13 Business Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
If you are a high school student interested in business, participating in a specialized program can be a great way to explore entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and management beyond the classroom. Business programs often combine projects with mentorship from faculty, entrepreneurs, or industry professionals, helping you build practical skills in areas like problem-solving, communication, and strategic thinking. As a participant, you may develop business plans, pitch ideas, or analyze markets while gaining early exposure to potential career paths.
Why should you attend a program in New Jersey?
New Jersey offers access to a strong network of universities and business-focused organizations, with programs hosted by institutions such as Rutgers University, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Seton Hall University. Through these opportunities, you can explore entrepreneurship, finance, investing, marketing, leadership, and business strategy while working on projects, case studies, business plans, and market analyses. Whether you're a New Jersey student looking to take advantage of local resources or an out-of-state student seeking a rigorous business experience, the state offers a wide range of programs for different interests and experience levels.
To help you get started, we’ve put together 13 business programs for high school students in New Jersey.
If you’re looking for programs in New Jersey, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Several programs are free or low-cost, including Stockton University SEBA (fully free with a $500 prize for the winning team), Rowan University Think Like an Entrepreneur (free with three transferable college credits), and William Paterson University Financial Planning Academy ($150), making New Jersey a strong state for accessible business programming.
Programs span a wide range of business sub-fields, including entrepreneurship and startup development (Stockton SEBA, Rowan, Seton Hall, Montclair Business Entrepreneurship Week, Young Founders Lab), finance and investing (Montclair Wall Street Experience, Stevens Business Explorer, Northwestern Finance, Dartmouth Finance), leadership (Wharton Essentials of Leadership), and business research (Horizon Academic).
Several programs are hosted on New Jersey university campuses, including Rutgers, Stevens Institute of Technology, Montclair State, Rowan, Seton Hall, and William Paterson, giving students direct exposure to university business school faculty and facilities.
Students seeking college credit can apply to Rowan University's Think Like an Entrepreneur, which awards three transferable college credits upon completion, and Stevens Institute of Technology's Business Explorer, which provides university-level instruction in a residential format.
Several programs offer remote or virtual options, including Young Founders Lab, Horizon Academic, Northwestern Finance, Dartmouth Finance, and Wharton Global Youth, making them accessible to students outside New Jersey or those unable to attend in person.
1. Stockton University – Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (SEBA)
Location: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 12 – 18
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with an interest in business, entrepreneurship, computer science, or related fields
Stockton University’s SEBA gives you the opportunity to explore entrepreneurship and business through a fully funded residential summer experience. During this weeklong program, you’ll work with professors, business leaders, and peers to learn about topics like finance, marketing, accounting, and business analytics while developing your own venture idea. You’ll collaborate in teams to build a business plan and pitch it during a final competition judged by faculty and industry professionals. The winning team receives a $500 prize. The program also lets you experience college life through campus housing, field trips, and immersive programming.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup-focused boot camp created by Harvard entrepreneurs that gives you the opportunity to build a real business around solving an actual problem. Throughout the program, you’ll work on developing a revenue-generating startup while receiving mentorship from experienced founders and professionals from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. In addition to launching your venture, you’ll take part in interactive classes on business fundamentals, ideation, workshops, case studies, panel discussions, and practical skill-building sessions. The experience offers both theoretical and hands-on exposure to entrepreneurship, making it a strong introduction to business creation at the high school level.
3. Rowan University – Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy
Location: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – 9
Application Deadline: Applications open March 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Rowan University’s Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy gives you the opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial mindset through a competitive, college-level summer experience. Throughout the program, you’ll work in teams to solve real-world challenges aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals while learning skills such as customer discovery, design thinking, prototyping, financial analysis, and pitching. You’ll collaborate with Rowan faculty, student leaders, and industry professionals as you build and refine innovative business ideas. By completing the academy, you can also earn three transferable college credits, making it both an academic and practical advantage.
