When I was in college, I had not one, but THREE different part-time jobs. The hours were long (8+ hours) and incredibly boring. I would have class from 9am-5pm and then working from 5pm-10:30 pm. Finding the right online jobs for college students was my lifesaver!
I was so desperate I even worked in my college’s fundraising office, which essentially meant I had to cold call alumni/parents and ask if they would donate to the school. It was miserable.
My Journey to Working Online in College
If I knew of these online jobs for college students sooner, I would have been way less stressed.
All of these jobs were soul-sucking, and they fueled my desire to find something better. That’s how I got introduced to many of the online jobs for college students on this list. When it comes to making extra money in college, you want to work smarter not harder.
I started blogging, freelance writing, and I became an influencer. These online jobs let me afford a better lifestyle, and I was able to pay off my student loans while making money online in college. It was the perfect thing for me.
The best online jobs for college students (no experience needed):
- Online tutor
- Search engine evaluator
- Translator
- Freelance writer
- Blogging
- Survey taker
- Virtual assistant
- Transcription
- Virtual stylist
- Book reviewer
- Influencer
These online jobs for college students work around your own schedule and allow much more freedom. Let’s get started learning how to make money online in college! You’ve got this!
1. Online Tutor
Tutoring is obviously one of the go-to online jobs for college students. Of course, you can always tutor on campus or in your local community, but these jobs are often hard to come by or don’t pay much (if at all!).
Luckily, there are a lot of online platforms for college students to tutor online, many of which pay over 20$ an hour. Most of these involve teaching students abroad how to speak English.
For instance, many students in China wish to practice their English speaking skills with a native speaker, and that’s where you come in! No extra experience necessary, just a positive attitude and an understanding of English!
- Wyzant – Market your own tutoring skills to the local community! Set your own hours!
- Golden Voice English – If you’re a native English speaker, you can help students abroad master their language skills!
- VIP Kid – Earn up to 22$/hr with these virtual tutoring jobs. (Update: VIP Kid recently started to require a teaching certification which you can get online if needed)
2. Search Engine Evaluator
I thought search engine evaluating was a hoax–until one of my close friends actually became one! While the hours aren’t always consistent, and the pay fluctuates, she loved the flexibility of this online job for college students.
Basically, a Search Engine Evaluator works with large search engines to make sure everything is running correctly. A word of caution, however, applying for these jobs involves a rigorous training/assessment process, as this is a relatively skilled position. No prior experience or skills are necessary, but there is a bit of a learning curve.
- Lion Bridge – Often features Search Engine Evaluator gigs.
- Leap Force – Search for relevant Search Engine Gigs.
- iSoftStone – Check regularly for new openings at bigger companies.
3. College Student Translator
My foreign language skills are non-existent (despite having taken 5 years of Spanish), but translating is one of the best online jobs for college students if you have the right skills!
Translator jobs usually pay over 13$ an hour, but the pay can vary depending on the gig. No matter what second language you speak, there’s a translator job for you. Note that you’ll need to likely pass some tests to gain a bit of credibility.
- UpWork – The popular freelance site features lots of translation jobs from around the world.
- Unbabel – This is one of the largest translating networks.
- Lingosaur – Apply and pass an assessment to start accepting translating work.
4. Freelance Writer in College
You don’t have to be an English major to become a freelance writer. All skill levels can find profitable work writing online as long as you’re dedicated and enjoy writing. You’ll need a small writing portfolio to get started, and you need to be good at self-editing your work.
If this sounds like a great fit for you, check out my guide on how to start freelance writing in college. I give you nitty-gritty tips and tricks for getting started and making money!
- ProBlogger – A highly curated job board for the latest freelance jobs.
- TextBroker – Entry level writing mill which offers pay based on writing skill (this is a great place to build a portfolio!)
- FreelanceWritingJobs – Daily listings for a range of gigs.
5. Blogging in College
While starting an online blog is in no way a get-rich-quick scheme, it’s a great way to make steady income if you’re willing to put in the work.
Blogging has helped me cut back on hours at my day job and focus on doing the things I love. It’s also a great networking tool for when you start to look for a career after college. Bloggers make money through advertisements, sponsored posts, products, and affiliate sales.
- My step-by-step guide for setting up your own blog!
- College Blogging 101: my free 5-day email course on how to start making money blogging!
