How does a college student make money? It’s a common question, and one that I should have asked myself years ago when I was in school, but it’s never too late to learn something new. Whether you want to buy some of the fun things that are only available to people with cash or you just need to keep up with your rent so you don’t get kicked out of your apartment, here are my top 10 ways to make money in college.
1. Become a Tutor
Many students have trouble excelling at their college courses, either because they don’t understand a particular subject or because they’re overwhelmed by it. If you find yourself in either category, consider working as a tutor at your college—after all, there are very few (if any) jobs out there that will pay you while you learn. If nothing else, tutoring positions can be great resume builders—and if you do well enough and enjoy what you’re doing, why not turn your side job into a full-time career?
Top tutors charge around $20 per hour for one-on-one sessions with individual students (or more if your school uses an hourly grading system), or up to $50 per hour for multiple students.
2. Become a Freelance Writer
One of your easiest ways to make money as a college student is by becoming a freelance writer. It’s not as easy as it sounds, though. You need a way with words, research skills and excellent communication abilities before you even start applying for jobs or pitching stories to magazines, newspapers and websites. And then there’s competition: Thousands of other students are looking for these kinds of writing gigs on sites like Elance and Simply Hired; however, if you can stand out from the crowd, it could mean extra cash for tuition. When you get good at your craft and reach out to high-profile publications (think TIME magazine) you might find yourself making more than $50 an hour!
3. Local Jobs in the Area
You can search for local jobs for college students like typing, ordering and arranging things, cleaning, etc. in your area. The local newspapers are the best source of finding one. But if you have the confidence to direct asking about the positions available it might be the opener for positions.
A big company may not be able to offer what you need right now, such as flexible hours and your own desk space. Look for local employers that don’t have strict requirements or people looking for interns—it will help you get experience without dropping out of college. And if someone has an opening but isn’t looking for an intern at that moment, ask them about getting hired once you graduate!
4. Sell your used books online
You know what sucks? Leaving books behind at college after graduation. You know what doesn’t suck? Getting paid for those books. While there are plenty of online outlets where you can sell used textbooks, it’s a good idea to check if your school has its own book buyback program. It’s not uncommon for these companies to give students half or more of what a textbook is worth. To make even more money, consider selling used items outside of just textbooks on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace; chances are, someone will want them (the good news is that they probably don’t care whether they’re pre-used).
5. Data Entry
College students are already hard at work studying for tests, making a schedule and trying to make some extra cash. Well, there’s another way that many people forget about when looking for ways college students can make money: data entry. In fact, data entry is one of those things you can do from anywhere – as long as you have an internet connection. There are several websites out there that hire college students for data entry jobs and if you’ve got an attention for detail, being organized and are a good keyboard-typer (if not hunt-and-peck), then now could be your chance!
6. Student Photographer
The number one way to make money as a college student is becoming a photographer on campus. Depending on your school, you may get paid just for taking photos of sporting events and extracurricular activities. Or, if you have access to one, try shooting at your school’s photo lab, where there are likely clients who need their portraits done.
If that doesn’t work out, try reaching out to local businesses with existing college student clients. Post fliers around campus or advertise through social media and help build up their portfolio for next year’s freshmen class. Having an idea of what kind of business owners would want images from students can be a great head start into building that clientele list early on!
7. User Testing Partner
Do you want to make money without having a job or doing freelance work? User Testing allows users (you) to try out a website for 5 minutes and share your experience with us. You’ll be asked what worked, what didn’t, and how you think it could be improved. Users are then paid based on how much feedback they provide.
This job does not require much all you have to do is provide the company with the details like your bank account details and identity proof. And a good experience in coding.
8. Dropshipping
Dropshipping is one of our favorite ways for college students to make money. By doing so, you’ll set up a sales channel, take care of all customer service issues, and never even have to touch or see any products. Shopify makes it easy to set up your store and start taking orders. You can also offer your friends and family discounts as a way of generating more income.
After all, who wouldn’t want an extra 10% off? Plus, if you tell them you’re starting a business using dropshipping as an income stream, they may be more inclined to order from you!
9. Write Subtitles/ Captions for Videos
A great way for college students to make money is by writing subtitles or captions for videos. This is an easy way to make money from home when you have classes and homework! Search online for companies who are looking for writers and start posting your work immediately. Sites like Fiverr and Upwork are great places on-demand markets for college students who need cash fast! You can also advertise yourself on sites like LinkedIn if you want higher paying jobs or clients that require more skill. Good luck with making money in college!
10. Earning through Survey Sites
Earning money from survey sites can be a good way for college students to supplement their income. Most survey sites will ask you questions about what you like, where you shop, how much you make and more. Once your account is approved, you’ll start receiving surveys sent directly to your inbox. You’ll have a limited time to complete each one (some can take as long as 15 minutes). Many survey sites also have additional ways for you to earn extra cash—like signing up with e-mail lists or referring friends—so be sure to read all disclosure policies before signing up.
