22 Business Ideas College Students Can Start Today
22 Business Ideas College Students Can Start Today
Introduction
Introduction
Starting a business in college can be one of the smartest moves you make. It’s a chance to make some money, get hands-on experience, and maybe even create something profitable for the long run. Plus, there are loads of business ideas with low startup costs that work around your busy schedule. Here, we’ve rounded up 22 business ideas for college students that are simple to start, require little upfront money, and fit easily into part-time hours. Whether you want to launch a service, sell products, or go fully digital, there’s an idea here for you.
Starting a business in college can be one of the smartest moves you make. It’s a chance to make some money, get hands-on experience, and maybe even create something profitable for the long run. Plus, there are loads of business ideas with low startup costs that work around your busy schedule. Here, we’ve rounded up 22 business ideas for college students that are simple to start, require little upfront money, and fit easily into part-time hours. Whether you want to launch a service, sell products, or go fully digital, there’s an idea here for you.
Contents
Contents
Service-Based Business Ideas
Service-Based Business Ideas
1. Tutoring Business
If you're strong in a subject, start tutoring. You could tutor other college students or even high schoolers. It’s easy to get started—just spread the word among classmates or advertise online.
Startup Costs: Minimal; a laptop or tablet can help for online sessions.
Marketing: Use social media and campus bulletin boards.
How to Get Clients: Ask professors if you can share your services, or offer help in student groups.
2. Delivery Service
Create a campus delivery service for food, essentials, or other items. This type of business works well if you have a bike or car.
Startup Costs: Low; basic transportation.
How to Market: Post in student groups, local online marketplaces, and social media.
Potential Income: Charge a fee per delivery or work with local businesses.
3. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
If you love animals, offer pet sitting or dog walking services. College towns usually have pet owners looking for trustworthy sitters.
Startup Costs: Low; mostly time and any pet-friendly supplies.
Where to Advertise: Social media platforms, pet forums, or local veterinaries.
Client Attraction Tip: Ask friends and family for referrals.
4. Cleaning Services
Students, especially those in shared housing, need cleaning help. Offer a cleaning service for dorm rooms or apartments.
Startup Costs: Minimal; cleaning supplies.
How to Advertise: Campus boards, social media, and local classifieds.
Client Tip: Bundle cleaning packages, like bi-weekly or monthly services.
5. Social Media Management
If you’re a social media whiz, consider managing social media for small businesses. Many local businesses are eager to reach more people but need help with content.
Startup Costs: Low; a smartphone and social media skills.
Where to Advertise: Facebook, LinkedIn, or freelance sites, pitch your services to local businesses.
How to Get Started: Build a portfolio by managing a friend’s or small business’s account.
(How to start a social media management business)
6. Graphic Design
Students with design skills can offer services like logo creation, social media graphics, and more.
Startup Costs: Design software (like Canva, Photoshop, or photopea).
Marketing Tip: Use free online portfolios like fueler to showcase your work.
How to Get Clients: Post your work on Social media platforms or create samples of logos for local businesses.
7. Web Design and Development
Web design is in high demand. If you know the basics of building a site, you can create a business helping local businesses and fellow students establish an online presence.
Startup Costs: Web hosting for a personal portfolio site costs about $20/month.
Marketing: Social media, freelance platforms, or campus boards.
Client Tip: Show sample sites or a mock website to demonstrate your skills.
1. Tutoring Business
If you're strong in a subject, start tutoring. You could tutor other college students or even high schoolers. It’s easy to get started—just spread the word among classmates or advertise online.
Startup Costs: Minimal; a laptop or tablet can help for online sessions.
Marketing: Use social media and campus bulletin boards.
How to Get Clients: Ask professors if you can share your services, or offer help in student groups.
2. Delivery Service
Create a campus delivery service for food, essentials, or other items. This type of business works well if you have a bike or car.
Startup Costs: Low; basic transportation.
