15 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in New Jersey
If you are a high school student in New Jersey interested in management, business, entrepreneurship, or finance, a business program can be a great way to spend your summer break!
What is a business program? Why should I apply as a high school student?
Business programs in high school can help you learn about the core business concepts and responsibilities of business owners through instruction and hands-on exposure to the field.
As a program participant, you may get to engage in activities like building a product prototype, managing a simulated stock portfolio, and/or learning how to lead a team. This can help you explore your interests and learn about setting up your venture in the future.
Additionally, enrolling in a summer business program can boost your college application profile, highlighting your drive, initiative, and a genuine interest in your field of choice—qualities that college admissions teams appreciate.
New Jersey is home to multiple organizations and banks that offer business-oriented programs in the summer - not only do these make for affordable and accessible options, but can also allow you to work directly with your community!
In this article, we have come up with a list of 15 business summer programs for high school students in New Jersey based on the academic rigor, practical learning, networking opportunities, and industry insights they offer.
1. Young Founders Lab
Cost: $2,900 | Need-based financial aid is available.
Location: 100% virtual
Eligibility: High school students
Dates: Rolling start dates | The program runs for four weeks
Application deadline: Early decision deadline: March | Regular admission deadline 1: April | Regular admission deadline 2: May.
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup boot camp established and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. During this program, you will work on building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. In addition to building the startup, you will also engage in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideations, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure and the application form to know what to expect.
2. Summer Entrepreneurship Institute @ Seton Hall University
Location in New Jersey: Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
Cost: $1,000 (25% pre-college discount available)
Dates: July 7 – 17
Application deadline: June 23
Eligibility: High school students
The Summer Entrepreneurship Institute at Seton Hall University is a 10-day immersive program designed for high school students interested in entrepreneurship. As a participant, you will explore the fundamentals of starting a business, including product development, marketing strategies, and ethical business practices. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing you to create your own product prototype and pitch your business ideas to industry professionals at the end of the session. You will engage in interactive workshops and collaborative projects during the program. You will also learn how to approach entrepreneurship ethically and develop practical skills to build a successful venture.
3. Stevens School of Business’s Organizational Leadership Virtual Summer Research Experience
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,500
Dates: July 7 – August 11
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors entering the fall academic year
This five-week virtual research program from Stevens Institute of Technology is designed for high school students interested in understanding how leadership works within modern business organizations. You will explore four core concepts—organizational leadership, corporate culture, ethics and social responsibility, and strategic communication—to gain insights into how real-world companies are structured, managed, and led. In addition to independent study, the program makes room for live weekly office hours to help you interact directly with faculty and mentors. A key focus of the program is the development of critical thinking and communication skills. The program is worth considering if you are preparing for an undergraduate business program, a leadership role in your school or community, or future internships.
4. Rutgers University’s Business School Summer Business Camp
Location in New Jersey: Rutgers Business School, Livingston Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $2,500, which includes room, board, meals, and field trips
Dates: July 6 – 12; July 13–19
Application deadline: TBA, but registration opens January 2
Eligibility: High school students
The Rutgers Summer Business Camp is a one-week residential program that introduces high school students to the core areas of business. The camp combines classroom instruction, fieldwork, and group collaboration to help you explore various business disciplines, including marketing, management, finance, accounting, and supply chain. You will be assigned a team and work collaboratively on a capstone business plan competition, where you will ideate, structure, and pitch a startup concept to a panel of judges. The program also includes field trips to local business hubs, allowing you to see the real-world application of business concepts. The experience can help you be better equipped for choosing a business major, trying entrepreneurship, or taking on leadership roles in school and beyond.
5. Rowan University’s Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy
Location in New Jersey: Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 – 26
Application deadline: May 18
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Hosted by Rowan University’s School of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, the Think Like an Entrepreneur Summer Academy (TLAE) is a non-residential program offering a practical and academic deep dive into entrepreneurship. During the program, you will explore how startups tackle real-world problems using frameworks like the Business Model Canvas, design thinking, and customer discovery. You will work in a team to develop solutions that are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The experience ends with you and other participants making final pitch presentations before industry professionals, applying what you have learned to a high-stakes, real-world format. You will gain exposure to topics like prototyping, financial analysis, and entrepreneurial storytelling. You will also get to earn three transferable college credits, equivalent to one full college course.
