It’s almost impossible to pay your own way through traditional college anymore but the majority of students work to ease the financial burden. More than 70 percent of college students are working, with 25 percent working full-time while also enrolled at college full-time. Sound intense? Working and learning doesn’t have to be an uphill battle. There are plenty of ways to do both at the same time.
It can be hard to work and go to school but even college students have to pay the bills. Some of the best, most flexible jobs for college students include participating in focus groups, online survey, being a mystery shopper, nanny or tutor. Are any of these right for you? Keep reading below the cut to find out.
Go to School and Pay the Bills—We’ve Compiled a List of Ways Students Can Make Money and Stay in School
Focus Groups
If you go to college in a major city, focus groups are a great way to make money. You can make between $50 – $100 an hour giving your opinions on a wide variety of topics and products. Some focus groups take place in real life, but there are plenty of options you can do online, from the comfort of your couch.
Online Surveys
SwagBucks, InboxDollars, and Ipsos i-Say are just a few of the online websites that exchange your opinions, views, and shopping habits for cash. Find whichever one works best for you, sign up, and you can be getting a PayPal payout or gift card as fast as you can take surveys.
Mystery Shopping
Buy things, earn money. Sounds too good to be true? That’s exactly what mystery shoppers do—they go to stores, buy something, and report back to a market research company or the corporation of the company itself on the experience. Mystery shopping can be a time commitment but if you don’t mind giving up a Saturday, it can pay dividends.
Nannying
Nannies have flexible hours and the ability to set their own schedules, making this job perfect for college students who love children. Students can work as much or as little as they want, and pay varies by location and client. In a bigger city—or working for your parent’s friends—nannying can bring in a tidy side income. Best of all, you can squeeze in some studying while the kids nap!
Tutoring
You made it to college, so you’ve already got the right stuff for this job—you’re smart. Tutors can work independently, cultivating their own client base, or through an academic program or school. Self-employed tutors can set their own hours and rates, which is perfect for a busy college student, and if you’re employed through your school they’ll be able to work around your class schedule.
You don’t have to sacrifice your education to make money, or vice versa. Pursue these money-making opportunities and more while also earning an online degree for maximum flexibility. Start looking at programs today and explore your options.
