Tell Us What Kind of College Student You Are, and We’ll Tell You How to Make Some Extra Money

Somehow, no matter where I go, I feel like a broke college student. Every time I go to a coffee shop or want to do a little shopping, I have to consider whether I have enough money in my checking account to responsibly place an order. Needless to say, I’m always interested in making a little extra spending money — and that’s where the beauty of a side hustle comes in. It’s not a full-time job, but a flexible way to pad your wallet just a little bit more.

Of course, side hustles can be great for easily funding your iced latte habit, but if you need your side job to fully cover major expenses like tuition and rent, you might want to look for a steady part-time job in addition to these sporadic gigs. However you plan to use them, here are some great side hustles for college students that can help build up your bank account. 

Of course, being a student is a full-time job in itself, so these money-making ideas are intended to work with your schedule, whether you want to babysit for occasional date nights or get paid for participating in a one-off focus group. Keep in mind, while you can do some of these side hustles right from your laptop, some will take you off campus, so only try those out if you’re comfortable. 

Best for: the future teacher

If spending the day teaching kiddos is your dream job, substituting every once in a while is a great way to pick up some extra cash. Many school districts are always looking for substitute teachers, so reach out to some schools in the area to see which ones are hiring. You will have to fill out some forms (and likely undergo a background check) to work in a school, but aside from the initial paperwork, substituting is a flexible side hustle that lets you choose when to work. It’s also a great experience for future teachers to practice managing a classroom full of students.

Best for: the fashion lover

If you have limited dorm closet space, clearing out some old clothing can benefit your room organization and your wallet. See if your local thrift stores buy clothes or,  if you want to sell online, try sites like Depop or Poshmark, where you can upload images of each item and ship them to buyers. Another fun option: Post pictures of all those tops, sweaters, and jeans you’re willing to part with on your Instagram story (along with sizing info and prices) and ask any of your friends or followers to DM if they’re interested. It’s like a virtual rummage sale!

Best for: the student athlete

Coaching gigs for college students are often low commitment — you can coach leagues or a clinic for a few hours a week — but can bring in some good money. Plus, you get to practice a sport you love while sharing your skills with others. Similarly, having a strong grasp on the rules of a sport could make you a great candidate for refereeing jobs for schools or club teams. 

Best for: singers and music majors

Put those musical talents to use by getting paid to play gigs! You’d be surprised how many people are looking to hire a pianist or singer for an event. Post about your availability on social media, strike up conversation at local businesses, and tell your friends — you never know what kinds of events people are looking to soundtrack. 

Best for: the crafter

Do you like to fiddle with clay, yarn, or other craft materials? Turn your crafts into cash by selling them online or even at a local shop. I love to crochet, so I sell small crocheted animals at a local bookstore. I already spend my time tangled in yarn, meaning selling some of my leftover products comes as no extra work for me. Try posting pictures of your creations on your social media and having people DM if they’re interested in buying, or create an Etsy shop to sell those handmade bag charms or cute clay earrings. 

Best for: the caretaker

Babysitting is a tried-and-true side hustle for a reason: It’s super flexible, fun (if you like hanging out with kids), and can pay really well. There’s a number of ways to find babysitting jobs. Try reaching out to parents in the area to see if they or anyone they know are looking for an occasional sitter. Check out postings on local Facebook pages, post about your own availability, or make a profile on a site like Sittercity or Care.com where you can specify whether you’re open for working the occasional date night or something more consistent.

Best for: the extroverted wanderer

Nearly every college campus hires students as tour guides to introduce prospective students and families to the school. These jobs don’t require many hours out of your week, and it’s a fun way to show your pride in your college. Plus, this gig comes with the added bonus of strolling around campus and getting some fresh air. This side hustle is perfect for students who enjoy chatting with new people and pitching your campus.

Best for: the person who loves to drive

If you have a car (or even a bike, in some cases!) you can make some extra money picking up food from local restaurants and delivering it to customers’ doorsteps. I know tons of fellow students who use services like Uber Eats or DoorDash for their late-night food orders, so chances are you’ll have plenty of deliveries that bring you right back to campus. This side hustle does call for some extra safety precautions, though: Don’t drive in unfamiliar areas, and bring a friend if you’re feeling unsure; it’s always more important to put your personal safety first, even when you’re trying to earn an extra dollar.