How to Market: Post in student groups, local online marketplaces, and social media.
Potential Income: Charge a fee per delivery or work with local businesses.
3. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking
If you love animals, offer pet sitting or dog walking services. College towns usually have pet owners looking for trustworthy sitters.
Startup Costs: Low; mostly time and any pet-friendly supplies.
Where to Advertise: Social media platforms, pet forums, or local veterinaries.
Client Attraction Tip: Ask friends and family for referrals.
4. Cleaning Services
Students, especially those in shared housing, need cleaning help. Offer a cleaning service for dorm rooms or apartments.
Startup Costs: Minimal; cleaning supplies.
How to Advertise: Campus boards, social media, and local classifieds.
Client Tip: Bundle cleaning packages, like bi-weekly or monthly services.
5. Social Media Management
If you’re a social media whiz, consider managing social media for small businesses. Many local businesses are eager to reach more people but need help with content.
Startup Costs: Low; a smartphone and social media skills.
Where to Advertise: Facebook, LinkedIn, or freelance sites, pitch your services to local businesses.
How to Get Started: Build a portfolio by managing a friend’s or small business’s account.
(How to start a social media management business)
6. Graphic Design
Students with design skills can offer services like logo creation, social media graphics, and more.
Startup Costs: Design software (like Canva, Photoshop, or photopea).
Marketing Tip: Use free online portfolios like fueler to showcase your work.
How to Get Clients: Post your work on Social media platforms or create samples of logos for local businesses.
7. Web Design and Development
Web design is in high demand. If you know the basics of building a site, you can create a business helping local businesses and fellow students establish an online presence.
Startup Costs: Web hosting for a personal portfolio site costs about $20/month.
Marketing: Social media, freelance platforms, or campus boards.
Client Tip: Show sample sites or a mock website to demonstrate your skills.
Online and Digital-Based Business Ideas
Online and Digital-Based Business Ideas
8. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing means promoting products and earning a commission when someone buys through your link. It’s simple and low-cost to start.
Startup Costs: None, just social media or blog space.
How to Promote: Create accounts on social media or set up a simple blog.
How to Pick Products: Choose things you’d buy yourself or know your friends would like.
9. Selling Online Courses
If you’re good at explaining things, create a course around a topic you know well—anything from photography to budgeting.
Startup Costs: Low; some platforms charge small fees to list courses.
Marketing Tips: Share your course with classmates or promote it on social media.
Income Potential: Earn per sale or even a percentage through course platforms.
10. Print-on-Demand Products
Print-on-demand allows you to design T-shirts, mugs, or posters and sell them without holding stock.
Startup Costs: Low; platforms like Printful and Printify are free to join.
Marketing Ideas: Use social media, sell on marketplaces like etsy or amazon or promote your products on campus events.
Tip for Success: Pick designs that reflect college humor.
11. Blogging or Vlogging
If you enjoy writing or creating videos, start a blog or YouTube channel about topics that interest you.
Startup Costs: Minimal; basic camera and editing software.
Ways to Make Money: Through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.
Topics: College life, tech reviews, or even study tips.
12. E-Commerce Store
An e-commerce store allows you to sell products online. These can be things you make or source, like jewelry, crafts, or campus gear.
Startup Costs: Initial stock purchase and an e-commerce platform like shopify.
How to Market: Social media or campus events.
Popular Products: College gear, trendy accessories, or handmade crafts.
13. Influencer Marketing or Content Creation
If you’re comfortable in front of the camera, consider content creation. Build an audience around topics you love, then collaborate with brands.
Startup Costs: Smartphone and a strong online presence.
Income Options: Sponsorships, brand partnerships, and affiliate sales.
Key to Success: Be genuine and focus on a niche you enjoy.
8. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing means promoting products and earning a commission when someone buys through your link. It’s simple and low-cost to start.
Startup Costs: None, just social media or blog space.
How to Promote: Create accounts on social media or set up a simple blog.
