15 College Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you are a high school student, college summer programs can be a great opportunity to explore your interests and learn skills beyond the classroom during the break. You can gain exposure to practical skills, industry insights, and connections. These programs, offered by universities, provide a taste of college life and academic rigour, allowing students to explore their interests in depth and meet like-minded peers.
Numerous reputable colleges in Texas offer summer programs, and Texas residents can save on long-distance travel while attending them. From projects to mentorship from experts, participants can develop skills that will serve them well in their future academic and professional endeavours. Programs are offered in a variety of fields, from STEM and research to business and the arts, allowing you to benefit from these programs, regardless of your interests.
In this list, we've curated the top 12 college summer programs for high school students in Texas.
12 College Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Texas Tech University – Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 12 students
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week residential research experience that pairs you one-on-one with a faculty mentor. Whether your interests lie in physics, literature, or social policy, you will design and execute an independent project while attending daily seminars on research methods and peer critique. Field trips and professional-development workshops demonstrate how academic work connects with industry and public service. During the final week, you will formally present your findings to faculty and fellow scholars, building confidence in public communication. Admission is highly competitive; only 12 students are chosen each year.
2. Houston PREP – University of Houston
Location: University of Houston–Downtown, Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 16 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 4
Eligibility: First‑year participants: 7th–9th graders with B average; later years require completion of prior PREP levels
Houston PREP is a six‑week, non‑residential STEM program aimed at preparing students from underserved communities for engineering and science careers. The curriculum includes algebra, logic, robotics, computer programming and problem‑solving workshops. Students attend field trips to research labs and industry sites and participate in SAT preparation and college‑readiness sessions. Because the program is tuition‑free and prioritises minority and female students, competition can be strong. Students who complete Year 1 can return for advanced curricula in Years 2–4.
3. McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA) – University of Texas at Austin
Location: UT Austin McCombs School of Business, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free; the McCombs summer academies cover tuition, housing and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – June 6
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high‑school sophomores and juniors
The MFEA immerses students in business through lectures with McCombs faculty and case‑study workshops. You will live on campus for a week, explore topics such as management, finance and entrepreneurship, and visit corporate headquarters in Austin. Teams develop and pitch solutions to business challenges, gaining feedback from faculty and corporate mentors. Because the program is free and includes room and board, it attracts a diverse cohort of motivated students. Applications close on March 1, so interested sophomores and juniors should prepare essays and transcripts well before the deadline.
4. University of Texas at Austin – Academy for Women
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – June 14
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Female rising 11th and 12th graders
The Academy for Women focuses on women's contributions to computer science, offering hands-on activities in C++, project management, and teamwork. You will explore potential career paths in technology while experiencing college life at UT Austin. This program is designed to inspire and empower young women to pursue careers in computer science by providing them with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in the field. You will engage with faculty-led workshops and connect with current UT students for mentorship.
5. Aggie STEM Summer Camp
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost/Stipend: Varies by camp
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Mid-selective
Dates: Week 1: June 1 – June 7; Week 2: June 8 – June 14; Week 3: June 15 – June 21; Week 4: June 22 – June 28; Week 5 (Gaddis Girls Camp): June 22 – June 28
Application Deadline: April 28
Eligibility: 6th to 12th graders with an interest in STEM
Over a one-week residential session at Texas A&M, you will tackle project-based modules that link engineering design, mathematical modelling, and advanced technologies. Faculty members and industry professionals guide each class, leading you through the build-test-refine cycle on problems. Collaborative workshops require you to articulate your reasoning and troubleshoot in teams, strengthening both technical and communication skills. Because course themes are updated each year, you work with current tools rather than recycled labs, and by week’s end, you leave with a concise portfolio to cite in future applications.
6. Dallas Baptist University – Pre-College Academy Summer Institute
Location: Dallas Baptist University, Dallas, TX
Cost: $850
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – June 13
Application Deadline: June 1
Eligibility: High school students
Over a single residential week at Dallas Baptist University, you will live in campus housing, earn dual credit, and join faculty-led excursions around Dallas. Course choices like Creative Writing, Fine Arts, Psychology, and American Government are taught at the college level and carry transferable credit. Structured evening activities introduce DBU’s culture and resources, giving you a concise preview of university life. Classes are led by DBU faculty, and completed work appears on an official transcript you can include in future applications. The institute is open to current ninth-, tenth-, and eleventh-graders, with discounted tuition available for students from partner schools.
