20+ Lucrative Side Hustles for College Students to Earn Money While Studying

When you’re a student, every penny counts. After all, buying textbooks, paying your rent, and funding your lifestyle doesn’t come cheap. This is why more and more college students are taking up side hustles to help them along. 

The term side hustle is broad and can range from creating content to refereeing sports games on the weekend. While this makes it difficult to know where to start with your own side gig, it does mean there are plenty of exciting opportunities to make some quick cash.  

Join us as we list the best side hustle ideas to help you make money while you complete your studies.  

What is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is an additional income stream that allows you to make money outside your usual job. Having a side hustle as a college student will ensure you can maintain an enjoyable lifestyle while still concentrating on your studies.  

Having a side income is quickly becoming the norm among students as the cost of living increases and education becomes more expensive. There’s also the added factor that it is easier than ever to achieve extra income streams thanks to the internet. 

Because of the internet, people with side hustles have become split into two sections. Those who make their money online from home, and those who take up more traditional roles.  

Let’s start with the online side hustles. 

Online Side Hustles

Over the past couple of decades, digitalization has made it possible to make money on the internet. With these 11 online-based side hustles, you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home to make some spending money. 

1. Blogging 

All it takes to get started as a blogger is an interest in a particular topic and an eagerness to write about it. Whether it be your interest in video games, a love of horses, or a fondness for confectionery, an audience is waiting for you. 

Once you have built up a small following, there are plenty of ways to monetize your blog. Advertising is the most common, but you can also run a membership page, sell subscriptions, or accept donations on sites like Buy Me a Coffee or using a Whop checkout link.

Pros: 

• Write about what you love 
• Generates a passive income 

Cons: 

• Takes time to build a following 
• Requires constant new articles to stay relevant 
• You may face strong competition from other bloggers 

2. Freelance writing 

Website owners are always in need of writers to keep their content mill churning. If you have a way with words, you can get paid to write articles, blog posts, and emails. While you will still have to meet deadlines, the schedules are often flexible and won’t interfere with your college work. 

Freelance writing is a good way of building up your portfolio if you want to enter a writing-based career path. However, without a portfolio, you may find it difficult to land a freelance gig, meaning you may have to write a few pieces for free. 

Pros: 

• Flexible schedules 
• Lots of opportunities out there 
• Good for portfolios 

Cons: 

• You will need writing samples to get started 
• Requires a strong writing ability 

3. Selling clothes 

Selling clothes online, new or worn, can be an effective low-effort money spinner for college students. The items can be sold on a range of sites, such as eBay, Vinted, and Depop.  

These sites will do a lot of the admin for you and ensure the products you’re selling get seen. They will, however, take a slice of your profits as commission, with some platforms taking up to 10%. To maximize your earnings as a reseller, join a reselling community to learn the tricks of the trade from experts in the field.

Pros:  

• Helps you declutter 
• Doesn’t take much effort 
• Multiple platforms to help you get started 

Cons: 

• Selling platforms will take a percentage of your profit 
• You may have to deal with unhappy customers 

4. Affiliate marketing 

Affiliate marketing requires you to act as a marketer for brands, directing people toward an online product and receiving a commission if they buy it. To be successful, you’ll have to have some sort of audience, whether it be on social media, a blog, or a website. So it's a great add-on to any existing online presence that you may have.

It’s a simple hustle once you get going, as it only requires you to insert a link or a discount code within your content. There are plenty of sites that have affiliate programs, with Amazon Associates or Whop being two popular options. 

Pros: 

• Can become a passive income 
• Easy to create affiliate-friendly content 
• Lots of affiliate programs to join 

Cons:  

• Requires you to have an audience 
• Plenty of competition from other affiliates 

5. Completing surveys 

Brands love receiving feedback. So much so, they are willing to pay people to complete surveys for them. While you are unlikely to receive much more than $1 per survey, they rarely take more than three minutes to complete. 

