Rentah – How College Students Can Turn Skills Into Cash

The Side Hustle You Didn’t Know You Already Had. Rentah.

Let’s be real: college is expensive. Like, really expensive. Between tuition averaging $38,270 annually, rent that keeps climbing, and the everyday costs of just existing, nearly 70% of recent graduates are picking up side hustles just to make ends meet. And here’s the kicker—only 27% of recent grads have a full-time job in their field, while 23% haven’t found any job at all. Is Rentah a good solution for it?

So what do you do? You could drive for Uber (after fighting 31,000 other people searching for rideshare gigs each month). You could deliver food for $18/hour. Or… you could monetize the skills and stuff you already have through Rentah.

No, seriously. That camera you bought for your photography class? The tutoring skills you’ve been using to help your roommate pass calc? The graphic design talent you flex on Instagram? Those are income streams waiting to happen.

Let me show you how.

Why Rentah Is Perfect for College Students

First, the facts: 43% of college students globally are making 25-50% of their monthly income through side hustles. The most popular? Freelance work (30%) and selling goods online (40%). But here’s what most students don’t realize—you don’t need to build a whole freelance business or start an Etsy shop. You just need to list what you already have and what you already know how to do on Rentah.

Here’s why it works:

✅ Zero startup costs – You’re not buying inventory or equipment
✅ Flexible scheduling – Work around classes, not the other way around
✅ Build your portfolio – Every gig is resume material
✅ Local connections – Meet people in your community (networking = future jobs)
✅ Skills development – Get paid while learning business basics

And here’s the best part: 85% of people with side hustles report being happier with their jobs. When you’re earning money doing things you’re actually good at, work doesn’t feel like work.

What College Students Are Listing on Rentah

Let’s get specific. Here’s what your peers are already making money from:

Your Talent (Not Just Your Stuff!)

Photography Services – Average pay: $20/hour Got a DSLR? Even phone photography skills? List yourself for:

Headshots for LinkedIn ($50-100 per session)
Event photography for student organizations ($100-200)
Product photography for small businesses ($75-150)
Social media content creation ($40-80/hour)

Tutoring – Average pay: $35-75/hour Strong in any subject? You’re sitting on gold:

Math and science (always in demand)
Language tutoring (especially if you’re bilingual)
Test prep (SAT, ACT, GRE)
Even video game coaching (yes, really)

Graphic Design & Creative Work – Average pay: $25-50/hour Good with Canva? Know Photoshop? Adobe Illustrator?

Social media graphics for local businesses
Event flyers for campus organizations
Logo design for startups
Resume design services

Music Lessons – Average pay: $40-60/hour Play an instrument? Teach it:

Guitar, piano, violin lessons
Music theory tutoring
Recording/mixing services if you’re into production

Fitness & Wellness – Average pay: $30-70/hour Into fitness? Turn it into income:

Personal training sessions
Group workout classes
Yoga instruction
Nutrition coaching (if certified)

Your Stuff (Gathering Dust in Your Dorm)

Tech & Equipment

Camera gear ($50-150/weekend)
Laptops or tablets for short-term ($30-60/day)
Microphones and audio equipment ($25-40/day)
Gaming consoles ($20-35/day)
Portable projectors ($40-60/weekend)

Sports & Recreation

Bikes ($15-30/day)
Camping gear ($50-100/weekend)
Kayaks or paddleboards ($40-75/day)
Ski/snowboard equipment ($60-100/weekend)
Roller skates, skateboards ($15-25/day)

Event Supplies

Folding tables and chairs ($5-10 per item/event)
Speakers and sound systems ($40-80/event)
Party decorations ($20-40/event)
Coolers and serving ware ($15-30/event)

Tools & Equipment Even basic tools rent well to other students:

Power drills ($15-25/day)
Bike repair tools ($10-20/day)
Sewing machines ($20-40/week)

How to Actually Make Money (Step-by-Step)

Okay, you’re convinced. Now what?

Step 1: Take Inventory (10 Minutes)

Open your Notes app. List:

Skills you have (things people literally ask you for help with)
Stuff you own (anything you use less than weekly)
Services you could offer (things you’re decent at that others struggle with)

Be honest. If you helped three friends with their resume design this semester, that’s a service. If your bike sits locked up 5 days a week, that’s rental inventory.

Step 2: Research Going Rates (10 Minutes)

Quick Google: “average rate for [your skill/item] in [your city]”

Start competitive (slightly below average to build reviews)
Increase rates as you get experience and good ratings
Don’t undersell yourself—your time has value

Pro tip: College students are willing to pay other college students. Don’t charge like you’re an established business. Charge like you’re a skilled peer.