6. Stevens Institute of Technology’s Business Explorer
Location in New Jersey: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ
Cost: $3,150, which includes tuition, housing, and site visits
Dates: Session I: July 6 – 12 | Session II: July 13 – 19
Application deadline: Rolling admissions (early application recommended)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Business Explorer program at Stevens Institute of Technology is a week-long residential summer experience designed to introduce high school students to core business disciplines. Taught by faculty from the School of Business, the program covers marketing, finance, management, entrepreneurship, business ethics, and economics, with lessons grounded in actual case studies and integrative team exercises. You will also get practical exposure to industry-standard tools in the Hanlon Financial Systems Labs, giving you a first-hand understanding of making data-driven decisions. The experience culminates with an industry site visit to a major New York City company; in the past, students visited Bloomberg, Google, and LinkedIn offices. The program can help you assess your interests and decide if you want to explore business as a future college major or career path.
7. Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Introduction to Financial Markets
Location in New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Florham campus, NJ
Cost: $799
Dates: June 30 – July 18
Application deadline: Applications accepted on a rolling basis until classes fill
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
The Introduction to Financial Markets is a three-week summer course offering high school students a practical introduction to how modern financial markets operate. Taught by industry professionals, the program covers the structure and function of global exchanges like the NYSE, Nasdaq, and international trading systems. Here, you will explore key financial instruments, including stocks, options, and futures, and examine how technology and behavioral economics are reshaping investment strategy. Additionally, through case studies, simulations, and trading insights, you will gain firsthand experience in market analysis, risk assessment, and real-world investing principles. The course also introduces you to career paths in finance, asset management, and market analytics to explore careers in fields like business, economics, or investment banking.
8. Business Entrepreneurship Week – Montclair State University
Location in New Jersey: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost: $1,800 (includes tuition, housing, meals, activities, and field trips)
Dates: July 13 – 19
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders
Offered by the Feliciano School of Business, Business Entrepreneurship Week at Montclair State University is a chance to explore entrepreneurship in a hands-on and stimulating environment. In this program, you will get to dive into every stage of launching a venture, from idea generation and stakeholder mapping to venture formation and pitching presentations. The curriculum also includes discussions on compassionate capitalism, nonprofit ventures, and emerging business tech like AI and 3D printing. One of the highlights of the program is a field trip to Wall Street and another to a top New Jersey-based public company. You will also get to engage with MSU faculty and industry leaders, work on real-world business plans, and attend workshops inside the university’s Bloomberg trading room and innovation spaces.
9. Stockton University’s Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (SEBA)
Location in New Jersey: Stockton University, Galloway, NJ
Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, and field trips)
Dates: July 13 – 19
Application deadline: TBA, but the program typically has an early spring deadline.
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Hosted by Stockton University’s School of Business, the Summer Entrepreneurship and Business Academy (SEBA) is a residential one-week program that offers a rigorous introduction to core business subjects. Through daily sessions led by faculty and guest professionals, you will explore a range of subjects including accounting, marketing, finance, management, computer analytics, and hospitality. The centerpiece of the experience is the team-based business plan competition. To participate in it, you will collaborate with peers and come up with a startup idea to be pitched before a panel of judges made up of faculty, advisory board members, and local business executives. Winning teams get a cash prize of $500! You will also gain experience in entrepreneurship, teamwork, business ethics, and public speaking. This is also an opportunity to live on campus in university housing, go on field trips, and engage in real-world business challenges in a structured and supportive setting.
10. Montclair State University’s Wall Street and the Investment Experience
Location in New Jersey: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Cost: $1,800 (includes tuition, housing, meals, and field trips)
Dates: July 20 – 26
Application deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders
Hosted by the Feliciano School of Business, Wall Street and the Investment Experience is a one-week residential summer program that immerses high school students in the fast-paced world of finance, investing, and market analysis. Here, you will explore how Wall Street works, from the mechanics of stock and crypto trading to the influence of artificial intelligence in modern finance. Throughout the program, you will engage in simulations, analyze real financial data, study notable financiers like Warren Buffett, and examine how finance is portrayed in pop culture. The program culminates in a guided field trip to New York City’s Financial District, offering firsthand exposure to institutions, industry experts, and the inner workings of global markets. Led by faculty from Montclair’s Department of Accounting and Finance, the experience blends academic rigor with practical insights.