4. Horizon's Business and Entrepreneurship Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Horizon Academic’s Business & Entrepreneurship Program gives you the opportunity to explore business strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking through an intensive online research-focused experience. During the program, you’ll work in a small cohort with expert mentors while studying topics like startup development, market analysis, and business problem-solving. You’ll also build advanced research, writing, and analytical skills as you complete a substantial academic project that can strengthen your college profile.
5. Seton Hall University – Summer Entrepreneurship Institute
Location: Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $1,000 tuition; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: July 13 (drop/transfer deadline)
Eligibility: High school students
Seton Hall University’s Summer Entrepreneurship Institute is a pre-college business program that gives you the chance to explore entrepreneurship through hands-on learning at a university setting. Over the course of the program, you’ll learn how to develop business ideas, create product concepts, and understand what it takes to build and grow a venture. You’ll participate in workshops led by faculty and professionals while strengthening skills in innovation, leadership, and pitching. By the end of the institute, you’ll apply what you’ve learned by presenting your ideas to industry professionals.
6. William Paterson University – Financial Planning Academy
Location: William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $150 program fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 18 – 22
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
William Paterson University’s Financial Planning Academy gives you the opportunity to explore business, entrepreneurship, and personal finance through an immersive summer program. During the academy, you’ll work in teams on real-world financial planning case studies, develop financial strategies, and strengthen skills in leadership, communication, and problem-solving. With hands-on projects, competitions, and access to William Paterson’s Financial Learning Center, the program offers practical experience in both business and finance.
7. Rutgers University’s Business School Summer Business Camp
Location: Rutgers Business School, Livingston Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $2,600 (includes room & board, meals, and field trips)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Week 1: July 5 – 11 | Week 2: July 12 – 18 | Week 3: July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students
Rutgers Business School’s Summer Business Camp gives you the opportunity to explore business through an immersive, weeklong residential experience on a major university campus. During the program, you’ll gain exposure to disciplines like marketing, management, accounting, finance, and supply chain while learning from Rutgers faculty and professionals. You’ll also participate in business plan competitions, team projects, and field trips that help you connect classroom concepts to real-world business environments. Beyond academics, the residential format allows you to experience college life while building collaboration and leadership skills.
8. Stevens Institute of Technology’s Business Explorer
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $3,350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I: July 5 – 11 | Session II: July 12 – 18
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11
Stevens Institute of Technology’s Business Explorer gives you the opportunity to explore core business disciplines through a one-week residential program. During the program, you’ll examine real business cases, participate in integrative exercises, and gain exposure to areas like finance, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship through Stevens’ School of Business. You’ll also work with faculty while using tools like the Hanlon Financial Systems Labs to better understand how business concepts connect to real-world industries
9. Montclair State University – Wall Street and the Investment Experience Pre-College Program
Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost/Stipend: $1,900 (includes tuition, housing, meals, co-curricular activities, and field trips)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I: July 12 – 18 | Session II: July 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: Application opens on November 25
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders are eligible for the program
Montclair State University’s Wall Street and the Investment Experience gives you the opportunity to explore finance and investing through a pre-college summer program. You’ll learn how to analyze financial data, interpret business news, and understand markets by exploring stocks, commodities, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence in finance. You’ll also study major financial figures and gain a broader perspective on how Wall Street shapes business and culture. A major highlight is the program’s field trip to New York City’s Financial District, where you’ll experience real-world finance beyond the classroom.
10. Montclair State University – Business Entrepreneurship Week
Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost: $1,900 (includes tuition, housing, meals, activities, and field trips)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session I: July 12 – 18 | Session II: July 26 – August 1
Application Deadline: Application opens on November 25
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders are eligible for the program
Montclair State University’s Business Entrepreneurship Week gives you the opportunity to explore what it takes to build, lead, and grow a business through a hands-on residential summer experience. During the program, you’ll learn how to generate business ideas, develop leadership skills, create business plans, and strengthen your entrepreneurial mindset through interactive workshops and projects. You’ll also explore topics such as stakeholder development, nonprofit ventures, compassionate capitalism, and emerging technologies like AI and 3D printing. By combining practical business creation with college-level instruction, the program helps you understand how entrepreneurship can be applied across industries.
