20 Perfect Home Based Business Ideas for a College Town

Being a mom is a full-time job, and adding the responsibility of earning extra cash can be a challenge. However, with the rise of home-based businesses, starting a small business right from home is easier than ever.

If you live in or near a college town, you’re in luck. College towns offer unique opportunities for moms to start businesses that cater to the student population. And most of these small business ideas have low startup costs or none at all.

In this blog, I’ve compiled 20 of the best business ideas for moms living in college towns. These services are in high demand and are a great option for moms wanting to start a home-based business. So why not get paid to help young people in your local community?  

Perfect College Town Home-Based Business Ideas

1) Academic Tutoring 

Offer educational tutoring services to college students in subjects you’re proficient in. You can offer your tutoring services in your home, online, or in a public place.

With a steady stream of students seeking assistance, you can leverage your expertise, set your own hours, make a meaningful impact, build valuable connections, enhance your skills, and earn a competitive income while enjoying the flexibility and satisfaction of helping students succeed.

2) Personal Chef Services 

If you have a knack for cooking, why not turn your culinary skills into a business? 

Food-related businesses are perfect for college towns because they cater to busy students who don’t have time to cook. As a personal chef, you can offer your services to individuals or catering services for events. 

Another good option is to offer healthy food for students who prefer to forgo typical fast food.

3) Event Planning

College towns always need someone on board to plan and coordinate events. You can offer your services to Universities, student organizations, or local businesses. This allows you to express your creativity while building valuable relationships with students and professors.

4) Grocery Delivery Service

College students often don’t have time to grocery shop, so why not offer a convenient service that helps them out? 

As a grocery delivery service operator, you can pick up groceries from your local grocery store and deliver them to students’ homes or dorms. This is a good idea if the college is in a small community where Intacart or Shipt doesn’t operate.

5) Transportation Service

University students in rural areas need help getting around town, and many don’t have cars or access to public transportation. 

With a car and the right equipment, you can provide transportation services for students who need rides to classes, activities, jobs, etc.

6) Dorm Room Cleaning

While college students might be able to keep their own room somewhat clean, deep cleaning and sanitizing are tasks that require professional help. Offering your services as a dorm room cleaner can be a great idea for moms in college towns.

7) Academic Proofreading and Editing 

College students often need help with writing papers, and you can make money by providing them with the support they need. 

Academic proofreading and editing are great ways to use your skills to generate an income while also helping students improve their academic performance.

8) Bike Rental

College students rely on bicycles for transportation. By setting up a bike rental business, you can make money by renting out bikes to college students on a daily or weekly basis. 

9) Sewing and Alteration 

College students are often on the lookout for expert seamstresses or tailors to help them with their wardrobes. 

With a sewing machine and some basic materials, you can offer services such as mending clothes, altering garments, creating custom designs, and more.

10) Resume Writing 

College students are constantly looking for ways to make themselves stand out from the competition, and having a well-crafted resume is key. 

If you have experience in writing resumes, you can offer your services to help college students craft a professional resume.

11) Computer Repair 

Technology is a big part of college life, and with it comes tech problems.

If you’re tech-savvy, why not use that knowledge to start your own computer repair business? You can offer repairs in person, or you can offer tech support remotely via video conferencing.

12) Photography Services

College students are always looking to capture special moments and memories. Whether it’s a birthday party, reunion, or graduation ceremony, offer your photography services to capture the event. 

You can also target parents who want their college student’s achievements captured for posterity.

13) Laundry Service

Many college students don’t have access to washers and dryers, so a laundry service is an ideal business for a college town. 

You can pick up their dirty laundry, do it at your home, and deliver the clean laundry back to them.

14) Bicycle Repair

Keep busy college students rolling with a mobile bicycle repair shop. With the popularity of bikes as a convenient and eco-friendly mode of transportation, you can provide much-needed services in your local college town. 

15) Personal Stylist

Take your fashion sense to the next level and become a personal stylist. 

Whether you’re helping students pick out outfits for special occasions or creating unique looks for everyday wear, this is an excellent way to make some extra cash in college towns where fashion trends come and go quickly.

16) Car Rental Service

If you have a reliable car, you can turn it into a source of income by offering rental services to college students. You can offer your services either through an online platform or directly. 

17) Cell Phone Repair

As technology becomes increasingly important in our lives, so does the need for cell phone repair services. 

With college students relying heavily on their mobile devices, offering affordable and reliable repair services is a great way to earn a steady income.

18) Personal Fitness Training

With the right certification, you can offer personal one-on-one fitness training to college students. You can hold classes in your home or in a gym near campus, and you’ll be able to set your own rates for services.

19) House Cleaning

Not all students live in dorms. Some live off campus, and their busy schedules can make it hard for them to keep up with cleaning. 

Offer your house-cleaning services in your college town, and you’ll find no shortage of clients who need help keeping their homes clean. 

20) Errand Runner

College students often need some extra help in getting their errands done. Whether it’s grocery shopping, pet walking, or laundry services, there are plenty of errand-running opportunities available to moms in college towns. You can set your own rates and hours that work best for you.

Final Thoughts

There are many opportunities for moms to make extra money from home while living in a college town. Whether it’s offering tutoring services or cleaning dorm rooms, college towns offer a unique advantage for starting businesses that cater to the student population. 

You can turn your passions into a lucrative business with the right resources, hard work, and dedication.