13 Business Programs for High School Students in NYC

If you are a high school student interested in business, a structured program can be a great opportunity for you. Business programs, offered by reputable universities and organizations,  give you the chance to build business skills early on, from marketing and finance to entrepreneurship and leadership. Through projects, simulations, and guidance from mentors, you can practice problem-solving, collaboration, and communication, and start building a network. These experiences not only strengthen your practical knowledge but also help you prepare for college and future career paths.

In New York City, you have access to a wide range of opportunities offered by universities, business schools, and professional organizations. Whether you’re interested in joining a startup incubator, diving into finance, or sharpening your leadership abilities, NYC’s programs place you right in the center of one of the world’s most dynamic business hubs. The city’s unique environment allows you to learn directly from professionals and see how business concepts come to life in real-world settings.

To help you navigate the numerous offerings, we’ve curated a list of the 13 business programs for high school students in NYC!

1. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC)

Location: New York University (NYU), New York

Cost: Free

Application deadline: April 14

Dates: July 1  –   August 2

Eligibility: High school students

The Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) program at NYU Tandon School of Engineering is a five-week summer course that introduces high school students to business concepts through the lens of urban innovation. You’ll work in teams to explore topics such as design thinking, prototyping, and entrepreneurship while addressing real-world challenges faced by modern cities. Each group receives a set budget to manage resources and develop practical solutions, which are presented at the end of the program in a final showcase. Along the way, you’ll build skills in project planning, communication, and teamwork, while learning how STEM and business practices intersect in urban problem-solving.

2. Veritas AI — Deep Dive: AI + Finance

Location: Virtual

Cost: Varies based on program type

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

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

Eligibility: High school students who have a background in Python or have completed the AI Scholars program are eligible to apply.

The Veritas AI Deep Dive is a 10-week program that focuses on the use of artificial intelligence in finance. You’ll learn through a mix of lectures, coding exercises, and a project that applies AI techniques to financial data. Topics covered include predicting stock price movements, detecting irregularities that could suggest fraud, and analyzing financial trends. The program also introduces you to common predictive modeling approaches used in fields such as banking, investing, and risk analysis. Throughout the course, you’ll gain experience working with data and applying machine learning methods in a financial context.

4. Bank of America Student Leaders

Location: Local nonprofit placements across the U.S., including in NY + a summit in Washington, D.C.

Stipend: Paid

Application deadline: January 15

Dates: June – August; eight-week program including the Student Leaders Summit: July 21 – 26

Eligibility: High school seniors and juniors who are eligible to work in the U.S

This eight-week paid summer internship offers high school juniors and seniors the chance to gain real-world experience while serving their communities. Interns work with local nonprofits, learning about project management, communications, finance, and organizational operations, while also developing practical workplace skills. A highlight of the program is the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where participants meet peers from across the country, engage with civic leaders, and explore how public policy and social innovation can create change. By the end, students not only strengthen their leadership abilities but also gain valuable insights into how nonprofits manage budgets, financial operations, and resources.

5. Young Founders Lab

Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops

Cost: Varies depending on program type. There is need-based financial aid. 

Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!

Dates: Vary according to cohort.

Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students

The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup-focused program created by entrepreneurs from Harvard. During the program, you’ll work on developing a business idea into a functioning startup aimed at solving a specific problem. Alongside this, you’ll take part in sessions that cover business basics, idea development, and key entrepreneurial skills. The program includes workshops, case studies, and discussions with professionals from companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X, who also serve as mentors. As you move through the process, you’ll gain experience in both the planning and execution stages of building a startup. You can check out the brochure for the program here.

6. LaGuardia Community College Summer Youth Employment Program

Location: LaGuardia Community College, Long Island City, NYC

Stipend: $16.50/hour for working up to 25 hours/week

Application deadline: February 28 

Dates: July 1 – August 15 (three weeks)

Eligibility: NYC residents, ages 14–24, who are legally allowed to work in the U.S

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) at LaGuardia Community College offers NYC high school students paid summer work experience designed to strengthen career readiness. Participants work up to 25 hours a week at $16.50 per hour in areas such as business administration, education, customer service, and finance. In addition to workplace placements, the program includes workshops on money management, career development, and project management. By combining hands-on experience with skill-building sessions, SYEP helps students develop transferable skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving that prepare them for success in any career path.

7. Bossgirls Summer Program

Location: The City College of New York (CCNY), New York

Cost: None

Application deadline: March 31 (tentative, based on previous years)

Dates: June 30  –   July 31 (tentative, based on previous years)

Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12 who are residents of the tri-state region and commute to the CCNY campus this summer.

The Bossgirls Summer Program at the City College of New York is a five-week entrepreneurship course for high school girls and nonbinary students, supported by Standard Chartered. In this program, you’ll take part in activities such as market research, prototyping, and brand development, all leading up to a final pitch presentation. The curriculum focuses on building problem-solving and design skills within an entrepreneurial framework. You’ll also receive guidance from mentors working in the field, offering a closer look at entrepreneurship as a potential career path. Throughout the program, you’ll work in teams, develop your ideas, and learn how to approach business challenges with a human-centered perspective.