How to Pick Products: Choose things you’d buy yourself or know your friends would like.
9. Selling Online Courses
If you’re good at explaining things, create a course around a topic you know well—anything from photography to budgeting.
Startup Costs: Low; some platforms charge small fees to list courses.
Marketing Tips: Share your course with classmates or promote it on social media.
Income Potential: Earn per sale or even a percentage through course platforms.
10. Print-on-Demand Products
Print-on-demand allows you to design T-shirts, mugs, or posters and sell them without holding stock.
Startup Costs: Low; platforms like Printful and Printify are free to join.
Marketing Ideas: Use social media, sell on marketplaces like etsy or amazon or promote your products on campus events.
Tip for Success: Pick designs that reflect college humor.
11. Blogging or Vlogging
If you enjoy writing or creating videos, start a blog or YouTube channel about topics that interest you.
Startup Costs: Minimal; basic camera and editing software.
Ways to Make Money: Through ads, sponsorships, or affiliate links.
Topics: College life, tech reviews, or even study tips.
12. E-Commerce Store
An e-commerce store allows you to sell products online. These can be things you make or source, like jewelry, crafts, or campus gear.
Startup Costs: Initial stock purchase and an e-commerce platform like shopify.
How to Market: Social media or campus events.
Popular Products: College gear, trendy accessories, or handmade crafts.
13. Influencer Marketing or Content Creation
If you’re comfortable in front of the camera, consider content creation. Build an audience around topics you love, then collaborate with brands.
Startup Costs: Smartphone and a strong online presence.
Income Options: Sponsorships, brand partnerships, and affiliate sales.
Key to Success: Be genuine and focus on a niche you enjoy.
Specialized and Localized Business Ideas
Specialized and Localized Business Ideas
14. Resume Writing/Selling Resume Templates
If you’ve mastered the art of resume writing, offer this as a service to students applying for internships or jobs.
(An example of an etsy seller selling resume templates)
Startup Costs: None; sell your services on marketplaces like Etsy.
How to Advertise: Social media, campus boards, and student groups.
15. Event Planning Services
Students often need help planning events like club meetups or small gatherings. If you’re organized, consider event planning.
Startup Costs: Basic supplies like notebooks and planning tools.
How to Market: Word-of-mouth or posts in campus groups.
Income Source: Charge a fee based on the type of event.
16. Fitness Training
If fitness is your thing, offer training sessions to fellow students or even locals.
Startup Costs: Minimal; fitness knowledge.
How to Advertise: Social media, campus groups.
17. Digital Marketing Consulting
If you understand SEO or social media marketing, help businesses create digital marketing plans.
Startup Costs: None; digital knowledge.
Where to Find Clients: Social media, local listings, and LinkedIn.
Value Tip: Share some free advice to show your expertise.
14. Resume Writing/Selling Resume Templates
If you’ve mastered the art of resume writing, offer this as a service to students applying for internships or jobs.
(An example of an etsy seller selling resume templates)
Startup Costs: None; sell your services on marketplaces like Etsy.
How to Advertise: Social media, campus boards, and student groups.
15. Event Planning Services
Students often need help planning events like club meetups or small gatherings. If you’re organized, consider event planning.
Startup Costs: Basic supplies like notebooks and planning tools.
How to Market: Word-of-mouth or posts in campus groups.
Income Source: Charge a fee based on the type of event.
16. Fitness Training
If fitness is your thing, offer training sessions to fellow students or even locals.
Startup Costs: Minimal; fitness knowledge.
How to Advertise: Social media, campus groups.
17. Digital Marketing Consulting
If you understand SEO or social media marketing, help businesses create digital marketing plans.
Startup Costs: None; digital knowledge.
Where to Find Clients: Social media, local listings, and LinkedIn.
Value Tip: Share some free advice to show your expertise.
