13 Computer Science College Courses for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in computer science, taking a college course can give you direct exposure to how the subject is taught at the university level. You may study topics such as programming, algorithms, data structures, artificial intelligence, or systems design while completing graded projects that reflect real academic expectations. This kind of experience helps you understand both the pace and depth of undergraduate computer science.
How are computer science courses different from other programs in high school?
Unlike traditional high school programs or camps, college computer science courses follow a formal curriculum and emphasize deeper technical mastery through assignments, labs, and exams. These courses are typically taught by university faculty or instructors and may carry course codes, credit options, or certificates of completion. Because they mirror standard college classes, they can help you build technical skills while also preparing you for future coursework in computer science or related fields.
Below, we have curated a list of 13 computer science college courses for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (Hosted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory & MIT School of Engineering)
Dates: Summer (varies by course)
Cost: $2,350 for families with income ≥ $150,000; free for qualifying families
Deadline: Online courses open on 1 Feb 2026
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students in grades 9-11 (must reside and attend school in the U.S.).
The Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a comprehensive STEM initiative that offers a wide range of summer and Saturday programs for high school students, allowing them to choose from multiple project-based courses in robotics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other advanced technologies. Hosted by MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT’s School of Engineering, BWSI emphasizes hands-on learning, real-world problem-solving, and collaborative technical development across its program offerings. Students participate in either in-person or virtual formats, depending on the course, engaging deeply with cutting-edge STEM applications under expert mentorship.
2.Harvard Summer School: Computer Science and Engineering
Location: Cambridge, MA (on campus at Harvard University or online, depending on the course chosen)
Cost: $6,100 program fee + $75 non-refundable application fee
Dates: Varies depending on course; check the website of each course for specific details
Deadline: Varies depending on the course
Eligibility: Students graduating from high school in the next 3 years; must be at least 16 years old by June and under 19 by July 31
Harvard Summer School’s 7-week Secondary School Program lets high school students take two college-level courses in computer science and engineering for academic credit in an immersive on-campus environment. Instead of a fixed curriculum, students can choose from a wide range of courses, including programming (Python, C++, intensive CS), artificial intelligence, data structures, probability and data science, robotics, computer vision, wearable technologies, and applied mathematics. This flexible structure allows students to either develop foundational programming skills or explore advanced, specialized topics based on their background. Courses are conducted at the same rigor and pace as Harvard undergraduate classes, offering exposure to theoretical ideas, hands-on coding, and interdisciplinary applications of computing.
3.University of Texas at Austin: Computer Science Summer Academies
Location: Austin, TX (on the UT campus)
Cost: Open-Enrollment Academies: Paid (pricing announced at registration) | Scholars Academies: Free residential programs
Dates: One-week residential programs (specific academy dates announced upon registration)
Deadlines: Open-Enrollment Registration: Opens February 1; closes when full | Scholars Academies Application: Opens November 7; closes December 22 (decisions January 31)
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 10-12
UT Computer Science Summer Academies offer one-week, on-campus residential programs in specialized areas of computing. Students can select from specialized academies in areas such as Game Development, iOS App Development, Machine Learning, or Robotics. Open-Enrollment Academies allow direct registration, while Scholars Academies are competitive, fully funded residential programs designed to broaden access to computer science education. Across all formats, students acquire hands-on coding skills, collaborate with peers, and explore future careers in software development, AI, mobile computing, and engineering in a university environment.
4. Columbia Engineering: Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers (SHAPE)
Location: New York, NY (on campus at Columbia University)
Cost: Commuter: $6,250 | Residential: $11,500 (Check this page for a detailed breakdown)
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 24 | Session 2: July 27 – August 14
Deadline: March 2 (Applications open November 25; decisions released by April)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates with a strong interest in STEM
SHAPE is a three-week, pre-college engineering program where students select one intensive, college-level course per session and participate in project-based learning led by Columbia faculty. SHAPE offers a wide variety of engineering pathways, such as robotics and autonomous driving, AI and data science, computer programming and data structures, biomedical engineering, sustainable engineering, chemical engineering, healthcare engineering, and operations research. Courses focus on practical design, problem-solving, and real-world applications. Students also participate in electives, college-prep workshops, and mentorship programs led by Columbia undergraduates.
5. Carnegie-Mellon University CS Academy
Location: Online (developed by Carnegie Mellon University School of Computer Science)
Cost: Free (optional $200 fee for college credit exam)
Dates: Year-round curriculum (school-year implementation)
Deadline: None (rolling access for schools and educators)
Eligibility: Primarily high school students; College Programming and Computer Science courses designed for advanced students with prior programming experience and strong math skills
CMU CS Academy is a free, graphics-based, interactive computer science curriculum delivered entirely online in Python. Designed to bridge the gap between engaging, creative coding and rigorous academic depth, the platform offers three structured curricula that combine interactive notes, autograded exercises, collaborative projects, and creative programming tasks. Its most advanced track, College Programming and Computer Science, is a full-year honors-level course that revisits foundational topics (functions, loops, conditionals, strings, and lists) at greater depth before progressing to intermediate data structures (sets and dictionaries), recursion, object-oriented programming, efficiency, and top-down design. Students seeking formal recognition can take an optional proctored final exam; those who pass earn official Carnegie Mellon University transcripted credit.
