73 Top Side Hustles for College Students to Make Fast Cash in 2023

There are two words that can instantly brighten the days of college students with bills to pay: quick money.

Anyone attending college knows the challenge of living off a tight student budget. While part-time jobs are the usual go-to option to earn a few bucks, let’s face it — not everyone has the time. 

The good thing is that there are plenty of side hustles for college students that you can choose from to help pay for college— or even just to get you out of eating ramen noodles for another week.

A side job allows college students to be financially independent and less reliant on loans or financial aid. Photo: luckybusiness/Depositphotos

1. Rent Out Your Car

Bringing a car to college has its perks: when you don’t have anywhere to be, you can just hand over the keys to a paying customer.

Simply sign up with car-sharing services like Turo or Getaroundand start making some serious cash. Did you know that it’s possible to make up to $876 a month per car? 

2. Clean Out Your Wardrobe

Selling your old clothes and accessories can be a win-win situation. You get more space in your closet, plus more money in your pocket.

There are a few different ways to sell your used clothing, but two of the most popular options are to post it online with sites like Poshmark or Depop, or selling it at campus vintage/thrift events. 

Snap high-quality pics, write detailed descriptions and offer bundle discounts. With a little effort, you can easily sell your old items and promote waste reduction and sustainability too! ️

3. Put Your DIY Skills to the Test

If you’re good with your hands and can follow instructions to a tee, consider assembling furniture, repairing electrical fixtures, making organic cleaning products, or completing other odd jobs for a reasonable fee. 

Post your services on TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, or on campus bulletin boards,and wait for your notifications to pile up with requests!

4. Deliver Food or Items in Your Spare Time 🥡

Deliveries can be a lucrative side hustle because college students and professors love to eat and they love convenience. 

If you have a car or a bike, you can apply to work as a food delivery driver for DoorDash, GrubHub, or UberEats. But Postmates is one of the more popular services handling deliveries for both food and packages.

Most food drivers earn between $16.8 and $30.6 per hour without considering fuel costs. 

Good to know: GrubHub provides a minimum earnings guarantee while DoorDash drivers receive 100 percent of their top income and face no withdrawal fees. However, both companies deduct a portion from their drivers’ earnings.

Food delivery services improve your communication and time management skills which can be useful after graduation. Photo: Milkos/Depositphotos 

5. Teach English Online

The English language can be tricky to learn so the help of a kind, patient, native speaker like you can be just what interested foreigners or international students need. ‍

What’s great about this side hustle is that teaching experience isn’t strictly required — check tutoring platforms like Cambly, SkimaTalk, or Skooli. 

You can make an average of $12 to $40 per hour. If you have a stable wifi connection and a computer, you’re generally good to go. ⌨️

6. Take Care Of Other People’s Grocery Shopping

Busy people are short on time, and you can capitalize on that! Connect with people who need their grocery shopping done with apps like Instacart, Peapod, or Shipt, and put your shopping skills to good use. 

According to Ziprecruiter, the average hourly rate for Instacart shoppers is $15.25, and the average hourly rate for Peapod shoppers is $16. ️

7. Become a Master of Errands

If you’re up for some manual labor or running errands, here’s a cool gig for you: getting paid to do the grunt work like waiting in line for tickets, organizing closets, assembling flatpack furniture, and more. 

To find tasks and projects, check out platforms like Thumbtack, Fiverr, and Taskrabbit — your go-to spots for grabbing exciting opportunities. ️

8. Take Care Of Other People’s Homes…

Families on vacation or homeowners working abroad seek house sitters to keep their homes in order until they return. Guess what? You can even earn up to $25 to $45 per day! 

To land a gig, showcase your reliability and responsibility by polishing your profile. Getting good reviews should also be a goal since it can lead to a long-lasting business. ️

Reach out to family and friends or visit sites like Trusted House Sitters, House Sitters America, and House Carers. 

House sitting lets you set your own work hours which is ideal for college students with hectic schedules. Photo: Goodluz/Depositphotos

9. …Or Give Their Pets Some Love While They’re Away!

