If you enjoy teaching and want to make money online by helping students, there’s a website called Varsity Tutors that might sound like a perfect opportunity. It claims you can earn extra cash by transforming how people learn.
But before you jump in, it’s important to know exactly how it works and whether it’s worth your time compared to other online tutoring sites.
In this Varsity Tutors review, I will give you a closer look at what it offers, so you will know exactly what to expect from it.
Then, you can decide if it is for you or not. So, let’s dive in.
What is Varsity Tutors, and what does it offer?
Varsity Tutors is an online learning platform that connects students with qualified tutors in a wide range of subjects. And yes, it is legit, since you can really earn money from the opportunities it offers.
However, there are things you should know about how you actually get paid and how much control you have over your work, so you can find out if it is for you or not. The best way to do so is to take a closer look at the earning opportunity it offers.
So, here’s how to earn from Varsity Tutor.
The earning opportunity – Tutoring Sessions
Once you get accepted as a Varsity Tutors tutor, you earn by conducting tutoring sessions with students who book through the platform. You’ll start receiving tutoring opportunities that match your expertise and schedule.
For every session you complete with a student, you will earn a certain amount based on your base rate.
Most tutors report earning between $15 and $25 per hour when starting. Your rate depends on factors like the subject you teach, your experience, and the demand for that subject.
Now, what makes Varsity Tutors stand out is its Incremental Pay Bonus system. This allows your hourly rate to increase the more you work with the same student. For example, after your first session with a new student, you’ll earn your base rate.
Each time you continue tutoring that same student, your rate increases by $1 per hour, up to a maximum of $40 per hour. There are a few requirements to get this increase, but it’s a nice way to reward consistency and long-term teaching relationships.
All the tutoring sessions take place on Varsity Tutors’ Live Learning Platform, which includes tools like a virtual whiteboard, video chat, and file sharing. So, you won’t need to use any third-party software, which is quite convenient.
Each tutoring session typically lasts about one hour, but the exact duration can vary depending on the student’s needs and the subject being taught. Standard sessions are scheduled for 60 minutes, which is the most common format on the platform.
Shorter sessions (around 30 minutes) can sometimes be arranged for quick help or younger students who prefer shorter lessons. Longer sessions (up to 90 minutes or more) are also possible, especially for subjects that require in-depth review or for test preparation.
As for the type of students you have to teach, there’s a wide variety to choose from. During the application process, you can choose which type of students you want to cater to.
As shown in the photo above, you don’t necessarily have to teach young students. You can also teach adults, so the coverage is very wide.
As for the subjects you can teach, the website says tutoring is available across all core subjects (math, science, language arts, reading, writing, and social studies) and standardized tests. Professional and specialty subjects are also available, and they are usually for adult clients.
But what’s great about this opportunity is that you can work on your preferred schedule. You can indicate your availability, and you are not required to teach a minimum number of hours to keep working as a tutor. So, it’s a very flexible option, in my opinion.
That being said, there’s one thing you must keep in mind: Varsity Tutors’ algorithm tends to favor active tutors. If you consistently accept sessions, maintain good ratings, and show reliability, you’ll likely get matched with more students over time.
So, if you want to maximize your earnings, you must show them that you are willing to constantly accept tutoring sessions.
Recommended: Check Out the Best Online Tutoring Sites to Earn From
How do you get paid?
Varsity Tutors pays its tutors through direct deposit, which means your earnings go straight to your bank account. Payments are made on a regular schedule, so you don’t have to wait long to receive what you’ve earned.
Once you complete a session, you’ll need to submit an invoice through your tutor dashboard. This confirms that the session took place and logs your work hours. Payments are usually processed twice a week.
Sessions you invoice between Monday and Wednesday are paid on Friday, while those invoiced from Thursday to Sunday are paid the following Tuesday. There’s no minimum payout threshold, so you can get paid even for just a few hours of tutoring.
Overall, I would say it offers a simple and reliable payment process. I like the fact that it uses a convenient payment method like direct bank transfer.
If you are interested in more sites that use a convenient payout method, I recommend you also check out the top sites that pay via direct bank transfer.
How much money can you make?
How much you can earn on Varsity Tutors really depends on your subject expertise, experience, and how many hours you put in. There isn’t a fixed rate for all tutors, and the platform doesn’t guarantee a set income.