7. Texas Tech University – School of Art Pre-College Immersion Program
Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Cost: Early Bird Registration - $750; After Early Bird Registration - $775
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 40 students
Dates: June 9 – June 13
Application Deadline: May 30
Eligibility: Rising 9th - 12th graders
Open to students entering grades 9–12, this one-week residential immersion at Texas Tech’s School of Art places you in professional studios on campus. Faculty-led workshops in traditional painting, ceramics, jewellery design, and 2-D animation emphasise technique while encouraging creative risk-taking. Full access to university materials and equipment lets you develop portfolio-ready pieces under industry-standard conditions. Evenings feature structured art activities and community events that help you connect with peers across disciplines. The week concludes with a public exhibition and reception where you present your work and discuss your process with guests.
8. University of Texas at Austin – High School Research Academy (HSRA)
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Latest cost not available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 9 – July 16
Application Deadline: March 23
Eligibility: High school students
Across five in-person weeks at UT Austin’s High School Research Academy, you will join College of Natural Sciences labs to study topics such as biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, or environmental science. Faculty, undergraduates, and research staff guide you through standard techniques like literature review, data collection, and statistical analysis, while weekly seminars add context on ethics and career pathways. Your work culminates in a poster presentation at a program symposium and earns college extension credit, giving you a credential to note on applications. Because the academy is non-residential, you arrange your own housing and transportation, but need-based scholarships can offset tuition costs. The structure provides a focused preview of university research without requiring a full summer on campus.
9. Engineering Design Experience – Southern Methodist University
Location: Lyle School of Engineering, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX
Cost: $1,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Capacity of 20 students
Dates: Female camps: June 2 – June 6 or June 16 – June 20; male camps: June 9 – June 13 or June 23 – June 27
Application Deadline: Applications open Feb 17
Eligibility: High school students
This five‑day residential program is designed to help rising juniors and seniors explore engineering majors and prepare for college. Students stay in campus dorms and work in the Deason Innovation Gym, a makerspace equipped with 3‑D printers, laser cutters and machine shops. They tackle real‑world design challenges, attend workshops on CAD modelling and prototyping, and tour engineering facilities. The camp includes meals, evening activities and a presentation to parents and faculty on the final day. With only 20 seats per session, early application is advisable.
10. Texas A&M University – Camp ARCH
Location: Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Cost: $1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by program
Dates: July 7 – July 12
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th -12th graders
Camp ARCH is a week-long residential program at Texas A&M for students entering grades 10–12 (current seniors are not eligible) who want a closer look at architecture, construction science, landscape architecture, or urban planning. After selecting one of four tracks, you will spend full days in studio workshops led by College of Architecture faculty, pairing design projects with collaborative group work. The week concludes with a formal showcase where you present your finished project to peers and instructors. Admission is competitive as applications must include a transcript, short essay, and recommendation letter, and a limited pool of need-based scholarships can offset program costs.
11. Texas State University – NEXUS Musical Theatre Pre-College Intensive
Location: Texas State University, San Marcos, TX
Cost: $2,900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 60 students
Dates: June 10 – June 20
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising high school freshmen through seniors
The NEXUS Musical Theatre Pre-College Intensive at Texas State University is a two-week on-campus program designed for high school students aiming to pursue musical theatre in college or as a career. Participants train in acting, voice, dance, and audition techniques under the guidance of Texas State’s faculty, who are active theatre professionals. The curriculum also features wellness sessions, pop/rock performance coaching, and ensemble workshops that emphasise long-term artistic growth. Additionally, students join the Musical Development Laboratory, gaining insight into how actors contribute to the creation of new musical theatre pieces. Enrollment is selective and based on a video audition, with only a limited number of spots offered.
13. University of Texas at Austin – Summer Discovery
Location: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Cost: Varies from $3,499–$7,999
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not Specified
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – June 27; Session 2: June 29 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Over two- or three-week sessions, Summer Discovery at UT Austin lets you sample university-style learning without the pressure of college credit. You may live in a residence hall or commute each day while taking classes in areas such as biomedical engineering, law, music business, or sustainable fashion, all taught by UT faculty and local professionals. Coursework mixes lectures with projects, guest speakers, and field trips around Austin, so you see how concepts apply beyond the classroom. When the session ends, you receive a certificate of completion and a campus grade letter, which are useful additions to your academic portfolio.
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