College can be an exciting but challenging time financially. With tuition, room and board, books, and other expenses, the costs add up. As a college student, finding ways to make money can help ease the financial burden and give you some extra spending money.
There are a variety of options, from on-campus jobs to side hustles to passive income streams. The key is identifying opportunities that fit your skills, interests, and schedule.
In this article, we will explore the top 12 ways college students can make money, along with the advantages and examples of each.
Introduction
College students are notoriously strapped for cash. With rising tuition costs and other expenses, it can be difficult to stay afloat financially as a student. However, there are many ways to earn money as a college student in between classes or on flexible schedules.
Finding a job or side hustle is not only a great way to make ends meet, but it also provides professional experience and skills that look good on a resume after graduation. The key is identifying opportunities that align with your unique interests, abilities, and schedule as a busy student.
Some options like on-campus jobs offer convenience for students already on campus regularly. Others like freelancing allow you to set your flexible hours. Additional opportunities like passive income, selling items, and participating in market research can generate extra cash without a huge time commitment.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top twelve ways college students can realistically make money, along with the distinct advantages and examples of each method. Whether you are looking for a regular part-time job, a short-term gig, or a passive income stream, there are options to fit your needs and preferences as a college student.
On-Campus Jobs
One of the most convenient options for college students is finding a part-time job right on campus. With a wide variety of departments and positions available, there are many possibilities to consider.
Advantages
- Location – Since the job is right on your college campus, you won’t waste time commuting. You can walk or bike between classes and your job.
- Flexibility – Many on-campus jobs will work around your class schedule and academic priorities. This also allows for an easy transition between classes, study sessions, and work shifts.
- Networking – You will interact with professors, administration, grad students, and peers in your field while working. This can build relationships and possibly lead to job opportunities after graduation.
- Resume Building – On-campus jobs provide professional experiences and skills like any other job. You will have achievements to add to your resume and references to vouch for your work ethic.
Opportunities
Some on-campus jobs to consider include:
- Office assistant – Work in an academic department, admissions, athletics, the bursar’s office or other campus offices doing admin work like answering phones, data entry, filing, etc.
- Library assistant – Help organize books, assist students in finding resources, check books in and out, and other library tasks.
- Tutor – Help other students one-on-one by tutoring them in a subject you are skilled in like math, science, languages, etc.
- Resident advisor (RA) – Get free room and board and a stipend in exchange for living in the dorms and helping oversee other student residents.
- Tour guide – Show prospective students and their families around campus and share your experiences as they consider attending your college.
Off-Campus Jobs
While on-campus jobs provide convenience, working at local businesses off-campus can also be lucrative. The key is finding an opportunity with hours that are flexible around your course load.
Advantages
- Higher pay – Off-campus employers often pay more competitively than on-campus jobs.
- New environments – You get exposed to new industries, settings, and people instead of staying in the campus bubble.
- Flexibility – Many local businesses are used to hiring college students and will accommodate your schedule.
- Break from campus – For times when you need an off-campus break from hectic student life.
Opportunities
Some off-campus jobs worth looking into include:
- Restaurant server – Make great tips working dinners at local restaurants with hours starting after classes end for the day.
- Barista – Coffee shops are often busiest earlier in the day before school and classes providing a solid morning shift option.
- Retail associate – Malls and shopping centers offer flexible evening and weekend shifts to accommodate your classes.
- Childcare – Families often need part-time help with after school babysitting or picking kids up from activities.
- Rideshare driving – Choose your own driving hours with services like Lyft and Uber.
Side Hustles
Side hustles are gigs in addition to a regular job or coursework that generate extra income. The appeal for students is side hustles provide maximum flexibility to work around class schedules. You get to be your boss!
Advantages
- Flexibility – No set schedules. Choose your hours and commit as your availability permits.
- Variety – There are endless side hustle opportunities so you can find ones that best match your interests and skills.