8. Summer Leadership Academy

Location: Mercy University, New York

Cost: $695

Application deadline: Rolling

Dates: July 5 –  11 | July 19 –  25 | August 2 –  8 

Eligibility: High school girls

The Business Leadership Academy at Mercy University is a one-week summer program designed for high school juniors interested in exploring business and leadership. During the program, you’ll participate in activities that focus on communication, teamwork, and career awareness, while learning about various areas within the business field. The schedule includes site visits to major companies and sessions led by university faculty and professionals with industry experience. These experiences provide context for understanding how businesses operate and what leadership looks like in various roles. Through hands-on projects and discussions, you can build foundational skills and learn more about potential career paths.

9. Columbia University’s Pre-college Programs — Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation

Location: New York City, New York

Cost: Online Summer (2 Weeks): $3,850 per session | NYC Commuter Summer (3 Weeks): $6,100 per session | NYC Residential Summer (3 weeks): $12,154 per session

Application Deadline: Typically in May, but may extend if space permits.

Dates: Multiple 2 and 3-week sessions (in-person and virtual) are offered between June 24 and August 2

Eligibility: Domestic and international students entering grades 9–12 in the fall, and current 12th-grade students

Columbia’s pre-college program offers a range of business, economics, and entrepreneurship courses. You can review the available business courses here, which introduce core areas such as business development, market research, and analysis. If you are interested in business research, you may consider applying to the Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation course. In this class, you will explore aspects of the venture-planning process, including business model development, customer discovery, and product-market validation. You will also refine your business model through instructor and peer feedback while learning relevant terms and applying tools that support structured research and decision-making.

10. NSLC’s Business & Entrepreneurship High School Summer Program

Location: Multiple locations

Cost: $3,795 or $4,095 (Residential Program)

Application Deadline: NSLC will continue to accept applications if space is available in a program or on a program’s waitlist. The online enrollment application will display all current availability

Dates: Multiple 9-day sessions are offered at various locations. All sessions take place between June 17 and August 2

Eligibility: Students must be between the ages of 14–18 and have

completed at least one year of high school (students may attend NSLC through the summer following high school graduation)

At the NSLC on Business & Entrepreneurship, you’ll take part in a team-based project where you’ll create a product or service and develop a brand to support it. You’ll prepare a business pitch and present it to a group acting as investors, receiving feedback to help you refine your ideas. Throughout the program, you’ll examine your competition, explore ways to grow your business, and think critically about how to position your idea in the market. You’ll also work on building a basic online presence and developing communication skills, including public speaking and networking. Additionally, the program offers opportunities to learn about media strategy and how to present yourself professionally.

11. UC San Diego’s BRIDGE (Business Research for Innovation, Design, Growth, and Entrepreneurship)

Location: Virtual 

Cost/Stipend: $2,500
Application Deadline: Typically opens mid-December

Dates: July 7 –   25

Eligibility: Open to current high school students entering grades 9–12

BRIDGE is an online course that introduces high school students to business innovation, venture development, and entrepreneurship.

Through case studies, simulations, and faculty-led sessions, you’ll explore how new businesses are designed and managed. The course covers topics such as growth planning, user research, funding strategies, and leadership in changing markets. You’ll work on building a detailed business proposal and take part in activities that reflect the decision-making process in early-stage companies. As part of the program, you’ll lead a virtual venture through challenges related to scaling and market fit. Participants earn 3 pre-college academic credits and gain practical experience in business planning and analysis.

12. Babson Summer Study for High School Students

Location: Online

Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee. Need-based full and partial scholarships available.

Application Deadlines: March 14

Dates: July 6 –  27

Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

The Babson Summer Study for High School Students is a three-week online program designed for rising juniors and seniors interested in entrepreneurship and innovation. You’ll take part in the course Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, which offers four college credits and focuses on developing skills for identifying and addressing real-world problems. The curriculum includes lectures, individual work, and group projects that encourage both independent thinking and collaboration. Since the course is entirely online, you can participate from any location while meeting academic expectations and deadlines.

13. Cornell SCE Pre-College Business Courses

Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY or online

Cost: $1,840 per credit

Application Deadline: May for summer courses (tentative, based on previous years). More info here

Dates: Multiple three-week sessions in June, July, and August. More info here

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors over the age of 15

Cornell’s School of Continuing Education (SCE) offers in-person and online business courses for high school students, allowing you to earn credits and an official Cornell transcript. Relevant courses include Introduction to Business Management, Financial Accounting, Marketing, Python for Non-Dyson Majors, and Global Business Strategy. Through the Canvas platform, classes are offered in both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) formats, connecting you with Cornell instructors and peers through discussion boards, video sessions, and interactive activities.

14. NYU Future Business Leaders Webinar Series

Location: Virtual

Cost: $350

Application Deadline: July 1 (tentative, based on previous years)

Dates: August 3 –  31 (tentative, based on previous years)

Eligibility: High school students

New York University’s Stern School of Business offers a 9-part webinar series designed for high school students interested in exploring different areas of business. Each session is led by the Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion and features insights from professionals working across various fields, including entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, and management. The series also highlights how these areas apply in industries like fashion, sports, and entertainment. Through these webinars, you can gain a clearer view of various business roles and career options. Students who complete the full series receive a certificate of participation.

Image Source - NYU logo