15 College Courses for High School Students
College courses can be a strong option if you’re a high school student looking to explore subjects in greater depth beyond your standard classes. They introduce practical skills and industry knowledge while giving you experience with assignments that reflect college-level expectations. You may also strengthen your academic profile and clarify your interests as you engage with more advanced material.
How are courses different from other programs in high school?
Unlike short-term workshops or enrichment programs, college courses follow a structured syllabus with clear expectations, assessments, and learning outcomes. You study core concepts in depth while completing assignments such as research papers, projects, or exams that demonstrate your understanding. Many of these courses are also flexible, allowing you to balance them alongside your schoolwork and other commitments.
For this guide, we’ve narrowed down our list to 15 college courses for high school students.
If you’re looking for online summer programs, check out our blog here.
1. MITES
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts (residential programs on campus)
Cost / Stipend: Fully funded, no stipend; students only pay for travel (aid available)Acceptance Rate: Not officially published
Dates: MITES Summer: ~mid-June to late July (6 weeks); MITES Semester: June to December (~6 months)
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current 11th grade (rising seniors); Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; Strong interest in STEM; no strict GPA cutoff
The MITES program is a highly selective, pre-college STEM initiative designed to expand access and opportunity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, and mentorship from MIT faculty and professionals, you build a strong academic foundation while exploring real applications of STEM. Beyond academics, the program emphasizes confidence-building, community, and a sense of belonging in STEM spaces. You engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, collaborate on challenging problems, and gain exposure to career pathways you may not have encountered before. MITES is not just about learning concepts; it’s about developing the skills, mindset, and support system to pursue STEM at a high level and use that knowledge to address real-world challenges.
2. Harvard Summer School – Pre-College Program
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee
Acceptance Rate: Selective (not publicly specified)
Program Dates: Session I: June 21–July 2; Session II: July 5–17; Session III: July 19–31
Application Deadline: Priority: January 7; Regular: February 11; Late: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors; age 16+ by June 20
The Harvard Pre-College Program is a two-week residential experience where you take a rigorous, non-credit college-level course. You choose from nearly 30 subject areas, including psychology, law, business, literature, and STEAM, allowing you to explore a field in depth. Small class sizes encourage close interaction with instructors and a more immersive academic environment. Outside the classroom, co-curricular activities create opportunities for both intellectual growth and social engagement. The program offers a structured introduction to college life without the pressure of grades.
3. Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies – College Prep Program
Location: Washington, D.C.
Cost: Approx. $7,113 tuition per class + housing and additional fees
Acceptance Rate: Selective (not publicly specified)
Program Dates: July 5–August 7
Application Deadline: Varies (rolling until full)
Eligibility: High school students (specific grade requirements apply)
The Georgetown Summer Sessions High School Program allows you to enroll in one or two undergraduate courses while earning official college credit. Alongside academics, you attend College Prep Seminars focused on standardized testing strategies and the admissions process. The workload is substantial, with significant time dedicated to coursework outside class each week. You learn directly from university faculty and study alongside current students. Additional writing support and optional workshops help strengthen both academic and application skills.
4. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies – Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Online
Cost: Varies (non-credit enrichment program)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Program Dates: Session One: June 15–26; Session Two: July 6–17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Grades 8–11
The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes is an intensive program focused on single-subject study in areas such as computer science, engineering, philosophy, business, and creative writing. Classes are discussion-driven and bring together motivated students from around the world. The curriculum is designed by Stanford instructors and emphasizes hands-on, applied learning. Structured academic and social components are integrated into the online format to build a sense of community. Over two weeks, you develop deeper subject knowledge and stronger analytical skills.
5. Yale Summer Session (Pre-College)
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT (in-person and online options)
Cost: Approximately $5,480 per course (plus fees; financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Not publicly specified (moderately selective)
Program Dates: Late May – early August (two 5-week sessions)
Application Deadline: Typically March–April
Eligibility: High school students (minimum age requirements vary; generally rising juniors and seniors)
The Yale Summer Session for High School Students offers the opportunity to enroll in a real undergraduate course and earn official Yale credit. You study alongside full-time college students and are held to the same academic expectations and grading standards. Courses are discussion-based and writing-intensive, requiring consistent preparation and active participation. Over five weeks, you manage demanding coursework while independently navigating university resources. The program concludes with an official transcript that reflects your college-level performance.
6. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Summer Session
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA (in-person)
Cost: Tuition varies by course load; financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate: Selective (not publicly specified)
Program Dates: Late June – early August (6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Typically in March
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders, usually age 16+
In this program, you take Carnegie Mellon undergraduate courses and earn college credit while experiencing a highly rigorous academic environment. Courses are taught by CMU faculty and follow the same structure, assignments, and expectations as those taken by enrolled students. You engage deeply with subjects, particularly in areas like engineering, computer science, and the sciences. Balancing lectures, labs, and independent study, you develop strong time management and problem-solving skills. The experience also connects you with peers who share a serious interest in STEM and innovation.
7. Brown Summer@Brown
Location: Brown University, Providence, RI (in-person and hybrid options)
Cost: Varies by program length (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Program Dates: June–August (1–3 week sessions; 5-week hybrid options)
Application Deadline: Rolling through spring
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
In this program, you choose from over 200 courses inspired by Brown’s Open Curriculum, allowing you to explore a wide range of academic interests. Subjects span fields such as neuroscience, international relations, creative writing, and entrepreneurship. Classes are seminar-style, emphasizing discussion, collaboration, and hands-on learning rather than large lectures. Instead of traditional grades, you receive detailed instructor evaluations that focus on your progress and engagement. The flexible structure encourages you to explore new disciplines while building confidence in expressing ideas and thinking across fields.