There are plenty of sites that offer paid surveys, including Swagbucks and SurveyMonkey, so you’re unlikely to run out of surveys to get stuck into. It’s also a flexible earner, so you can answer surveys around the clock.  

Pros:  

• Surveys are easy to complete 
• Plenty of survey platforms to choose from 
• Can be done at any time of day/night 

Cons: 

• Surveys do not pay much 
• You may not be eligible for all surveys 

6. Graphic design 

If you have a knack for producing impressive graphic content, you are pretty much sitting on a gold mine. Companies are always in need of graphic designers who can add a little flair to their content.  

You can receive very generous payments per project depending on the companies you work for. The major issue with graphic design is that these projects could become time-consuming and difficult to fit around a busy college schedule.  

Pros:  

• Potential for great pay 
• Good experience for future employment 
• Graphic designers are always in demand 

Cons: 

• Can be time consuming 
• May require a lot of networking to get any gigs 
• Will need work samples 

7. Social media management 

With social media becoming one of the top marketing tools, companies are often on the lookout for someone to help run their social channels. If you have a firm grasp of what works and what doesn’t work online, social media management could be the side hustle for you. 

It’s another role that covers a lot of bases, with all sorts of institutions requiring help with their social media. It could be a small business looking to expand, or a sports team wanting online coverage of their games. 

Pros: 

• In-demand skills 
• Covers a broad range of niches 
• Creative opportunities 

Cons:  

• Will require regular maintenance 
• You’ll have to stay on top of trends 
• May receive negative feedback 

8. Course creation 

If you’re an expert in a particular field or have knowledge that you wish to pass on, you may be interested in course creation. It’s a great way of monetizing the knowledge you have while also learning more about the topic as you go.  

With sites such as Teachery and Whop, creating a course has never been easier. It’s a great way of creating a passive income, as once you have created the course, there’s very little maintenance necessary. 

Pros: 

• Generates passive income 
• Allows you to monetize existing knowledge 
• Doesn’t cost anything to start 

Cons: 

• Creating the course may be time-consuming 

9. Dropshipping 

One of the more revered side hustles of recent times is dropshipping, which essentially allows you to sell products without managing an inventory. In short, you advertise products in a store, your store forwards orders to your supplier, and your supplier sends the order directly to the customer.  

This way, you make a bit of money without having to sort out the admin or own a warehouse full of supplies, and you can sell almost anything, as long as there is a market for it. However, you have very little quality control over what you’re selling and how it is shipped. 

Pros: 

• Allows you to sell without owning a warehouse 
• Very little admin involved 
• Wide range of products can be sold 

Cons: 

• Little quality control 
• May have to deal with unhappy customers 
• Little control over shipping 

10. Share sports betting picks 

With research suggesting 39% of Americans are partial to a flutter on the weekend’s sporting action, it’s safe to say the betting industry is booming. This means that, if you have a strong understanding of a sport and an eye for a good betting tip, there’s money to be made. 

Sites like Whop offer you an ideal platform on which you can share your top picks, create newsletters, and build memberships. It’s a very time-effective side hustle, even more so once you’ve built up a community, as you can branch out into courses, mentorships, and coaching.

Pros: 

• Easy to get started 
• Eager communities waiting to be found 
• Time-effective 

Cons: 

• You may not be popular if your picks are wrong 

11. Content creation 

If you have ideas for interesting, worthwhile content, there’s no point in keeping it to yourself. In recent years, content creation, whether it be on YouTube or Tiktok, has become a genuine money maker.  

On a platform as popular as YouTube, there is a space for any niche, however complex it may be. As long as you keep a level of consistency, the opportunities for content creation are vast. The subscriber and viewer thresholds to make money from the platform are relatively low too, making it more of an accessible hustle than you’d think. 

