14 Best Data Science Summer Programs for High School Students

Data science is at the core of how decisions are made in industries like healthcare, finance, sports, and technology. For high school students interested in this growing field, summer programs offer a practical way to explore core concepts like coding, statistics, machine learning, and data visualization, well beyond what’s typically taught in school.

These programs combine structured coursework with hands-on projects, mentorship, and peer collaboration, helping you gain real-world experience and build a strong foundation in data science. Whether you're analyzing datasets, building predictive models, or exploring the ethics of AI, you’ll walk away with skills that prepare you for both college and future careers.

To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of the 14 best data science summer programs for high school students! The list includes in-person and virtual options, making finding a program that fits your goals and schedule easier.

1. Wharton Data Science Academy

Hosted by Wharton’s Global Youth Program, the Wharton Data Science Academy provides high school students an introduction to machine learning and data science tools, with a focus on visualization, wrangling, and machine learning. Students engage with Wharton undergraduates and alumni, gaining insights into career opportunities in the field. 

A concluding capstone project allows you to utilize what you’ve acquired on an actual dataset. This program is well-suited for students who possess a solid foundation in mathematics and coding.

Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA

Dates: July 13 – August 2

Application Deadline: April 2

Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 10-11 with a strong background in math and coding, and interest in data analytics

Cost/Stipend: $9,799

2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. 

The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.

Location: Virtual

Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).

Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).

Eligibility: High school students with strong academic performance. On average, successful applicants have a GPA of 3.3 or higher.

Cost/Stipend: Starts at $2,990. Financial aid available

3. Carnegie Mellon University – Statistics & Data Science Camp

Carnegie Mellon's free week-long summer camp introduces high school students from Pittsburgh and nearby school districts to statistics and data science through lectures, practical activities, and a field trip to a local company using data science. The program can serve as a solid launchpad for understanding career opportunities and preparation in these fields. 

The pedagogy includes an introduction to what data is, how to leverage it through models and algorithms, and the applications and computations of data. On one of the days, you will be taken on a field trip to a firm using data science at a high level, like Duolingo.

Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited to students from Pittsburgh and surrounding districts

Dates: June 23 – 27

Application Deadline: March 28

Eligibility: High school students from Pittsburgh and nearby areas

Cost/Stipend: Free

4. Veritas AI – AI Scholars & AI Fellowship

Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence and its ancillary fields. This includes fields like machine learning and data science, and the easiest entry point is the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects.

Another, more advanced option if you already have some basic knowledge is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you’ll get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project! A bonus of this program is that you will also have access to the in-house publication team to help you try to secure publications in high school research journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.

Location: Virtual

Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.

Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).

Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.

Cost/Stipend: $2,290 for the 10-week AI Scholars program | $5,400 for the 15-week AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase | $6,900 for both. Need-based financial aid is available for AI Scholars.

5. DSI Summer Lab at the University of Chicago

The Data Science Institute's Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an 8-week paid research program for high school students in the Chicago area. In this internship, you’ll be paired 1-on-1 with a data science mentor currently working on an active project in fields like computer science, social science, energy policy, biomedical research, and more. Working as their research assistant, you will learn actual research methodologies used in data science labs and develop real skills and expertise in data science tools.

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Competitive; limited to Chicago-area students

Dates: June 16 – August 8

Application Deadline: January 12

Eligibility: High school students in the Chicago area

Cost/Stipend: Interns will be paid a $5,600 stipend

6. Harvard Pre-College Program – Introduction to Data Science

Harvard University runs two-week pre-college programs that offer a grounded introduction to various topics. One of their courses includes Introduction to Data Science and Visualization, a two-part stepping stone that enables your first foray into the field. The first week of the course focuses on Python, using data sets from the web and from the Python library Matplotlib. It concludes with a two-day guided mini-project that teaches you how to create a visualization using publicly available data. The second week is focused on developing more complex data visualizations using JavaScript, which includes web scraping, data cleaning, and culminates in an advanced data visualization project.

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Moderately selective with a 15-person class size

Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 3 | Session II: July 7 – July 18

Application Deadline: February 12

Eligibility: High school students aged 16 or older by program start

Cost/Stipend: $5,800 program fee

7. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute – Data Science and Machine Learning

BWSI is a prestigious STEM program offering several project-based tracks, including ones focused on machine learning and data science. Courses like Autonomous Cognitive Assistance and Remote Sensing integrate data science with AI, programming, and applied math. 

Students work in teams on complex, real-world challenges while gaining mentorship from MIT faculty. The curriculum is rigorous and designed for students with prior experience in coding and math. It’s a strong launching point for those considering STEM research or college-level study. Admission is competitive, and need-based financial aid is available.

