15 Business Programs for High School Students in Illinois
If you are a high school student interested in business, exploring structured programs can be a great way to gain early exposure. Business programs often introduce you to key concepts and business functions through case studies and real-world applications, making them a worthwhile investment if you are planning to pursue future studies in business. As a participant, you will engage in activities, challenges, and instruction that can help you build a foundation in entrepreneurship, finance, and other business areas. You can also start building a network with mentors and peers, and adding credentials to your resume.
Illinois is home to many well-known universities and organizations that offer business programs, providing you with access to high-quality instruction and established professional ecosystems. In-state students can save on travel with these accessible local programs, while out-of-state students can explore the variety of resources offered by the universities and organizations in Illinois if they wish to study in the state. With a wide range of formats available in the state, including summer intensives, mentorship-based programs, and pre-college experiences, you can find the right fit for your academic and career interests.
We have compiled a list of 15 business programs for high school students in Illinois, each offering a meaningful foundation in business or related fields.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple locations in the country, including in Illinois
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 annually
Dates: Eight-week summer internship; start date following the end of the school year
Application deadline: January 15; application opens on October 14
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Every year, Bank of America offers students the opportunity to work with nonprofit organizations in their area through the Student Leaders Program. As a participant, you will spend eight weeks in the summer exploring various aspects of running a nonprofit, engaging in community service initiatives, and learning about social issues. The program also conducts a week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you will gain insights into the collective efforts of business, government, and nonprofit sectors in addressing key community needs. In the process, you will find opportunities to sharpen your social, civic, and business leadership skills.
2. Veritas AI’s Deep Dive: AI + Finance
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by cohort (summer, spring, winter, and fall)
Application deadline: Rolling. Several cohorts with multiple deadlines each year. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed AI Scholars or have a background in coding
Veritas AI’s Deep Dive in Finance is a 10-week program designed for high school students interested in learning about the intersection of artificial intelligence and financial markets. The course introduces you to core concepts in AI and finance, including exploratory data analysis, regression models, and neural networks, before progressing to more advanced applications. You will engage with AI experts through lectures, programming notebooks, and structured mentorship in small groups. A major component of the program is a hands-on project where you will use AI and machine learning models to tackle business-related or financial problems, such as forecasting stock prices, analyzing past data to predict trends, and exploring applications in banking, wealth management, and fraud detection. With a 5:1 student-to-mentor ratio, the program emphasizes both technical skill development and collaborative problem-solving in a small group setting.
3. City of Chicago's One Summer Chicago (OSC) Program
Location: Hybrid; placements in Chicago, IL
Stipend: $16.20/hour
Cohort size: 250 students
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application deadline: April 18
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 – 18 years old and have a 2.5 GPA or above
The OSC Program offers high school students in Chicago summer employment through paid internships. Partnering with organizations like the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the program places you in a seven-week internship that offers work experience, professional development, and mentorship from industry leaders. You will gain exposure to career pathways in business, participate in workshops on financial literacy and professional skills, and find opportunities to network with peers from across the city. As a participant, you may also earn college credit through Olive-Harvey College.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring.
Application deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup bootcamp created by Harvard entrepreneurs. As a participant, you will learn how to build a real business that solves a real problem and work toward making actual revenue. You will have access to the mentorship of professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. Throughout the program, you will take part in hands-on classes that teach business basics and help you develop your startup idea. You will join workshops, learn how to pitch, explore case studies, and hear directly from experienced founders. To learn more about the program, you can check out its brochure here.
5. Genesys Works Young Professionals Program
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer (between the junior and senior year)
Application deadline: Applications open during the fall or winter
Eligibility: High school juniors; students must be on track to graduate, should be able to work in the U.S., and have an adjusted school schedule in their senior year (with fewer classes) to accommodate internship hours.
The Genesys Works Young Professionals Program is designed to equip high school students with professional and technical skills through summer training and a year-long paid internship in various fields, including business and tech. You will begin with an eight-week training program focused on workplace and career readiness before moving into 20-hour-per-week internships with leading companies. In addition to on-the-job experience, you will receive college and career coaching, including support with applications, financial aid, and planning for post-secondary pathways. After completing the program, you will have access to continued guidance through the Alumni Program, which can help you transition into higher education and future careers.
6. Chicago Summer Business Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Mid-June – early-August
Application deadline: March 31; applications open on February 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are Chicago residents and have a family household income below $80,000/year
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) offers high school students paid summer internships that provide early exposure to the financial services sector and related fields. The program is designed to help you pursue higher education while gaining practical workplace experience. Through these internships, CSBI offers opportunities to build professional skills, explore career pathways in business, and prepare for future leadership roles. As an intern, you will also gain insight into the finance industry.
7. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Emerging Business Leaders (EBL)
Location: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL.
Cost: $250; scholarships available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 27
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a 3.2/4.0 GPA or higher
EBL at the Gies College of Business is a week-long summer initiative for students interested in exploring the world of business and careers in the field. The program is designed to help you explore different areas of business while interacting with university faculty, students, and alumni, and build essential skills such as communication and personal branding. Program activities include team-based problem-solving, career-focused discussions with the Gies community, and guidance on the college admissions process, alongside opportunities to connect with peers. On completing the program, you will receive a University of Illinois application fee waiver. In the future, if you are admitted and enrolled in Gies Business, you may qualify for a renewable scholarship of up to $5,000.
