11 Business Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you’re a high school student interested in business, consider applying to a business program to explore the field. Business programs help you develop skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, finance, and even data analysis, while working with professionals and like-minded peers. These experiences can help you understand how businesses operate, prepare you for future academic paths, and build confidence in your ability to lead and innovate.
Why should you attend a program in Texas?
Texas is home to numerous universities and startups that provide excellent opportunities for high school students interested in business. You can expect to design business solutions for current global scenarios, manage virtual portfolios, and understand the business fundamentals that govern workplace dynamics in both startups and large organisations. Whether you’re a Texas resident or coming from another state, attending one of these programs can help you gain exposure to a thriving business ecosystem and make valuable connections.
To help you get started, here’s a list of 11 business programs for high school students in Texas.
If you are looking for internships in Texas, check out our blog here.
1. McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA)
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: No cost
Dates: June 1 – 6
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
The McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA) is a six-day business and leadership learning experience for high school students at the University of Texas at Austin. You’ll participate in workshops, interact with McCombs students and faculty, and learn the fundamentals of business. You’ll attend guest lectures, network with industry professionals, and apply your skills to a case competition. You’ll also get a glimpse of college life.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work to build a revenue-generating startup that addresses a complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent opportunity for high school students to explore the world of business and to explore multiple theoretical and practical frameworks that lead to business success.
3. TCU Accelerated Career Awareness Program
Location: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Dates: July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for freshmen/sophomores and 2.5 for juniors/seniors
TCU ACAP is a one-week, residential summer program designed to introduce high school students from underrepresented groups to careers in accounting and finance. You’ll stay in dorms, attend classes on accounting and business, and engage in workshops on personal development and college preparation. Through the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), the program offers sessions with business leaders, site visits to firms, and mentorship opportunities. A key highlight of the program is the experience of a college-style curriculum on campus.
4. Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders
Location: University of Texas, Austin, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: June 14 – June 18
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
Hosted by the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, the program is a free, five-day summer program for high school juniors. The program focuses on developing leadership skills through project-based learning and team collaboration across sectors such as healthcare, energy, and education. Students participate in leadership workshops, work on real-world challenges, and network with business, political, and community leaders. This experience helps students strengthen their problem-solving, communication, and college readiness skills.
5. Young Business Leaders Summer Program for High School Students
Location: Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, TX
Cost: $500 upon acceptance into the program
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students at least 14 years old
The Young Business Leaders (YBL) Summer Program at Prairie View A&M University is a week-long, residential program for high school students interested in exploring business. You’ll be taught to solve business problems by PVAMU business faculty, along with current business students. You’ll attend presentations and practical exercises and take trips to local businesses. The program is designed to introduce you to careers in marketing, accounting, entrepreneurship, management, finance, and information systems.
6. TCU Neeley Analytics Academy
Location: TCU Neeley School of Business, Fort Worth, TX
Cost: $1,950
Dates: June 21-26
Application Deadline: March 8
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors in high school
The TCU Neeley Analytics Academy, hosted by the TCU Neeley School of Business, is a highly selective, one-week summer residential program for high school students. You’ll participate in team projects to explore the intersection of data analytics and market research and to strengthen business foundations. You’ll work under the guidance of two instructors to build models exploring business performance and understand the impact of data on profits. You’ll also explore the TCU campus with peers and receive a certificate of completion from TCU Neeley at the end of the program.
7. TCU High School Investor Challenge
Location: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Cost: $1,600
Dates: Session 1: June 1 - 5, Session 2: June 15 - 19
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students
The TCU High School Investor Challenge is a five-day on-campus program for high school students interested in investing in the stock market. You’ll stay on campus at the TCU Neeley School of Business and attend a course in security analysis and portfolio management. You’ll learn how to access data to evaluate companies, manage a $100,000 virtual portfolio, and submit stock reports from July to March for review. TCU students in the Educational Investment Fund analyse these stock reports and provide feedback.
8. Kelley Women's Leadership Institute
Location: Virtual. Texas students can apply
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded
Dates: Virtual Sessions: November 5 & November 12
Application Deadline: October 3
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher
The Kelley Women's Leadership Institute is designed to introduce high school students to business career opportunities and provide them with a college experience. You’ll engage in lectures with the Kelley School of Business faculty, explore business case projects with peers, and identify your areas of interest for career options. The institute aims to increase women's representation in business by equipping them with relevant skills.
9. The Academies by Harvard Student Agencies: Virtual Business Academies
Location: Virtual. Texas students can apply
Cost: $450
Dates: Multiple sessions from June to August, check here
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students
The Business: Entrepreneurship Academy at Harvard is designed to introduce high school students to the fundamentals of launching a business. Harvard undergraduate students mentor you to understand startups and advance your analytical thinking skills. You’ll conduct a SWOT analysis and analyse product-market fit for your business idea, and finally, you’ll present the startup business idea to judges, simulating a startup pitch to investors.
10. Wharton Global Youth Program: Future of the Business World
Location: Virtual. Texas students can apply
Cost: $4,099
Dates: June 15 – 26, July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Future of the Business World is a two-week summer program designed for high school students interested in exploring the future of business. Led by Wharton faculty, you’ll learn current business themes through tools used in Wharton undergrad and graduate classrooms. You’ll learn design thinking, business aspects of scenario planning, and teamwork strategies. You’ll also participate in two business simulations to solve real-world problems and engage with peers to explore the changing business landscape. Finally, you’ll work on a group project to predict the future of the business world. On completion, you’ll receive the Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
11. USC Marshall’s: Entrepreneurship: Exploring What It Takes to Create Your Own Business
Location: Virtual. Texas students can apply
Cost: $1,990 and a $35 application fee
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 14 years old
USC Marshall’s Entrepreneurship: Exploring What It Takes to Create Your Own Business is a business program for high school students interested in exploring the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. You’ll learn about business models, explore the benefits of an entrepreneurial mindset, and identify value for customers. You’ll learn to raise funds as a founder and pitch a business plan to potential funders. You’ll also get a real-world look at startups from expert professionals in finance, law, and other fields. You’ll be expected to complete the course in two to four weeks with around 20-25 hours of coursework.
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With Veritas AI, which was founded by Harvard graduate students, you can work 1-on-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!