12 Best Summer Programs for High School Students Interested in Business
If you're a high school student interested in business or entrepreneurship, summer programs can give you a head start through hands-on learning and exposure to practical challenges. Many of these programs are hosted by leading universities and organizations, offering opportunities to explore topics such as marketing, finance, innovation, and leadership.
Some also incorporate STEM, AI, or tech, reflecting how modern business increasingly intersects with emerging industries. Whether in-person or virtual, these programs are designed to be collaborative and immersive, helping you build skills, explore career paths, and connect with like-minded peers.
To help you find a strong fit, we’ve curated the 12 best summer programs for high school students interested in business, selected for their academic depth, real-world relevance, and accessibility.
1. USC Marshall School of Business
USC’s Marshall School of Business offers an online certificate course for high school students looking to get a head start on business studies. This self-paced, flexible course offers 20-25 hours of recorded lectures, online discussions, readings, and assignments. It covers various business topics including accounting, finance, marketing, data analytics, and more.
Using the Business Model Canvas, students analyze real companies and apply their learning through investor-style evaluations. The program includes sessions with USC instructors and industry experts, providing both academic depth and real-world relevance. Students who have recently graduated from high school and are planning a gap year can also request eligibility to join the program.
Location: Online
Eligibility: High school students aged 14+
Cost: $1,990 + $35 application fee
Dates: Multiple 2–4 week self-paced cohorts from mid-April through mid-August (check the website for more details)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
2. Ladder Internships
Founded by Harvard entrepreneurs, Ladder Internships connects talented high school students with some of the world’s best start-ups. The program carefully selects top applicants, trains them, and connects them with companies led by experienced founders, many of whom have backgrounds at firms like Google, McKinsey, or Microsoft, or are alumni of Harvard Business School.
In the program, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Cost:
$2,490 - Startup Internship Program
$4,400 - CEO Internship Program
$7,400 - Combination Program: CEO Internship Program + Mentored Research Program
Financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
3. Dartmouth College - Finance: Investing & Market Insights
Dartmouth offers programs for high school students eager to explore the world of business and entrepreneurship. The current online course, "Finance: Investing & Market Insights," is completely self-paced and designed by top Dartmouth instructors.
Through engaging video lessons, assignments, and personalized mentor support, students delve into topics such as stock markets, company valuations, and innovative investment strategies. The course culminates in a final capstone project, allowing students to showcase their learning and earn a Dartmouth Certificate of Completion.
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: Students aged 13+
Cost: $1,795
Dates: Multi-length cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. Check the website for more details.
4. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth
The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) at the University of California, Berkeley's Haas School of Business offers the High School Entrepreneurship Program, a two-week residential experience. During this program, students collaborate to develop business plans, attend lectures by Haas faculty and industry professionals, and enhance their public speaking and presentation skills.
Participants stay in Berkeley dorms and engage in various classes, team projects, and site visits around the Bay Area. Limited need-based scholarships were available through Haas (students in the top 3% of the applicant pool academically could receive aid).
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th graders and gap year students.
Cost: $6,292 (California resident) | $7,332 (Out-of-state resident)
Dates:
Session I: July 5 – July 19
Session II: July 19 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
5. UCLA Precollege Summer Institutes
UCLA’s Precollege Summer Institutes are specialized 1–3 week programs for high school students. This year, they are offering four Summer Institute courses in Business & Entrepreneurship:
Economics Summer Institute: Focuses on foundational economic principles and market behaviors.
Introduction to Investments Summer Institute: Explores financial markets, investment strategies, and personal financial planning.
Python for Economics and Finance Summer Institute: Combines programming with economic analysis, teaching students to use Python for data exploration and visualization.
Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute: Guides students through the process of launching mission-driven ventures, from ideation to pitching.
Programs are available in online, commuter, and residential formats (residential options are limited to students aged 17 and above). Regardless of the format, UCLA’s Precollege programs are quite immersive, in-depth, and hands-on, encouraging students to apply their learning through real-world projects and teamwork.
Location: Virtual or in-person at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA (depending on program)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 who are at least 15 years old
Cost:
Economics Summer Institute: $3,015
Introduction to Investments Summer Institute: $2,985
Python for Economics and Finance Summer Institute: $2,611
Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute: $3,921
Dates:
Economics Summer Institute: July 14 – August 1
Introduction to Investments Summer Institute: June 23 – July 11
Python for Economics and Finance Summer Institute: July 14 – August 1
Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute:
June 23 – July 4 (Virtual)
July 6 – July 19 (Residential)
July 20 – August 2 (Residential)
August 4 – August 15 (Virtual)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on program
6. Wharton Global Youth Program
The Wharton Global Youth Program provides a diverse selection of online and on-campus courses in business, finance, technology, and management, offering high school students early access to college-level education. These programs typically span several weeks, during which students participate in interactive business simulations, collaborate on group projects, and attend lectures led by distinguished Wharton faculty and alumni.
For students attending Wharton’s on-campus programs, dormitory accommodation and meals are included, so students get to experience college life firsthand. Classes take place from Monday to Friday, and evenings are filled with extracurricular activities, group project work, TA sessions, and off-campus visits.
