Look, we get it. College is tough and being broke makes it even tougher. But today you’re in luck!
We did all of the research, gathered ideas, and mixed in our own side hustle experience to create the ultimate guide. So if you’re looking for side hustles for college students, you have come to the right place.
Whether you want to start a business or just make a little extra cash, we have the right idea to get you started. Take a look at the list below and start earning!
Best Side Hustles for College Students
Make Money From The Couch
1) Take Surveys
Take quick online surveys from your phone or laptop to earn extra income as a college student. Companies like Inbox Dollars aggregate these opportunities for you to provide feedback in exchange for a few dollars. Find more online survey companies in our post on how to make money online for beginners.
2) Test New Websites
Sign up for User Testing to get paid to give website feedback. Both new and established brands pay good money for help in improving the look and feel of their websites.
3) Install Passive Income Apps
Install Honeygain to earn $50 – $100 per month just by sharing your internet access with their trusted business partners. Make more money the more traffic you share, and the more content that is delivered daily.
4) Join Rewards Sites
Install apps like Rakuten and Honey to earn extra money just for shopping online like you normally would. Rakuten gives cash back on your purchases and Honey automatically searches the web for coupons at checkout.
5) Cash In On Freebies
Sign up with Robinhood to get your first stock for free. Also, sign up for Swagbucks, search for Acorns through Swagbucks, and then sign up for Acorns. If you follow this process, you will earn $50 worth of Swagbucks (redeemable for a PayPal gift card) and $5 cash from Acorns!
6) Watch Videos
Try Earnably to get paid for performing various online activities. You can even watch videos and then provide your input on the promotions.
7) Start A Twitch Stream
Create your own Twitch Stream using this quick start guide. To start getting paid, you will need at least 50 followers and at least 500 total minutes broadcast across 7+ days in the last month. If you already play games in your spare time, why not?
8) Flip Domains
Purchase quality domains on Namecheap and list them for sale on Flippa. While this business model is as simple as it gets, the trick is finding great domains by anticipating trends.
9) Cryptocurrency Mining
Download mining software and let your computer mine crypto while you’re not using it. Depending on your PC’s performance, you could earn anywhere from a fraction of a penny to $10 per day before electricity costs.
The Gig Economy
10) Drive Uber or Lyft
Work on your own schedule by driving for Uber or Lyft. If you already own a car, driving around your college campus during peak hours, like after sporting events, can be a lucrative side hustle.
11) Deliver Food
Delivering food with GrubHub or Doordash is another way to make money while navigating a busy college schedule. Work your own hours with just your car (or bike) and a smartphone.
12) Grocery Shopping
Deliver groceries for fellow students or local families with Instacart. Shoppers reportedly earn at least $7 to $10 per trip plus tips, making it a great side hustle for college students.
13) TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is one of the best side hustles for college students because the opportunities are endless depending on what skills you have. With just an hour of free time, you could get paid to help with any number of random jobs including moving, simple household repairs, painting, delivery, installation, and more.
14) Mystery Shopping
Local businesses will pay mystery shoppers decent money to shop, eat, or play at their stores. Sign up at MarketForce and help businesses improve their customer experience by mystery shopping.
15) Temp Agency
Sign up for Staffy to find healthcare and hospitality shifts. You get to set your own rates and pick your own schedule, making it the ultimate side hustle for college students with relevant experience.
Cash In On Spare Resources
16) Rent Out Your Bike
Make extra cash renting out your bike on Spinlister. Bikes are insured against theft and the pickup/drop-off process can be completely automated for a passive side hustle.
17) Wrap Your Car
Get paid to place advertisements on your own car and drive as you normally would with Free Car Media. Earnings vary from around $50 – $400 per month depending on the size of the ad.
18) Rent Out Your Car
List your car for rent on Turo, where the average annual income from one car is $10,516. As a college student, you can build a side hustle with just one car or you can develop a scalable business as your full-time job.
19) Rent Out Your Parking Space
If you live in a congested city and have an extra parking spot or driveway, you can rent that space out as a side hustle. Platforms like CurbFlip will facilitate the rental so all you have to do is set your rate and collect the extra cash.
