11 Economics Summer Programs for High School Students in California
If you’re a high school student interested in economics and want to gain more knowledge about the subject, then enrolling in a summer program can be helpful for you. These programs help you strengthen your understanding of key economic principles, apply data and theory to practical questions, and explore how economics connects with business, policy, and finance. Hosted by top institutions and organizations, you’ll also learn from mentors and meet like-minded peers, helping you build your network.
Why should you attend a program in California?
California offers a variety of summer opportunities for students interested in studying economics and related fields. You might analyze case studies, work through simulations, or study how economic models explain challenges like resource allocation or innovation. Whether you live in California or plan to spend your summer there, these programs give you the chance to expand your skills, explore your interests, and learn in a supportive academic environment.
To make your search easier, here are 11 economics summer programs for high school students in California.
If you are interested in summer research programs in California, check out our blog here.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Multiple locations, including California
Cost/Stipend: Free; stipend is provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Exact dates vary by placement, typically June – August
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors residing in one of the eligible locations. More information here
The Bank of America Student Leaders Program offers leadership training for community-focused high school students. As a Bank of America Student Leader, you'll spend eight weeks at a nonprofit in your California community. You'll also get an inside view of how a nonprofit operates with the initiative aiming to create employment, service, and skills-building opportunities for more than 300 students. As part of the program, you will also travel to Washington, D.C., to attend the national Student Leaders Summit, where you'll observe how government, businesses, and nonprofits collaborate to address issues.
2. Veritas AI's AI + Finance Deep Dive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). You can apply to the program here
Eligibility: High school students. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the AI + Finance Deep Dive, you will gain a deeper understanding of AI applications in the financial field. You will have the opportunity to participate in lectures, code walkthroughs, and real-world projects that leverage AI/ML models to predict future financial patterns from historical data, forecast stock prices, and more.
3. KP Launch High School Program
Location: Northern California
Cost/Stipend: Free; $24/hour stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 9
Eligibility: High school students (ages 16-19). More information here
The KP Launch High School Program is a seven-week, paid learning opportunity for high school students, offering weekly workshops to develop personal and professional skills. The program will allow you to explore a range of supportive and administrative careers in a health care environment and learn financial reporting, accounting, audit management, tax planning, corporate finance, and more. The program offers a chance to learn alongside other participants and professionals through work-based activities, networking, and community service projects.
4. Lumiere's Economics Track
Location: Remote , you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring
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, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. UCLA Summer Sessions: Principles of Economics
Location: UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,186
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: June 12
Eligibility: 9th-12th-grade high school students (minimum age: 15 years)
UCLA Summer Sessions: Principles of Economics is a three-week in-person program for high school students. The program will allow you to develop an in-depth understanding of fundamental economic concepts, including economic policy issues and principles of financial analysis. You will get the opportunity to work in small teams led by UCLA undergraduates and learn a range of topics, including costs of taxation, international trade, case studies, the power of trade, analyzing empirical data, and more. The program will allow you to participate in workshops, discussion sessions, team-based projects, and lectures. You will get the opportunity to share your learnings through weekly PowerPoint presentations.
6. UC Berkeley Business Academy For Youth (B-BAY): High School Summer Entrepreneurship
Location: UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, Berkeley, CA
Cost: In-State: $7,450 | Out of State: $7,950; Limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students
Dates: HSEN 1: July 5 – 18 | HSEN 2: July 19 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 8
Eligibility: Rising 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students
UC B-BAY High School Summer Entrepreneurship is a two-week on-campus program where high school students can learn from Berkeley Haas professors and corporate guest speakers, gaining valuable real-world insights. You will have the opportunity to work in teams and gain knowledge of business vocabulary, fundamental concepts, and key frameworks that drive business success. You will learn the core mechanics of a business model and solve problems with your team. You’ll participate in classroom instruction, conduct independent research, work on team projects, and complete computer lab assignments. At the conclusion of the program, you will receive a UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth Certificate of Completion.
7. Stanford Summer Session - Principles of Economics
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: Varies by format. More information here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 23 – August 17
Application Deadline: December 15
Eligibility: High school, graduate, and undergraduate students
The Stanford Summer Session Principles of Economics is an 8-week introductory course in economics that aims to foster a culture of innovation, academic excellence, and global responsibility. The program will allow you to learn key concepts in both microeconomics and macroeconomics. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the analytical tools and approaches employed by economists. The course will help you interpret economic news and data, form personal opinions on economic issues, and build the fundamental knowledge to study economic concepts at an advanced level.
8. UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Commuter Option: $5,675 | Residential Option: $13,274; Limited need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 9
Eligibility: 10th or 11th grade high school students with a minimum 3.80 GPA; outstanding 9th graders accepted on a case-by-case basis
UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program is a selective summer program for motivated high school students. The program will equip you with university-level, hands-on research skills across a range of interdisciplinary topics, including economics, global studies, biology, mathematics, psychology, and more. You will be paired with a research mentor and work on a research project in your chosen discipline. You will get the opportunity to spend 35-40 hours every week on research projects, gain access to library resources, and participate in fieldwork and data collection. The program will allow you to attend the Grit Talks lecture series and learn from experts within the UC Santa Barbara Research Community. You will describe your research findings in a technical research paper and present them at a formal academic symposium.
9. UCLA Summer Pre-College Focus Series - Introduction to Investments
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,156
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session A Commuter: June 22 – July 11
Application Deadline: June 12
Eligibility: 9th-12th-grade high school students
UCLA Summer: Introduction to Investments Session A is a three-week in-person program for high school students. The program will expose you to investing-related career paths, introduce you to financial literacy, and provide tools to help you begin a personal finance plan. You will participate in economics lectures and discussion sessions, and learn concepts related to money and banking. You will get the opportunity to learn a wide range of topics, including venture capital, international investing, global markets, efficient markets, careers in finance, stock ownership, and many more. The lectures and discussions will be led by the UCLA faculty and UCLA Economics Majors, respectively.
10. USC Pre-College Summer Programs- Exploring Entrepreneurship
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Residential: $11,570 | Commuter: $8,130
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: Domestic Students: May 8 | International Students: March 13
Eligibility: 10th-12th-grade high school students
USC Pre-College Summer Programs: Exploring Entrepreneurship is a summer initiative for high school students that familiarizes them with the challenges and advantages of creating a successful business. You will acquire detailed knowledge of tools for spotting entrepreneurial opportunities and will actively engage in research and networking with industry leaders. You will get the opportunity to learn a range of topics, including marketing, business plan, ethics, personal branding, and more. You will learn how to create value propositions, pricing strategies, and business models.
11. USC Summer Programs- Philosophy of Economic Markets, Money and Property
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Residential: $11,570 | Commuter: $8,130
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: Domestic Students: May 8 | International Students: March 13
Eligibility: 10th-12th-grade high school students
The 'Philosophy of Markets, Money, and Property' is a four-week course designed for high school students. It consists of two segments: the first covers decision theory and game theory frameworks, while the second explores philosophical issues about economics and ethics. You will get the opportunity to analyze real-world problems, share critical opinions on ethical issues, and write persuasive, argumentative essays. The program will cover a range of topics, including distributive justice, decision theory, cryptocurrencies, and more.
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