15 College Business Programs for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in business, entrepreneurship, or leadership, participating in a college-hosted business program can be a great starting point!
Business programs hosted at colleges and universities for high schoolers can offer some early practical exposure to the world of business, without interfering with your school year (as they’re usually hosted in the summer). These programs cover key business concepts, like market research, fundraising, finance, and management, and help you engage with college-level academics early on.
Whether you are considering pursuing a business major, launching your own startup, or just exploring the field, these programs can help you build confidence, assess your interests, and network with professors, industry leaders, and peers. Multiple universities in the country run business programs for high school students, offering rigorous college-level academic experiences as well as chances to boost your college applications and profiles.
To help you shortlist the right options, here are 15 college business programs for high school students:
1. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; information on the exact cohort size is not available
Cost: $5,800 + $75 application fee
Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 3; Session II: July 6 – 18; Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application deadline: February 12
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are 16 – 19 years old
The Harvard Pre-College Program is a two-week, on-campus summer experience that allows high school students to explore college-level academics and choose from 30 diverse courses. The Business & Leadership track is designed for students interested in understanding the foundational concepts of business management, strategic thinking, global entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership. Here, you will analyze real-world case studies, participate in class debates, and explore business structures, market dynamics, and decision-making frameworks. Topics often covered include startup ecosystems, global finance, leadership psychology, innovation strategy, and ethical business practices. The courses are taught by Harvard faculty and experienced instructors in classes of just 15 students each. You will also receive a written evaluation and a Harvard transcript that indicates if you have met all course requirements.
2. Columbia University’s Pre-College Program: Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics
Location: Online or at Columbia University, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective; exact cohort size not disclosed
Cost: $5,400 for on-campus and $3,960 for online programming | Scholarships are available.
Dates: Summer A (in-person): June 30 – July 18; Summer B (in-person): July 22 – August 8; Summer A (online): July 7 – 18; Summer B (online): July 21 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling admissions until classes are full
Eligibility: Open to high school students entering grades 9 – 12 or recent graduates
Columbia University offers high schoolers the chance to choose from various pre-college courses. Its “Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics” course offers a rigorous foundation in the principles of business, finance, and economics. Through a mix of lectures, case studies, independent research, and real-world examples, you will examine how firms evaluate investments, raise capital, and respond to market forces. Topics covered include financial instruments, valuation models, microeconomic behavior, and accounting insights. You will also explore the mechanics of financial markets and develop skills in investment analysis and strategic thinking. It can offer you an Ivy League academic exposure and a head start in business and economics.
3. Harvard Undergraduate Ventures-TECH Summer Program (HUVTSP)
Location: Online—combination of remote internships and classes
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Selective; exact details are not available
Cost: $4,750 + $35 non-refundable application fee | Financial aid is available for eligible students.
Dates: Session I: June 9 – July 18; Session II: July 7 – August 15
Application deadlines: April 14
Eligibility: High school students and recent graduates on a gap year before college
Run in collaboration with Harvard Undergraduate Ventures and the Technology & Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard (TECH), the HUVTSP is a six-week virtual entrepreneurship accelerator designed for high school students. Here, you will be paired with VC-backed startups for real-world internships where they help solve actual business challenges, build projects from scratch, and interact directly with CEOs and founders. Simultaneously, you will attend daily workshops and fireside chats taught by Harvard faculty, leading founders, and venture capitalists. The program is structured to simulate an MBA-style entrepreneurship education while offering one-on-one mentorship and networking opportunities. This program can help you develop a clearer understanding of startups, tech, or venture capital.
4. USC Entrepreneurship: Exploring What It Takes to Create Your Own Business
Location: Online
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective. Information on exact cohort size and acceptance rates is not available.
Cost: $1,990 + $35 application fee
Dates: Multiple sessions available between April 14 and August 18; each session lasts two to four weeks
Application deadline: Deadlines vary by session | April 9 for the April 14 session and July 30 for the August 4 session | Check the details here.
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 and older; recent graduates or gap-year students may request an exemption.
