10 Economics Programs for High School Students in Washington State
If you are a high school student interested in economics, structured programs can give you an early look at how money, markets, and policy influence everyday life and decision-making. These opportunities often include internships or project-based learning that provide a direct line to industry professionals and academic mentors, helping you build a valuable network before you even join college. You may also analyze economic data, evaluate public policy, and develop quantitative and critical thinking skills that prepare you for further study in business, finance, or public policy.
Why should you attend a program in Washington State?
Washington State is home to several institutions, including the University of Washington and Seattle University, which offer diverse programs in economics and related fields such as finance and data science. Many programs in the state allow you to engage in research, complete college-level coursework, participate in policy competitions, or contribute to nonprofit and business initiatives that apply economic principles in practical settings. You can find options that suit both in-state students and those considering programs in the Pacific Northwest from outside the region.
Below, we identified 10 economics programs for high school students in Washington State.
If you are looking for internships in Washington State, you can check out our blog here.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties (Seattle), Clark County (Portland/Vancouver)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Paid internship; all summit expenses covered
Dates: 8 weeks in summer
Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; legally authorized to work in the U.S.; permanent resident of an eligible location; not previously selected for the program
In this program, you’ll spend eight weeks in a paid internship at a local Washington nonprofit, focusing on practical economic mobility and community development. You explore topics like financial literacy, workforce readiness, and the way business and government sectors collaborate to address local needs. During the summer, you will conduct data-driven projects, present findings to nonprofit boards, and attend an all-expenses-paid national summit in D.C. A unique feature is the high-level networking with corporate executives that connects grassroots service to national economic policy. This experience provides a clear bridge between economic theory and real-world social impact.
2. Veritas AI: Deep Dive + Finance
Location: Online
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts available year-round, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students with prior Python experience or completion of the Veritas AI Scholars program
The Veritas AI Deep Dive + Finance is a 10-week intensive program designed for students interested in understanding how artificial intelligence is reshaping modern financial systems. Through expert-led lectures, guided programming notebooks, and substantial project work, students learn how AI and machine learning models are applied to real financial problems, including stock price prediction, fraud detection, and decision-making in banking and asset management. The curriculum emphasizes predictive modeling and data-driven thinking, making it a strong fit for students who want to explore the intersection of economics, finance, and technology while building practical Python-based skills that reflect how AI is used in today’s financial markets.
3. Port of Seattle High School Internship Program
Location: Seattle, WA (In-person/Hybrid; placements at Port HQ, SEA Airport, or Maritime facilities)
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Stipend paid hourly, rate not specified
Dates: Summer: 8 weeks (Mid-June through late August); Winter: 10 weeks (starting in January)
Application Deadline: Summer: Typically mid-May; Winter: Typically mid-November
Eligibility: High school students (ages 16–18); must live in King County; authorized to work in the U.S.
In this program, you explore the vital economic impact of the Port of Seattle while engaging with real-world global trade and maritime operations. You study topics like supply chain logistics, port governance, and the financial structures that drive regional commerce and infrastructure development. Throughout your internship, you will conduct data analysis for port projects, collaborate on professional presentations, and shadow executives to see how multi-million dollar budgets are managed. You also get the opportunity to visit active terminals and gain insights into green port initiatives and environmental policy. By the end, you will have sharpened your analytical thinking, public speaking, and project management skills, preparing you for a career in business or public administration.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program – Economics Track
Location: Online
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; need-based financial aid is available
Dates: Spring and Fall cohorts run for 15 weeks, Summer cohort runs for 10 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply; most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
The Horizon Economics Track is a selective, fully online research program designed for high school students interested in exploring economics at an undergraduate level through original, mentored research. You work closely with professors and PhD scholars from leading universities to develop a substantial research paper, often focused on areas such as behavioral economics and applied microeconomics. The program emphasizes rigorous academic writing, critical thinking, and research methodology, allowing you to investigate how psychological biases, market structures, policy decisions, and data-driven insights shape real-world economic outcomes. Through small-group seminars or individualized lab formats, participants gain sustained mentorship, exposure to advanced economic concepts, and the opportunity to produce a 20-page research manuscript that can strengthen future academic and college applications.
