Key Takeaways
- College is expensive and can be a financial strain for many. That’s why side hustles have become more and more popular for college students looking to make extra money without committing to a strict job schedule.
- To count as a side hustle, the work should be flexible and allow you to choose when and how often you take on jobs.
- Below you’ll find 15 side hustles, including: freelance, tutoring, dog walking, selling items online, detailing cars, delivering food, becoming a vlogger, driving for Uber or Lyft, babysitting, teaching music, starting a photography business, pet sitting/house sitting, transcribing, managing social media, and offering yard work.
Dog walking can be a good side hustle for busy college students who love animals.
Let’s face it: the cost of college is expensive. And when your semester is already packed with classes, homework, and trying to maintain a social life, a part-time job doesn’t always fit into the schedule. Thanks to their flexibility, side hustles for college students have become an increasingly popular option for students looking to earn extra income. Whether you’re saving up for next semester or just trying to make ends meet, a side hustle can give you the extra cash you need—on your terms. Check out 15 side hustle ideas below.
What Is a Side Hustle?
A side hustle is different from a part-time job. When you work part-time, your employer decides your hours, responsibilities, and hourly rate. However, with a side hustle, you get to be in control. This means you get to choose when you work, how often you work, and sometimes even how much you charge. Side hustles offer flexibility so that they fit into your personal and academic schedule while involving work you genuinely enjoy.
The Benefits of a Side Hustle
Wondering why you should consider a side hustle? Here are a few of the exciting benefits:
- Extra Income: A side hustle can offer a quick boost for your finances. The extra income can help you manage the cost of rent, groceries, or textbooks—or even cover the cost of your tuition.
- Flexibility: You get to work when it fits your schedule—early mornings, weekends, between classes, or late at night.
- Do What You Love: Whether you love dogs, photography, or creative writing, you can usually find a side hustle that allows you to turn personal interests into something that generates income.
- Explore Careers: Who knows, by trying different types of side hustles, you might discover a genuine passion for a future career.
- Looks Good on Job Applications: Employers love to see initiative. A side hustle can demonstrate your strong work ethic and great time management skills.
Side Hustles for College Students
When it comes to finding a side hustle, flexibility and availability are important. Here are 15 side hustles that college students like you could consider getting into:
1. Freelance Work
Freelancing lets you practice your skills in a certain niche while earning money. If you’re skilled in writing, illustration, graphic design, web design, editing, or proofreading, consider offering your services on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. These services allow you to set your own pricing and connect with other freelancers who need work done. Additionally, freelancing in this way can help you start to build a portfolio for future employers.
2. Tutoring
If you’re strong in a subject like math, science, or English, consider tutoring. Many colleges offer programs that can match you with other students, or you can find opportunities at most K-12 schools in your city. While many choose to tutor in person, there are online tutoring platforms that allow you to tutor from anywhere you’d like.
3. Dog Walking
If you love animals and the outdoors, dog walking might be a perfect fit for you. You’ll get some movement and fresh air in, all while making some extra cash. To start building a clientele, use apps like Rover to help you get connected with other dog owners. Or you can build up your clientele through campus or local neighborhoods.
4. Selling Items Online
Maybe you make homemade mugs, you spend your free time thrifting, or you paint custom pieces. If so, try selling these items online by listing them on e-commerce platforms like Etsy, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, or Poshmark (for clothes). Selling items can be a great way to combine your passion into a job. Note that it can take a while to gain momentum, but once it does, it’s nice to see your work appreciated—and purchased!
5. Delivering Food
Delivering food through DoorDash or Uber Eats is a convenient way to earn some extra income on a schedule that works for you. For instance, if you have a big test one weekend, you don’t have to work and can spend your time studying. Plus, you don’t have to interact with people (unless you want to!).
6. Becoming a Vlogger
If you like being in front of the camera, vlogging might be a great way to earn income. TikTok and YouTube can pay really well—just remember it does require you to have a decent following to start generating income. However, if you have patience and dedication, this can be an incredibly lucrative side hustle.