6. Survey Taker
Surveys always sound a little scammy at first, but there are a few platforms that are actually legit. While you probably won’t get rich doing surveys and cashback deals, it’s definitely an easy way to make money literally anytime, anywhere.
I use all of these, and I recommend downloading the apps so you can complete virtual tasks in your free time like when waiting for coffee or before class.
- Ibotta – Ibotta is literally free money. It gives you cash back on purchases you already make. All you have to do is take pictures of your receipts. If you sign up through my link you get a 10$ bonus just for submitting your first rebate! Easy pease!
- Swagbucks – Swagbucks rewards you for things you already do online like online shopping, answering surveys, or searching the web. It’s really easy to use and I’ve easily made over $25 in gift cards to places like Amazon and PayPal with little actual effort.
6. Virtual Assistant
Are you organized and a great communicator? There are a lot of openings right now for virtual assistant gigs! As a virtual assistant, you help bloggers, designers, and other professionals with any daily tasks they simply don’t have the time for.
These tasks can be as basic as responding to emails, making phone calls, or posting on social media. If this sounds appealing to you, check out these boards for listings and name your price! To get started, consider making your own portfolio website to attract some clients.
- Indeed – Be sure to search “virtual assistant” with “remote” as the location.
- Upwork – Always features new virtual assistant gigs.
- Remote – A wide range of paid tasks available constantly.
- People Per Hour – Hourly work where pay depends on the task.
7. Transcription
A transcriber, as the name implies, transcribes audio and video. The pay is usually per recorded minute, so you’ll need to be a fast typist and a good listener to make solid money with these gigs.
While the pay isn’t always great, and there is a hefty assessment process, you can’t beat the flexibility of this online job for college students.
- TranscribeMe – A multitude of shorter 1-2 minute gigs, rather than longer files.
- Rev – Weekly pay with a lot of options for beginners.
- QuickTate – Longer work for more experienced typists.
8. Virtual Stylist
Are you a budding fashionista? Do people look to you for style advice? Becoming a virtual stylist might be right for you! While this is not one of the easier online jobs for college students to snag, it’s certainly a great way to gain fashion experience and side-income.
These gigs are commonly found through many online-styling platforms which cater clothing selections to the individual customer.
- Bombfell – This men’s clothing company frequently hires part-time work from home stylists.
- StitchFix – Become a stylist for one of the top clothing subscription services! (Note: you need to live within driving distance of one of the headquarters)
- Dia & Co – This plus-sized clothing company often hires remote stylists to cater selections to customers.
- Rocks Box – If jewelry is your thing, this subscription company frequently hires stylists to help choose each monthly box!
9. Book Reviewer in College
Did you know you could actually get paid to read and review books?! I know, I know, it sounds too good to be true. You’ll be surprised to know it’s actually pretty easy to get started as a book reviewer!
All you need is a passion for reading and writing. I’ve actually been a paid book reviewer before, and while the pay isn’t amazing, it’s something I love to do so it hardly feels like work! If you want to open yourself to more book reviewing gigs, consider starting your own book blog to gain experience and exposure.
- Any Subject Books – Periodically pays reviewers (of any experience level) to read and review new books.
- Astronomy – An online magazine always accepting submitted reviews.
- Good Old Boat – Pays 50$ per accepted book review on a preselected title.
- Read Dream Relax – Apply to become a member of the book reviewing teams.
10. Influencer
Influencer marketing is really popular right now, and a lot of big brands are seeking influencers of all levels to promote their products and services. If you’ve ever seen an Instagram post with a product which uses the hashtag #ad, you’re looking at an influencer.
Influencers don’t all have to sell their souls to get paid for products. Many of them only choose products they already use or support, and it’s a great way to get paid for things you already use! You’ll need to build a strong following to start getting money for these posts, but there are a lot of options for those with smaller followings as well! Before you get started, review my tips on FTC guidelines for bloggers and influencers.
- Izea – Has a listing of brand opportunities with a range of compensation.
- BrandSnob – A variety of social campaign opportunities.
- InfluenceHer Collective – A network connecting brands to millennial influencers sponsored by HerCampus.
Online Jobs for College Students Without Experience
If you’re a college student tired of your part-time, soul-crushing gig, keep looking! The internet is a great place to find unique opportunities as long as you’re willing to put in the effort and work hard.
What jobs have you done as a college student? Which of these online jobs for college students looks the best to you?
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