5. FBLA Washington: Economics Competitive Event
Location: Spokane Convention Center & Davenport Grand, Spokane, WA
Cost: ~$250 - $350; State Scholarships and Professional Attire Grants are available
Dates: April 23–26
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Dues-paid High School members (Grades 9–12) in Washington State
In the FBLA Washington Economics event, you dive into the foundational principles of microeconomics and macroeconomics, covering essential topics like supply and demand, market structures, and national income. You will represent your chapter by completing a rigorous objective test and may progress to collaborative problem-solving or presentations at the State Business Leadership Conference. This program uniquely bridges theoretical with real-world business applications, offering you a competitive edge in understanding global financial systems. By participating, you sharpen your analytical thinking and data interpretation skills while learning to evaluate complex fiscal policies.
6. UW Summer Sessions: Intro to Microeconomics (ECON 200)
Location: UW Seattle Campus (Seattle, WA) or Online
Cost: Tuition fees apply; more details here. Financial aid is available
Dates: June 22 – August 21; Session A and B options may also be available
Application Deadline: Mid-June
Eligibility: High school students (typically rising juniors or seniors)
In the UW Summer Sessions Intro to Microeconomics (ECON 200) program, you will explore how households and firms navigate scarcity through topics like supply, demand, market structures, and government intervention. You will sharpen your skills by analyzing news via essays, solving analytical problem sets, and participating in interactive classroom simulations. This program is unique for its "economic way of thinking" focus and college-level grading curve, offering you an authentic preview of university rigor. By working through "curve-shifting" models, you gain vital skills in mathematical reasoning and graphical data interpretation. Ultimately, this experience transforms your understanding of global trade while earning you five transferable university credits.
7. UW Summer Sessions: Introduction to Macroeconomics (ECON 201)
Location: University of Washington, Seattle Campus (with online/asynchronous options often available)
Cost: Tuition fees apply; more details here; financial aid is available
Dates: Full Term: June 22 – August 21; Session A and B options may also be available
Application Deadline: Mid-June
Eligibility: U.S. high school students who have completed 8th grade by June 30 and the ECON 200 course
In this intensive college-level program at the University of Washington, you will explore how large-scale economic systems function by studying gross domestic product, inflation, unemployment, and the intricacies of fiscal and monetary policy. Throughout the term, you will engage in hands-on activities such as analyzing real-time labor market data, simulating Federal Reserve board meetings, and debating the global impact of international trade agreements. The program provides the opportunity to earn transferable college credit while collaborating with diverse peers in a fast-paced university environment. By the end of the session, you will have learnt to evaluate complex economic news and understand the driving forces behind global financial stability.
8. National High School Fed Challenge
Location: Online
Cost: None
Dates: September – May (school-year competition cycle)
Application Deadline: February 17
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 attending a high school in any of the 12 Federal Reserve Districts or DoDEA schools
The National High School Fed Challenge is a research-based academic competition that introduces students to economics through real-world policy questions and data-driven analysis. Working in school-based teams, you investigate an annual economic theme designated by the Federal Reserve, conduct original research, and produce a formal economics paper evaluated by Federal Reserve Bank staff. The program emphasizes critical thinking, teamwork, data literacy, and analytical writing, and offers a rare opportunity for you to have your work recognized (or even published) in the Journal of Future Economists. This program is well-suited for curious students eager to explore economics through research rather than classroom instruction alone.
9. Rice University - The Business of Economics
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Multiple course lengths available throughout the year
Application Deadline: One week before the course starts
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and older
Explore how economics shapes the business world in Rice University’s The Business of Economics pre-college program. Designed for high school students ages 13 and up, this online course blends video lectures, real-world case studies, and interactive assignments to show how supply, demand, labor markets, and policy changes influence business decisions. You will analyze topics such as inflation, energy markets, loanable funds, and stagflation while gaining insights into careers in finance, management, and economic research. The program also includes mentorship and a capstone project, allowing students to apply economic principles to practical business scenarios.
10. Brown University - Principles of Economics
Location: Online
Cost: One course: $8,973; Two courses: $17,935; financial aid is available
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Rising or recently graduated high school seniors aged 17 by June 14
This online program gives high school students a strong introduction to economic theory and its real-world applications. You will explore key topics such as supply and demand, market structures, policy decisions, and social issues, while developing analytical and critical thinking skills. Through interactive lessons, case studies, and applied exercises, you will learn to evaluate economic problems, understand how markets function, and see how economic concepts shape everyday life. This course is ideal for students considering further study in economics, business, or public policy.
Image source - Bank of America