Credible takeaways
- On-campus jobs like resident adviser, research assistant, and library assistant offer flexible work hours on your college campus.
- Remote jobs like freelance writing or social media coordination allow you to work from anywhere, accommodating your class schedule.
- Service jobs like barista, restaurant server, or rideshare driver offer flexible hours and the potential to earn tips.
- Scholarships and grants don’t require repayment, so they should be your priority when looking for ways to pay for college.
Money can be tight when you’re a full-time college student. Family contributions, scholarships, grants, and student loans might cover your tuition, fees, and living expenses, but a part-time job can give you a little more wiggle room in your budget. In fact, about 40% of full-time undergraduates are employed while in school, according to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics.
Finding a job that accommodates your class schedule and academic commitments is crucial, so here are some of the best jobs for college students.
Current student loan rates
Best on-campus jobs
On-campus jobs offer flexible hours and are conveniently located, reducing your travel time and costs.
1. Resident adviser
Resident advisers (RAs) oversee the welfare of students in college dormitories. The role might include organizing events, mediating conflicts, and enforcing dorm policies. Being an RA can be demanding, but it offers free or reduced housing costs, which can ease the financial burden of your college education. RAs also get a chance to develop leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills, making this position ideal for students looking to strengthen their resumes.
2. Research assistant
As a research assistant, you assist professors and graduate students with academic research. Responsibilities might include collecting and analyzing data, assisting faculty with projects, and maintaining the lab, among other duties. The position not only pays, but it also immerses you in your field of study. So, it can be especially beneficial for students planning to go to grad school or pursue a career in academia. In most cases, you can contact professors on your campus to find a research assistant position and ask if they’re taking students.
3. Library assistant
Library assistants help with the operations of the university library, including shelving books, managing the circulation desk, and assisting other students. The role usually requires good organizational skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with the library’s collections. The job of a library assistant offers a quiet environment, so it’s ideal for students who appreciate a calm workspace. It also provides an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the library’s resources, which can benefit your own studies.
4. Teaching assistant
Teaching assistants (TAs) work under the supervision of faculty members to assist with undergraduate courses. In many cases, they are responsible for leading small group lessons, answering student emails, tracking attendance, grading assignments, and holding office hours. Teaching assistant roles are usually only available to students who have performed well in the course in the previous semester.
5. Tutor
If you excel academically, consider working as a tutor. Tutors help other students understand course material, prepare for exams, and improve their study habits. Tutoring is usually an extremely flexible job because you can set your own hours, making it easy to work around your class schedule. It also helps reinforce your own knowledge and develop patience and communication skills. Check out your university’s career services page to find on-campus tutoring jobs.
Related: Ways To Pay for College Without Student Loans
Best remote jobs
Remote jobs offer the flexibility to work from anywhere, which can be especially appealing to students with tight schedules or those living off campus.
6. Administrative assistant
As a remote administrative assistant, you’ll handle various administrative tasks for a business or executive, such as scheduling appointments, managing emails, and preparing documents. These jobs require strong organizational skills and attention to detail, but you can usually schedule the work around your classes. You can usually find these jobs advertised on online job boards like Indeed or ZipRecruiter.
7. Freelance writer
Freelance writing is a flexible option that involves writing articles, blog posts, and other content. This job is ideal for students who excel at research and writing, such as English majors. Freelance writers can choose assignments that fit their interests and deadlines that work with their class schedules. It’s a great opportunity for students who want to build up a portfolio of work and pursue a career in writing, editing, or content marketing post-graduation. To find freelance writing opportunities, check out online freelance writing job boards like FreelanceWritingGigs.com and ProBlogger.com.
8. Social media coordinator
As a social media coordinator, you’ll manage and grow social media accounts for businesses or individuals. This role involves creating content, scheduling posts, and engaging with followers. Social media coordination can be an excellent fit for students who are skilled in using social media and want to gain experience in marketing and communication. As an added plus, managing multiple accounts can help you build up your professional network and potentially secure a full-time job after graduating.
