More students are juggling college and work.

Whether you’re fresh out of high school, an adult returning to school or pursuing additional degrees, working while studying is common.

Making money in college can help with student loans, extra expenses, rent, and even retirement savings. It might seem early, but starting now can pay off in the long run.

21 Legit Ways To Make Money In College

1. Take Paid Online Surveys
2. Tutor
3. Pet Setting
4. Food Delivery
5. Freelancing
6. Blogging
7. Drive for a Rideshare
8. Rent Your Car on Turo
9. Social Media Manager
10. Sell Clothes
11. Virtual Assistant
12. Nanny
13. Sell Items on Etsy
14. Write a Book
15. Sell on Amazon
16. Amazon Influencer
17. Invest
18. Sign Up Bonuses & Cash Back Rewards
19. Proofreading
20. Customer Service
21. Make Money With Hobbies

1. Take Paid Online Surveys

Need some extra cash? Get creative with online surveys!

Try Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, or MyPoints.

Surveys fit into your downtime—movies, chill time, or breaks.

Even weekends and holidays are fair game for extra cash!

Some sites pay cash, like Branded Surveys, while others offer gift cards. Pick what works for you.

Surveys won’t make you a ton of money, but every bit helps when you are in college.

2. Tutor

You can teach a variety of subjects. Check local after-school programs or community centers.

Teach anything from pickleball to Minecraft, or offer tutoring in subjects like English.

If you're good with languages, try Qkids. With a compatible computer, headset, and strong English skills, you could earn $100 a day from home.

You can also create and sell online courses. Use your expertise to make money online.

3. Pet Setting

Pet sitting is ideal for animal lovers.

Show up, follow instructions, and spend time with furry friends.

Get started with Rover for a hassle-free pet care business.

It's the perfect mix of passion and profit—what’s not to love?

4. Food Delivery

Your college is full of hungry people craving convenience—perfect for making cash.

Hop in your car, download Grubhub or DoorDash, and start delivering.

The more you drive, the more you earn.

Remember, these apps take a cut. For more money, try working directly with a restaurant.

5. Freelancing

Freelancing sounds great—you’re the boss, set your schedule, and choose your dress code.

But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

Finding gigs can be tough.

That’s where Fiverr and Upwork help. They connect freelancers with companies for contract work in writing, editing, SEO, and design.

You’ll find both one-off gigs and long-term clients. With skill and hustle, you can earn serious cash.

6. Blogging

I started Pineapple Money as a hobby. It became my second job.

I had no idea blogs could make money or how they even worked.

Starting a blog can boost your income. Write about your passions—travel, food, personal finance.

Work on it during your free time.

For me, it was the perfect side gig. I blogged before work, during lunch, after work, and on weekends.

You control your schedule. That’s a huge plus!

7. Drive for a Rideshare

Your car can be a cash cow.

Put those keys in the ignition, download Uber or Lyft, and hit the road.

There’s a demand for rides, and you can meet it.

Drive for Uber or Lyft for flexible extra income.

Take people anywhere—from the airport to the grocery store.

8. Rent Your Car on Turo

Unlock your car's earning potential with Turo.

Turn your idle vehicle into a money-maker.

Generate passive income with minimal effort.

Offset ownership costs or maximize your car’s value.

Turo connects you with reliable renters.

Join millions of car owners already making money with this sharing economy platform.

Start earning today!

9. Social Media Manager

Put your social media skills to work.

Boost local businesses and pad your wallet.

Market yourself as a social media manager.

Craft engaging content and strategies to drive sales and engagement.

10. Sell Clothes

You can sell any brand of clothes online, but Nike, Lululemon, Adidas, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci sell the quickest.

Other brands can sell fast too—just know what users want and market your items well.

Quality photos that are clear and bright make your products more attractive.

Nobody wants to shop for items that don’t look appealing.

Check your wardrobe, sell what you don’t wear regularly, and earn some cash!

11. Virtual Assistant

Virtual assistants are in high demand for tasks like emails and scheduling.

It’s a flexible gig—ideal for those avoiding the nine-to-five grind.

