13 Economics Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
As a high school student interested in economics, a structured program is a great option to explore your interest. Economics programs offer you the chance to deepen your understanding of markets, economic theory, and decision-making while gaining skills that extend beyond the classroom. These programs can introduce you to data analysis, policy evaluation, and various uses of economic concepts in different fields. You also get the opportunity to learn from experts and researchers in the field and learn from them, while meeting
Massachusetts is home to top universities and research institutions, making it a good location for exploring economics. Prestigious organizations in the state offer opportunities to engage in coursework, mentored research, and applied learning that can help you develop both academic and professional skills. Whether you are a Massachusetts resident looking for local opportunities or an out-of-state student interested in studying in a hub of higher education, these programs are worth considering.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 13 economics programs for high school students in Massachusetts.
1. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) Internship Program
Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: Apply through the Boston Private Industry Council
Eligibility: High school students from Boston Public Schools who have completed at least their sophomore year
The TIP Internship Program at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston allows you to gain experience in economics, finance, and banking while contributing to the work of a major financial institution. Depending on your placement, you may assist with economic research, explore financial markets, or support departments such as corporate communications and operations. In addition to your daily responsibilities, you’ll receive coaching and professional development workshops to strengthen your workplace skills and career readiness. The program is designed to introduce you to professional pathways within economics and finance, while also helping you build essential soft skills. High-performing interns may even be invited to continue in a year-round internship role, giving you extended exposure to the professional world.
2. Veritas AI – AI+Finance Deep Dive Track
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts with close mentorship
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts offered in spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling, with deadlines before each cohort (January, May, September, November)
Eligibility: Open to ambitious high school students worldwide who have prior AI experience or have completed the AI Scholars program
Veritas AI’s AI+Finance Deep Dive Track is tailored for students eager to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and economics. You will study how AI and machine learning models are used in financial analysis, including stock market forecasting, risk modelling, and market trend prediction. The program combines lectures with coding workshops and independent projects, ensuring you gain both theoretical and applied knowledge. Under the guidance of Harvard graduate students and industry professionals, you will work on projects that mirror real-world applications, building technical expertise in tools like Python and machine learning libraries. The program concludes with a polished independent project you can showcase in future applications. You can apply to the program here.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple U.S. locations + week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Free; students are paid hourly and receive a fully funded trip to Washington, D.C.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~300 students nationwide
Dates: 8 weeks, June–July
Application Deadline: Opens in the fall; typically closes in January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with U.S. work authorisation and permanent residence in one of the eligible cities
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program is a competitive eight-week summer internship that pairs high school students with nonprofit organisations such as Habitat for Humanity or the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. As a Student Leader, you will work on community projects, gain insight into how nonprofits function, and explore how local economies interact with government and private partnerships. The program culminates in a fully funded national summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet peers from across the country, hear from business and policy leaders, and engage in discussions on social and economic challenges. This program is a strong fit if you are interested in economics, leadership, or public service and want hands-on nonprofit and policy exposure.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
5. Economics for Leaders (EFL) – Foundation for Teaching Economics
Location: Multiple sites nationwide, including residential options in Massachusetts, and virtual sessions. Check here.
Cost/Stipend: ~$2,300 for residential | $900 for virtual | Scholarships and financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by site
Dates: June sessions
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors
The Economics for Leaders (EFL) program, organised by the Foundation for Teaching Economics, brings together students to explore core principles of economics and their connection to leadership. You will study topics such as scarcity, opportunity cost, markets, and economic growth through interactive lectures and policy simulations. Beyond the classroom, you’ll participate in leadership labs, teamwork activities, and networking events designed to build confidence and communication skills. The program concludes with a recognition ceremony and the opportunity to earn optional undergraduate credit through the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. With both residential and virtual formats, EFL combines academic rigour with hands-on leadership training.
6. Harvard Secondary School Program - Study Economics, Finance, and Public Policy
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (residential, commuter, or online options available)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: opens December 1
Eligibility: High school students who are rising juniors and seniors
Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows you to design a customised summer experience by selecting two courses from a wide range of economics, finance, and public policy offerings. You can study foundational topics such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, and financial accounting, or dive into advanced areas like econometrics, public finance, and the neuroscience of decision-making. Classes are taught by Harvard faculty and meet several times a week, combining lectures with discussion and applied assignments. You will also earn transferable college credits for your work and can choose from residential, commuting, or online enrollment. With exposure to both theory and application, this program is a strong option if you want to test out college-level economics while developing transferable academic skills.
7. Boston College Experience Honors Program
Location: Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
Cost/Stipend: $6,150
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 23 – July 5 | July 7 – July 19 | July 21 – August 2
Application Deadline: Rolling; early applications encouraged
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Boston College Experience Honors Program is a six-week academic immersion that lets motivated high school students explore subjects such as economics, philosophy, and biology while earning college credit. You will take courses taught by Boston College faculty, gaining exposure to rigorous coursework in the social sciences, humanities, or STEM fields. Beyond academics, the program includes cultural excursions around Boston, social events with peers, and skill-building workshops on topics such as college admissions, resume writing, and networking. The program offers a strong introduction to college life, striking a balance between classroom learning and opportunities to engage with professors, professionals, and fellow students within a supportive academic community.
