College is an exciting time of growth, exploration, and fun, but let’s be honest — financial stability isn’t exactly a strong suit for most students. Rent, housing, meal plans, and social events can add up quickly, and if you’re feeling the pinch, too, you’re not alone.
The key lies in finding work opportunities that fit seamlessly into your life. Remember, it’s not just about paying your tuition (though that is important), but it is also about gaining valuable work experience now that can also help you build your resume, expand your network, and shape your post-graduation career path.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the best ways to make money in college, from conventional part-time roles to creative side gigs and other ways that might not have crossed your mind!
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What you need to know about working while studying
Before going into specific job ideas, there’s several important points to consider about balancing work and academics:
Legal considerations
If you’re an international student, you may have visa restrictions that limit employment opportunities or the number of hours you can work. For example, in the United States, some student visas (like an F-1) typically allow only on-campus work for a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session. Make sure you consult your university’s international student office to be sure you’re following the rules.
Some scholarships or grants also prohibit students from working above a certain number of hours, so check your financial aid guidelines or talk to your academic advisor for clarity.
Balancing hours and expectations
It is generally recommended that full-time students keep part-time work to a maximum of 10–20 hours per week. This helps ensure you have enough time to attend classes, study, and maintain a healthy social life.
If you find your course load is too heavy, consider jobs with flexible or weekend-only hours. Let your employer know your schedule and upcoming exams early so they understand your priorities.
Time management is key
Learning how to make money as a student often comes down to how well you can handle your schedule. Use a digital calendar or task management app to keep track of shifts, classes, deadlines, and other personal commitments.
Remember to build in downtime. Burnout is real; overloading yourself with work and classes can negatively impact your grades, social life, and overall well-being.
It is important to keep some of these considerations in mind when thinking about taking up jobs or part-time work as a college student so you can work and meet your academic goals while also leaving yourself time to enjoy the college experience.
On-campus jobs versus off-campus jobs
Both on-campus and off-campus jobs are excellent ways for college students to make money, but both come with their unique benefits, from ease of scheduling to aligning with your goals and more.
On-campus jobs
- Proximity: You’re already on campus and don’t need to commute. You’ll save both money and, more importantly, time.
- Student-friendly schedules: Campus employers know you’re a student, so they’ll be more willing to schedule shifts around your classes and exams.
- Community: Working on campus keeps you connected to university life, making it easier to network with students, professors, and staff.
Off-campus jobs
- Variety: Off-campus opportunities offer a greater variety, including local retail, internships, and specialized gigs, which may be more interesting.
- Potential for higher pay: Jobs off-campus, especially in college towns, offer higher, more competitive pay, which may be more lucrative.
- Career-oriented: Working off-campus gives you the opportunity to work in your field, especially as an internship, giving you valuable career-oriented experience.
Ultimately, your choice may come down to personal preferences, class schedules, and what’s available in your area. But both on and off campus jobs offer much more than just money.
Let’s explore specific examples to decide what’s right for you.
On-campus jobs
On-campus jobs are the best way to make money in college for students who want little to no commute and a study-friendly environment. These jobs are made to accommodate college students' busy schedules and will work around your schedule. Below are some examples you can look into.
On-campus coffee shops and eateries
Every college has several coffee shops, bustling small restaurants, and cafeterias. Working as a barista, server, or cashier offers many benefits. You’ll learn to communicate effectively, handle customer queries, and manage cash registers.
Whether or not you plan to pursue a career in food service, showing that you can juggle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment demonstrates valuable soft skills and can enhance your resume. It also offers you a way to network and get to know your faculty, staff, and peers who’ll visit regularly.
On-campus college buildings – offices, shops, libraries
Universities and colleges often hire students to work in administrative offices, bookstores, and libraries. These roles might include administrative tasks, such as:
- Data entry
- Filing paperwork
- Customer service
- Assisting other students, faculty, and visitors in finding resources or inventory
These roles are a good fit for students seeking a quieter work environment. You can even use downtime during slower shifts to catch up on assignments!