While it’d be cool for pets to suddenly have the ability to prepare their own food or open doors, they can’t. This is why fur parents hire pet sitters if they’re not home for an extended period of time.

The typical pay for a pet sitter is around $15 per hour, but varies between $9 and $24 based on factors like work experience and location. 

How can you say no to a paid job where you only need to hang out with an adorable pet? It sounds like the perfect way to spend the weekend! 

10. Become a Freelance Computer Technician 🪛

Are you your friends’ first stop for all their computer problems? Are they amazed after you’ve worked your magic on their laptops? If the answer is yes, it might be time to capitalize on your computer skills as your side hustle. 🧑‍

This exciting opportunity allows you to enjoy flexible working hours while earning an average of $16 per hour, which you can use for food or miscellaneous expenses at school. 

Your campus is filled with people that need help in the IT department so advertise your services through an online or physical bulletin board and get ready to work — and make some fast cash!

11. Learn to Fix iPhone Screens

Anyone with an iPhone (and there are a lot of you out there) knows the heartbreak of cracking the screen. You can score plenty of customers if you know how to repair iPhone screens or consider investing some time and a little bit of your resources to learn how to do it. 🤳

With the right tools and skills, you can be the ultimate iPhone repair hero! Charge a fair price for your awesome services and earn around $80 per repair.

12. Drive for Uber or Lyft

Love spending time on the road and meeting new people? Perhaps being a rideshare driver is the side hustle for you!

Night owls and early risers can choose to drive people before they sleep or go to class, making around $9 to $15 per hour. Going by these numbers, it’s not unthinkable to make $100 or even $200 a day — especially with surge pricing during peak travel times.

Explore new places and meet new people while driving for a ridesharing service as a side hustle. Photo: Snapic.PhotoProduction/Depositphotos 

13. Start a Dog Walking Business 🦮

Dogs have to be walked and sometimes their owners are too busy to tick this off their to-do list. This is where you can come in! 

Take on as many pooches as you can handle and get paid in exchange for just a few hours. You can expect to make $160 per day (or $3,200/month) for 4 hours of work. It’s also a great way to stay fit and get plenty of dog kisses! 

14. Make People’s Cars Shiny and Clean 🧽

As far as side hustles go, car washing will forever be a reliable choice. Hand washes can earn you $10 to $20 an hour, depending on your experience. No need for fancy tools, just a pail of water, some soap, and sponges, and you’re good to go. 

15. Get a Data Entry Side Gig

Data entry is a side hustle that can be done from the comfort of your dorm room because usually need to just categorize or update data — text, numbers, images, files, or even audio recordings — in a computer system. ⌨

If you have a stable internet connection, basic Excel skills, and fast fingers then you’re all set to earn around $28 per hour. Some platforms where you can find data entry work are FlexJobs, Clickworker, and Remote.co.

16. Lend Your Sporting Equipment For a Fee

Did you bring golf clubs, a tennis racket, or road bike to college but realized that there’s no time for you to actually use your gear? ️

Well, you can rent out your sporting or exercise equipment to friends or other sports and fitness enthusiasts for a fair price through FriendWithA or Rental Pal! 

The price varies depending on the type of equipment and your location. In Colorado, renting a snowboard and boots costs roughly $50 to $60 per day. In San Francisco, renting a bike for one day costs roughly $35. 

Earn extra cash from renting out sporting equipment that you already own and don’t use regularly. Photo: DmytryiOzhhikhiin/Depositphotos 

17. Tutor Students Online or in Person 🧑‍

Tutoring can be a rewarding part-time gig for college students as you set out to help people succeed academically.

You can commit to in-person sessions or conduct them online — plus you can set your own hours and have potential clients from all over the world. 

While the average hourly rate for online tutors falls within the range of $10 to $40 per hour, those with specialized skills or expertise in advanced subjects have the potential to earn even more. For instance, tutors specializing in math, science, or test preparation frequently command rates of $50 or $60 per hour.

18. Donate Plasma 🩸

Plasma is the part of your blood that carries protein and nutrients to other areas of the body. It’s a crucial component for bodily function, and in high demand — so donating it can earn you about $20 to $50 each time. 