8. Introductory Microeconomics & Macroeconomics
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA (with online options)
Cost/Stipend: $3,260 per course; financial aid available for BU need-based scholarship recipients
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; selective scholarships available
Dates: Microeconomics: May 13 – June 27 (online) | June 30 – August 8 (in-person) | Macroeconomics: June 30 – August 15 (online)
Application Deadline: Varies by course session; students should apply early due to limited seats
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic standing
Boston University offers high school students the chance to take college-level economics through CAS EC 101 Introductory Microeconomic Analysis and CAS EC 102 Introductory Macroeconomic Analysis. In microeconomics, you’ll study consumer behaviour, supply and demand, market efficiency, competition, and income distribution. In macroeconomics, you’ll examine national performance metrics, recession, unemployment, inflation, and international trade. Both courses carry four college credits and fulfil BU Hub requirements, making them good for future university applications. Courses are taught by BU faculty and include weekly live classes, discussion sections, and assignments. With both online and in-person options, these courses provide flexibility while offering rigorous training in foundational economics.
9. Babson Summer Study
Location: Online or in-person at New England Innovation Academy, Marlborough, MA
Cost/Stipend: $6,295 + $95 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small international cohort
Dates: July 6 – July 27
Application Deadline: Opens in December; rolling until spaces are filled
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; must be at least 16 by program start
Babson Summer Study is a three-week pre-college program designed to help you develop entrepreneurial and economic problem-solving skills. You’ll earn 4 college credits through EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, where you will explore issues through the lens of the U.N. Global Goals. Coursework blends economics, finance, leadership, and marketing, while afternoon sessions add project-based learning and social impact work. You’ll collaborate with peers worldwide, work with Babson professors and mentors, and present a capstone project. In-person students benefit from additional cocurricular programming, while online students connect virtually with global teams.
10. Wall Street 101
Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA; commuter, residential, and online options available
Cost/Stipend: $1,490 (online); $2,250 (commuter, 5-day); $3,180 (residential, 5-day). Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small class sizes
Dates: Weekly sessions offered throughout June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; must be 16 by September 1 to live in residence halls
Bentley University’s Wall Street 101 program is an intensive finance and economics experience where you’ll take a one-week course in areas such as Stock Market and Investment Research, Macroeconomics and Financial Markets, FinTech, Artificial Intelligence in Finance, or Investment and Trading Strategies. You’ll work with Bentley faculty and Wall Street professionals through case studies, interactive simulations, and team projects. Students gain experience using industry-standard tools like Bloomberg and FactSet in Bentley’s trading room. Beyond technical skills, you’ll develop teamwork, leadership, and presentation abilities, while also exploring potential careers in finance. The program is offered in commuter, residential, and online formats, making it flexible for students across Massachusetts and beyond.
11. Finance Essentials
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: $3,550 (residential); $2,750 (commuter); limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohorts for experiential learning
Dates: July 21 – July 25 (residential students stay July 20 – July 27 for extra programming)
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, or recent high school graduates with a B+ average or higher
Tufts University’s Finance Essentials program offers high school students a week-long deep dive into financial systems, sustainable investing, and the global economy. You’ll study the fundamentals of financial instruments, institutions, and markets, while also exploring how finance intersects with issues like climate change and social equity. The curriculum combines lectures, simulations, and small-group projects to help you understand both personal finance and institutional decision-making. You’ll also meet practitioners from banking, investment, and government sectors, gaining exposure to career pathways. Residential students benefit from extra weekend programming and on-campus housing, making this an immersive introduction to economics and finance.
12. Marketing Essentials
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
Cost/Stipend: $4,225 (commuter); $5,750 (residential); limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; applications reviewed on a rolling basis
Dates: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th-grade students and recent high school graduates
Tufts University’s Marketing Essentials program is a two-week summer course that introduces high school students to the foundations of marketing and its role in business and society. You’ll study marketing orientation, consumer focus, and a range of strategies from traditional advertising to digital marketing campaigns. The program includes interactive workshops, case studies, and group projects where you will apply concepts to practical problems. Faculty from the Tufts Gordon Institute, which specialises in entrepreneurship and leadership, lead sessions alongside mentors from Tufts’ student and alumni community. By the end of the program, you’ll have gained insight into marketing’s tools and frameworks while practising problem-solving and creative communication skills.
13. Mary Miller Summer Program – PHC Group
Location: Virtual; MA residents can apply
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; highly competitive due to limited slots
Dates: Summer
Application Deadline: TBD
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors with unrestricted U.S. work authorisation
The Mary Miller Summer Program was established to honour the legacy of Mary Miller, a community leader and youth advocate dedicated to education, service, and opportunity. As an intern, you will join PHC Group’s global team to gain leadership, communication, and professional skills in a mission-driven environment. Working under the Public Health Director, you’ll contribute to social media initiatives, online community engagement, and social marketing research. You will attend planning meetings, craft posts, analyse trends, and support reporting efforts while collaborating with senior leadership and exploring independent interests. The program emphasises responsibility, creativity, and career development, making it an excellent opportunity to build both technical and soft skills in a supportive virtual setting.
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