Step 3: Create Killer Listings (30 Minutes)

For Services:

Clear title: “Math Tutoring for Calc I & II” not “I Can Help With Math”
Specific skills: List exactly what you can do
Your availability: “Available evenings M-Th, weekends flexible”
Your experience: Even unofficial experience counts (“Helped 10+ students pass Calc”)
Portfolio: Include examples (photos of your work, sample designs, testimonials)

For Items:

Quality photos: Natural light, clean background, show item from multiple angles
Honest condition: “Lightly used, small scratch on side” > surprises
What’s included: “Camera body + lens + SD card + carrying case”
Usage tips: Shows you care and prevents damage

Step 4: Set Your Rates Smart

Here’s the formula:

What would YOU pay for this service/item?
What does it cost to buy/hire traditionally?
Split the difference

Example: Professional tutoring = $75/hour. You charge $45/hour. Students save money, you earn well.

Step 5: Build Your Rep

Your first 5 transactions are everything:

Show up on time (or 5 minutes early)
Over-deliver slightly (throw in an extra 10 minutes, include bonus tips)
Follow up: “How’d the exam go?” or “Did the camera work well?”
Ask for reviews (politely, after successful transactions)

Five-star reviews = higher rates + more bookings.

Real College Students Making Real Money

Jake, Sophomore at NYU “I list my camera gear on weekends when I’m not shooting. Made $400 last month just from equipment sitting in my closet. That’s groceries for the whole month.”

Maya, Junior at UT Austin “Started offering resume design for $40. Now I’m booked 2 weeks out at $75, and I’ve got 15+ reviews. I made $1,200 last month working maybe 15 hours total.”

Alex, Senior at University of Washington “I’m good at stats but didn’t want to commit to a tutoring center’s schedule. Listed stats tutoring on Rentah at $50/hour. I average 8 hours a week—that’s $1,600/month on MY schedule.”

These aren’t unicorns. They’re students who listed their skills and stuck with it.

The Portfolio-Building Secret

Here’s what nobody tells you: Every Rentah gig is portfolio material for your real career.

Marketing major? Running your own Rentah listings teaches you:

Pricing strategy
Customer service
Self-promotion
Digital marketing

Business major? You’re literally running a micro-business:

Revenue tracking
Client management
Operations
Profit margins

Any major? You’re building:

Communication skills
Reliability (tracked through reviews)
Time management
Real-world work experience

When you interview for jobs, you’re not just saying “I worked at Starbucks.” You’re saying “I ran my own tutoring service, maintained a 5-star rating with 20+ clients, and managed $1,500 in monthly revenue while maintaining a 3.5 GPA.”

That gets you hired.

Common Student Concerns (Answered)

“I don’t have time.” You have time—you’re just spending it scrolling. Even 5 hours a week = $200-400/month. That’s rent money.

“I’m not an expert at anything.” You don’t need to be. You just need to know more than the person paying you. If you passed Organic Chemistry, you can tutor it.

“What if nobody books me?” Then you adjust your rates, improve your listing, or try a different service. The only failure is not trying. Plus—43% of students are already side hustling. The demand is there.

“Is this actually worth it vs. a regular part-time job?” Math time: Campus job = $15/hour, fixed schedule, no flexibility. Rentah services = $30-75/hour, you choose when, builds your resume. Even at $30/hour for 5 hours = $150 vs. $75 at campus job.

“What about taxes?” Keep track of what you earn. If you make over $600 in a year, you’ll get a 1099 form. File it with your taxes. It’s not complicated, and tons of free tax software handles it. (Plus, you can write off expenses!)

Your First Week Game Plan

Monday (30 minutes):

Sign up for Rentah
Create your profile (professional photo, bio highlighting your skills)
List 2-3 services OR 3-5 items you own

Tuesday-Wednesday (1 hour total):

Share your Rentah profile on social media
Join local student Facebook groups and mention you’re offering [service]
Tell 5 friends you’re available for [service/rental]

Thursday-Sunday:

Respond to any inquiries within 2 hours
Complete your first transaction
Ask for review
Adjust pricing/listings based on feedback

Week 2:

Add more listings based on what got interest
Respond to reviews
Book 2-3 more transactions
Start building momentum

Bottom Line: Just Start

Look, you’re already stressed about money. You’re already juggling a million things. But here’s the reality: 64% of recent graduates say they don’t earn enough to cover bills and discretionary spending. And the average side hustler earns $891/month—for college students, even half that ($450) is life-changing money.

You’ve got skills. You’ve got stuff. You’ve got time between classes. Why not monetize it?

The worst that happens? You make a few hundred bucks and decide it’s not for you.

The best that happens? You graduate with less debt, a stronger resume, real business experience, and a network of people who trust your work. Oh, and money in your pocket.

Stop thinking about it. Start listing.

Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.

Sources

Neighbor Blog: “Study: Nearly 70% of Recent College Graduates Do Gig Work” (2024)
DollarSprout: “Side Hustle Statistics 2024: 70% of Americans Cashing In” (2025)
Whop: “100+ side hustle statistics for 2025” (2024)
Klein & Wilson: “Low-Investment Side Hustles for College Students on a Budget” (2025)
Prospects: “Side hustles for students: flexible options to boost your income” (2025)
CivicScience: “More Americans Are Taking On Side Hustles In 2024” (2024)
Yahoo Finance: “15 Most Popular Side Hustle Searches in 2024: How Much Do They Pay?” (2024)