Best for: the dog whisperer

Feeling homesick for your family pets? Get some quality animal time by walking other dogs. Use apps or websites like Wag! or Rover to find dog walking clients, then get some quality puppy time and fresh air, and de-stress after class, all while picking up some extra money.

Best for: the student who loves the library

I tutor peers through my school’s library. If you don’t tutor through your college, though, there are also websites like tutor.com where you can work with students in all subject areas. It’s a fun way to share your knowledge on a certain subject, and you never know what you may learn from your tutees — they might have a new way of looking at a math problem or essay that you’ve never encountered before! 

Best for: the avid reader

Buying expensive textbooks is one of my biggest college pet peeves. Why pay $100 for something I’m only going to use for a few months? But a great way to make that money back is by selling those books to future students. The best way I’ve found to do this is on the Facebook page for incoming classes. Create a post with the title and author of the book, the course you used it for, and the price, and you are sure to find someone looking for a used copy. You can also sell to sites like Thriftbooks (also a great place to buy used books) which takes not only textbooks, but other books, like novels, if you’re looking to make a little room on your bookshelf. 

Best for: the person with an impeccable Instagram feed

If you have a reliable camera and a talent for capturing the moment, freelance photography may be a good side hustle for you. From LinkedIn headshots to senior photos, there are so many needs for a good, affordable photographer in a college town. 

Best for: the person who loves to touch grass

If you go to school in an area where residents have yards, odds are they have outdoorsy tasks they’re willing to pay for. Think: mowing lawns, trimming hedges, chopping and stacking wood, raking leaves, or pulling weeds. It’s not necessarily easy work, but it is satisfying, and it’s a great way to meet neighbors in your community beyond the campus quad.

Best for: the English major

I’m an English and environmental studies double major, so writing is one of my favorite pastimes. Why not get paid to do it? Freelance writing can be a fun way to put your writing prowess to the test. If you’re seeking out opportunities, try growing connections on LinkedIn and reaching out to your network, as well as looking on sites like Upwork and Fiverr. It can help to identify a niche subject or style you like to write in, and creating a digital portfolio is a great way to easily show editors the kind of writing you’ve done. 

Best for: the studious type

Most colleges have accessibility resources for students that give them extra time on exams and individual test-taking spaces. Sign up to be a test proctor to oversee these exams and earn some money at the same time. This is a great side hustle for college students because once you pass out the exam, you’re free to do your own homework while keeping an eye on the test takers. Jobs like this are also great because you don’t have to leave campus for shifts — many testing centers are in academic buildings like the library, so you can proctor a test and then go to class.

Best for: the good listener

Want to make easy money sitting on your computer with headphones on? Take a stab at online transcription services like Rev where you can listen to lectures, podcasts, and interviews, and simply type what you hear. The only equipment you need for this side hustle is a computer and a relatively quiet space to listen to the audios. Of course, being a fast typer definitely helps you make more money as a transcriber!

Best for: the homebody

If getting paid for hanging out at home sounds appealing, pick up some house-sitting gigs in your area. People who go out of town for a while and don’t want to leave their homes unattended will hire someone trustworthy to make sure everything runs smoothly while they’re away. Trust me, you want to be that person. Some house-sitting jobs can be as easy as watering the plants and grabbing the mail, while other homeowners might ask you to stay overnight or care for their pets. Either way, you could make up to $50 to $100 per day for pretty light work. Check in with neighbors and make friendly connections so when they head out on vacation, they think of you to watch over their homes. 

Best for: the model student

Depending on what type of school you attend — large or small, public or private — being a TA might look a little different. My college has 2,500 students, so when I TA for a course, all I have to do is show up to certain classes and help students with discussion or problem sets. Other schools might require teaching assistants to hold office hours or study sessions along with assisting the professor during class. Either way, the position usually calls for light hours that work with a busy student schedule!

Best for: the person with lots of opinions 

Check out websites like focusgroups.org and get paid to participate in virtual focus groups or online studies, take surveys, and do product reviews. You can make money from home (and on your own schedule) simply by giving your opinions and testing out new products. 

Best for: the animal lover

If animals tend to love you just as much as you love them, pet sitting is a great way to make some extra money.  Depending on what the pet owners ask for, this side hustle can have a lot of flexibility; often you just need to go over and feed the animals, maybe walk the dog, and pet and play with them. Pretty sweet gig if you ask me! 

Find out how to handle your finances as if you’re a Personal Finance major with Dorm Therapy’s Don’t-Stress Guide to Saving & Spending in College.