The process of donating is relatively safe and you’re allowed to give away plasma twice a week as long as you wait at least 48 hours between donations. Some of the most popular plasma donation centers include BioLife Plasma Services, CSL Plasma, and Grifols Plasma.

19. Create a Free Walking Tour ️

Studying in a college town filled with historical landmarks and other iconic attractions can be profitable if you know the place well enough. 

Decide on the best possible route and advertise your services as a local tour guide. You can also check with your university’s admissions office to see if they might hire you to show off the campus to prospective or incoming students. 🆓

Oh, and did we mention, as a tour guide, your income comes from tips? So, the better your tour, the bigger your profits!

20. Use Your Photography Skills to Sell Stock Photos

Company websites, brochures, product covers, and blogs use stock photos to liven up their content. If you have a camera and a good sense of which images would sell then you can always bring your photos to stock image providers like Shutterstock or Getty Images. Professional photographers can earn $4 dollars per 15 images on average. ️

Food images are in high demand for stock photo websites making this a great side hustle for college students with a flair for food photography. Photo: suriyayapin/Depositphotos

21. Become a Babysitter or Part-Time Nanny

The OG side hustle that kept you occupied in middle school can be a profitable part-time option while you’re still in university. Not only does taking care of other people’s kids pay well but it can also accommodate a busy college schedule. 

Before you start to seek out clients, it’s best to figure out what days and times you can commit to and calculate your hourly rate. On average, babysitters earn up to $14 per hour. ️ 

Then find families seeking childcare by creating a profile for websites like Sittercity, UrbanSitter, or Care.com. 

22. Flip Furniture or Clothing 🪑

Nope, you won’t be getting paid to literally flip tables over! Flipping means getting your hands on cheap items, fixing them up, and selling them for a higher price.  

You can visit thrift stores and yard sales to look for valuable pieces and post your upcycled items for sale on Craigslist, eBay, or Facebook groups. Furniture flippers often aim for a gross profit of $100-200 per item. Dressers, armoires, and kitchen tables are among the most popular items to flip. 

23. Sell Your Car as Advertising Space

Have you ever seen cars with stickers or wraps advertising a certain company driving around? Well, it turns out that there are businesses out there that pay good money to turn your car into a moving billboard.

While it might be awkward to drive around with a big sign attached to your car at first, the gig can score you some decent cash for very little effort! 

You can earn between $100 and $500 each month, depending on the advert, and some companies even offer signup bonuses of up to $100. Check popular websites like Carverstise, Wrapify, or StickerRide to start earning.

24. Help People Move House

The trouble of lifting heavy furniture and carefully wrapping fragile objects can be such a hassle that many people are happy to pay someone to help them move from home to home. 

Don’t worry about customers — colleges and neighboring communities usually have a lot of people moving in and out so there’ll be plenty of chances to rake in a few bucks with this gig.

Help people move house and move more money into your bank account! Photo: Ketut Subiyanto/Unsplash

25. Mow Your Neighbour’s Lawns or Offer Gardening Services 🧑‍

You can fill up your wallet by taking care of someone’s overgrown yard! Mowing lawns can be a serious challenge for people with a bad back or who lack time, but college students can definitely get the job done. 

Just invest in a sturdy lawn mower, weedeater, or garden shears, then take a walk around your neighborhood and offer your services.  The average price for mowing a lawn is $40 to 50 per session.   

26. Rent Out Your Parking Space (Even Just During the Day!) 🅿️

Parking lot spaces are like gold in busy cities. If you live near the center, you’re bound to make money by renting out your parking spot if you’re going out of town — or even just during the day while you’re at class! Sites like SpotHero or ParqEx can help you get this side hustle started. 

27. Start Freelancing in Your Degree Area ️

If you’ve gained enough know-how or experience in web development, graphic design, accounting, writing, or something else, it’s time to try your hand at freelance work. Plus, this will look great on your resume once you’ve graduated! 🧑‍

There are plenty of websites created for freelancers that’ll help you find suitable projects including Guru, Freelancer, and Toptal.  