Pros: 

• Doesn’t require high-level equipment to begin 
• You can make content based on any topic 
• There is no ceiling for potential income 

Cons:  

• Will take time and effort to build an audience 
• Requires consistency 

Physical Side Hustles

Of course, having a side hustle doesn’t mean you have to spend your spare time in front of a computer working from home. There are plenty of gigs that will appeal to the more outgoing types.  

Here are 10 side hustles that require a bit more physical activity. 

12. Lifeguard  

If you live near a beach or a local swimming pool, why not try your hand at becoming a lifeguard? The pay is reasonable, the work is rewarding, and you’ll be spending most of your hours outside in the fresh air. 

The role does come with a lot of responsibility, especially if you are the only lifeguard on duty. As it is a role of great importance, you will require extensive training and a qualification. 

Pros: 

• Active, physical role 
• Rewarding 
• Lots of time spent outside 

Cons: 

• Can be stressful 
• Requires a qualification 

13. Waiting tables 

Waiting tables is one of the more common side jobs for college students, as it doesn’t require prior experience. It can also be worked around busy college schedules, as the hours are often during the evening/weekend. It’s great for social interaction and making new friends, which adds to its appeal. 

Receiving tips in addition to a base salary is also a bonus. There is the obvious downside of dealing with the occasional difficult customer, as well as spending long hours rushed off your feet.  

Pros:  

• Social interaction 
• Discounted meals 
• Can work it around a busy schedule 

Cons: 

• Long hours 
• Potential for stress 
• Physically demanding 

14. Food delivery 

If you own a car or a bicycle, you’re already halfway to becoming a food delivery driver. With companies such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats expanding to more and more cities, there’s increasing demand for people to deliver food.  

While the premise of food delivery is simple, there are potential issues that can arise, from receiving the wrong orders to dealing with unhappy customers. Nevertheless, it’s a simple money maker that gives you license to exercise in the evenings while completing your college degree in the day. 

Pros: 

• Receive tips alongside your base pay 
• Not difficult to get started 
• Allows you to exercise 

Cons: 

• Dealing with difficult customers 
• Long hours 

15. Cleaning 

Part time cleaning jobs are relatively easy to find, as cleaners are sought after by homeowners, office block management, hotels, and more. Cleaning jobs are unlikely to pay the big bucks, but they are straightforward and don’t require experience. 

There’s no getting away from it; being a cleaner isn’t the most glamorous of side hustles, but you’re unlikely to ever be short of work. 

Pros: 

• Always in demand 
• Easy to find 

Cons: 

• Exposure to unsightly scenes 
• Hours may be irregular 

16. Wedding/events photography 

There are many ways in which you could put your photography skills to work to earn yourself a bit of money on the side. The first that comes to mind for many is wedding and events photography, which can pay out an impressive daily rate. It’s hard work and involves a lot of responsibility, but it’s rewarding, nonetheless. 

To get started you will need to own a high-quality camera. You’ll also have to have some samples of your previous work or charge lower prices than your immediate competition in order to get clients. 

Pros: 

• Creative 
• Offers a good daily rate 

Cons:  

• Requires you to own equipment 
• You will need work samples or a lower fee to get started 
• Long hours 

17. Selling stock photos 

If you have a talent for photography but would prefer a less hands-on approach, selling stock photos may be a better option for you. Shutterstock and Adobe are two platforms which allow you to upload pictures you have taken to be sold on to businesses and content sites. 

You’ll receive money each time your picture is downloaded, making it an effective passive income. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee that your pictures will be used, so if you need cash quickly, it isn’t the answer. 

Pros: 

• Passive income 
• Easy to start 
• Multiple platforms to display your work 

Cons: 

• Requires a good camera to get started 
• No guarantee your pictures will be sold 

18. Dog walking 

Did you know that you could get paid for walking other people’s dogs? Yes, it’s a very real possibility, as people’s busy lifestyles mean they can't give their pet the exercise it needs. So, if you love dogs, this could be the ideal side hustle for you. 