Location: Virtual or on-campus at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Eligibility: High school students; requirements may vary depending on program
Cost: $329 - $11,399 depending on program; check the website for details
Dates: Varies depending on program
Application Deadline: Varies depending on program
7. Cornell SCE - Precollege Studies
Cornell University’s Precollege Studies give high school students the chance to experience Ivy League academics and earn college credit. One of the standout online courses for business-minded students is Introduction to Business Management. This three-week course introduces students to core business principles and explores the impact of technology, globalization, and ethics on operations.
Cornell also offers a wide range of other online pre-college courses in subjects like macroeconomics, accounting, marketing, and global business strategy. You can explore the full list of offerings on their website.
Location: Virtual or Residential/Commuter at Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students must be 16+ to live on campus (younger students aged 15 could join as commuters or online)
Cost: $1,840 per credit (Most courses are 3 credits, bringing the total to around $5,520. Check the website for specific details)
Dates & Application Deadlines:
Three-week session 1
Dates: June 2 – 20
Application Deadline: May 5
Three-week session 2
Dates: June 23 – July 11
Application Deadline: May 19
Three-week session 3
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 16
Six-week session
Dates: June 23 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 19
8. Georgetown University - Precollege Online Business Program
Georgetown University offers year-round, flexible online courses in entrepreneurship, investing, international relations, and marketing. The primary course is “Fundamentals of Business: Accounting, Marketing, and Operations” as part of their online enrichment offerings. Students can choose between college credit and enrichment courses.
While both options include video lessons by Georgetown faculty, the college credit courses contain additional hours of coursework, offering a deeper dive into subjects and the opportunity to earn official credits and a transcript.
Location: Online
Eligibility: High school students aged 13+
Cost:
Enrichment course fees: $1,795
College Credit course fees: $3,995
Dates: Self-paced; rolling start dates
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
9. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy (University of Michigan)
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a comprehensive two-week pre-college program designed for high school seniors who want to explore business studies in depth. Through this program, students learn how companies function, address challenges, and grasp key business concepts while collaborating with a group of enthusiastic peers. Led by Michigan Ross faculty and industry experts, the program emphasizes action-based learning and the development of purposeful leadership skills.
Participants complete rigorous academic work and have opportunities to connect with professionals, gaining insights into potential career paths. The program fee covers all events, course materials, and Michigan Ross apparel. The program accepts up to 72 students and requires a non-refundable $75 application fee.
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference will be given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Cost: $5,500 + $75 application fee (financial aid is available)
Dates: June 13 – June 27
Application Deadline: January 21
10. Columbia University - Precollege Programs
Columbia University offers a variety of summer programs for high school students eager to explore the trends in tech, AI, and innovation. Columbia offers a diverse range of business and entrepreneurship courses through residential, commuter, and online programs, covering topics such as game theory, blockchain, macroeconomics, and portfolio management.
The Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, AI, and Beyond course stands out as a good option for students interested in delving into the future of finance while engaging with innovative technologies like blockchain, cryptocurrency, AI, and Fintech. Most of the courses are flexible, lasting one to three weeks. For more courses and to check updated availability, visit the official website.
Location: Virtual or Commuter/Residential at Columbia University, New York, NY
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12; residential students must be 16 or older by the program start
Cost:
NYC Residential Summer (3 weeks): $12,764 per session
NYC Commuter Summer (3 weeks): $6,310 per session
NYC Commuter Summer (1 week): $2,830 per session
Online Summer (2 weeks): $3,965 per session
Online Summer (1 week): $2,815 per session
Dates: Multiple 1- to 3-week options available from June to August
Application Deadline: Typically in April
11. Babson College – Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience (Summer Study)
Babson College, ranked #1 for entrepreneurship in the U.S., offers a 3+ week pre-college program designed for rising high school juniors and seniors to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset. The Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience course emphasizes Babson’s signature Entrepreneurial Thought & Action methodology, guiding students to explore real-world challenges framed by the United Nations Global Goals.
While online students attend classes and collaborate virtually, in-person students attend sessions on NEIA’s campus and participate in afternoon co-curricular programming. Students explore essential business concepts like leadership, marketing, finance, and communication through interactive sessions focused on venture creation.
Location: Virtual or on-campus at New England Innovation Academy, Marlborough, MA
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors; students must be at least 16 years old by the program start date.
Cost:
Online format: $6,295 (+ $95 application fee)
Additional NEIA costs for in-person format:
• Residential - $6,500
• Day student - $3,000
Dates: July 6 – July 28 (In-person) | July 7 – July 28 (Online)
Application Deadline: February 14 (In-person) | March 14 (Online)
12. Young Founder’s Lab
Young Founder’s Lab is a startup bootcamp led by Harvard entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, designed for high school students with a strong entrepreneurial mindset and a drive to launch real businesses. The program pairs students with mentors and offers hands-on guidance to help them build their own revenue-generating ventures from the ground up.
Participants can choose between two formats: the YFL Team-Based Program, where they collaborate with like-minded peers on a shared business idea, or the YFL Individual Program, which offers personalized coaching for students working solo. Young Founder’s Lab gives students the structure, mentorship, and support needed to turn their ideas into action.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Cost: Starts at $2,900; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies depending on cohort
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