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If you need extra cash to cover college expenses, but you don’t have time for a regular part-time job, you might want to pursue a side hustle. Unlike a traditional college job, a side hustle gives you a fair amount of control over what you do, when you do it, and how much time you spend doing it.
Whether you need a flexible schedule or prefer remote work, there are plenty of opportunities to earn money without significantly disrupting your studies. Here’s a look at some of the best side hustles for college students, including key details, such as the job’s income potential, costs, and ease of entry.
Key Points
• Driving for rideshare apps offers flexible hours but incurs vehicle-related expenses.
• Food and grocery delivery is a side hustle you can do with or without a car.
• Dog walking and pet sitting are flexible gigs with low or no startup costs.
• Babysitting offers good pay and flexibility and may allow time for studying.
• Online freelancing in creative fields can be profitable but competitive.
1. Driving for a Rideshare App
If you enjoy driving and have a reliable four-door vehicle, you might consider transporting people from one place to another through Uber or Lyft. This is a flexible side hustle for students since you can drive as little or as much as you’d like and work around your classes.
To earn extra money this way, however, you’ll need to meet some basic requirements: To drive for Uber, you need at least three years of driving experience if you’re under 25. To drive for Lyft, you need to be 21-25, depending on the region. There are also costs involved with this gig, including gas and car maintenance, which can reduce how much actual profit will land in your student bank account.
Average income: $24 per hour
Costs: Gas, maintenance, insurance, and vehicle depreciation
Remote vs. in person: In person
Ease of entry: Moderate (You must meet driver requirements and have a qualifying vehicle.)
Platforms: Uber, Lyft
2. Delivering Food or Groceries
If you’re not wild about having strangers in your car, you might prefer delivering meals, groceries, or other items through a delivery app such as DoorDash, Grubhub, or Instacart. For this college side job, you don’t necessarily even need a car. Some delivery apps allow you to make deliveries by bike or scooter, which can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
When you work for delivery apps, you generally get paid per order and can keep 100% of your tips., One way to potentially boost your earnings is to work for multiple apps at the same time.
Average income: $18 per hour
Costs: Gas, vehicle maintenance, and sometimes insulated delivery bags
Remote vs. in person: In person
Ease of entry: Easy (For driving, you’ll need a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle.)
Platforms: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Instacart, Grubhub, Shipt
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3. Dog Walking
If you love dogs and being outside, dog walking can be a good side hustle while you’re in college. If you can find enough clients in a close radius, you might be able to walk several dogs each day in between classes.
Dog walking apps, such as Rover or Wag, make it easy to get started by giving you access to an existing pet owner network. These apps also allow you to set your own rates and schedule. The downside is that there are typically startup fees, and the app will take a cut of your earnings (anywhere from 20%-40%)., Alternatively, you could start your own dog walking service and drum up business through flyers, word of mouth, social media posts, and/or a website.
Average income: $17 per hour
Costs: Minimal (leashes, treats, or pet waste bags if not provided by owners)
Remote vs. in person: In person
Ease of entry: Easy (Some experience with dogs is beneficial.)
Platforms: Rover, Wag!, Fetch!
Recommended: 15 Low-Cost Side Hustles
4. Pet Sitting or House Sitting
Instead of dog walking, you might pick up work as a pet sitter through apps such as Wag! and Rover. This generally involves being with the pet for longer stints than dog walking and doing additional tasks, such as feeding pets, playing with them, and giving them medication.
Housesitting is another potential side hustle for college students. When people travel, they may hire someone to stay in their homes, water the plants, get the mail, put out the trash cans, etc. while they’re away. This can be an easy way to earn money with minimal effort. It can also be a nice break from living in the dorms. Some jobs combine house sitting with pet sitting.
Average income: $30-$55 per hour or $50-$150 per day (for live-in)
Costs: Minimal (transportation and possible background checks)
Remote vs. in person: In person
Ease of entry: Easy (Trusted references and experience can help.)
Platforms: Wag!, Rover, HouseSitter.com, TrustedHousesitters, House Sitters America
5. Babysitting
If you’re good with kids, babysitting can be a good side hustle for college students. Childcare positions generally pay well, particularly if you have babysitting experience or special certifications, such as CPR. These gigs may also allow time for studying while the kids are sleeping or doing homework.
You can find nearby babysitting gigs on sites such as Care.com and Sittercity. Another option is to market your services by networking and/or posting flyers on bulletin boards where parents of young children tend to go, such as a local coffee shop, gym, or library.