- Additional income – Earn money in addition to any other jobs or school financial aid.
- Professional development – Gain valuable skills in business, marketing, and sales. Looks great on a resume.
Opportunities
Some lucrative and flexible side hustle options include:
- Freelance writing – Make money writing website content, blog posts, marketing materials, etc. for clients on a freelance basis.
- Selling online – Sell products online through sites like Etsy, eBay, Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, etc.
- Consulting – Provide consulting services in an area you have expertise in like social media marketing, IT help, web development, etc.
- Food and grocery delivery – Use services like GrubHub, Uber Eats, Instacart, etc. to earn income delivering food or groceries on your schedule.
- Renting your car – List your car on peer-to-peer car-sharing apps to make money renting it out when you aren’t using it.
Small Businesses for College Students
For the more entrepreneurial, starting your own small business as a college student can be very lucrative and looks impressive on a resume. The key is selecting a business idea that fits with your interests, abilities, and schedule.
Advantages
- Be your boss – As the owner, you set your hours and have the flexibility to work around classes.
- Unlimited earning potential – How much you earn is directly tied to how much time and effort you put into the business.
- Real-world experience – Gain first-hand experience with business planning, marketing, sales, and more. Great resume builder.
- Pursue your passions – Start a business doing something you enjoy and are skilled at.
Opportunities
Some small business ideas suited for college student schedules include:
- Social media consulting – Help businesses improve and manage their social media presence.
- Web design – Build websites for clients if you have skills in web development and design.
- Handmade crafts – Sell products you make like jewelry, paintings, candles, apparel, etc. on Etsy or local markets.
- Resume writing – Provide resume and cover letter writing services to other students.
- Photography – Offer your photography services, especially for events, portraits, headshots, etc.
Creative Jobs
Pursuing a creative job is an excellent option if you have talents in areas like art, graphic design, writing, music, acting, dance, etc. These allow you to make money doing something you are skilled at and passionate about.
Advantages
- Utilize your talents – Monetize existing creative skills instead of an unrelated day job.
- Build your portfolio – Creative gigs become great portfolio pieces to showcase your abilities and attract future jobs.
- Networking – Build industry connections for future creative job opportunities after college.
- Flexible hours – Creative jobs often allow you to work flexible schedules that accommodate course loads.
Opportunities
Some creative jobs students should consider include:
- Graphic design – Design logos, ads, marketing materials, website layouts, etc. for clients.
- Freelance writer – Get paid to write website content, articles, stories, marketing copy, etc.
- Musician – Earn income performing at local venues, teaching music lessons, session work, etc.
- Tutor – Teach art lessons, and music lessons, act as a writing tutor, etc.
- Photographer/Videographer – Provide photography and videography services to students and clients for headshots, events, projects, etc.
Remote Jobs
Remote jobs are an ideal option for college students because you can work from anywhere with an internet connection–like from your dorm room between classes! This provides maximum flexibility.
Advantages
- Flexible location – Work remotely from anywhere instead of commuting to an office.
- Flexible hours – Many remote jobs allow you to set your schedule that works around your classes.
- Saves time – No need to commute to an office. Use time saved to focus on coursework.
- Increased options – Remote work opens up opportunities that previously had geographic restrictions.
- Additional income – Earn money in addition to any on-campus job.
Opportunities
Some remote jobs worth looking into include:
- Customer service – Many companies hire remote reps to handle customer service calls, emails, chats.
- Telemarketing – Flexible hours and ability to work from your dorm room.
- Data entry – Remote data entry jobs have availability for part-time flexible schedules.
- Tutoring – Tutor students online in your academic areas of expertise.
- Freelance writing – No geographic limitations to find freelance writing clients.
- Web design – Design websites remotely for clients as a freelancer.
- Affiliate marketing – Earn commissions promoting products through blogging and social media.
Work-Study Programs
Work-study is a government-funded financial aid program that provides students with part-time jobs to help pay for school costs. The convenience and built-in financial assistance make these positions prime for college students.