Teaching Assistant (TA)
If you excel in a particular subject, working as a Teaching Assistant (TA) can be one of the best ways to make money as a college student while also deepening your expertise.
A teaching assistant often helps grade assignments, holds office hours for students, and helps the professor run class discussions or practicals. A TA position can be a valuable stepping stone for those interested in an academic or research career since it offers hands-on teaching experience and one-on-one time with faculty, who may also serve as mentors or references later.
Tutoring
Tutoring is another great way to make money in college if you’re confident in a specific subject area. You can help tutor middle and high school students in your community by advertising your services locally or online, or you can look into whether your college has tutorial centers or academic success programs that often recruit top-performing students to help other classmates. Because tutoring often pays hourly and can be done by appointment, it is one of the easiest ways to make money in college — and you’ll sharpen your skills while doing it, too!
Language lessons
Depending on your background and knowledge of English or a foreign language, you can offer to provide language lessons to foreign students on campus and help them with their English or teach others your first language that’s not English.
You can set up in-person sessions where you meet at the library or online sessions where you can offer these lessons to anyone. This not only helps you make money but also helps you make new friends!
Monetize your hobbies
Are you crafty, artsy, or skilled at design? Think about how you can transform your hobby into extra cash. If you’re good at arts and crafts, you can sell handmade items like paintings, crochet accessories, custom items like keychains, and more. Check out our guide on how to sell online to get started.
If you’re into creating unique print-on-demand merchandise and other products, listing on platforms like Etsy can help you promote your arts and crafts and help you reach a global audience. See more tips on how to sell on Etsy here.
Monetizing your hobbies is an excellent way for you to make money without taking on a traditional job, and it allows you to have a lot more control over your schedule.
Sell your old used items and clothes
Another easy way for you to make some extra cash is by selling items you no longer need, especially old clothes and textbooks. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Poshmark are great at helping you reach an audience in your vicinity or anywhere in the country.
You can also explore Decluttr, which is great for selling electronics, CD/DVDs, games, and more, and Nextdoor, a more community-like environment to sell your used items.
Our guide on how to sell on Facebook Marketplace gives tips on how and what to sell on Facebook, which you can apply to other platforms as well.
Off-campus jobs
Off-campus jobs may require more travel time, but they often come with other benefits like higher pay, more variety, and an opportunity to find something more closely aligned with your career. These jobs are a great way to make money in school but also be able to step beyond campus grounds.
Dog walking
Pet owners in towns and cities are often busy professionals who don’t have the time to walk their pets regularly or be with them. Dog walking and pet sitting are great ways for you to get out and stay active while enjoying flexible work times and consistent income.
You’ll be able to get out and get fresh air and exercise while walking dogs, and you can work out a schedule that suits your classes with the pet owners you work with. Best of all, regular clients can quickly become a weekly or daily source of income.
Food delivery
If you have a car or bike, delivering food through apps like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub is another flexible and easy way to earn income while in college.
You can set your own availability around classes, and in addition to your base pay, you’ll also be able to earn tips, which can significantly boost your income.
Local cafes and restaurants
Working off-campus in restaurants or cafes can be like on-campus dining jobs, except you’ll likely encounter a broader base of customers. You’ll gain similar benefits, where you can earn additional income in tips, can set flexible schedules, work in a team environment, and get to know and interact with people.
Yard cleanup
If you’re in a university located in a more suburban or small-town area, yard cleanup can be an easy, well-paying job. Seasonal tasks, like raking leaves in the fall, mowing lawns in the summer, or shoveling snow in the winter, are all tasks you can do to earn income in college while staying fit.
At the same time, you work and set your flexible hours, working only when you can, either on the weekends or specific days of the week.
Word of mouth can go a long way, and you can get started with neighbors or professors you know and build your reputation around the community.
