A few semesters ago, my friend Alicia found herself in a tough spot — standing in the campus bookstore, flipping through a $200 textbook she couldn’t afford. Although her partial scholarship covered most of her tuition, it didn’t account for the constant add-ons, like lab fees, pricey study materials, and the occasional late-night pizza run.
She’s not alone. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, around 40% of full-time undergraduate students work to handle these extra costs. If you find yourself in a similar situation, there are ways to make money as a college student.
Keep reading to discover 22 practical ways to make money in college, from part-time campus jobs that fit your class schedule to freelance gigs and small business ideas that let you build experience and a paycheck at the same time.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Focus on jobs that provide flexibility to let you arrange your schedule around classes.
- Use any skill that you already have, writing, design, coding, or photography, to give yourself a head start.
- If you’re interested in growing something beyond college, freelancing or running a small business can shape your career down the road.
Part-Time Jobs on Campus
Campus jobs are one of the best ways to make money if you don’t have a college degree yet because they’re often designed around student life.
1. Library Assistant
Students who are well-organized and don’t mind a calm environment can earn roughly $17 per hour in this role. In addition to shelving books and handling circulation tasks, you may get the chance to update the library’s website or create social media posts announcing new arrivals.
2. Resident Assistant (RA)
As an RA, you’re responsible for creating a positive dorm community and being a resource for other students. While pay can vary around $14 per hour, many RAs earn free or discounted room and board. For example, at the University of Notre Dame, RAs for the 2024-2025 academic year receive a $17,900 benefit that covers both housing and meals.
3. Campus Tour Guide
Being a tour guide can make you around $15 per hour, depending on your school. If you’re outgoing and enjoy talking about your college experience, this is a great fit. The job revolves around welcoming prospective students, sharing interesting facts, and showcasing the best parts of campus life.
4. Tutoring
Tutoring lets you directly monetize your academic strengths with hourly rates of around $25. You can work with younger students, classmates, or even local adults who need help. Post on your college’s online forums and ask professors or teaching assistants to spread the word to anyone struggling in class.
5. Gym or Recreation Center Staff
Many colleges have recreation centers that hire students for reception work, equipment management, or help with fitness classes. How much you can make also depends on the school you’re attending. For example, most student assistant jobs at Georgia State University start at $10 an hour. Over at Illinois State University, similar positions start at $15 an hour.
6. Research Assistant
Universities conduct all kinds of research in fields like psychology, biology, and engineering, and professors often need help collecting data or carrying out lab work. Applying for a research assistant could be a great opportunity to gain valuable experience that connects to your major. You can expect to get paid around $19 per hour.
Freelancing and Gig Economy for College Students
If you’re skilled in a specific field, why not turn that into some cash? Here’s how to make money in school.
7. Freelance Writing
Writing for blogs, websites, or marketing agencies can offer anywhere from $50 to $500 per copy. If you like putting words on paper (or screen), start with department newsletters, campus clubs, or small local businesses. Once you gather a portfolio, you can pitch your services to bigger clients.
8. Graphic Design
Graphic design is an option for those with an artistic eye and knowledge of software like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator. In the beginning, you can make anywhere from $20 to $35 an hour. Consider setting up an online portfolio on platforms such as Behance or Dribbble.
9. Social Media Management
If you can create engaging content and understand platform analytics, you’ll be valuable to those who want an increased online presence. Start by reaching out to local businesses or campus clubs struggling online and ask to run their accounts. The pay can be $14 to $35 an hour.
10. Photography or Videography
Graduation photos, student organization events, and staff headshots can bring in $100 to $400 per session. If you have the right equipment and a good eye for composition, start by taking photos for friends and building a portfolio. You might also connect with the campus yearbook or student publication to gain more exposure.
11. Selling Handmade Goods
If you’re crafty or have a knack for creating items like jewelry, stickers, or printed T-shirts, platforms like Etsy make it easier to reach buyers worldwide, with gross merchandise sales of around $13 billion in 2023. Just keep in mind that Etsy takes a small percentage of all sales.
Online Jobs You Can Start in College
From your dorm room to the campus cafe, consider these online jobs that allow you to work from home to make money as a student without leaving your laptop behind.