28. Tutor Future Musicians

Parents who want their kids to be enrolled in extracurricular activities are always on the lookout for talented music teachers. 

Knowing an instrument well is enough to start this side job, but some patience will also go a long way since you’re working with beginners. 

Look for gigs at Preply and earn an extra $150 every month for a few hours of work 

All those childhood music lessons might just pay off if you can turn them into a profitable college side hustle. Photo: Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels

29. Become an Editor for Your Classmates

If you find a sense of fulfillment in correcting somebody else’s grammar then maybe it’s time to consider editing or proofreading people’s work. Students who aren’t confident in their writing can run their research or thesis by you for about $23 per hour. You might even learn something new! 

30. Find a Client to Take Notes For ️

Did you know that there’s a market for college class note-takers? Some universities assist students with a disability by pairing them with people that can take down lecture notes for them for $25 per hour. ️

Otherwise, consider selling your well-crafted notes to your classmates or other interested takers and make $150 per 15 notes. 

31. Market Yourself as a Resumé or LinkedIn Expert

Building readable resumés or LinkedIn profiles that show employers exactly what they need to see can be tricky for some. Since this can stand in the way of prospective jobs, people will gladly pay you to help them improve their chances.

For starters, invest in workshops (boost your resume with certificates) and then create a portfolio. The average pay is $20 per hour but the more your skills grow, the more you can charge!

32. Clean Houses or Office Space 🧹

Organize pantries, sweep floors, clean storage rooms, and wash windows — armed with just cleaning products and a little bit of elbow grease you’ll be able to take home a decent paycheck by doing simple chores for homeowners or office managers. 🪟

Ready to get started? Check out popular job sites and boards like Indeed or Monster to find cleaning gigs in your area and start earning an average of $14 per hour. 

Office cleaning often takes place in the evenings or on weekends, enabling you to work around your academic schedule and other commitments. Photo: PeopleImages.com/Depositphotos 

33. Coach or Train Kids in Your Favorite Sport…

If you’re more of an athlete who knows how to develop young players, a coaching gig at a kids’ sports league could be a great fit. ️

This might require you to commit more consistently but building great bonds with the kids can lead to private (and more expensive) coaching sessions. The average $19 per hour pay doesn’t hurt too!

34. …Or Become a Referee

If you’re passionate about sports and love immersing yourself in the intricacies of the game, why not explore the idea of becoming a part-time referee?

To kick things off, pay a visit to the local high schools and community centers in your area to check for any available vacancies. 

Games typically take place during evenings or weekends which makes this side hustle compatible with your schedule.

35. Do Virtual Odd Jobs ️

The internet is a vibrant hub of odd jobs (check out Amazon Mechanical Turk) that are ripe for the taking! 

You can find so many things to do that can rake in a few dollars, like writing product or app reviews, becoming part of a focus group for certain brands, or doing gigs as a ghostwriter. ️

Most of these jobs can be finished in one day and require little to no experience.

36. Become a Freelance Audio Transcriber

Did you know that your ears are an underrated source of income? By transcribing audio files of interviews, meetings, or other spiels you can easily make some cash.

Just make sure to accurately type what you hear from the file and double-check your work before letting your client see it! Happy Scribe and GoTranscript are just two of the many sites where you can find jobs like this.

Rake in some cash while improving your listening and typing skills. Photo: DragonImages/Depositphotos 

37. Help Out at Weddings on Weekends

Some wedding coordinators hire assistants to help out on the big day since it can get a little crazy. You can also find a job as part of the waiting or catering staff on Indeed and Glassdoor. Champagne, anyone? 🥂

If you’re more into the afterparty, you could become the DJ! Just install audio mixing software on your laptop and you’re all set to bring life to the party (and earn around $500 to $700 per hour). 

38. Find Overnight Work as a Security Guard

Ever considered working as an overnight security guard at hotels, local pubs, cafes, and diners? If you’re more alert at night and aren’t afraid of unruly guests who had a bit too much to drink, this is a doable well-paying choice.