With patience and professionalism, you can advance to bigger roles.

It’s a great resume booster and could turn into a full-fledged online business.

Check out Flexjobs, the top platform since 2007 for finding remote jobs that fit your schedule.

12. Nanny

If you’re patient and love kids, nannying could be your cash cow.

Set your rates based on local norms using Care.com or UrbanSitter.

Good at it? Nannying offers steady pay and referral opportunities.

It’s challenging but rewarding. Skilled nannies adapt well and can specialize in tough cases for extra pay.

13. Sell Items on Etsy

Get crafty and cash in on your creativity!

Whether you knit, sculpt, or paint, there’s a market for handmade goods.

Set up shop on Etsy—no website design hassles; Etsy handles it. Sign up, list your creations, and watch the sales roll in.

This free training offers great ideas on what to sell, getting started, costs, and selling tips.

For inspiration, check out the Pineapple Money Etsy Shop.

14. Write a Book

People can buy books anytime—even while you sleep.

Self-publishing on Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) lets you reach a broad audience without a traditional publisher.

Writing your own book is a great way to earn money from home.

There’s something valuable you can write about, even if you’re not sure what it is!

15. Sell on Amazon

Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) lets you store products in Amazon’s centers.

Amazon handles shipping, returns, and customer service.

With FBA, sell a range of products without managing storage or shipping.

You’ll still need to source your products.

Even if you’re new to Amazon, you can earn selling household goods, toys, books, electronics, and more.

16. Amazon Influencer

Amazon influencers are changing digital marketing.

They use social media to showcase Amazon products in engaging ways.

On TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, they integrate product recommendations into their feeds, directing followers to their Amazon storefronts.

From fitness experts to beauty enthusiasts and fashion icons, influencers across niches thrive in the Amazon Influencer Program.

They build their brands, earn passive income, and offer Amazon sellers a cost-effective marketing channel.

17. Invest

Passive income is money that flows in with minimal ongoing effort.

Initial work—whether time or financial—is required. After that, income continues with less effort.

Passive income streams include:

• Rental real estate (becoming a landlord)
• High-yield savings accounts
• Dividend-paying stocks
• Renting out a room in your home
• Writing an ebook
• Selling stock photography
• Selling digital products (printables)

Learn more by reading 21 Ways To Make Money While You Sleep.

18. Sign Up Bonuses & Cash Back Rewards

Boost your monthly income effortlessly with these budget-friendly cash-back programs.

Grab real cash today with enticing sign-up bonuses.

Rakuten: Cash Back, Your Way

• $30 bonus when you sign up for Rakuten
• Partners with 3,500+ stores for cash back and special offers
• Shop through the app and see cash back offers upfront
• Cash back appears in your account within days
• Get paid via check or PayPal every three months

MyPoints

• Earn points for free and snag gift cards
• $5 welcome bonus when you sign up
• Choose from Amazon, eBay, Starbucks, Target, and more

Unlock rewards through:

• Shopping for groceries and online finds
• Sharing your thoughts in surveys
• Playing free games like puzzles and trivia

Start your gift card journey now!

With a 4.4 TrustPilot rating and 70% 5-star reviews, MyPoints is the top choice for gift card-earning apps.

Recommended Reading: 13 Ways To Get A Free Instant Sign Up Bonus

19. Proofreading

Proofreading is a great second job if you love reading and spotting mistakes.

You’ll catch errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Many remote opportunities let you work from home.

Check out Upwork or FlexJobs for gigs.

If you’re already a natural proofreader, why not turn it into a side hustle?

20. Customer Service

Many customer service jobs offer weekly pay, both remote and in-person.

As a customer service representative, you’ll answer calls, troubleshoot issues, assist with purchases, and more.

Good communication skills are essential for this role.

21. Make Money With Hobbies

Hobbies are activities you enjoy in your free time, regardless of payment.

But what if you could turn your hobbies into income?

It sounds too good to be true, but it’s not!

There are many profitable hobbies; you just need a creative approach.

Learn more by reading 5 Hobbies That Can Earn You Money.

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