Dog walkers’ salaries will vary depending on the client, but you are likely to be paid on the day of your walk. If you need a quick top up of your bank account, this is definitely a positive. It’s also relatively time friendly, and won’t take up much of your studying time. 

Pros: 

• Spending time with dogs 
• Great exercise 
• Paid on the spot 

Cons: 

• Inconsistent salary 
• Potentially limited pool of clients 

19. House sitting 

Instead of leaving their home in the hands of a security system, some people prefer having someone else stay in their home while they’re away. This could be because they need their pet looked after or parts of their home require consistent maintenance. Either way, it’s a good method of making some money. 

With most house sitters having reasonably few responsibilities, you’ll be able to crack on with your studies in the comfort of somebody else’s home. There’s also the added bonus of having free accommodation for the night. To become a house sitter, you’ll have to sign up to a specified site, such as Trusted House Sitters.  

Pros: 

• Little experience required 
• Gives you quiet alone time 
• Free accommodation 

Cons: 

• Some house-sitting sites require subscription fees 
• Can feel unnerving being alone in a stranger’s home 

20. Refereeing 

If you have a solid knowledge and interest in a particular sport, you can make a little money from it by refereeing. It’s also ideal for college students, as most games will take place on weekends. 

There is, of course, the pressure that comes with refereeing and it will require a level of confidence to deal with unhappy players and supporters. However, it’s a great way of keeping involved with a sport you love and staying active in the process. 

Pros: 

• Keeps you involved in sport 
• Games are often held on the weekend 
• Great exercise 

Cons: 

• Requires you to deal with frustrated players and supporters 
• Pressurized atmosphere 

21. Selling DIY objects 

With a vast number of platforms, including Etsy and eBay, allowing you to sell pretty much anything, it’s easy to make money from DIY crafts. Whether you’re into making candles, small toys, or home decorations, there is an online market waiting for you. 

You’ll need to do a bit of self-promo to begin, but once the sales and reviews roll in, you’ll have generated an effective side income. Of course, there may be the odd negative review, but if you’re confident and proud of your items, it will mostly be plain sailing. 

Pros: 

• Very few limits on what type of items you can sell 
• Allows you to profit from your hobby 
• Multiple platforms on which to sell your items 

Cons: 

• May have to deal with unhappy customers 
• Requires a bit of promotion 

What's the Best Side Hustle for a College Student?

There are plenty of side hustles for you to choose from - but how do choose which is best for you?

As a college student, your time is precious. You have classes to attend, tests to take, and assignments to complete. Therefore, you need a side hustle that works with you, not against you. While there are many great options for physical side hustles, you have to take into consideration the time you need to do these successfully - how far do you have to travel? What equipment do you need? It is flexible enough to work with your study schedule?

The right side hustle for a college student is:

• Flexible
• Doesn't require many start-up costs
• Scalable
• A passive income earner

For a side hustle that meets all of those requirements, you should consider selling digital products. With digital products you can make your side job as passive or active as you wish.

If you want an easy money-maker, then make and sell study templates or habit trackers. These can be made once and sold over and over again. For a more lucrative side hustle, you could create a paid community, or make and sell an online course. While these options take more time and effort than a digital download, you can work on them in your own time and earn recurring revenue through subscription payments.

Start Your Side Hustle With Whop  

Being a college student, you haven’t got the time to be worrying about all the admin that comes with starting a side hustle. Well, with Whop, you don’t have to.  

Starting a new side hustle with Whop is a breeze, with all the tools in place to make sure you hit the ground running. There’s no limit to what you can sell with Whop, whether it be online courses, digital products, or even sports betting tips.  

You could even start an affiliate program with current sellers on Whop if you've got any kind of online audience. Oh, it’s also budget friendly, with no startup fees or monthly payments to digest. We only take a 3% commission once you start making sales.  

So, why wait? Start your stress-free side hustle with Whop today and make the most of your time at college.