With the average cost of college—including supplies, books, and living expenses—exceeding $38,000 per year in the United States, college students are exploring more ways to earn extra cash. But, as a college student, you know how hard it is to balance your busy class schedule with a full-time job. Fortunately, the gig economy continues to grow, giving you more options than ever for side hustles to supplement your income.
Here are some of the best side hustles for college students and tips for balancing your workload.
Table of contents
Best side hustles for college students
- Food delivery
- Virtual assistant services
- Reselling used items
- Tutoring
- Selling stock photos
- Freelance writing
- Picking up odd jobs
- Social media management
- Ecommerce
- Graphic design
- Affiliate marketing
- Web development
Despite having busy schedules, college students can earn money in the following ways:
Food delivery
Delivering food through services like Grubhub, DoorDash, or Uber Eats is a popular side hustle because it allows you to set your own hours. All you need is a reliable car or bike and a phone to deliver food and earn money. There are also services focused on grocery delivery, like Instacart and FreshDirect.
Virtual assistant services
Virtual assistants provide administrative support to professionals by organizing emails, scheduling meetings, booking travel, and performing data entry work. College students can apply for virtual assistant positions on freelance websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Fancy Hands. You can earn an average of $25 an hour as a part-time virtual assistant while gaining valuable skills that translate to traditional jobs after graduation.
Reselling used items
If you’re skilled at finding valuable used items at thrift stores or garage sales, consider reselling them for a profit. Online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, or eBay can help you earn extra cash. You could refurbish more expensive items like furniture to increase your profit margins, or sell used items you already own but no longer need, like your old clothes or textbooks.
Tutoring
You can tutor peers in person on college campuses or become an online tutor through platforms like Wyzant, Preply, and Chegg. Tutors make about $24 an hour and can set their own rates and hours.
Consider offering tutoring services to clients who need help learning a particular subject. For example, you could tutor high school students in math or English to prepare them for standardized tests like the SAT, or you could teach specialized skills like coding, video editing, or music production.
Selling stock photos
If you have a knack for photography, monetize your skills by licensing your work. Websites like iStock and Shutterstock host images from photographers, allowing businesses to pay for their use in advertisements, brochures, websites, presentations, and other commercial purposes.
Photographers who sell stock photos can make anywhere from a few dollars to thousands of dollars per month, depending on the quality and marketability of their work.
Freelance writing
Earn money on the side by offering writing services to paying clients who need website content or written material for advertisements, email campaigns, press releases, or technical manuals. You can apply for freelance writing gigs on websites like FlexJobs, Writers Work, and Upwork.
Freelance writers earn $22 an hour on average, with rates varying based on the client and the specifics of an assignment. If you’re aiming for a writing career, freelancing can hone your communication skills and bolster your résumé.
Picking up odd jobs
Explore sites like TaskRabbit and Thumbtack for short-term odd jobs. For example, you could offer pet-sitting services, dog-walking services, or house-sitting assistance and earn extra money without interfering with your class schedule. Other common tasks include house cleaning, furniture assembly, and lawn care. If you’re interested in child care, search for babysitting gigs on sites like Care.com or Sittercity. Rates vary by job, but you can choose ones that fit your own schedule.
Social media management
If you know how to build an audience on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, consider part-time work as a social media manager. You’ll create content and develop strategies for improving your clients’ social media accounts. Research local businesses struggling with social media engagement and offer your services to start building your portfolio.
Ecommerce
Earn money by launching a successful ecommerce store. Although this side hustle requires upfront work, it can evolve into a lucrative business that continues to generate profit beyond graduation. For example, the tattoo aftercare company Mad Rabbit started as a senior-year side hustle and grew into a $56 million company.
To launch your online store, identify a need in the marketplace, develop your products or services, and write a business plan. Platforms like Shopify make it easy to quickly create a professional online store with customizable templates, secure payment gateways, and built-in marketing tools like Shopify Email.
Graphic design
If you have a talent for graphic design, offer your services to clients who need design work for websites, publications, advertisements, or packaging. To start building your portfolio as a graphic designer, establish an online presence with a website showcasing your work and connect with potential clients on platforms like 99designs and Dribbble.
Although it can take time to attract paying clients, starting your own graphic design business can turn into a lucrative side hustle, with designers making $22 to $23 an hour on average.
Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing allows businesses to pay individual affiliate marketers to promote their products, services, or brand. If you have an audience online through content creation and social media, you can promote a company using a specific affiliate link it assigns to you. The more times your followers click on the link and purchase products, the more commissions you’ll earn.
There’s a wide range of affiliate programs available. Find one that aligns with your audience to start earning commissions.
Web development
The software industry continues to grow, with a projected global market volume of more than $858 billion by 2028. Learn website development languages like HTML, JavaScript, or Python, and apply these valuable skills to freelance projects. With time and practice, you can create a lucrative side hustle with flexible hours and rates.
How to balance a side hustle in college
Here are a few tips for balancing a side hustle with your college commitments:
Set goals
Before choosing your side hustle, set realistic goals for how much time you want to invest in your pursuits and how much money you want to earn. With a clear understanding of your availability and financial needs, you can identify side hustles worth exploring.
Choose side hustle ideas that align with your career interests. For example, tutoring provides experience in education while social media management and affiliate marketing offer insights into the marketing industry.
Manage your schedule
Unlike working a traditional job, making money from side hustles allows you to set your own schedule. Write out your full class schedule and other existing commitments like extracurricular activities or hobbies. Allocate specific hours of the week for your side hustle, ensuring that your time commitment won’t interfere with your classwork.
Build a network
Look for clubs on your college campus related to your side hustles. For example, you could attend a writing group to hone your skills and find freelance opportunities.
Research networking events in your area relevant to your side hustle. Reach out to professors with relevant experience and request a meeting to gain insights. Apply for internships to build connections with professionals in your desired field.
Identify and develop your skills
Once you have a clear goal and schedule, list the skills you need for your side hustle. For example, you could improve your communication skills, customer service skills, or technical skills like coding or design.
Perform a SWOT analysis to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to your new side business. Research business strategies to help reach your goals or explore your college library for resources to help you develop your skills.
Side hustles for college students FAQ
What is the best side hustle for college students?
Some of the best side hustles for college students include freelance writing, developing websites, and picking up odd jobs like dog walking and house sitting.
How can I make a lot of money as a college student?
It can take time to make a lot of money from side hustles, but consistent work tutoring, performing odd jobs, or building an online business can eventually earn you a sizable sum.
Are remote side hustles better for college students?
It depends on your specific location, interests, and skill set. College students with writing, coding, or marketing skills can benefit from remote side hustles, while students who want to get off campus might prefer in-person tutoring or working for a food delivery service.