6. Princeton University: Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose
Location: Online
Cost: Free to audit; certificate available for an additional fee
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open year-round
Eligibility: Open to all learners; no prior programming experience required
Princeton University’s Computer Science: Programming with a Purpose introduces students to programming fundamentals and computational problem-solving using Java. The course covers concepts such as variables, loops, arrays, recursion, modular programming, and object-oriented programming through coding exercises and practical assignments. Students also learn how computer science concepts apply across scientific and real-world computing environments while building a strong foundation in programming logic, and software design. Since the course is beginner-friendly and self-paced, it is a flexible option for high school students looking to explore college-level computer science online.
7. Columbia University: Blockchain, Cryptocurrencies, AI, and Beyond
Location: New York, NY (on campus at Columbia University)
Cost: $12,837 per session (for NYC Residential Summer only)
Dates: Summer A: June 29 – July 17 | Summer B: July 21 – August 7
Deadline: Varies by summer enrollment cycle
Eligibility: High school students; no prior programming or technical experience required
This interdisciplinary summer course explores the intersection of financial technology (Fintech), blockchain, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and the future of work from a business and societal perspective. Students begin by examining how Fintech transforms industries such as banking, real estate, and Wall Street before analyzing the broader impact of AI-driven automation on labor markets and economic systems. The course then dives into blockchain technology, Bitcoin, decentralized systems, and the evolution of digital assets, evaluating how these innovations are reshaping money, business structures, governance, and entrepreneurship. Columbia also offers various other commuter, online, and College Edge programs; to view the full course listing, check this page.
8. University of Maryland: Terp Young Scholars
Location: College Park, MD (On Campus) or Online
Cost: On-campus: $1,791 | Online: $1,420
Dates: July 13 – 31
Deadline: June 1 (application opens January 6)
Eligibility: Rising 10th-12th-grade students
Terp Young Scholars is a three-week pre-college program that allows high school students to enroll in an official University of Maryland course and earn three university credits. Students choose from a range of academic subjects and study alongside undergraduates, gaining exposure to real college coursework and faculty instruction. The program offers both on-campus and online formats, making it flexible for students seeking either a campus experience or a virtual option. Designed for academically motivated students, it combines credit-bearing study with early exposure to university life and expectations.
9. Carleton: Computer Science
Location: Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Cost: 3-Week Program: $5,300 (Domestic); $5,700 (International) | 1-Week Program: $1,500 (Domestic); $1,900 (International) | 2-Week Connected Session (with weekend stay): $3,500 (Domestic); $3,900 (International)
Dates: July 5 – July 24
Deadline: Varies by summer admission cycle; typically December – March
Eligibility: High school students with prior programming experience (e.g., AP CS A, IB CS HL, or equivalent introductory programming coursework)
The Programming and Beyond course at Carleton approaches computer science through a liberal arts lens, expanding the focus from coding alone to the broader computational structures that shape natural and human systems. Over one- or three-week sessions, students explore how computers perceive the world (such as through computer vision) and how they respond to complex scenarios through algorithmic design and system-level thinking. The curriculum blends faculty-led classes, hands-on lab work, and collaborative team projects mentored by undergraduate teaching assistants. Research topics may include computer vision, web development, and computer organization, offering students both theoretical grounding and applied technical experience.
10. Northeastern University: Artificial Intelligence: Navigating the AI-Powered Future
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895
Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions; check the website for details
Deadline: Rolling enrollment (varies by session)
Eligibility: Students ages 13+
This fully online pre-college course introduces students to the foundations and real-world impact of artificial intelligence, focusing on how intelligent systems recognize patterns, generate content, and influence industries. The program uses no-code AI tools to help students build prototypes as they explore key concepts such as neural networks, large language models, prediction systems, and model uncertainty. Students examine ethical and societal implications — such as bias, transparency, and accountability — alongside technical exploration. The course concludes with a capstone project in which participants create and present an original AI concept, including a technical explanation and ethical reflection. Upon finishing, students earn a Certificate of Completion from Northwestern University.
11. HarvardX: CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open all year round
Eligibility: High school students
CS50x is Harvard University’s introductory computer science course designed for students with or without prior coding experience. The course introduces core concepts such as algorithms, data structures, web development, and computational thinking through hands-on programming assignments and real-world problem sets. You will work with languages including C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS while building practical coding and problem-solving skills.
12. CTY Foundations of Programming
Location: Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA | Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $7,549 (residential at Dickinson College) | $6,717 (commuter at Dickinson College) | $7,801 (residential at Loyola Marymount University) | $6,969 (commuter at Loyola Marymount University)
Dates: Varies by session and location
Application Deadline: Varies by session and location
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–11 who meet Johns Hopkins CTY eligibility requirements
The Foundations of Programming course offered through Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth introduces students to computational thinking, algorithms, and core programming concepts through hands-on coding exercises and guided projects. Students learn to design programs, solve logical problems, and write efficient code in a fast-paced academic environment designed for advanced learners. The course emphasizes practical problem-solving and builds a strong foundation for future coursework in computer science and software development.
13. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies: Introduction to Data Science
Location: Online
Cost: $3,200
Dates: June 15 – June 26 | July 6 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 with prior exposure to a programming language and working knowledge of statistics
Stanford’s Introduction to Data Science course introduces students to machine learning, computer algorithms, and statistical modeling through real-world datasets drawn from the natural and social sciences. Students use R programming to analyze data, identify patterns, and investigate questions related to topics that interest them personally, while also learning about the ethical use of data and AI systems. The course combines live online instruction, coding exercises, and collaborative learning, making it a strong fit for students interested in data science, artificial intelligence, or quantitative research. By the end of the program, students develop a practical foundation in coding, data analysis, and computational problem-solving
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
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 have had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. Check out a past student’s experience in the program here. You can apply here!