Other Profitable Startup Ideas for College Students
Other Profitable Startup Ideas for College Students
18. Dropshipping
Dropshipping lets you sell products without holding any inventory. You list items online, and the supplier handles the rest.
Startup Costs: Setting up an online store.
Marketing: Social media ads or influencer partnerships.
How It Works: Choose a niche with popular items and promote them.
19. Virtual Assistant
Many small business owners need help with tasks like scheduling and email. A virtual assistant business is easy to start if you’re organized.
Startup Costs: None; organizational skills.
How to Market: Freelance sites, LinkedIn, or local businesses.
What to Offer: Scheduling, email handling, data entry.
20. Freelance Writing
If you’re good at writing, you can write for blogs, websites, or even product descriptions.
Startup Costs: None; writing skills.
Marketing Tip: Freelance platforms, writing samples on a blog.
Popular Niches: Tech, lifestyle, travel, or business.
21. App Development
If you know coding, consider app development. Apps for student needs have a high potential.
Startup Costs: Development software and time.
How to Market: Campus groups, social media.
Extra Tip: Create a simple, useful app and offer it for free at first to gain users.
22. Photography Business
If you have a camera, start a photography service. Take photos for students, events, or even local businesses.
Startup Costs: Camera and editing software.
How to Get Clients: Social media, word-of-mouth, or campus events.
What to Offer: Portraits, event photos, or product shots.
18. Dropshipping
Dropshipping lets you sell products without holding any inventory. You list items online, and the supplier handles the rest.
Startup Costs: Setting up an online store.
Marketing: Social media ads or influencer partnerships.
How It Works: Choose a niche with popular items and promote them.
19. Virtual Assistant
Many small business owners need help with tasks like scheduling and email. A virtual assistant business is easy to start if you’re organized.
Startup Costs: None; organizational skills.
How to Market: Freelance sites, LinkedIn, or local businesses.
What to Offer: Scheduling, email handling, data entry.
20. Freelance Writing
If you’re good at writing, you can write for blogs, websites, or even product descriptions.
Startup Costs: None; writing skills.
Marketing Tip: Freelance platforms, writing samples on a blog.
Popular Niches: Tech, lifestyle, travel, or business.
21. App Development
If you know coding, consider app development. Apps for student needs have a high potential.
Startup Costs: Development software and time.
How to Market: Campus groups, social media.
Extra Tip: Create a simple, useful app and offer it for free at first to gain users.
22. Photography Business
If you have a camera, start a photography service. Take photos for students, events, or even local businesses.
Startup Costs: Camera and editing software.
How to Get Clients: Social media, word-of-mouth, or campus events.
What to Offer: Portraits, event photos, or product shots.
2,678+ people enjoy it
➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
➤ Every week, we dig up stories of how regular people started and grew their businesses—
➤ Plus the marketing hacks that won them customers.
➤ Then, we share those insights with you.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Starting a business as a college student doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. These 22 ideas offer flexibility, low startup costs, and the potential to earn. Remember to pick something you enjoy, use digital tools to spread the word, and make sure your business fits your schedule. Whether you go full-time or part-time, every venture you start will teach you something valuable and might even become a long-term opportunity.
Starting a business as a college student doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. These 22 ideas offer flexibility, low startup costs, and the potential to earn. Remember to pick something you enjoy, use digital tools to spread the word, and make sure your business fits your schedule. Whether you go full-time or part-time, every venture you start will teach you something valuable and might even become a long-term opportunity.
Like this?
Like this?
Do me a favor and pass this on to a pal or share? It'll take just 20 seconds—this one took me hours to research and write 🫠
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share stories about founders who have started successful online businesses, growth strategies, and tips to start/grow your own business. I would love for you to join here
Do me a favor and pass this on to a pal or share? It'll take just 20 seconds—this one took me hours to research and write 🫠
P.S. I’ve got a weekly newsletter where I share stories about founders who have started successful online businesses, growth strategies, and tips to start/grow your own business. I would love for you to join here