8. DePaul University’s Invest for Kids Summer Investment Challenge
Location: DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Five days in the summer
Application deadline: Not specified; check here for updates.
Eligibility: High school students
The Invest for Kids Summer Investment Challenge is a free five-day, four-night college immersion program for high school students interested in finance. Hosted on DePaul University’s Lincoln Park and Loop campuses, the program allows you to experience campus life while exploring the financial industry in the heart of Chicago. You will work in teams sponsored by partner companies and engage in seminars covering financial markets, asset valuation, and financial instruments. You will also attend workshops on Excel, Bloomberg terminals, and data analysis. The program culminates in a stock pitch presentation to industry professionals, providing you with hands-on experience and expert feedback.
9. University of Chicago’s Career Insight: Business and Entrepreneurship Course
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $5,625; need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: June 14 – 27
Application deadline: Priority: January 22 | Regular: March 5 | Extended: April 15
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11
UChicago’s Business and Entrepreneurship Course introduces high school students to core areas of business through a blend of academic instruction and professional engagement. Mornings are dedicated to lectures and discussions with University of Chicago faculty on subjects such as entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and economics. Afternoons focus on applied learning, including career treks, practitioner presentations, and guidance from Career Advancement staff. You will complete journals and assignments that culminate in the submission of a final portfolio, all of which can help you reflect on your learning and prepare for future academic and career pathways.
10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Illini Summer Academies
Location: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Cost: $300 – $400
Cohort size: 200+ students
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application deadline: Not specified; registrations open in early February.
Eligibility: High school students
The Illini Summer Academies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provide high school students with an immersive residential experience that blends academic exploration with personal development. Among the program offerings are Exploring Business and Unlocking Your Leadership Potential tracks, which introduce you to foundational concepts in business and leadership. During the program, you will engage in workshops, interactive projects, and discussions led by university faculty, while also experiencing campus life. These academies can help you build practical skills, expand your interests, and connect with peers who share similar academic goals.
11. University of Illinois Chicago Business Future Business Tech Leaders
Location: University of Illinois, Chicago, IL
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; 47 students participated last summer
Dates: June 27
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school in the fall with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Future Business Tech Leaders Program at the University of Illinois Chicago is a one-day event introducing high school students to the intersection of business and technology. Through workshops, guest talks, and networking opportunities, you will explore how business and tech fields connect and shape future career paths. You will attend sessions led by professors and alumni to gain insights into business majors and career paths. The day will conclude with a UIC campus tour.
12. Northwestern University’s In Focus Seminars: So You Want To Be a Business Executive? Paths to Power and Leadership
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.
Cost: Commuter: $3,450 | Residential: $4,850; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: July 21 – August 1
Application deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students
This course is part of Northwestern University’s IN FOCUS Seminars, which are two-week certificate courses designed to help high school students develop critical leadership and interpersonal skills. This business and leadership-focused course emphasizes self-awareness, relationship building, communication, and negotiation as tools for navigating both academic and professional environments. As a participant, you will engage in practical exercises, simulations, and discussions supported by readings and multimedia content. You will explore topics like decision-making, influencing without formal authority, avoiding common leadership pitfalls, and understanding how organizations function.
13. UPenn’s Wharton Global Youth Program: Future of the Business World
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099; need-based financial aid is available.
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: Session I: June 15 – 26 | Session II: July 6 – 17
Application deadline: Priority deadline: April 2 | Final deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9 – 12
The Future of the Business World Program, offered by the Wharton School, is a two-week online experience for high school students. Designed to introduce you to business research and global trends, the program combines live sessions with independent work, allowing you to learn how to think critically about the future of business and leadership. You will engage with Wharton faculty, participate in interactive simulations, and apply frameworks such as design thinking and scenario planning. Working within a team of peers, you will develop final projects that predict future business challenges and opportunities.
14. Rice University’s The Business of Economics
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment.
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application deadline: Varies by session; typically, a week before the session start date
Eligibility: Students, ages 13 and up
This online pre-college course introduces high school students to the relationship between economics and business decision-making. You will explore topics such as supply and demand, inflation, labor markets, energy resources, and government policy, while learning how these forces influence industries and shape business strategies. The program includes expert-led discussions, case studies, and a capstone project on stagflation, where you will propose policies to address challenges such as inflation and unemployment. The program also offers insight into career paths that combine economics and business, including roles in financial planning, research, and executive leadership. Upon completion, you will earn a certificate from Rice University.
15. UPenn’s Wharton Global Youth Program: Sports Business Academy
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $4,799; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate: Selective
Dates: July 7 – 25.
Application deadline: Priority deadline: April 2 | Final deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 10 and 11 with a strong academic background
The Wharton Sports Business Academy, sponsored by the Wharton Sports Analytics and Business Initiative, is a three-week summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors. The program is designed to introduce you to the business and legal aspects of sports by covering topics such as media, marketing, labor relations, innovation, and social responsibility within professional, intercollegiate, and Olympic sports. Through lectures by Wharton faculty, sessions led by guest speakers from the sports industry, and collaborative team projects, you will gain insight into leadership and management in the global sports business. You will also explore career pathways in sports organizations. Additionally, you will work on a group project, for which you will come up with a plan for a new sports-focused business.
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