On average, security guards in nightclubs earn around $11 to $12 per hour. However, it’s important to note that pay varies on location, experience, and qualifications. 

39. Publish an Ebook

You can consider publishing a story as an ebook if you have a vivid imagination or a long-standing idea. While it can be quite difficult to land a book deal with a publisher, the internet has made it easy for your works to reach an audience.

Explore self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Smashwords, or Draft2Digital to bring your book to life. Plus, if your book is successful, you can watch the royalties roll in for years. 

40. Start a Blog or Vlog 🤳

Use your charming personality or unique point of view to get the money, honey. Consider starting a blog, vlog, or podcast to capture followers, and if your brand hits the big time you may find you catch some sponsors’ eyes.

In your first year, you can earn $500 to $1,500 each month by blogging or vlogging on YouTube, Tiktok, and other platforms.

Vlogging requires a variety of abilities, including video editing and managing social media, which could be valuable in your future career. Photo: AndrewLozovyi/Depositphotos

41. Get Into Mystery Shopp42. ing ️

Calling all the college students who ever dreamed of becoming a secret spy or undercover agent! 

Becoming a mystery shopper can satisfy this fantasy since you’re paid to shop in stores or eat in restaurants with a hidden agenda: to collect and relay information about your experience back to the companies or organizations that hired you. Dum-dum-dum!

You may need to buy a thing or two while you’re on duty but mystery shoppers are generally reimbursed for their purchases. On BestMark and IntelliShop, earn an average of $970 per week. 

42. Busk on the Street

Singing in subway stations and on the streets can also be an option to earn some money while doing what you love. All you need is a license or a permit from the city to start serenading commuters — and collecting some cash. ️

43. Sell Your Art on Instagram

Instagram is an amazing platform for painters and graphic artists to sell their masterpieces. The first step would be to set up Instagram profiles and engage your followers by using popular hashtags. 

Then, you can offer to work on commission or turn your art into merchandise like stickers, posters, and zines. 🧑‍

44. Get Into Voice Overs or Voice Acting ‍

Got some good pipes and are a dab hand at acting? As a voice actor, you can be booked for commercials, animated movies, and series, YouTube videos, podcasts, and other business advertisements. 

Record demos and upload them to sites like Voice Over Xtra or look for job postings on Fiverr or Upwork. ️

Use your voice to show your personality and express your creativity—and earn some cash too! Photo: ASphoto777/Depositphotos

45. Become a Freelance Social Media Manager #️⃣

Many businesses are looking to boost their digital presence but don’t know where to start. Luckily, college students are known for being tech-savvy so managing social media accounts — including creating and scheduling posts, boosting engagement, and responding to messages — is right up their alley. 

Create a profile on Upwork or Fiverr and start exploring freelance gigs to earn an average of $20 per hour. 

46. Find Gigs as a Children’s Performer 🥳

Theater students or teachers-to-be can have a go at being an entertainer at children’s parties. It may be an embarrassing ordeal for some, but those with a flair for acting or who enjoy interacting with children will thrive with this side hustle. Earn an average of $50 to $100 per hour and create profiles on GigSalad, Indeed, or Glassdoor to land gigs!    

47. Fill Out Surveys Online

Companies love to hear what consumers have to say about their brand, so much so that they sometimes pay to have their surveys answered. 

Register with a survey provider and give them the data they need to earn a few bucks. Explore platforms like Branded Surveys, InboxDollars, or Swagbucks and earn from $0.45 to $0.90 per survey.

48. Start an Etsy Business 🧶

Setting up an online shop on Etsy can be a good move if you love arts and crafts. Whether you’re really into knitting sweaters or creating stationery from scratch, you’ll find customers who’ll appreciate what you make — and you can earn some good cash! 

Build a business that is unique to your craft and passion even before you graduate. Photo: Dmyrto_Z/Depositphotos 

49. Rent Out Your Spare Room

Lease your extra space to people that need a place to crash via Airbnb or other similar platforms. The money can help you pay for some living expenses or perhaps a deposit for a larger apartment.