12. Virtual Assistant
This role handles tasks like scheduling, email management, and data entry from anywhere with an internet connection. This can pay around $27 an hour and works best for students who have strong organizational skills and want the flexibility to shuffle their workload around classes.
13. Taking Online Surveys
Taking surveys for money only pays around $0.45 to $0.90 per survey. You might earn a couple of dollars per hour on many sites, so this method pays much less than minimum wage. It can fill random 15-minute gaps in your schedule, and the small sums do add up over time, but your efforts are probably best spent elsewhere.
14. Selling Stock Photos
Websites like Adobe Stock pay royalties each time someone downloads your picture, and the typical range might be around $0.50 to $0.70 per download. College life, student diversity, and modern study setups are always popular themes. If you keep a camera or even your smartphone handy, you can capture moments on campus and upload them to see if they catch any buyers’ attention.
15. Transcription Services
Transcribing audio or video files into text is an option if you type quickly and accurately. Payment usually ranges from $0.4 to $0.8 per minute for beginners. This gig can be done between classes, and every bit of practice potentially increases your earning rate.
16. Language Tutoring
If you speak multiple languages, online tutoring platforms such as Preply let you make around $117 a week if you tutor up to 10 hours. The better your reviews, the higher your potential rate. By offering lessons in short blocks, you can easily fit sessions around your own coursework, and the experience can also help solidify your language skills. Note that the platform takes a 100% commission on every trial lesson.. After that, you may pay 18% to 33% commission for each lesson depending on your experience.
17. Testing Websites and Apps
Companies pay users to test prototypes or new updates, with rates often around $10 for a single 10 to 20-minute session. Developers appreciate not just bug reports but also detailed feedback on user experience and design flow, which may get you invited to more test opportunities. This is particularly convenient if you have a busy schedule since tests usually don’t require a big time commitment.
Small Businesses for College Students
You can also build a business to gain real-world experience, whether that’s turning a hobby into income or solving a problem on campus.
18. Dropshipping or Print-on-Demand
Setting up an online store through Shopify and connecting it to a dropshipping or print-on-demand service can yield anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 a month after you find products that sell well. The good thing about this is that you don’t handle inventory or shipping, which frees up time for studies.
19. Cleaning Services
I know it may not be your first choice to offer cleaning services, but many students are happy to pay someone else to handle mopping floors or scrubbing showers. Cleaning dorms or shared apartments can earn you $20 to $50 an hour. You can make more if you offer recurring weekly or bi-weekly visits and advertise by posting in dorm common areas.
20. Personal Shopping
Grocery runs and quick trips for toiletries can take up time that busy or stressed-out students don’t have. Charging $10 to $30 per delivery or an hourly rate can be profitable if you manage multiple orders in a single trip. Word can spread quickly on campus if you’re consistent and reliable.
21. Event Planning
Many clubs and student organizations host mixers, fundraisers, and parties, but not everyone enjoys dealing with logistics. As an entry-level event planner, you can earn anywhere from $30,000 to $40,000 per year. You might start small by organizing dorm get-togethers or department events and scale up as your reputation grows.
22. Pet Sitting or Dog Walking
Love animals? Pet sitting or dog walking can be a fun way to earn money as a student. Many pet owners need someone dependable to care for their furry friends while they’re away. You can find clients on platforms like Rover or connect directly with local pet owners. As a student balancing academics with a part-time job, taking on a few clients can make you $3,000 to $10,000 per year.
FAQ
How Do Full-Time College Students Get Money?
Many students find a mix of on-campus jobs, remote freelancing, and small businesses suits them best. They also rely on scholarships, grants, and sometimes student or personal loans to cover major expenses. Side jobs are to pay day-to-day costs.
How Much Money Can You Realistically Make in College?
This depends on how many hours you can devote and how high-paying your skills are. A basic on-campus job might pay $10 to $15 per hour, but a well-managed freelance gig or small business could make $1,000 to $4,000 or more per month once established.
What Skills Can Help College Students Earn Extra Cash?
Writing, coding, design, teaching, and photography are popular. Having good networking skills also makes a difference because you’ll want to spread the word about your services or products to attract steady clients.
Sources
- University of Notre Dame, Resident Assistant. Residential Life. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Library Technicians and Assistants. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- Georgia State University, Employment. Recreation Services. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- Illinois State University, Student Employment Positions. Campus Recreation. Retrieved February 20, 2024.