8. UCLA High School Summer College Programs
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA (in-person and online options)
Cost: Varies by number of units; financial aid may be available
Acceptance Rate: Less selective compared to private institutions
Program Dates: June–August (multiple sessions)
Application Deadline: Typically April–May
Eligibility: High school students meeting GPA requirements
The UCLA Summer Sessions for High School Students allows you to enroll in undergraduate courses and potentially earn college credit. You can choose from a wide range of subjects, including computer science, economics, film, and the sciences. The academic experience mirrors that of a large public research university, with lectures, assignments, and exams at its core. Navigating this environment helps build independence and adaptability. The program also offers flexibility to explore multiple academic interests.
9. Machine Learning
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA (NVIDIA Auditorium)
Cost: Stanford tuition (varies by enrollment status)
Acceptance Rate: Not publicly specified (enrollment-based university course)
Program Dates: January–March
Application Deadline: As per Stanford Winter Quarter enrollment timeline
Eligibility: Stanford students who meet the prerequisite coursework in programming, probability, linear algebra, and multivariable calculus
Stanford’s Machine Learning course is a flagship offering that introduces you to both the theory and application of the field. You begin with supervised learning methods, including neural networks and generative models, before moving on to unsupervised techniques such as clustering and dimensionality reduction. Concepts from learning theory, such as bias-variance tradeoffs, are integrated throughout. The course also covers reinforcement learning and its practical implications. Practical applications help connect mathematical frameworks to areas like robotics and large-scale data systems.
10. Cryptography I
Location: Stanford University (Offered via Coursera, 100% Online)
Cost: Free to audit; $79 for Coursera Certificate (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Self-paced, on-demand (approximately 2 hours of lecture content per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all learners; basic understanding of discrete probability recommended
Stanford’s Cryptography I course explores how modern computer systems secure information and enable safe communication. You study secret-key encryption, message authentication, and how secure communication works even when adversaries eavesdrop or tamper with data. You analyze real cryptographic protocols and examine common design mistakes in deployed systems. You learn public-key encryption, key-exchange mechanisms, and the essential number theory underlying these techniques. You complete programming assignments and written problem sets that strengthen both theoretical reasoning and implementation skills. The unique factor is the combination of rigorous Stanford-level instruction with flexible, global online access, allowing you to earn a verified certificate while mastering the principles behind secure digital communication.
11. HarvardX – CS50’s Introduction to Computer Science (via edX)
Location: Online
Cost: Free to audit; paid option for verified certificate
Acceptance Rate: Open enrollment
Program Dates: Self-paced (approx. 12 weeks; 6–18 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Open to all learners; no prior programming experience required
Harvard’s CS50: Introduction to Computer Science is one of the most widely recognized entry-level courses in the field. It focuses on developing computational thinking and problem-solving skills through hands-on programming. You work with languages such as C, Python, SQL, and JavaScript, as well as tools like HTML and CSS. Problem sets are based on practical contexts, including cryptography, finance, and gaming. The course concludes with a final project that allows you to apply your learning creatively while building a strong foundation in core computer science concepts.
12. Health and Society Institute, Barnard College
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: Tuition-based
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective, small group format
Program dates: Summer
Application deadline: Contact the program for details
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This program invites high school students to explore how science, medicine, culture, and human experience intersect in shaping our understanding of health and care. You’ll dive into topics such as public health, healing traditions, and medical ethics through discussions, readings, and a small research project. Guided by scholars, doctors, and journalists, you’ll learn how different fields, from anthropology to biology, shape our understanding of health and care. It’s ideal if you’re interested in both science and the humanities, and want to explore healthcare from a broader perspective.
13. College Edge: Academic Year Columbia University
Location: Columbia University, Morningside Campus, New York, NY
Cost: Tuition-based; college credits awarded
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Program dates: September 2 – December 19; January 20 – May 15
Application deadline: Rolling (apply before term start)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
The College Edge Program at Columbia University lets high school students experience real Ivy League academics before college. You’ll take actual Columbia University classes alongside undergraduate students, earn official college credit, and receive personalized academic advising to guide your journey. It’s a unique opportunity to challenge yourself, explore subjects that spark your curiosity, and explore what life is like at Columbia University, all while building the confidence and skills you need to excel in college.
14. NYU Tisch Summer High School Program
Location: New York University (NYU), New York City, NY
Cost: Tuition-based (includes 4–6 college credits); housing required for all participants
Program Dates: 4 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores and juniors
This four-week residential program at New York University (NYU) is a dream come true for aspiring artists and creators in high school. You’ll get to choose from exciting tracks such as filmmaking, drama, game design, dance, and photography, each modeled after Tisch’s undergraduate courses. During your time on campus, you’ll work with NYU faculty, collaborate with other students, and bring your artistic vision to life through professional-level projects. The program wraps up with showcases and presentations where you get to share your work with family and friends.
15. Dartmouth College – Precollege Summer Scholars
Location: Hanover, New Hampshire
Cost: Varies (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate: Selective (not publicly specified)
Program Dates: Summer (specific sessions vary)
Application Deadline: Varies by session (typically spring)
Eligibility: High school students ages 15–18 (U.S. and international)
In this course, you enroll in a single, college-level course designed for high school students and taught by Dartmouth instructors. The program includes living in campus residence halls, giving you a chance to experience residential college life under the supervision of trained counselors. Classes are experiential and hands-on, encouraging you to apply what you learn in areas ranging from robotics to creative writing. Outside the classroom, the program includes co-curricular workshops, evening activities, and weekend excursions around New England. You also collaborate with peers from around the world while engaging with a curriculum shaped by current research and academic trends at an Ivy League institution.
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