If you’re particularly short on cash and don’t have a spare bedroom, you can always try to crash with a friend or partner while you rent out your place — just make sure to give them their cut. 

50. Sell Your Old Textbooks — Or Find Others to Sell

College textbooks cost hundreds of dollars and are rarely of much use when you graduate. Luckily, there are other students that could be interested in buying your used books at a discount!

Sell them through AbeBooks, BookScouter, Cash4Books, Chegg, or even Facebook. You could also sell on behalf of those who don’t want the fuss of selling their used textbooks themselves and turn them over yourself for a profit. 

51. Get Into Investing

Sometimes you’ve gotta have money to make money. With an investment, you commit your extra cash to a business with the expectation of receiving a profit in the future.

There are calculated risks and different ways of investing that you need to learn about before getting into this side hustle. But if you play your cards right, you can earn way more than what you initially shelled out. 

Lucky for you, investing is made easier because of sites and apps like eToro or Robin Hood. 

52. Rent Out Your Bike

Sharing your bike for a fee is also a very convenient way to earn some extra cash. There are two ways you can do this: rent it to a friend or classmate or use services like Spinlister (which insures your bike for up to $1,000).

Your two wheels can be your brand-new side hustle. Photo: Blue Bird/Pexels

53. Create an Online Course ️

Are you a language prodigy or have you discovered useful tricks when it comes to computer programming? Start an online course! Sites like Skillshare, Teachable, and Udemy are perfect mediums to teach these skills to interested audiences. 

Join as a member and post your videos to start earning income even while you’re asleep. Udemy instructors can accumulate lifetime earnings up to $1000 per course, depending on the demand.

54. Donate Your Sperm or Eggs 🧪

This option isn’t for everyone but it can be a valuable way to help people who can’t have babies on their own. 

For women, egg donors can earn thousands of dollars but you must fulfill certain criteria to push through with the process (which usually takes a couple of months). Men have a cheaper payout but can make donations three times a week.

55. Create T-Shirt Designs and Sell Them Via Merch by Amazon

Wouldn’t it be cool to have people wear T-shirts that you designed? Well, this could become a reality through the Merch by Amazon program and earn up to $7 per shirt. 

All you have to do is create your artwork and choose the style and color of the shirt. Amazon will take care of the production, sales, and shipping.

56. Provide Painting Services ️

Get paid to unleash your creativity and transform spaces with color and design. From sprucing up rooms to giving entire homes a fresh new look, the possibilities are endless. 

Not only can you earn a good income, but you’ll also have the freedom to choose your own hours and clients.  

Starting your painting side hustle typically requires minimal initial investment. Photo: gzorgz/Depositphotos 

57. Be a Virtual Assistant

If you want to have a taste of the corporate world or refine your multitasking skills, you can make money through virtual assistant work. 

Most tasks revolve around email management, organizing calendars, bookkeeping, and dealing with customer issues but your employer may ask you to complete other tasks too. Plus, it’s all online so you’ll never have to fetch coffee for your boss. 

Search for openings at FlexJobs, Toptal, or Belay and earn up to $34 per hour.

58. Sell Other People’s Junk Online  

Embracing a minimalist lifestyle is a growing trend, and it presents a great opportunity for a side hustle — hauling away junk for those who don’t have the time to do it themselves. 

If you know someone who is ready to part ways with their unwanted items, why not step up and offer to sort and sell their stuff on their behalf on platforms like Mercari, Poshmark, or Depop? 

Keep an eye out for things people are getting rid of online and take your chance! However, it’s always best to be upfront that you plan on selling it in case they want to give it away to someone in need. 

59. Hunt Down Scholarships

You can focus on finding new or elusive scholarships to fund your college education and consider whatever grants and scholarships you could gain as your “salary.”

The internet is filled with personal stories of students who took the time to apply for every scholarship they could find and won enough money to cover their student debt. So, it does pay off to keep searching, even after you’ve started your degree. 

60. Clean Pools During the Summer ️

Make a splash with this refreshing way to boost your earnings! Cleaning pools during the summer is a flexible side hustle, allowing you to balance it with your studies and other commitments.

