36 Flexible Ways to Make Money in College (2026)
If flexible ways make money is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.
Key Takeaways
- 36 Flexible Ways to Make Money in College Advertiser Disclosure Our readers always come firstThe content on DollarSprout includes links to o...
- When you read our content and click on one of our partners’ links, and then decide to complete an offer , whether it’s downloading an app, o...
- Our ultimate goal is to educate and inform, not lure you into signing up for certain offers.
Our readers always come first
The content on DollarSprout includes links to our advertising partners. When you read our content and click on one of our partners’ links, and then decide to complete an offer , whether it’s downloading an app, opening an account, or some other action , we may earn a commission from that advertiser, at no extra cost to you.
Our ultimate goal is to educate and inform, not lure you into signing up for certain offers. Compensation from our partners may impact what products we cover and where they appear on the site, but does not have any impact on the objectivity of our reviews or advice.
Tired of living off Ramen and skipping nights out with your friends? Here are some flexible ways to make money in college in your free time.
Written by Megan Robinson, CMC® Last Updated: April 3, 2024Some of the links on DollarSprout point to products or services from partners we trust. If you choose to make a purchase through one, we may earn a commission, which supports the ongoing maintenance and improvement of our site at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
As a broke student, I was always sifting through information on how to make money in college.
I worked several part-time jobs on campus, including the student calling center and indoor bowling alley. When I wasn’t at one of those jobs, I babysat, dog sat, and tutored local middle schoolers. Needless to say, my college experience was a busy one.
I didn’t have a brag-worthy income, but it was enough to pay for rent, the occasional brunch or night out with friends, and build a modest savings account. Nowadays, there are numerous more options to make money between classes, some of which you can do without ever leaving your bedroom.
Easiest Ways to Make Money in College
For ways to make extra spending money with minimal effort, start here.
1. Make money helping people in your community.
One of the easiest ways to make extra money in college is by offering your skills for small, local jobs. Airtasker connects you with locals who need help with everyday tasks, whether it’s fixing computers, assembling furniture, moving, or cleaning. You set your own rates and choose jobs that fit your schedule, making it a flexible option for students.
When I was in college, I made extra money repairing computers and tutoring math. I charged $40 to $60 per repair, depending on the issue, and $15 per hour for tutoring, which added up quickly. If Airtasker had been around back then, I definitely would have used it to find even more clients beyond word-of-mouth.
Some common Airtasker gigs for college students include:
- Setting up or repairing computers
- Helping people move or assemble furniture
- Cleaning apartments and dorms
- Running errands or making deliveries
- Tutoring in math, science, or other subjects
If you have a skill people need, chances are someone is willing to pay for it, and gig platforms make it simple to connect with those opportunities.
Related: How This “Tasker” Makes $1,000/Week Hanging Flyers for Businesses
2. Skip the campus job and deliver with Uber Eats.
Most campus jobs, whether it’s swiping IDs at the rec center or stacking books in the library, don’t pay much and can chew up your best study hours. Delivering with Uber Eats can be a better fit for a student schedule. You’re not tied to a shift; you just go online when you’ve got time to make a few runs.
Some students squeeze in deliveries on a bike between afternoon classes, while others knock out a couple of orders late at night when the dining hall is closed. The big advantage is that you decide when it works for you. If midterms are coming up, you can press pause and pick things back up once you’re free.
And you don’t necessarily need a car. In plenty of college towns, people deliver by bike or scooter, which makes it even easier (and cheaper) to get started.
3. Complete small tasks or micro-jobs.
It’s not always feasible to hold a full or even part-time gig while in college. Some have little or no extra time altogether. If that’s the case, you’ll need something you can pick up or put down at a moment’s notice, and that’s where sites like Freecash come in.
While the name sounds a bit gimmicky, and you won’t make enough to live off of, there’s a good bit of extra spending money to be made here. In fact, there are several different ways you can earn an extra $20 to $100 per month with very little effort in between classes or studying.
Our recommendation? Quickly check out the site and scan for ways that most benefit you. Quizzes, surveys, and signing up for relevant offers are but a few of the ways you can earn some beer money each month, but they aren’t the best way to make money on the site.
More efficiently, users can share their referral link and earn between 5% and 30% of all their referral earnings, forever.
That means if you refer users to the site, you’ll earn a percentage of their earnings each month, for all time. This revenue-sharing model can be super lucrative, especially if you get creative about ways to successfully share your link. (They share some tips here.)
Related: 20 Best Places to Find Small Tasks or Micro Jobs
4. Earn rewards by playing mobile games.
As part of exploring ways to earn extra money during downtime, I tested Cash’em All, an app that rewards users for playing mobile games. It’s a straightforward platform that allows you to earn coins based on your playtime, which can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards. If you’re interested in other games that pay real money, there are plenty of similar apps to explore.
Here’s how it works:
- Download the app: Available for free on the Google Play Store.
- Explore games: The app offers a variety of games across different genres. I found the selection broad enough to appeal to different interests.
- Earn as you play: Coins accumulate as you spend time playing the games. Testing revealed that playing multiple games frequently helped maximize earnings.
- Redeem rewards: Once you’ve earned enough coins, you can exchange them for free PayPal cash or gift cards to popular retailers like Amazon or Google Play.
While the earnings are modest, Cash’em All can be a productive way to pass time during breaks or between classes. It’s best suited for those who enjoy mobile games and want a low-effort option to earn a little extra money.
5. Get rewarded for things you purchase.
College life can be expensive, but Capital One Shopping can help you stretch your budget. This free browser extension finds and applies the best coupon codes while you shop online, ensuring you never miss out on savings.
It also alerts you to lower prices at other retailers and offers cashback on purchases from participating stores. With Capital One Shopping, you can effortlessly save money on textbooks, supplies, and everyday essentials, making your college experience a little more affordable.
6. Watch videos, take surveys, and get cash back.
When I was in school, I witnessed numerous a classmate watch ESPN, read the news, and shop online during lectures. Tuning out your professor probably won’t help your grades, and I wouldn’t recommend it. But there is one way you could make some extra money during class while still paying attention: watch ads with Swagbucks.
With Swagbucks Watch, you can choose from whatever category of videos interests you, including news, sports updates, or you can select “discover mode” and let Swagbucks choose the content for you. The site will open a new window for your videos. You’ll need to allow pop-ups for it to work, but you can leave the sound muted.
Final ThoughtsThe bottom line: a little research on flexible ways make money goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.
Originally published at dollarsprout.com.
Megan Robinson, CMC®
Our editorial team researches and verifies every money-saving guide before publishing. Editorial policy · About us