11. Northwestern University – Finance: Think Like an Investor
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: 2-week and 4-week sessions available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
Northwestern University’s Finance: Think Like an Investor gives you the opportunity to explore the financial world through a flexible online program built for motivated high school students. You’ll study financial markets, investment strategies, private equity, and financial statement analysis while learning how economic principles shape business decisions. You’ll also analyze case studies and gain exposure to concepts like risk, return, and market trends through real-world applications. If you’re interested in investing, business strategy, or future careers in finance, this program can help you build a strong early foundation.
12. Finance: Investing & Market Insights – Dartmouth College
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-length sessions available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling, varies by session
Eligibility: For students ages 13 and up
This four-week online finance program introduces you to the fundamentals of investing, valuation, and financial markets. You’ll study topics such as risk and return, financial statements, company valuation, and market systems through instructor-designed lessons and guided assignments. The course concludes with a capstone project in which you evaluate a real company and develop an investment recommendation using methods such as discounted cash flow analysis. Throughout the program, you’ll receive mentorship and support, and upon completion, you’ll earn a certificate.
13. UPenn’s Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Leadership
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099; limited financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: January 28 (priority deadline)
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12
Wharton Global Youth’s Essentials of Leadership gives you the opportunity to explore leadership through a rigorous online business education experience designed by Wharton faculty. During the program, you’ll build skills in emotional intelligence, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving through case studies, interactive business simulations, and collaborative projects. A major feature of the program is its emphasis on applying leadership theory to real-world challenges, helping you better understand how effective leaders adapt and make decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What types of business programs are available for high school students in New Jersey?
Options include free residential entrepreneurship programs (Stockton SEBA, Rowan University), university-based pre-college business camps (Rutgers, Stevens, Seton Hall, Montclair State), finance and investing programs (Montclair Wall Street Experience, William Paterson Financial Planning Academy), virtual entrepreneurship and research programs (Young Founders Lab, Horizon Academic), and online finance and leadership programs (Northwestern, Dartmouth, Wharton Global Youth).
Are there free business programs for high school students in New Jersey?
Yes, Stockton University SEBA is fully free and also awards a $500 prize to the winning business plan team. Rowan University Think Like an Entrepreneur is free and awards three transferable college credits. Programs like Young Founders Lab, Horizon Academic, and Wharton Global Youth charge tuition but offer financial aid or scholarships for eligible students.
Which New Jersey business programs are best for students interested in entrepreneurship?
Stockton University SEBA centers on building and pitching a business venture over one week in a residential setting. Rowan University Think Like an Entrepreneur uses design thinking and the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework for business creation. Seton Hall's Summer Entrepreneurship Institute and Montclair State's Business Entrepreneurship Week both guide students through idea development, business planning, and pitching to industry professionals. Young Founders Lab offers a virtual startup boot camp with mentorship from experienced founders.
Which programs are best for students interested in finance and investing?
Montclair State's Wall Street and the Investment Experience covers stocks, commodities, cryptocurrency, and AI in finance, including a field trip to New York City's Financial District. Stevens Business Explorer uses hands-on labs, including financial systems tools. Northwestern Finance and Dartmouth Finance both offer structured online programs covering investment strategy, financial statement analysis, and company valuation, with Dartmouth concluding in a discounted cash flow capstone project.
Do any New Jersey business programs offer college credit?
Yes, Rowan University Think Like an Entrepreneur awards three transferable college credits upon completion. Students should verify current credit policies directly with each program, as offerings can vary by year.
When should I apply to business programs for high school students in New Jersey?
Wharton Global Youth has the earliest deadline, January 28, for its priority round. Montclair State programs open applications for summer sessions in November. Stockton SEBA closes on May 15, Rowan University opens applications on March 18, and Stevens Business Explorer closes on June 1. Rutgers, William Paterson, and several virtual programs accept rolling admissions. Students should begin researching in the fall and prioritize January- and March-deadline programs first.