Best Side Hustles for College Students
Whether it’s the flexible schedule, low barrier to entry, or the easy extra cash, side hustles can be great for college students. But not every side hustle is equal and some have unique requirements you may not be aware of. While these easy-to-get jobs might seem like the win you’ve been looking for, there’s certainly more to cashing in on the gig economy than downloading a few apps.
Here are some of the best side hustles & part time jobs for college students.
Rideshare & Delivery
Pay Breakdown
Rideshare drivers often track their pay using apps like Gridwise, which in turn uses that data from over 200,000 drivers to determine rideshare/delivery hourly average earnings in 49 markets. With an average cost of $0.30 per mile and an average hourly earning of $17.24 or net earning of $16.94 in 2020, rideshare is certainly a better-paying gig. This is the reason so many students (with a working & qualified vehicle) turned to rideshare as an extra source of income.
Additionally, drivers with passengers earn between $0.50 – $4.00 more than delivery drivers in major markets, despite only earning tips 32% of the time.
How to Maximize Rideshare Profit
- Drive during surge times & earn bonuses.
- Add local events to your calendar & plan to be on the road during these events.
- Log ALL miles driven to, from, and in between rides to use as a tax deduction.
- Always pick up a passenger from the airport after dropping one off.
- Use multiple platforms & strategically switch between to take advantage of bonuses & Quests.
- Uber generally pays more than Lyft.
How to Maximize Profit by Delivering Food, Groceries, and/or Parcels
- If it’s available in your area, Amazon Flex provides the best rate – between $15-$25/hr.
- Uber Eats & GrubHub are the top meal delivery apps in 7/10 major cities.
- Shipt Shopper has limited availability as well, but users report making around $15-$20 per hour.
- Own an insulated cooler bag. It can increase tips & make more delivery options available to you.
Part Time Freelance Work
Freelance work requires a unique skill or ability. Oftentimes, the skill can be common, such as writing, working with animals, or photography. These jobs are more difficult to secure, since some require experience & some jobs will need to be sought out rather than sent to you. In short, these gigs may not fall into your lap, but may pay more.
Freelancers often build up a network of clients & receive regular jobs based on their availability.
Additionally, freelancers can create digital assets on sites like Fiverr, where they can provide a whole range of services.
Other Odd Gigs
If you’re willing to put in a bit of extra effort and you have some additional skills, your income potential could be greater by thinking outside the box. Here are a few other job ideas that are worth your while.
Storage Locker Auctions
If you live in a college town, there are likely several options for storage. When the owner of a storage unit falls behind on payments, the unit is sold at auction. Since COVID, these auctions are largely done online through sites like lockerfox.com.
Of course, buying furniture & household items in bulk will require additional storage, as well as the ability to move large volumes of items quickly. The task is more difficult, but those who win storage units at auction can easily make back their investment many times over.
Make & Sell
Another way to earn extra money on the side is by making stuff to sell. This may sound vague, but this could be as simple as restoring old furniture. As long as you can produce a product that has demand, you can earn a steady income using marketplaces like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.
Brand Ambassador
If you have a following on social media or feel like you are adept at networking, you might consider becoming a brand ambassador or influencer. Sites like Riddle & Bloom specifically reach out to students and allow them to partner with brands they choose. Average pay is around $18.68/hr and additional benefits may be provided depending on the brand. This may include free merch, meals, or paid travel/training expenses.
When the back to school season rolls around, partnering with eCampus.com is a great way to make money by promoting the website and informing your followers on how they can score cheap textbooks. Click HERE to learn more!
Make Money Selling Textbooks!
In addition to all these ideas listed above, you may have extra cash in your closet right now! eCampus.com will purchase many of your old textbooks & either give you the money back as direct deposit, a PayPal transfer, or even as in-store credit on your books next semester!
Check out eCampus.com today & see how much you could earn from your old textbooks! Also, be sure to connect with us @ecampusdotcom on Twitter, Instagram, & Facebook for more resources, tips, and some great giveaways!