You go to college to get an education, and a jump start on your career in hopes that your degree will help you earn a healthy salary in the future. Unfortunately, college is not cheap. Between a rigorous class schedule and trying to maintain your social life, your bank account balance may suffer.
Fortunately, there are several side hustles to do in college. You may not be able to work a full-time job amidst 18 credit hours, but there are ways to earn cash to help you pay your rent or tuition on time, such as online jobs for college students or side hustles. In both ways, remember to prepare your college student’s resume.
So, if you’re looking for a way to fill your wallet, these are the 10 best side hustles for college students.
1. Tutor
Why not put your higher education to good use? Tutoring is one of the best college side hustles because it requires little other than your knowledge (and social skills) to succeed. Many colleges offer programs that pay students to tutor others, but you can also expand your reach outside the campus. You can tutor local high school and middle school students in your town or find work through websites like Tutor.com or TutorMe.
Tutoring is also one of the most lucrative side hustles for college students, as pay for tutors can range anywhere from $15 to $80 per hour, depending on your experience. That being said, if you want to be successful as a tutor, you should be very knowledgeable about your subject and have good teaching skills.
2. Work Study
If you qualify for the financial need at your university, work-study positions are some of the best side hustles for college students. Not only are they accessible for those who live on or near campus, work-study jobs typically go hand-in-hand with college scholarships, allowing you to pay some of your tuition expenses through your hours worked.
3. Clothing Reseller
If you’ve got an eye for fashion and enjoy sifting through clothing racks at the flea market, becoming a clothing reseller or thrift flipper is a fantastic side hustle. Reselling large items like furniture isn’t feasible when you live in a dorm, but vintage clothing is much easier to store. There are dozens of websites devoted to clothing resellers, like Poshmark or Depop, making it easy to sell your items in the comfort of your home.
4. Babysitter
Are you good with kids? If so, babysitting is a great side hustle to get you through college. Provided, of course, that you don’t mind spending your nights or weekends hanging out with elementary schoolers.
5. Bartender
College is known for being a time of drinking and debauchery, meaning there is no bar shortage in a college town. If you’re over 21 and want to capitalize on your classmates’ bad behavior (and make a solid living while doing so), getting a job as a bartender is the way to do so. Many college bars are only open on nights and weekends, and this flexibility makes being a bartender one of the best side hustles for college students.
6. Uber or Lyft Driver
Similarly, rideshare services like Uber or Lyft take advantage of the college drinking culture. If you have a serviceable car and don’t mind carting drunk college students to and from the nightclub, becoming a driver for Lyft or Uber is a great side hustle for college students and can earn you a pretty penny.
7. Book Reseller
During your college career, you will likely accumulate more books than you know what to do with, making bookselling a great side hustle. Whether they are literary classics or textbooks, there is a huge market for buying and selling used books. Sites like BookScouter can help you sell expensive textbooks, while eBay or AbeBooks is great for rare or collectible novels (read our article on how to sell used books with maximum profit).
If you want to earn even more as a bookseller, offer to resell your classmates’ books for them and take a cut of the profit for your services.
8. Server or Barista
Getting a part-time job as a server or barista is one of the best side hustles for college students, which is evident when you visit any restaurant or coffee shop in a college town. These jobs in the service industry often have flexible hours that can be scheduled around your classes and earn you a healthy income, even as a tipped employee.
9. Freelancer
If you have a knack for graphic design, video editing, or writing, freelancing can be a lucrative side hustle. Freelance work can be done online, and platforms like Upwork and Fiverr can help connect you with clients. However, freelancing can be time-consuming and requires a delicate balance. Don’t take on so many freelance jobs that it impedes your coursework!
10. Delivery Driver
If you have a mode of transportation and time on your hands, becoming a delivery driver for apps like DoorDash or InstaCart is a fantastic way to supplement your income. This is a great side hustle for introverts, as you typically won’t have to talk to your customers—just drop their orders off at their door and move on!