7. Rideshare Driving
If you don’t mind spending money on gas, you may enjoy driving for Uber or Lyft. This job is extremely flexible—drive on the weekends, between classes, or whenever you find the extra time. You make your schedule, and you get to choose the rides you accept. And you never know, you might meet some really interesting people along the way.
8. Babysitting
Babysitting is a classic side hustle—and for good reason. It typically pays well and is perfect if you like kids. Plus, no two days are ever the same! You can use platforms like Care.com to find families in your college town or get connected through people you already know.
9. Photography
Have a passion for photography? Take your photos and turn them into a small business. You can share them online or around campus to let others know you’re available for hire. Start by charging a small fee—offering to take grad photos or capture campus events—and then slowly raise your prices as you gain experience. You just need a good camera and the willingness to learn!
10. Pet Sitting or House Sitting
When people go out of town, they want to find someone reliable to watch after their pets or home. One of the perks of this low-stress job is that you often get time to study, do homework, or just relax outside of the dorm—while you’re working! To get started, you can let your friends, family, or even professors know that you are available.
11. Manage Social Media
If you are interested in social media as a potential career, try seeking out some local businesses that may not have social media or could use help improving it. Pitch your services and offer to manage theirs for a monthly fee. You’ll help them grow, get paid for it, and build your resume before you’ve even graduated. It’s a smart way to gain valuable skills in content creation, branding, and client communication.
12. Offer Yardwork
Are you handy with mowing, raking, or even shoveling snow? This is a job that is usually reliable and steady. Families, older adults, and busy homeowners may be seeking some yard work, so spread the word in local Facebook groups or community apps like Nextdoor. Make sure to include when you are available, what you charge, and what services you offer.
13. Translating
If you are proficient in a foreign language, consider translating online to earn extra cash. Platforms such as Gengo let you take on work only when you want to and can pay up to $20/hour. It’s important to note that these jobs should only be taken if you are highly confident in your language skills. You will be required to take a test demonstrating your expertise, so using Google Translate will not be enough.
14. College Tour Guide or Ambassador
Do you remember attending an on-campus tour when you were in high school looking at colleges? You may or may not remember that the tour guide that led your group was a student themselves. This side hustle is a great opportunity for college students because the college cares that you have classes to attend and do well in, so they are typically understanding of your schedule. If you are passionate about your school and would love to share all the benefits of attending it with future students (and get paid while doing it), this could be the perfect fit.
However, if the tour guide times don’t align with your college schedule, you could look into becoming a college ambassador. This would mean that you visit high schools and college fairs to talk with students about why they should attend your school.
15. Professor’s Assistant
Yes, you can actually work for your professor. Professors have a lot going on, and many need assistance, often in areas of research, surveying, and fieldwork. While some professors may directly ask for assistance, you can usually reach out to the college to find out about job openings. These roles do tend to be flexible, and many professors are willing to work around your college schedule.
Which Side Hustle Is Right for Me?
The best side hustle is one that fits into your college life. Start by asking yourself these questions:
- What am I good at?
- How much free time do I actually have?
- Do I enjoy this type of work?
- Does it make sense with my class and study schedule?
Be honest with yourself in this process. If you don’t like being outside, yardwork might not be the best side hustle for you. And if the semester is really busy for you, try taking on something with a low commitment, like delivering food. Your side hustle should enhance your college experience, not overwhelm it.
Finding side hustles as busy college students can be both financially beneficial and personally fulfilling. If you choose the right one, it can positively impact your entire college experience. Not only will you earn extra income, but you also get to choose your own hours and maybe even find something you’re passionate about along the way.
Thinking your side hustle could turn into a possible career? Use College Raptor’s Career Finder and check out jobs you’re interested in to see how many job openings there are, the average salary, and the education level required.