11. Seton Hall University’s Investing 101: Managing a Live Financial Portfolio Program
Location in New Jersey: Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ
Cost: $500 | 25% pre-college discount is available
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application deadline: June 23
Eligibility: High school students
This one-week summer program covers the fundamentals of investing and portfolio management. Here, you will attend sessions daily to study key financial concepts like asset classes, diversification, risk, returns, and market behavior. The program focuses on practical application, allowing you to manage a live investment portfolio, track performance, adjust strategies, and understand the impact of real-world market dynamics. The course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of how financial markets operate and how individual investors approach portfolio construction. Over 15 contact hours, you will analyze performance trends, interpret financial news, and explore the long-term impacts of investment choices.
12. Syracuse University’s Summer College: Business & Entrepreneurship Track
Location in New Jersey: Online; in-person at Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY (four hours away from New Jersey)
Cost: $799 – $1,065/course; scholarships available + Guaranteed university admission and scholarship for eligible applicants who complete the program.
Dates: June 30 – August 8 (varies by course and format; 3 – 6 week options available)
Application deadline: Rolling; priority deadlines typically fall in March–May
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates who are at least 15 years old
The Summer College at Syracuse University is a chance to take college-level courses in business, entrepreneurship, and finance. Here, you will explore key topics like startup development, marketing, financial literacy, and business strategy to build skills in leadership and innovation. The curriculum emphasizes collaboration, presentation, and critical thinking. Syracuse’s ties to industry leaders like Google, EY, and Goldman Sachs further strengthen the career-building potential of this program. If you complete two credit-bearing courses during Summer College, you are guaranteed admission to Syracuse University with a $20,000/year scholarship.
13. New Jersey Institute of Technology’s STEMx High School Summer Program
Location in New Jersey: New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark, NJ
Cost: $725/week + $70 non-refundable application fee (includes lunch and materials)
Dates: July 7 – 11
Application deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Students in grades 10 and 11 with a B grade average or above
Hosted by New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Center for Pre-College Programs, the STEM Entrepreneurship track is a week-long summer program for high school students interested in innovation, technology, and business. The program blends entrepreneurial thinking with real-world STEM applications, preparing you to understand the business models and technical foundations of fast-growing sectors like FinTech, HealthTech, and MedTech. You will explore how startups are built from the ground up and learn about technology-driven business ventures along with concepts like business modeling, prototyping, and investor pitching. You will also engage in workshops with NJIT faculty and industry professionals and collaborate on a team project. You will also present your startup idea at the end-of-week “Pitch Day,” where you will get public speaking and strategic planning experience.
14. UPenn’s Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Leadership
Location in New Jersey: Online
Cost: $4,099; limited financial aid available
Dates: Session I: June 16 – 27 | Session II: July 7 – 18
Application deadline: Priority deadline: April 2; final deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students entering 10th – 12th grade
Essentials of Leadership is a rigorous two-week online summer program hosted by the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Global Youth Program. It is designed to introduce high school students to foundational principles of leadership and business. Here, you will explore critical business skills such as emotional intelligence, team communication, problem-solving, and business decision-making through daily live lectures, group discussions, and digital simulations led by Wharton faculty and teaching assistants. A key highlight of the program is the opportunity to participate in a business case competition and leadership simulations, mirroring real-world challenges faced by business leaders. At the end of the program, you will earn a Certificate of Completion from Wharton and gain access to the Wharton Global Youth Meetup (GYM)—an exclusive online community that facilitates global peer networking, co-curricular learning, and virtual collaboration.
15. Columbia University Pre-College Program’s Entrepreneurship: From Idea to Early Design
Location: Online
Cost: $2,815 (includes activity and technology fees) + application fee of $80
Dates: August 11 – 15
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until space is filled
Eligibility: Open to rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; no prior experience required
Columbia University’s Entrepreneurship: From Idea to Early Design is a one-week summer program that allows high school students to explore product innovation and customer-driven solutions using real-world business tools. The course walks you through the complete early-stage entrepreneurial process, from identifying a pressing problem and conducting customer interviews and surveys to building a minimum viable product. During the program, you will also explore competitive landscape analysis, come up with solutions based on feedback, and test business or social enterprise models for real-world validation. Taught by industry professionals and Columbia instructors, the program focuses on helping you work on your collaboration skills and creativity, along with helping you develop design thinking, business modeling, and customer research skills.