It’s also in high demand since many homeowners in warmer areas are looking for pool cleaning services. The best part? No need for fancy equipment or extensive skills — just a willingness to dive in and follow safety guidelines. 

Charge for your pool cleaning services by the hour or by area size depending on your technical skills and location. Photo: DmitryYakunin/Depositphotos

61. Find Translation Work ️

If you speak multiple languages fluently, you’re a perfect candidate for translation work. You may need to pass some tests before you’re formally hired, but having a job with flexible hours is worth the effort! 

To find translation projects or clients, explore platforms such as Upwork, Translators Café, and Proz. Don’t miss out on the chance to turn your linguistic abilities into a fulfilling and profitable career. 🤑

62. Proctor Exams and Tests for Your University ‍

Wouldn’t it be fun to pretend to be a teacher while high school students, or even your peers, take their exams? Make it happen by applying to be a proctor at a local high school or within a department at your university and earn up to $20 per hour. 

If you don’t know how to supervise standardized tests, there’s no need to panic. It’s an easy job! Hand out pencils, sniff out cheaters, and let students know how much time is left. ️

63. Find Work at Your College Campus

Work-study arrangements are nothing new for college students and can typically be found on your college or university’s website. Otherwise, give your student assistance office a call. 

There are plenty of schools across the country that offer on-campus employment which have better perks for students than off-campus jobs, such as convenient location and tuition assistance. 🤙

64. Sell Baked Goods 🥧

Few people can resist delicious homemade goodies. If you have an oven, some spare time, and a killer recipe for cookies, brownies, cupcakes, lemon bars, or even loaded granola bars, start baking! 

Of course, there are some serious business factors to consider, such as the cost of ingredients, labor, and electricity. But once that’s all sorted, get out there and promote your sweet new venture. 🧁

Starting a baking side hustle usually takes a little initial investment. Photo: tweek/Depositphotos 

65. Shovel Snow During the Winter ️

Areas where snow regularly falls — like the East Coast or upper Midwest — are great places to set up a snow shoveling service during the winter months. While it may be a seasonal gig, you can earn $50 or more per day since there are tons of houses that need your help. 

66. Rent Out Your Garage or Extra Storage Space ️

Empty garages and extra storage spaces can be a great way to make fast money. Apartments or dormitories in busy cities can be too small to make room for people’s belongings and if your parents or your landlord approve, why not rent yours out? List your space on Neighbor for $100-$600 per month. 🧳

67. Start a Dropshipping Company ️

Dropshipping means that the seller (you) orders the products from a supplier and has them delivered directly to the customer, rather than having them in stock. Some of the pros include low capital costs, minimal inventory requirements, and greater flexibility in hours and offerings. 

However, the business comes with risks,and if you’re planning to make this your side hustle, research is your friend. ️

68. Find Bugs in Other People’s Websites 🧐

Who knew that coding could make that cash register ring? Big corporations pay big money to have people hunt down bugs in their websites as this can interrupt customer experience or leave them open to data breaches, potentially losing them profits and customers. 

You could also find small jobs on platforms like Test IO, UserTesting, and Upwork that ask you to test the functionality of websites or apps and pinpoint areas of improvement that can guide their next update. 

Use your spare time to test websites and applications and get paid. Photo: PeopleImages.com/Depositphotos

69. Become a Lifeguard

Picture yourself outdoors, staying fit, and making a difference by saving lives as a lifeguard. Sure, you’ll need certifications, a good level of fitness, and be able to handle the job’s responsibilities, but the perks are unbeatable: make good money (averaging $13 per hour), choose your hours, and add CPR and first aid to your resume! 

70. Coach High School Students On Their College Admissions Essays

Having already been accepted to college, you’re more than qualified to give advice to high school students who are starting their college application journey.

College essays may be one of the most important (and difficult) admissions components to fulfill and students want to ace them to increase their chances of being accepted. You can offer to edit their drafts and coach them through the process.