Paid internships
The “holy grail” for students: paid internships. These pay while also being great ways to gain relevant industry experience. Paid internships, especially in an industry related to your studies, can help boost your resume and allow you to network with professionals who can offer mentorship, references, and potentially full-time job offers post-graduation.
Paid internships can be competitive, but stay on the lookout for them in December/January every year, since most organizations take students as interns for the summer. Leverage your university’s career center for leads and stay proactive in searching and applying for internships.
Babysitting
Babysitting can be a great off-campus job if you enjoy working with children. Parents in the community may need evening or weekend babysitting while they run errands or enjoy a date night.
Childcare centers in the area might also hire part-time staff for after-school programs. You’ll have the opportunity to set your own flexible schedules, often during evenings, and once you build trust with families, you’ll have the opportunity to get recurring gigs, giving you steady demand.
Freelancing
Depending on your skillset, you may be able to freelance and offer a variety of services from writing and editing blogs and articles, to graphic designing, web development, and digital marketing.
Freelancing offers both flexibility and independence, while also being able to work on skills that align with your interests. You can set up your profiles on platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer, and use your skills to work on projects that interest you.
With freelancing, you can set your own rates, choose your own clients, and work from anywhere, even when you are home for the summer. It’s a great way to build a portfolio and gain real-world experience and skills that can benefit you long after you’ve graduated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make money in college?
Yes, you can absolutely make money in college. Whether you choose on-campus jobs, like working in a coffee shop or being a teaching assistant, or off-campus jobs, like delivering food or dog walking, there’s a wide range of possibilities. Just be mindful of visa restrictions if you’re an international student, and always remember to prioritize your academics and health. For more inspiration, check out our side hustle ideas to see how you can branch out beyond traditional part-time work.
How to save money in college?
Budgeting as a student in college is important to manage finances carefully. Saving money in college is as important as earning it. Here are a few tips to stretch your budget:
- Cook meals at home: Cut down on dining out and ordering in, both of which can add up quickly.
- Set up a budget: Use apps or spreadsheets to track expenses and set spending limits on different categories.
- Take advantage of student discounts: Many stores, restaurants, and online services offer reduced prices for students. Make sure to always keep a look out for these deals.
- Buy used textbooks: Textbooks can get very expensive; thus, it is better to look for second-hand copies or digital versions to save a lot on course materials.
How to earn money online for students?
If you prefer digital side-gigs or have a busy schedule and need to work around it, there are many online options for students to make money online:
- Freelancing: You can offer your skills (like writing, graphic designing, coding, etc.) on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr to work on interesting projects and earn side income.
- Social media selling: If you’re more into arts and crafts, platforms like Instagram are great for showcasing your skills and products, which can be another great avenue to earn money. You can learn more in our guide on how to sell on Instagram here.
- Online tutoring: You can offer tutoring services to students around the world in subjects like math, science, or language.
Remember to always confirm that any online work you do complies with campus, scholarship, or visa regulations.
What are the best part-time jobs for college students?
The best part-time jobs for students share three main qualities: decent pay, flexibility, and minimal stress on academics. Positions like a teaching assistant, on-campus barista, freelancer, or even paid internships are often top picks.
Prioritizing roles that can accommodate your class commitments will help you excel academically while also building a professional resume. Also look for part-time jobs relevant to your career goals – these will help make the most both your time and your paycheck.
Conclusion
Balancing academics and employment can seem challenging, but with the right approach, you’ll discover many ways to make money as a college student that fit your unique schedule, goals, and aspirations.
Whether you take on on-campus jobs like a teaching assistantship or off-campus opportunities like internships, each choice comes with its own set of perks. And with proper planning, you’ll find that making money in college is not as daunting as it appears — and can even enrich your college experience with practical skills, confidence, and connections that last well beyond graduation.
Good luck! And remember, every small step you take today is a building block for something greater in the future. Stay focused and keep pushing forward!