However, most tutors report earning between $15 and $25 per hour, while those who teach specialized subjects or test prep classes can make up to $40 per hour.
The earning potential of the site depends on how active you are. If you consistently accept sessions and receive good student ratings, you will tend to get more opportunities. On the other hand, if you log in rarely or decline too many sessions, your visibility in the system may drop, which means you’ll receive fewer offers.
Overall, I would say Varsity Tutors offers decent pay for an online tutoring platform, especially if you’re qualified in a high-demand subject. But like most freelance or gig-based opportunities, your income won’t be steady unless you put in regular hours and maintain positive reviews.
Now, just in case you are wondering how the platform earns, Varsity Tutors won’t subtract money from your earnings. Instead, the rate they offer you already includes their margin, which means you earn less than what the platform charges students.
Can you use it on mobile?
Due to the nature of the work that you need to do, the answer to the question is NO. You’ll need to sit in front of a computer when conducting tutoring sessions.
As explained earlier, you’ll have to use the platform’s proprietary software called Live Learning Platform, which is a browser-based teaching platform that includes a video chat, a shared whiteboard, and screen sharing features, so both the tutor and student can work together in real time.
This platform works well with Google Chrome browsers (but not the mobile version).
Who can join Varsity Tutors?
Varsity Tutors is only available to people who live in the US and Canada, so if you live somewhere else, then this is not for you. If you live in the US, Varsity Tutors is not offering tutoring contracts to applicants who live in the following states:
- Alaska
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- North Dakota
- Vermont
- West Virginia
- Puerto Rico
As for how you can join, you’ll have to go through its application process, which is a relatively long process. First, you have to fill out the application form, which asks about your experience, skills, and educational background.
The weird thing is that it won’t ask you to submit proof right away, but the website does say that you’ll have to provide proof. After submitting your application, you’ll need to pass subject assessments.
These tests check your knowledge and are sometimes strict. If you fail, you may be blocked from that subject until you retake the test or provide stronger proof of experience.
After this phase, you’ll usually do a short video interview. Sometimes it’s a self-recorded set of questions you answer on camera. Other times, recruiters may choose to do a live or phone interview. It all depends on Varsity Tutors.
Then, the platform may ask for documents like a photo ID, a degree certificate, a resume, and sometimes transcripts or references. If you’ll tutor K–12 students or be part of school contracts, a criminal background check is typically required, which costs money, based on my experience.
As you can see, it’s quite a long process. Typical timelines reported by tutors range from a few days to a few weeks. Many people finish everything in about 1 to 3 weeks. So, if you are looking for something you can immediately earn from, this is not for you.
Can you get support?
Varsity Tutors has a Help Center page you can check out. It discusses all of the important topics you need to know about the platform. If you’re in the Live Learning Platform and encounter technical issues (audio, video, connection, whiteboard, etc.), you can click the “Get Help” button.
This lets you request support within that session. A virtual assistant usually offers suggestions, and if those don’t work, you can escalate to a live tech agent. If you need help beyond tech issues or FAQs, you can contact support via email, or you can call their hotline numbers.
Overall, I would say it does provide good support to its members since it offers several convenient ways for you to ask for assistance.
Final Verdict
Varsity Tutors is a legit online tutoring platform that lets you earn by conducting tutoring sessions. It has a couple of great features, but it also has certain limitations you must consider.
To help you decide if it is worth it, here’s a summary of its pros and cons, so you can see a clear overview of what it offers.
Pros:
- Pays a decent amount per session
- Processes payouts automatically
- Offers a convenient payout method
Cons:
- Long application process
- Doesn’t guarantee a set income
In my opinion, Varsity Tutors is a decent online tutoring platform to earn from. It offers a convenient payment method, and it processes payments automatically. However, they are very particular about who they accept as tutors, so you must be able to demonstrate that you are an expert in your chosen field.
You also need to be patient because the application process is quite long, so if you are looking for a way to earn extra cash immediately, then this is not the best option, in my opinion. If you are looking for a side hustle and you don’t mind the long application process, then you can go for this opportunity.
But if you don’t want to rely on a third-party website to earn extra cash or even a full-time income, one great option is to build an online business. To learn how, you can check out this guide on how to build your own online business.
It will teach you how to set up your online business from the ground up.
If you have any comments, questions, or experience with Varsity Tutor, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.