20) Rent Our Your Home
One of the original side hustles for college students is renting out your home or spare bedroom. Using AirBnB or a roommate finder can be a great way to reduce your costs or make extra money.
21) Rent Out Your Pool
According to Swimply, pool hosts can earn upwards of $5,000 per month by renting out their pool by the hour. With insurance included in the service, this is one of the easiest side hustles to cash in on as a college student.
22) Rent Out Your Garage or Storage Space
According to Neighbor, all you need to do is clear a space to start your side hustle. Store vehicles and belongings in your extra storage space and you will start receiving automatic deposits in your bank account every month.
23) Rent Out Baby Gear
If your family still has quality baby gear in storage, become a provider for BabyQuip and start earning on your own hours. With the average provider making $600 per month, BabyQuip claims to be second only to AirBnB in terms of side hustle income opportunity.
24) Sell Your Clothes
There is no shortage of platforms for selling your gently used clothing or sneakers. Clean out your closet and earn some extra cash with Depop, ThredUp, or Poshmark.
25) Sell Your Textbooks
Another classic side hustle for college students is selling back your old textbooks. Use BookScouter to search 30+ buyback vendors and maximize the resell value. Take your side hustle to the next level by buying textbooks from fellow students and flipping them for a profit.
26) Sell Your Old Essays
StudySaurus will pay $25 – $40 per unique essay, and up to $150 for college application essays. Upload as many essays as you want and then approve their offer to claim your earnings. Top sellers often earn $1,500 – $2,000 for their submitted papers.
27) Lend Out Sports Equipment
List your sports gear on Friend With A to turn your extra sports equipment into a side hustle. This budding marketplace seems to have the most opportunity in busy cities on the West Coast.
28) Use Amazon Trade-In
Get an Amazon Gift Card for trading in eligible items. Amazon is mostly interested in electronics like tablets, phones, and home security devices.
29) Host A Garage Sale
Collect items from around the home or aggregate free items from Facebook groups and host a garage sale. With a little hustle and some haggling skills, this side hustle can turn into a recurring business opportunity.
30) Donate Plasma
Make upwards of $1,000 in your first month of donating plasma to CSL Plasma. Earnings vary based on locations and weight but typically compensation is about $50 to $75 per visit.
31) Donate Sperm or Eggs
Egg donation is generally considered painless and safe. First-time donors can earn $5,000 to $10,000 depending on location and personal features. Sperm donors on the other hand can earn $100 to $150 per visit if they meet the bank’s qualifications.
32) Sell Your Hair
Sell as little as 5 inches of hair on Buy And Sell Hair. To determine the selling price, you can even use this hair price calculator.
33) Sharing Receipts
Submit your receipts to ReceiptPal to earn gift cards and to be entered into regular sweepstakes. While the earnings per receipt are small, you can connect your email or Amazon to submit receipts on autopilot.
Local Hustles
34) Participate in Clinical Trials
Search for clinical trials near you on Antidote. Consider the risks involved and the time investment in tracking symptoms and side effects. Phase 1 trials, for not well-understood treatments, pay an average of $2,000. Whereas less risky Phase 4 trials average compensation closer to $400.
35) Join a Focus Group
Earn $50 to $200 for each study you participate in with FocusGroups.org. Some studies require you to live in one of 47 major cities, and others can be completed from the comfort of your home.
36) Join A Modeling Agency
With the rise of ecommerce, online businesses are increasingly looking for relatable models. Companies like Model Management are looking for real people to apply to their castings and connect with brands.
37) Newspaper Route
Delivering newspapers is a great side hustle for college students. The average salary is about $500 per week, or about $0.10 per delivery, in the U.S. A typical route may take 2-3 hours to complete.
38) Referee
One of the most fun side hustles for college students who like sports is becoming a referee. Stay in shape while making extra money in the evenings and weekends by refereeing for local high schools or clubs. In youth soccer, for example, referees often earn $40 to $60 per match.
39) Lifeguard
To become a lifeguard, you do have to complete training, a CPR course, and various swimming tests. If you do so, however, being a lifeguard is a great side college side hustle, especially for those who love the outdoors and staying active.