Advantages
- Financial aid – Work-study earnings are excluded from income calculations for additional aid.
- Flexible scheduling – Work hours are set around your academic schedule.
- Campus convenience – Many work-study jobs are located right on campus.
- Job experience – Gain valuable transferable skills for future jobs after graduation.
Opportunities
Common work-study positions include:
- Office assistant – Work in administrative capacities helping on daily office tasks.
- Library aide – Assist librarians with organizing materials, maintaining records, etc.
- Computer lab assistant – Help maintain campus computer labs and assist students with using technology.
- Research assistant – Aid professors and graduate students in their academic research projects.
- Residential advisor – Work in campus dorms supporting residential life programming and services.
Tutoring
Given college students’ academic focus, tutoring related to school subjects is an obvious option to consider. You get to set your own hours and rates while helping others learn.
Advantages
- Flexible schedule – Arrange tutoring sessions around your own classes.
- Use your expertise – Tutor others in subjects you excel at and enjoy.
- Self-employment – Work for yourself and set your own rates instead of an employer.
- Help others – Make a difference helping others learn and succeed academically.
Opportunities
Ways students can offer tutoring services include:
- College peers – Offer individual or small group tutoring to other students at your college struggling in courses you succeeded in.
- Local schools – Tutor younger students at nearby elementary, middle, and high schools in academic subjects.
- Private tutoring – Get connected with students’ families directly to provide individualized private tutoring services.
- Online platforms – Offer digital tutoring over video chat through platforms like Chegg Tutors, Varsity Tutors, and Wyzant.
Online Surveys and Market Research
Completing online surveys and market research studies is an easy way for college students to make money passively in their spare time. Though compensation is small per individual activity, it adds up.
Advantages
- Work from anywhere – Complete surveys and studies remotely from your phone, laptop, etc.
- Choose your own hours – No set schedules. Participate during pockets of free time between classes and activities.
- Easy work – Gives your brain a break with simple activities between academics.
- Quick payouts – Many sites like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks offer almost instant gift card redemptions when thresholds are met.
Opportunities
Ways students can complete surveys and market research include:
- Survey platforms – Sign up on survey sites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, InboxDollars, etc. to take all kinds of surveys.
- Product testing – Get free products to test through platforms like TryMyUI.com and UserTesting.com and share your feedback.
- Focus groups – Attend virtual focus group discussions on products and share your perspectives.
- Intercept surveys – Get stopped in public places like malls to provide quick feedback.
Selling Items
Selling unused items collecting dust is an easy opportunity for college students to declutter and make some money. You can even get creative turning hobbies into inventory.
Advantages
- Make money on what you already own – No upfront costs. Simply sell stuff you no longer use.
- Set your prices and hours – Control your income potential and commitment.
- Learn selling skills – Gain valuable experience with creating listings, marketing, negotiating prices, and more.
- Monetize your hobbies – Sell handmade crafts, artwork, baked goods, and other hobby items.
Opportunities
Popular platforms students use to sell their items include:
- Facebook Marketplace – List items for local pickup to avoid shipping hassles.
- Craigslist – Create listings for larger used items like furniture, electronics, etc.
- eBay – Open an eBay store to sell smaller items you can ship easily.
- Etsy – Sell homemade crafts, art, jewelry, shirts, candles and other handmade goods.
- Campus bulletin boards – Post listings for textbooks, school supplies, furniture, etc.
Gig Economy Jobs
The gig economy provides short flexible jobs as needed. Apps make finding gig jobs easy. The income works well between classes or for seasonal work.
Advantages
- Extreme flexibility – Commit to gigs only as your schedule allows. No set hours.
- Variety – Choose from many types of gig work based on your interests and skills.
- Quick pay – Many gig apps like Uber and TaskRabbit pay weekly.
- Great for the short-term – Easily pick up gigs temporarily like over summer or winter breaks.
