great deals or have stuff you don’t use, resell items online for profit! Sites like Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Poshmark make it easy.
Pretty much anything can be flipped for more money if you get it cheap or find unique items. Check what’s selling best on each site to pick the right marketplace.
When selling online, remember to factor in shipping costs and get items out quick. But otherwise, it’s fairly simple money just for reselling stuff when you have some spare time!
Even just clearing out your closet or flipping garage sale finds can make you quite a bit of cash. Give it a try – there’s very little risk and the reward can be nice!
7. Tutoring
As a college student, you can easily tutor younger students in subjects you rock at. Helping others learn can pay pretty well!
Tutor a topic you know inside out and enjoy teaching to others – math, science, English etc. You can tutor online or locally after checking the going rates in your area. Believe it or not, tutors often make $50 per hour or even more!
The flexibility works great with college schedules too. Offer group sessions if you have the time to cover more students at once. Passing on your skills is rewarding, and the money doesn’t hurt either!
8. Selling course notes
Consider making some cash as a notetaker. Pay goes from $25 per class or $150 per course. If you take good notes already, see it as a little extra for work you do anyway.
Make sure to sell notes legally. Doing so without permission could break school rules or laws. Ask your disability services center about approved opportunities.
9. Become a Lifeguard
If you’re a strong swimmer, lifeguarding can be a solid summer job. Local pools and country clubs always need qualified lifeguards. Pay can be pretty good too!
If you also enjoy teaching kids, offer swim lessons on the side for extra cash. Consider teaming up with the community pool or teaching private lessons.
If your schedule is super busy, let your car make you some money. Companies will actually pay to wrap your car with ads! Then you drive like normal while spreading brand awareness.
You just park your car and get it wrapped. After that, simply drive around as you normally would. The ads and money come without any extra time or work from you. Not a bad deal!
10. Offer AI Jobs
The demand for AI professionals is growing really fast. If you’re a college student with AI knowledge, you have great opportunities to find side gigs in this field. It’s a perfect match if you’re studying computer science, data science, or artificial intelligence.
Prompt engineers are the ones who create AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants. There are also other emerging roles in AI like machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI consultants. Your skills and expertise are highly valuable in these roles.
The hourly rates for AI-related jobs can vary based on the specific role and the level of expertise required. Prompt engineers can charge anywhere between $35 and $150 per hour.
11. Social media manager
Businesses, both big and small, always need social media managers who know what they’re doing. As a social media manager, your job is to create interesting and scheduled content, handle social media accounts, and keep an eye on analytics.
If you’re a student who loves social media and digital marketing, this gig could be a perfect side hustle for you. To excel as a social media manager, it helps to have a background in marketing, communications, digital media, or something related.
The hourly rates for social media management range from $14 to $35, depending on your experience and expertise.
12. House cleaner
Cleaning houses can be a bit tough physically, but it’s definitely worth it as a side hustle. Many people are more than happy to pay for cleaning services to save time or keep their homes neat and tidy. You have the option to offer your services independently or even join a professional cleaning service.
If you’re looking to make some extra cash near your college campus, this is a fantastic way to do it. The hourly rates for house cleaning can vary based on factors like the size of the house, the level of cleaning needed, and the location. On average, you can expect to earn around $13 per hour.
13. Photography
If you love photography, turn your hobby into a moneymaker! Take good photos and sell them as stock images that sites like Shutterstock then offer to their customers.
A little work upfront taking quality shots can make you decent money over time. Best of all, it’s passive income since your photos keep selling while you focus on other things!
Simply take great pictures, edit them, upload them to stock image sites, and watch the sales roll in. You earn a commission whenever someone purchases one of your photos for their own projects.
It’s easy money that fits perfectly into a college schedule. Just snap photos when you have some free time and make money while you study!
14. Offer Moving Services
College towns always have folks moving in and out. Take advantage by offering moving help as a side hustle. You could join an existing company. But getting a group of friends together to share the work may pay off more.
If you network well and put in the effort, you can earn cash every weekend in most college areas. Pitch in for just 5 moves a month at $50 per move, and that’s an easy $250 extra a month.
15. Freelancing online
The internet has opened up so many opportunities for freelancers in various fields. Just think about what you’re good at, and you’ll likely find freelance work available.
Whether it’s simple tasks like data entry or more complex gigs like writing, proofreading, blogging, video creation, social media management, or graphic design, there are options out there for everyone.
Fantastic platforms to kickstart your freelance career are Fiverr and Upwork. You can easily create a profile and showcase your skills through unique ‘gigs’.
It’s important to note these platforms take a cut of your earnings, so keep that in mind when setting your rates. Nonetheless, they remain a great platform to connect with clients and maximize your freelance opportunities.
16. Thrift Flipping
If you’re into the thrill of treasure hunting, thrift flipping can be a fun and lucrative side hustle. Simply search for hidden gems at flea markets, Goodwill stores, or thrift shops, and then sell them online for a profit.
eBay is the go-to platform for thrift flipping, but you can also explore options like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to sell your finds. Get ready to turn your passion for hunting into a rewarding money-making venture!
17. Working in retail or food service
Retail and food service jobs like cashier, barista or server are common for college students. They probably won’t be glamorous. And you’ll likely just make minimum wage. But they may offer shifts that work with your schedule. And they’re easier to find than other gigs here.
There’s also a chance to get tips or commission. You’ll improve your customer service skills too. Check your campus dining hall or local shops and restaurants.
Considerations when choosing a side hustle
If you want a side hustle, think about a few things:
- Time you have available and schedule flexibility: Know your class times, homework, activities to see how much time you can give your side gig. Pick one that fits with what you already do.
- Skills, interests, passions: Know what you’re good at and what you like to find a side hustle that matches. Use your major or expertise to earn extra cash.
- Money potential and goals: Look at your costs (student loans!) and set realistic earnings goals. Research pay for different gigs to meet your goals.
- Remote or on-site work: Decide if you want a remote gig or one where you show up. Think about commute and flexibility.
Online Side Hustles For College Students Vs. In-Person
College students can find all kinds of side hustles to make extra money. You’ve got options for remote online work or local in-person gigs.
Pros & Cons of Online Side Hustles
Online side hustles rock for college students because you pick when to work. Stay up late cramming? Earn some cash after 1am if you want!
Lots of easy online jobs like tutoring, writing, web work, or data entry can make you decent money. The flexibility to work odd hours around classes is clutch.
Downsides do exist though. Sometimes you eat platform fees, like Fiverr taking 20%. Or handle your own marketing. But the convenience is hard to beat if you’re organized.
Just weigh the options and see if an online gig aligns with your schedule and skills. When it’s the right fit, it can provide sweet extra income minus rigid hours!
Pros & Cons of In-person Side Hustles
Like working with people? Many in-person side hustles let you set your own availability too.
Driving, delivering food, babysitting, dog walking – they pay decently because you put in real work face-to-face. A nice change of pace from dorm life!
Downside is fitting shift times around your classes and activities. You have to work when the apps or services are operating. No late night deliveries unfortunately!
But if you don’t mind hustling in person versus online, look into those flexible gigs above. The extra cash and human interaction can be worth adjusting your schedule a bit!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most flexible side hustles?
Babysitting, rideshare driving, and freelancing online tend to have flexible schedules.
What side hustles earn the most money?
Tutoring, freelancing, and delivery driving often top the list for income potential. Rates depend heavily on your experience and services.
How much time do side hustles require?
Time commitment varies dramatically. Passive income gigs like stock photography require minimal ongoing time. But working directly with clients or customers takes more involvement. Consider your schedule and set clear boundaries.