40) Substitute Teach
Every state has different qualifications to become a substitute teacher. Some only require GEDs, others require Bachelor’s degrees, and others still require specific training programs. If you qualify, subs can make $100 to $200 per day – a worthwhile option for college students who have gaps in their schedules.
41) Proctor Exams
Proctoring exams for high school students is a simple way to make more money on the weekends. Universities, large companies, and companies like Pearson are all consistently hiring hourly test proctors.
42) Wash Cars
Invite a few friends and create a car-washing event that feels like a party. Advertise the car wash in corner stores and community centers, then ask for a donation for each car or pickup truck you wash. You might be surprised by how much some folks will donate.
43) Driving Instructor
Every state has its own requirements to provide behind-the-wheel driving instruction, such as passing a pre-licensing course and being hired by the DMV. Once you’ve done so, this side hustle can reportedly earn college students over $20 per hour.
44) Personal Chef
If you have culinary skills, there is never a shortage of people willing to pay for your talent. Create a meal prep service where you cook a number of fresh meals every Saturday or Sunday afternoon, and deliver them to your customers in bulk.
45) TV Extra
If you live in a major city, sign up for a casting company like Central Casting. They’ll keep you up to date with opportunities and help you communicate with directors. If selected, pay tends to vary from $100 to $200 per day.
46) Go On Dates
Websites like What’s Your Price facilitate dates between “generous” and “attractive” members. The average first date incentive is currently $125, and escorts are explicitly forbidden.
47) Door-to-Door Sales
No list of side hustles for college students would be complete without including door-to-door sales. College kids make strong independent sales reps and many companies are looking to hire them, especially in pest control, home security, and solar. If you brush up on your sales techniques, you could start making commission-based income in no time.
48) Resell Storage Units
Participate in storage unit auctions near you for an opportunity to flip the contents of the unit. Most units go for anywhere from $1 to $500, and talented buyers can see profits of 100% to 500% of the sales price.
49) Buy A Vending Machine
Owning a vending machine (or several) can be a very lucrative side hustle for college students. Restocking machines with bulk buys from Costco only takes a couple of hours per month. And if you can place the machine for free, as a utility to those nearby, the profit margins are especially impressive. For more information on this side hustle, read our deep dive on how to start a vending machine business.
Freelance
50) Writing
Job boards like Upwork and Fiverr are good places to create your freelance profile and begin collecting reviews. Business owners will hire a freelance writer to help with ecommerce product descriptions, social media captions, email newsletters, blog posts, and more.
51) Transcription
Transcribers convert audio or video recordings to written materials. It is largely independent work which makes it one of the ideal side hustles for college students, and it generally only requires language and computer skills.
52) Bookkeeping
Organized college students may find that bookkeeping is not only a profitable side hustle but also a first-hand opportunity to learn about the financials of a small business. While it requires a fair amount of data entry, students considering entrepreneurship may benefit from the exposure.
53) Social Media Management
If you are a digital native who knows a thing or two about social media best practices, becoming a social media manager is an absolute no-brainer. Brands need help reaching their audience in a natural way on a variety of different platforms. And freelancers with a knack for crafting platform-specific content are in especially high demand.
54) Researcher
If getting paid to spend time on the internet sounds like a win to you, consider freelancing as a researcher. Business owners will readily pay for assistance in researching opportunities, partners, influencers, pricing, and so much more. Some research roles even include gathering customer feedback and suggestions.
55) Customer Service
Virtually every small business has one or more customer service agents. If you’re happy to be the friendly voice on the other side of a chat, email, or phone call, there are unlimited opportunities as a customer service agent.
56) Graphic Design
Graphic design plays an important role in advertising, website development, product development, and even maintaining a social media presence. You can find graphic design side hustles for college students on traditional job boards as well as places like Behance and 99Designs.
57) Web Development
Web development might be one of the most profitable side hustles for college students capable of performing independent, quality work. Top web developers often earn over $100 per hour altering websites, adding features, improving performance, and more. Plus, trusted developers find themselves building a list of returning clients.
58) A/B Testing
Use platforms like Optimizely or Google Optimize to help ecommerce businesses improve their conversion rates and get more revenue out of every advertising dollar. By performing A/B tests on navigation, messaging, social proof, and more, freelancers can drive substantial value for their clients.