Opportunities
Popular gig economy apps students turn to include:
- Uber/Lyft – Drive passengers around your college town.
- DoorDash/Grubhub – Deliver food orders placed through the apps.
- Instacart – Shop and deliver groceries people order online.
- TaskRabbit – Get hired for quick errands, moving help, yard work, etc.
- Rover – Provide pet sitting and dog walking services.
Passive Income
Passive income is the ultimate option for busy college students because you earn money with minimal ongoing time commitment. It takes effort upfront to set up but then runs in the background.
Advantages
- Residual income – Get paid over and over for work done once.
- Low time commitment – Only periodic admin work required once started.
- Make money while focusing on college – Earn extra income passively in the background.
- Build assets – Can create long-term income streams that provide past graduation.
Opportunities
A few passive income ideas suited for busy students include:
- Affiliate marketing – Earn commissions promoting brands and products on your blog.
- Selling online courses – Create and sell educational courses on platforms like Udemy.
- Renting out property – Rent out your car or an unused room to generate rental income.
- Creating apps – Develop and sell apps on app stores like Google Play and Apple App Store.
- Blogging – Build an audience for a blog then monetize with ads, products, etc.
Unconventional Ways to Make Money
If the other options don’t appeal, don’t be afraid to get creative with more unconventional ways to make money as a college student!
Advantages
- Creativity – Think outside the box and tap into your innovative ideas.
- Freedom – No “typical job” constraints to hold you back.
- Fun – Choose an enjoyable money-making method aligned with your interests.
Opportunities
Some “out-of-the-box” ways students make money include:
- Renting out parking spaces – Offer unused driveway or lot parking near campus events.
- Flipping free stuff – Acquire free items then resell for profit on sites like Craigslist.
- Becoming brand ambassador – Get paid by brands to promote products on campus and social media.
- Selling class notes – Upload course notes online for other students to purchase.
- Running errands for others – Get paid for miscellaneous tasks students don’t have time for.
Conclusion
College students have an abundance of opportunities to earn income between classes or in flexible capacities. The key is identifying your unique skills, interests, schedule constraints, and financial needs to select options aligned with your situation.
On-campus jobs provide convenience while off-campus positions offer new environments and higher pay. Side hustles maximize flexibility and allow you to be your boss. Small businesses teach valuable skills but require more time investment. Creative jobs allow you to monetize existing talents. Remote work and gig jobs offer ultimate location and schedule freedom.
Other options like work-study programs, tutoring, market research, and selling items offer straightforward ways to earn extra cash. Passive income provides the allure of residual earnings from minimal ongoing work. Those willing to get creative can even tap into unconventional methods.
The overarching benefits of finding income as a college student extend beyond the paychecks alone. You gain professional skills, experience, and connections that help post-graduation. Work provides fulfillment and teaches time management. Extra income eases financial stress so you can focus more on academics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What jobs allow the most flexibility for college students?
Jobs that allow the most flexibility include side hustles, gig economy jobs like Uber, and remote work since you can choose your hours. Tutoring and freelancing also allow you to set your schedule.
How much can a college student reasonably earn working part-time?
A college student working 10-15 hours per week can expect to earn $150-$500 or more per month depending on the job and hourly pay rate. Creative side hustles offer unlimited earning potential.
What jobs require the least amount of effort?
Jobs requiring minimal effort include online surveys, participating in focus groups, passive income like affiliate marketing, and selling items you already own. These allow you to earn extra cash without much active time commitment.
What are easy jobs any college student can get on campus?
Some easy on-campus jobs for students include working at the library, campus dining, computer labs, Tutoring, administrative offices, and participating in work-study programs. These all provide convenient part-time income.
What skills can lead to profitable side hustles?
Lucrative side hustles play to existing skills like writing, design, coding, photography, social media, consulting, music, art, tutoring, cooking, and more. Identify what you’re good at that others will pay for.