71. Offer Tailoring or Alterations 🪡

Stitch up some extra cash and become a fashion hero with a side hustle that’s both creative and lucrative — time to offer tailoring or alterations services! Earn cash while unleashing your artistic flair and making clothes fit like a dream. 🧵

Whether it’s fixing a gown for a special event or customizing jeans to perfection, your skills will be in high demand. 

72. Find Work as a Handyperson 🪚

Becoming a handyperson is a perfect side hustle for college students because it gives you the freedom to set your own hours and rates. 

It’s also a skill-based gig that helps you develop valuable abilities for your future career. And guess what? There’s a high demand for handyperson services, especially for those minor repairs. 

General maintenance tasks can earn you up to $21 per houror even more, depending on where you are and your expertise. So, grab your toolbox and give your bank account a hand!

Assist homeowners, landlords, or even fellow students with tasks around their houses or apartments to earn during your free time. Photo: didesign/Depositphotos

73. Become a Personal Trainer ️

Here’s a side hustle for college students that is flexible and oh-so rewarding as you help others smash their health and fitness goals — becoming a personal trainer. People need that extra motivation, guidance, and accountability that only personal trainers can provide.

Oh, and did we mention the sweet earning potential? Depending on your location, certification, and client base, you can rake in an average of $19 per hour! 

It’s no lie — money can pose a big challenge when you’re in college. It can be hard for a young, 20-something to figure out where to get the extra cash to pay for everything you need. But aren’t you glad that you stumbled upon this article? 

With endless options to choose from, it’s time to level up your side hustle game.

Top Side Hustles for College Students to Make Fast Cash: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good side hustle for college students? 

College students can rent their bikes through apps like Spinlister, create a monetized blog, lease cars on Turo or Getaround, or offer dog walking services through Rover or Wag. 

Extra income can also come from online jobs like data entry, tutoring, transcription, or virtual assistance which provide flexibility and the ability to work from home. 

Do side hustles impact financial aid eligibility as a college student?

Side hustles can impact college students’ financial aid eligibility based on earnings and aid type. Need-based aid may be affected if your side hustle income exceeds the income protection allowance, while merit-based aid remains unaffected unless it violates award conditions. 

To avoid penalties, it is crucial to accurately report your tax returns and FAFSA. Consult a financial aid counselor or tax professional for guidance on aligning your side hustles with aid and deductions. 

Are online or in-person side hustles better?

Deciding between online or in-person side hustles depends on personal factors. Online side hustles offer flexibility and the potential for passive income, but come with competition and technical challenges. In-person side hustles allow face-to-face interaction and stable income, but may involve travel and limitations. 

Combining both types can provide income diversification. When choosing the right side hustle, consider personal circumstances and interests. The best side hustle is one that matches individual preferences, skills, lifestyle, and goals. 

What are top-paying side hustles? 

Top-paying side hustles require specialized skills, experience, and have high demand. 

Dog walking through apps like Rover or Wag can earn up to $43 per hour. Freelance design can bring in up to $32 per hour, freelance writing can yield up to $28 per hour, while freelance proofreading can fetch up to $40 per hour. 

Keep in mind that your actual earnings may vary based on factors like location and client base — consider your costs before selecting the best side hustle for you.

What are easy side hustles?

Consider tutoring, taking surveys, pet sitting, tech setup services, blogging, senior sitting, babysitting, personal assisting, mobile car washing, or local handyman work. 

These side hustles offer flexibility and potential for extra income. Just remember to assess the costs and risks before diving in.

How can I make $1,000 a month with a side hustle? 

If you’re looking to make an extra $1,000 a month, try virtual assisting, affiliate marketing, blogging, or tutoring/consulting. 

Explore platforms like ProofreadingServices.com, Upwork, and Chegg, but it’s crucial to evaluate the associated risks and thoroughly investigate any hidden costs.

How can I make $2,000 a month with a side hustle? 

Earn $2,000 a month with these side hustles: freelance writing, blogging, affiliate marketing, and/or dropshipping. Freelance writers charge $0.10-$1 per word, bloggers monetize through ads and products, affiliates earn commissions, and dropshippers profit from online sales without holding inventory. 

Source