59) Voiceovers
If you have a distinct voice, becoming a voice-over artist could be the right side hustle for you. All you need to get started is a high-quality microphone and a little bit of practice to hone your style.
60) Podcast Producer
Does it feel like everyone has a podcast these days? Well, that means everyone needs a podcast producer! Learn how to use audio-editing software and create a portfolio of your audio production to show podcast hosts.
61) Video Editing
The short-form video business is booming! With everyone rushing to create TikToks and Reels, knowing how to edit videos (especially in the quick-cutting TikTok style) is a skill many brands will pay handsomely for.
62) Ad Strategist
Buying and optimizing Facebook ads is important for almost every digital business. Take this online course to become a Meta Certified Professional. Then start your hustle and charge a flat fee for ad management, or tie your earnings directly to client performance.
63) Review Calls
Listen to recorded phone calls and answer simple questions with Humantic. Get paid weekly to provide actionable feedback to customer service and sales associates.
64) Order Processing
Dropshipping companies and customizable product companies sometimes have manual steps involved in their order fulfillment process. As a freelancer, you may be in charge of routing products from the ecommerce platform to the correct vendors, placing orders, or assigning orders to available employees.
65) Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistant work can be quite varied in its nature. Tasks vary from basic data entry work to any of the previously listed freelancing roles. Virtual assistants can be placed in charge of repetitive to-do’s or given highly trusted and personal tasks for CEOs. For more information on this side hustle, read our deep dive on how to become a virtual assistant even if you have no experience.
66) Virtual Odd Jobs
Don’t let any of the above categories put your side hustle in a box. Once you’ve developed an online profile with a few positive reviews, feel free to apply to any virtual odd jobs. Small business owners will hire confident, competent college students for almost anything they need help with.
Start A Product Business
67) Start a Blog
Sign up for Ahrefs, perform keyword research on your niche of choice, write keyword-optimized content, and build whitehat backlinks. Once you’ve begun generating real traffic, monetize your site with ads or affiliate offers. Maybe we’re biased, but blogging is one of our favorite side hustles for college students due to the consistency of its revenue.
68) Start an Etsy Shop
Handmade goods thrive on Etsy. Test your hand at making unique jewelry, décor, or crafts. If you can customize your product with names and/or dates, you can significantly improve your ad performance and profit margins.
69) Start a Shopify Store
Looking for side hustles that don’t require handling inventory? Don’t look past Shopify. Start a drop shipping business, use the Shopify Fulfillment Network, or hire a 3PL to ship your orders. And instead of getting stuck in the weeds, you can spend your time on product development, customer experience, and marketing.
Plus, Shopify makes it easy to get started with drag-and-drop website templates and attentive customer support. Sign up for a free trial today!
70) Start an Amazon Merch Business
Amazon Merch simplifies the customer acquisition process. Instead of bringing customers to the platform, they’re already present and looking for products like yours. To maximize your sales, simply focus on creating the most creative and eye-catching designs for your target keyword.
71) Create Digital Goods
Selling digital planners, wall art, and designs can be an excellent product business because there are no product or fulfillment costs. We love build-once and sell-twice businesses, but the real challenge here is standing out amongst the competition. So creating digital goods is an especially good side hustle for women or men with artistic talent.
72) Create A Digital Course
Almost any skill under the sun is monetizable with a course. From using Excel, accessing DeFi, copywriting, and underwriting real estate deals, to dieting and physical fitness… if people want to learn it, some percentage of them will pay to do so. With the right content, digital courses can be one of the most profitable side hustles for college students.
73) Sell Your Photography
Make extra income from your photography by selling to stock photo websites like Alamy. They have strict upload guidelines, but photographers earn 50% of every sale. You may also consider Shutterstock or Adobe Stock which currently pay 33% or iStock Photo which pays 45%.
74) Flip Products on eBay
Collectibles have always been the bread and butter of eBay. Flip unique and obscure products for a profit by scouring sources like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, storage auctions, thrift stores, and swap meets.
