College life isn’t cheap—between textbooks, late-night pizza runs, and rising tuition, your bank account takes a hit fast. So we went straight to the source: Reddit. We scrolled through real discussions, sifted through hundreds of comments, and pulled together 19 of the most upvoted, creative, and student-tested ways on how to make money as a college student in 2025. These side hustles come from fellow students who’ve figured out how to juggle class, cash, and chaos—and live to tell about it.
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 you can do in college. While juggling 18 credit hours may make a full-time job unrealistic, there are still ways to earn extra cash to help cover rent or tuition—such as online jobs for college students and side hustles (check out winter side hustles). No matter what you choose, remember to keep your college student’s resume updated.