Average income: $20-$22 per hour
Costs: Minimal (transportation and potential background check fees)
Remote vs. in person: In person
Ease of entry: Easy (Experience with children is helpful, and CPR certification can increase opportunities.)
Platforms: Care.com, Bambino, UrbanSitter, Sittercity
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6. Resident Advisor (RA)
Resident advisors are an important part of college dorm life. They serve as mentors to new students, host events and activities on their floor, and help resolve student conflicts. In some cases, RAs get paid a flat salary or stipend. But more commonly, they receive compensation in the form of free room and board, which typically includes a single-occupancy room for the duration of their RA appointment.
To become an RA, you generally need to complete an application, interview, and training. You also typically need a certain minimum GPA and have spent one year living on campus.
Average income: Stipend or free housing (varies by school)
Costs: None
Remote vs. in person: In person
Ease of entry: Moderate to difficult (Roles require an application, an interview process, and often prior dorm experience.)
Platforms: University housing departments
7. Cleaning, Yard Work, and Odd Jobs
If you’re willing to put some muscle into your college side hustle, there’s a wide range of gigs you might be able to get, including yard work, housekeeping, painting houses, running errands, and assembling furniture. This type of work offers a lot of flexibility, making it a good way to earn extra cash when you have gaps in your schedule. You can advertise your services on your own (family members, friends, and neighbors can make great initial clients) or find work through an app such as TaskRabbit or Care.com.
Average income: $18-$50 per hour,
Costs: Minimal (cleaning supplies or tools if not provided)
Remote vs. in person: In person
Ease of entry: Easy (You can start by offering services to neighbors or through gig apps.)
Platforms: TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, Angi Services, Handy, Care.com (house cleaning only)
8. Tutoring
If you excel in a particular subject, tutoring can be a lucrative and flexible side job for college students. Potential clients might include peers who are taking a class you already aced and high schoolers looking for help with their classwork or prepping for a test, such as the SAT or ACT.
To get started, you might advertise your services through fliers, word of mouth, and social media. Alternatively, you could apply to work through a tutoring platform, such as Wyzant or Varsity Tutors. Either way, tutors can typically set their own rates and availability and have the option to work in-person or virtually.
Average income: $28 per hour
Costs: Minimal (teaching materials and advertising)
Remote vs. in person: Both
Ease of entry: Moderate (You require expertise in a subject and possibly certification for some platforms.)
Platforms: Tutor.com, Wyzant, Varsity Tutors, TutorMe
Recommended: Benefits of a Side Hustle
9. Freelancing Online
Freelancing offers numerous opportunities for students skilled in writing, graphic design, programming, marketing, or other creative fields. It’s also one of the more convenient remote side hustles available.
If you’re new to freelancing, sites such as Upwork and Fiverr may be a good option for finding work. Just keep in mind that competition for jobs on these platforms tends to be fierce, and rates may be lower than what you might get on your own. Alternatively, you can also use word of mouth, social media, and a website to market your creative services.
Average income: $48 per hour
Costs: Minimal (may need software subscriptions, a portfolio, and a website)
Remote vs. in person: Remote
Ease of entry: Difficult (Some fields are highly competitive.)
Platforms: Upwork, Fiverr, Behance, Freelancer.com, FlexJobs
The Takeaway
Balancing work and school can be challenging, but the right side hustle can make it possible to earn extra money without too much interference with your studies. Some of the best side hustles for college students include driving for a rideshare or delivery app, walking dogs, babysitting, tutoring, freelancing online, and picking up odd jobs, such as painting or assembling furniture.
As you start making money from your side hustle, you’ll need a great place to deposit it. To make the most of your earnings, be sure to look for a bank account that charges minimal or zero account fees and offers competitive interest – even on checking.
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FAQ
What are the best side hustles for college students?
College students can earn extra money through flexible opportunities such as rideshare and delivery driving, pet care, babysitting, tutoring, odd jobs and online freelancing. Many of these side hustles allow students to choose when and how much they work, making them easier to fit around classes.
Do you need money to start a college side hustle?
Many side hustles have minimal startup costs, although some require expenses such as transportation, vehicle maintenance, supplies, software or background checks. Others, such as tutoring, babysitting and odd jobs, can be started with little or no upfront investment.
How can students choose a side hustle?
Students should consider their schedule, skills, interests and whether they prefer remote or in-person work. It can also help to consider startup costs and how much flexibility the opportunity provides.
Photo credit: iStock/Maksym Belchenko
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