75) Start an Amazon FBA Business
An Amazon FBA business can be an extension of a Shopify store, another selling channel in which Amazon manages fulfillment. Or, an Amazon FBA business can be a retail arbitrage business. Retail arbitrage has lower margins, but also lower risk and time demands. To get started, download the Amazon Seller app to review the price, fees, and potential profit of an item. Look through discount stores and sale racks for potential arbitrage opportunities.
76) Become An Influencer
Love making content? Have a face for the camera? Becoming an influencer can be one of the best side hustles for college students. Businesses increasingly rely on micro-influencers, people who don’t have huge followings but do have real influence over their audience, to market their products. Once you reach scale, pivot from marketing other brands’ products to selling your own (a.k.a. the Kardashian playbook).
77) Start A YouTube Channel
YouTube is the world’s second-most visited website, and it continues to mint millionaires. The top 10 most successful YouTubers raked in over $300 million in 2021, up 40% year over year. How-to videos, tutorial videos, product reviews, gaming, and comedy continue to dominate on YouTube. If you want to learn how to become a YouTuber, start by brainstorming content ideas and finding your unique edge.
78) Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing
If you have an audience or authority in a field, self-publish your eBook to Kindle for free. Keep control of your rights, set your own prices, and earn up to 70% royalties on sales.
79) Write An eBook
If you don’t have any credentials, selling your eBook directly may be quite difficult. Instead, consider giving it away for free in exchange for email addresses. Use this lead magnet to build your personal brand, and eventually, sell similar products like a more detailed digital course or done-for-you services like an agency.
Start A Service Business
80) Online Dating Consultant
Are you always helping your friends get more right swipes? It’s time to make that favor your next side hustle! Help clients take better pictures, improve their bio, and land more dates as an online dating consultant.
81) Personal Training
Show beginners how to take their fitness to the next level with personalized instruction. Model new movements and create gym routines for everyone from aspiring bodybuilders to those seeking improved mobility.
82) Custom Fitness Plans
If you don’t want to spend one-on-one time at the gym, or you would rather cater to more advanced DIY gym-goers, create custom fitness plans including rep tempo, number of repetitions, and lists of exercises.
83) Custom Nutrition Plans
Oftentimes the most difficult part of a fitness journey is the diet. Simplify the process with detailed daily meal plans complete with cooking instructions and a breakdown of macronutrients.
84) Makeup Artist
Market your makeup services for photoshoots and special events or private lessons. Start with referrals from friends and family, and eventually create a Facebook page or Google My Business account to generate reviews and get more local exposure.
85) Get Ordained
Get ordained to conduct marriage ceremonies, baptisms, or funerals at ULC. The process can be completed online, costs nothing, and only takes a few minutes. Once you have done so, list yourself on minister directories and begin booking events.
86) Take Notes for Classmates
Apply to become a notetaker on StudySoup for a fixed fee, and double dip on your efforts by seeking out clients (other college students) directly. Cover a few classes each semester and slowly grow your library of resources over time.
87) Babysit
Babysitting is one of the best side hustles for college students because you can do the job and complete some homework while getting paid. From babies to middle school students, seek out children you get along with and this side hustle can feel like free money.
88) Elder Companion
Love to chat and learn from your elders? Become an elder companion and make money on the side while keeping the elderly sharp and engaged. Talking, playing games, and sharing stories with a new friend… that’s not a bad way to cover some living expenses.
89) House or Pet Sitting
Find clients who travel often and have plants or pets that need to be taken care of. As a trusted house sitter, you can serve as a de facto security guard and caretaker. Families will gladly pay for the peace of mind you can provide while they are away.
90) Dog Walking
Dog walking can be a very profitable business, especially in densely populated cities. Working adults may not always be able to make it home in time to let the dog out, or to provide their furry friend the attention they deserve. Once you’ve landed clients, strive to generate nearby referrals. Walking two or three dogs at once can multiply your revenue without much incremental time spent.
91) Online Tutor
Tutoring services are always in demand, and few people are as qualified for the role as college students. Ask to be listed on your college or university’s website as a verified tutor for any courses you have excelled in. Market your tutoring services to fellow college students, or high school students who are studying the same subject.
