Last Updated on November 6, 2023 by coffeepo

What is the best way to make money in college?

Making money while in college is difficult, especially because you have to divide your time between work and study. But it’s not impossible—opportunity is always around the corner, you just need to know where to look.

Here are 25 ways you can make money while working on your college degree.

1. Get rewarded for the things you buy

There are rewards cards that “pay” you when you purchase something.

These card companies typically dole these out in the form of cashbacks, loyalty points, or miles—in some cases, they even provide “digital tokens”. You can then use these points or tokens towards other purchases, essentially acting as “free money”.

2. Watch videos, take surveys, and get cashback

Some companies offer rewards in exchange for ad views or surveys.

With platforms like Swagbucks, you can earn gift cards and special discounts by watching videos, playing games, answering questions, and shopping online. Incentives include redeemable points with favorite retailers (e.g. Amazon, Walmart) or cashbacks sent directly to your PayPal account.

3. Deliver groceries

With the pandemic still raging on, more and more people are turning to home delivery services rather than risk getting the virus on their grocery trip.

Companies like Instacart allow you to earn by shopping for others – it even provides shoppers with safety kits to keep them healthy and COVID-free.

4. Rent out your car

You can earn anywhere from $30-$420 a day by renting out your car on platforms like Turo. There’s a wide selection of cities to operate in, and your car is insured for any damages or theft.

The company even supports entrepreneurs from marginalized communities through the Turo Seed Initiative, helping them buy vehicles and scale their car rental business.

5. Sell used books

Trading in your secondhand hardcovers and paperbacks could earn you some decent cash on the side.

Not only do you declutter your space, you also give someone else the opportunity to learn from or enjoy new texts!

6. Walk other people’s dogs

If you love pets and treat others’ pets like family, then this is the side hustle for you.

You can either house sit or take their pets on a walk—either way, you get to spend time with new furry friends. You can start your dog-walking career on platforms like Rover.

7. Run Facebook ads for other businesses

In today’s increasingly digital world, businesses are shifting from traditional marketing to online advertising.

You can earn good money by running campaigns for other brands. All you need is a Facebook account and some knowledge on how to manage Facebook ads.

8. Start a blog and monetize it

If you have an area of interest or expertise, why not monetize it through a blog?

As you gain readership, you can start selling digital products (e.g. ebooks, online courses) or services (e.g. marketing, web development). You can also make money by renting out ad space on your blog, with your earning potential determined by impressions or clicks.

9. Try freelance writing

Selling your writing services can help you improve your skills, learn more about a variety of topics, and get paid for doing it.

You can look for opportunities on Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelancing platforms.

10. Manage social media for businesses

Brands are now expected to put out regular content on their social media feeds—you can leverage this demand to put some money in your pocket.

Responsibilities vary depending on the business, but you may be expected to craft social media posts, respond to customer inquiries/comments, and escalate concerns to the brand.

11. Tutor your favorite subject

If you’re knowledgeable about a certain subject, you can monetize that knowledge for the benefit of yourself and others.

Tutoring your favourite subject to struggling students is a great way to use your existing skill set, make new friends, and earn money.

12. Flip items for a profit

There are literally loads of items you could trade for, refurbish and turn a profit on, from clothes to vintage sports memorabilia.

You can either sell your own pre-loved items or go on the hunt for secondhand products to resell.

13. Design and sell t-shirts

Creating and selling your own t-shirts gives you the chance to flex your creative muscles, build a brand, and turn a tidy profit.

To be successful at this, you need to create unique designs, find good suppliers, and market aggressively.

14. Edit or proofread papers

Editorial skills are in high demand not just in the academe but in the corporate world as well.

If you have a keen eye for detail, excellent writing skills, and the ability to think critically, you could easily earn money by becoming an editor or proofreader.

15. Offer resume coaching

If you think you know how to land a job better than your peers, then you should consider offering resume coaching services. It’s a great way to practice your own job application skills, as well as assist others in their own job hunt.

16. Sell your photos

Make use of your creativity and take pictures for money!

There’s a vast market for professionally-taken photographs on the internet, especially if you have a great eye for symmetry and subject. Consider selling your photography services to brands that need it or contributing to stock photo databases.

17. Start a YouTube channel

Running your own Youtube channel can be rewarding, but it’s not easy to monetize.

The top earners on YouTube get income from a variety of sources—ad space on their videos, donations, fundraisers, and so much more. Some even use their channel as a vehicle for marketing the real income-generator: their services. If you can build a following of like-minded viewers, there will be countless opportunities to monetize your content.

18. Apply for work-study 

Internships and work-study opportunities offer two things: a decent way of building experience, all while getting paid to work with people you can learn from.

Find a program that interests you, and soak up as much of the experience as you can.

19. Work as a teaching assistant (TA)

Professors need all the help they can get to manage their students.

A teaching assistant typically proctors for exams, sits in on classes, and aids the professor in their day-to-day work. Plus, you can earn brownie points with the faculty by volunteering your help.

20. Become a resident assistant (RA)

You can contribute to your community and participate in college life by becoming an RA or resident assistant.

As an RA, you’ll be expected to monitor dorm residents, make sure that all guidelines and rules are followed, and manage your residency hall.

21. Work as a delivery driver for a restaurant

With the pandemic ongoing, more and more restaurants are offering delivery services—and they could use your help.

Working as a delivery driver can be a lucrative side gig while you’re still studying, especially if you have your own vehicle.

22. Work in retail

Retail is often a thankless job, but college students can expect steady pay and consistent work.

It’s also a great way to build experience, since many retailers don’t require any prior employment. Plus, you can learn a lot from retail while preparing yourself for the world of business after graduation.

23. Work at a before- or after-school program

If you’re great with kids, joining a before or after school program could be a viable option for you to bring home some extra cash.

Kids need a lot of supervision before and after school—your job will be to look after the young ones, teaching them new skills, and keeping them entertained.

24. Give campus tours

Campus tours are a great way to get to know your university, meet new people, and make a quick buck on the side.

Ask your school if they are looking for people to give tours, manage freshmen, and hold other welcome events.

25. Become a brand ambassador

If you have a large following or a lot of influence in your community, brands just might be willing to pay for your reach.

A brand ambassador promotes products and services to their audience, earning through either commission or a flat fee for posts. This is a great opportunity for you to build your own name and brand while profiting from your lucrative relationship with these companies.

Conclusion

There are countless ways to earn money while taking your degree—it simply takes a lot of hard work and initiative to discover worthwhile businesses.

College is the perfect time to find out and experiment on these opportunities. Who knows, you might even find a long-term career!