Location: Virtual

Dates: July 7 – August 3

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with strong math and programming backgrounds

Cost/Stipend: Program fees are $2,350, but students from families making under $150,000 a year can attend for free.

8. UCSB Summer Research Academies

The Summer Research Academies at UC Santa Barbara offers a two-week intensive program where you can explore highly complex, real-world research topics alongside UCSB faculty and researchers. There are several research tracks available, and many of them integrate data science in broader fields, teaching you valuable practical applications. Examples include using data science to map organizational structures and networks, analyze hate speech online, and explore how social media affects the human brain. This presents a fantastic opportunity to understand how to apply data science to pressing and pertinent issues in today’s digital landscape.

Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; ~20 students per track

Dates: June 25 – July 25

Application Deadline: March 31

Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders

Cost/Stipend: $2,775 for the commuter option, $8,774 for the residential option

9. University of Illinois Springfield – AI and the Nobel Prize Camp

This three-day camp explores the intersection of AI, coding, and Nobel Prize-winning research. Students explore innovative scientific breakthroughs and create models associated with these discoveries. The program includes hands-on coding exercises focused on machine learning and AI applications. It’s short but engaging, offering both theory and practical exposure. This is a great low-cost option for students just starting with data science.

Location: University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL

Dates: July 8 – 10

Application Deadline: Open enrollment

Eligibility: High school students

Cost/Stipend: $99

10. Collaborative Interactive Data Science Academy – SACS Meharry

This free, residential program offers a unique blend of robotics and data science, focusing on NASA’s Perseverance rover data. Throughout the week, students investigate the role of data science in space exploration. 

Their projects utilize real datasets and encompass programming, AI, and engineering basics. With only 25 students accepted, the program ensures an intimate, hands-on experience. Applications are competitive, and the program is fully funded.

Location: Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; only 25 students are accepted

Dates: June 16 – 20

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 through 12

Cost/Stipend: None

11. Bentley University – Analytics Academy

Bentley’s Analytics Academy is a one-week program introducing students to business analytics through tools like Tableau and Excel. You’ll learn how to organize, analyze, and visualize data in ways professionals use in real business settings. 

The curriculum covers topics like data types, ethical analytics use, and decision-making through real case studies. Students engage in lectures, labs, and collaborative projects. With residential and commuter options, the program is designed to accommodate students with diverse needs.

Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA

Dates: Various session options from June 16 – July 18

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until June 1

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

Cost/Stipend: $2,250 for commuter, $3,180 for residential

12. UC Irvine – Data Science for All (DS4ALL)

Funded by the NSF, DS4ALL is a beginner-friendly, week-long course introducing core data science concepts. The curriculum covers Python programming, data wrangling, modeling, visualization, and machine learning basics. Students use the Texera platform to work with real data, culminating in a capstone project. 

It’s designed to be inclusive and supportive of students with limited prior experience in programming or statistics. Participants also gain exposure to ethics in data science and potential career paths. This is an excellent option for underrepresented or first-time learners.

Location: University of California, Irvine, CA

Dates: July 7 – 11

Application Deadline: April 25

Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)

Cost/Stipend: Free

13. Girls Who Code – Summer Programs

Girls Who Code offers two free summer programs: a two-week Summer Immersion Program and a six-week Pathways program. Both teach Python, web development, and data science principles, with an emphasis on solving real-world problems. 

The immersion program features live instruction and mentorship from industry leaders, while the Pathways track offers flexible learning. Students work on collaborative projects and receive guidance on careers in tech. The programs are geared toward building confidence in coding and increasing diversity in STEM. Grants and tech stipends are available for participants.

Location: Virtual

Dates:

• Summer Immersion Program (SIP): July 7 – 18 | July 28 – August 8

• Pathways Program: June 30 – August 8

Application Deadline: April 11

Eligibility: 

• Summer Immersion Program: Current U.S. high school students in grades 9–11 who identify as female or non-binary.

• Pathways Program: U.S. high school students in grades 9–12, including graduating seniors, who identify as female or non-binary.

Cost/Stipend: Free; tech access grants and stipends available

14. The Coding School – Introduction to Data Science & Machine Learning

Offered in partnership with Stanford’s Graduate School of Education and the Johns Hopkins School of Education, this semester-long virtual program gives high school students a strong foundation in Python programming and its use in data science. You'll learn how to clean and analyze data, create visualizations, understand linear regression, and use basic machine learning models. 

You will gain insights from guest sessions with AI experts from renowned colleges and companies, along with guidance sessions from admissions officers to prepare for a future career in this field.

Location: Virtual

Dates: September – December

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Eligibility: High school students

Cost/Stipend: $995; scholarships available

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