92) Edit College Admissions Essays
All college students have some experience writing college admissions essays and communicating with their university’s admissions office. Students and parents of students interested in attending your university would love to hear your insights and feedback on prospective admissions essays.
93) Create a Local Experience
Create a one-of-a-kind experience in your town for tourists. Cooking, animals, and adventures are the three largest categories on AirBnB Experiences. Once you have developed the experience, do your first practice run with friends. Then take high-quality photographs, write up your listing, and start generating bookings.
94) Fix iPhone Screens
Watch a few YouTube tutorials, order the parts, and practice replacing the screen on your old iPhone. Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll realize just how easy of a process it is to perform the repair a local shop may charge $50 to $150 for.
95) Mobile Notary
Becoming a notary requires jumping through several hoops, including taking a course, passing an exam, and completing a background check. The whole process may take a few weeks and cost a couple of hundred dollars. Once approved, you can start making $75 to $200 per appointment for notarizing documents like wills, home loans, and car titles.
96) Music Lessons
If you have a passion for music, teach music lessons to aspiring young musicians. Tutor students in elementary school on how to read music and play various instruments as they are first exposed to music classes.
97) Sports Lessons
Did you play a sport in high school or college? Help kids reach the next level in their sport of choice by providing personalized instruction and training plans.
Start A Home Maintenance Business
98) Snow Removal
Unless you have access to a snow plow, getting snow removal contracts in advance may be difficult. But opportunistic college students can still make great money by removing snow for neighbors who are in a pinch. Pay close attention to weather forecasts and go door-to-door immediately after a big snowstorm.
99) Landscaping
Create a landscaping business and help homeowners by trimming trees or hedges, raking leaves, mowing lawns, removing weeds, and more. Landscaping is rewarding work, and it lends itself to before and after pictures which help attract new clients.
100) Gardening
If you have a green thumb, offer your gardening services to neighbors and other locals. Teach gardening classes, offer to consult on existing home gardens, or provide full-service assistance in which you help homeowners create, grow, and harvest a brand new garden.
101) Pressure Washing
Seek out homeowners with dirty pavement or driveways and pitch your pressure washing services. Fill up your weekend with bookings and then rent a pressure washer from Lowe’s or Home Depot. Use a mixture of bleach and water to make the job a bit easier.
102) Interior Painting
Start your own painting service by partnering with a real estate agent for cheap leads. After every closing, pitch the new homeowner on your services and help them ensure their home is move-in ready.
103) Pool Cleaning
Pools are notoriously difficult to manage, which is why Pool Technicians are always in demand. Land a few clients and complete your route every weekend by performing routine maintenance, cleaning the pools with nets and brushes, and maintaining the water’s chemistry.
104) Window Cleaning
Sell window cleaning services to both residential and commercial buildings alike. Pick up a few squeegees, buckets, ladders, extension poles, microfiber cloths, and some cleaning solution. Practice getting the right streak-free polish and you’ll be on your way to collecting five-star reviews.
105) Carpet Cleaning
Go door-to-door offering to clean homeowners’ carpets. Get comfortable with rejection but keep knocking until you have booked a week’s worth of cleanings. Rent an industrial carpet cleaner and spend about 30 minutes per room deep cleaning the carpets. Try to get all of your customers on the calendar for another cleaning in 6-12 months.
106) Gutter Cleaning
Nobody likes cleaning their gutters, which makes this side hustle an easy sell. Seek out cluttered gutters around your neighborhood and pitch your services.
107) Clean Houses or Offices
Land recurring cleaning clients with TurnoverBnB. AirBnB owners will sync their rentals directly to your calendar, so you always know when you have an upcoming cleaning. If you don’t earn enough money that way, you can always market your cleaning business directly and seek out jobs on local marketplaces.
108) Junk Hauling
If you have your own pickup truck, you have almost all you need to start a junk-hauling business. Buy a tarp, get acquainted with your local dump, and start quoting jobs by the hour on Craigslist.
109) Become a Mover
Sign up for Dolly to start building your own moving business. If you have a truck or van and can lift at least 75 pounds, you can earn $40 or more per hour as a Helper. If you don’t have a truck, but do have a car and can lift at least 75 pounds, you can earn $25 or more per hour as a Hand.