9. Transcriptionist
Working as a transcriptionist involves listening to audio recordings and converting them into written documents. This job requires excellent listening skills and a strong command of the language used in the recordings. Transcriptionist jobs usually allow you to work as much or as little as you want, making it easy to fit around your academic responsibilities.
10. Virtual assistant
A virtual assistant (VA) performs various tasks for business owners and executives, such as data entry, meeting scheduling, and travel arrangements — usually on a part-time or independent contractor basis. This role can be very dynamic, and you may work with a variety of clients on a wide range of tasks, which keeps the work interesting.
You may be able to improve your chances of finding a VA job by taking an online course, such as those offered by 90 Day VA and Fully Booked VA. Some online VA programs even help graduates find client leads after completing the training.
Best service jobs
Service jobs are a staple for many college students because they often come with flexible hours and the potential for tips that can significantly boost your income.
11. Barista
Working as a barista in a coffee shop often offers flexible scheduling, which is ideal for students. The job involves making coffee drinks, serving customers, and maintaining a clean work environment. Coffee shops can be fast-paced workplaces that develop your ability to work under pressure and improve your customer service skills. You might also earn tips that supplement your hourly wage.
Starbucks even offers tuition reimbursement and student loan management benefits to some employees, so if there’s a Starbucks location on or near campus, that might be a good place to start.
12. Dog walker or pet sitter
If you love animals, working as a dog walker or pet sitter on apps like Rover or Fetch can be both enjoyable and lucrative. These gigs offer a lot of flexibility, allowing you to work around your class schedule and study times. They also provide an opportunity for exercise and fresh air, making it an ideal job for busy college students.
13. Gym associate
Working as a gym associate involves tasks like greeting members, signing up new customers, and keeping the facility clean and organized. The position usually offers flexible hours and can accommodate early mornings and late evenings to fit around your classes. It’s also a bonus if you enjoy staying fit, as employees often receive free or discounted memberships. Many universities have a fitness center on campus, so this might be a good place to start your job search.
14. Rideshare or delivery driver
If you already own or lease a car, working as a rideshare or delivery driver through Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, or Grubhub is another flexible gig option. You can choose your hours and work as much or as little as your schedule allows. It’s a good way to earn money on nights or weekends, and you’ll earn tips in addition to your regular pay.
15. Restaurant server
Working as a restaurant server is a common job for college students. Servers often work flexible shifts, and the potential tips can supplement your hourly earnings. Plus, you might also get free food as an employee perk. The job requires quick thinking, patience, and excellent communication skills. You’ll need to manage multiple tables and ensure a pleasant dining experience for guests.
Related: Steps If Your Parents Won’t Help Pay for College
More ways to pay for college
While a part-time job is a practical way to help pay for college, there are other resources available to you. Explore these funding options to reduce financial stress while focusing on your studies.
Federal work-study
The federal work-study program provides part-time jobs for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. To qualify, you must register for the FAFSA, or the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The program encourages community service work and work related to your major. It’s a great option because it provides a regular paycheck and offers flexible job opportunities designed to accommodate your class schedule.
Scholarships and grants
Scholarships and grants are the most appealing forms of financial aid because they do not require repayment. These can be based on merit, financial need, your field of study, or community involvement. Universities, private organizations, and charities all offer scholarships and grants. Applying can require some effort, and you might need to spend time writing essays and collecting recommendation letters, but the potential to seriously reduce the cost of your college education makes it worthwhile.
Related: How To Get a Scholarship for College
Federal student loans
Federal student loans are available to most college students. These loans have relatively low interest rates and offer flexible repayment plans based on your income after graduation. Federal student loans also come with several benefits, such as deferment, forbearance, and sometimes even loan forgiveness options, making them a safer choice than private student loans. To get federal student loans, you need to fill out the FAFSA.
Private student loans
Banks, credit unions, and other online lenders offer private student loans, which can be a necessary financial supplement when federal loans and other forms of financial aid aren’t enough to cover all college costs. However, they often come with higher rates and less flexible repayment options, so it’s important to compare lenders and carefully read the terms before committing to a private student loan.