The Entrepreneurship: Exploring What It Takes to Create Your Own Business course is a part of the online pre-college program run by the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business. The course offers high school students a structured introduction to entrepreneurship. Designed to be completed in two to four weeks, the course explores how entrepreneurs turn ideas into ventures and which traits and mindsets lead to success in business. Here, you will examine real-world case studies, market sizing strategies, customer value propositions, startup finance, and business pitching. The course is taught by Glenn Fox, a USC faculty member known for his work on entrepreneurial mindset development and behavioral neuroscience. The program can be worth considering if you want to explore launching a business while balancing your summer commitments.
5. Penn State’s Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Location: Penn State University Park campus, PA
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Highly selective; information on the exact cohort size is not available
Cost: $250
Dates: June 15 – 27
Application deadline: March 19
Eligibility: High school juniors in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Run by Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, the Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) is a two-week residential program designed for high school juniors who are considering pursuing a business degree. As a BOSS participant, you will live on campus at University Park, take college preparatory and business fundamentals courses taught by Smeal faculty, and experience the full scope of university life, from dorm living to classroom learning. You will also engage in community-building activities and networking with peers. Interactions with business leaders may also be part of the program. The experience may end with a final ceremony where you get to present the projects you worked on during the program.
6. Wake Forest University's Business Institute
Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Acceptance rate/Cohort size: Unspecified
Cost: $3,200 | Scholarships are available.
Application deadline: No deadline; applications typically open on January 1 and are accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full.
Dates: June 1 – 6; June 8 – 13
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Wake Forest University’s Business Institute is a five-day summer opportunity to explore topics such as business analytics and technology, business management, finance, strategy and innovation, marketing, and operations. During the program, you will analyze business case studies, interact with the university’s business professors, experts, and industry leaders, and visit local organizations. Additionally, group-based activities and hands-on learning experiences are key parts of the experience. The program ends with a team project presentation, where you will get to pitch business ideas based on things you learn during the program.
7. Cornell University Precollege Online: Introduction to Business Management
Location: Online (Asynchronous)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; capped at 75 students per section
Cost: Total tuition for the 3-credit course is $5,520 ($1,840/credit) | Scholarships are available for applicants from select schools. You can check the details here.
Dates: Session 1: June 2 – 20; Session 2: June 23 – July 11; Session 3: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: Session 1: May 5; Session 2: May 19; Session 3: June 16
Eligibility: High school students
Offered as a part of Cornell University’s Precollege Studies, the Introduction to Business Management is a college-level online course that introduces high school students to the core concepts in business. You will explore topics such as human resources, marketing, finance, business ethics, strategy, and entrepreneurship through theoretical and practical approaches. The course emphasizes real-world application through simulations like BizCafe, and students complete an integrative group project. Each three-week session is asynchronous, but you must attend live office hours during the first three days of class to receive full orientation. This experience is a chance to get instruction from industry-experienced faculty and explore themes like globalization and technological innovation in the context of business.
8. McCombs Future Executive Academy @ UT Austin
Location: The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, Austin, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool and exact cohort size is not available.
Cost: Free
Dates: June 1 – 6
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors
The McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA) is a free, six-day summer residential program that covers the fundamentals of business and leadership. Here, you will get to participate in interactive sessions with UT faculty, McCombs undergraduates, and corporate professionals. During the week-long program, you will primarily explore business disciplines such as marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship. You will also engage in leadership development activities, explore case studies, and collaborate with peers on business challenges. Beyond academics, the program promotes personal growth and offers a close-up view of college expectations.
9. NYU SPS High School Academy: Entrepreneurship and Business Startups
Location: New York University, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective. Information on the exact cohort size and acceptance rate is not publicly available.
Cost: $2,579 tuition + optional $640 for housing and dining
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions from June 23 to August 8
Application deadline: Residential U.S. students: May 15; Commuter U.S. students: June 13; International students: March 15
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9 – 11
Hosted by the School of Professional Studies at New York University, this one-week program is designed for high school students who want to explore the world of startups and business innovation. Through a mix of case studies, discussions, group exercises, and short projects, you will develop practical skills in identifying startup needs, solving real-world business problems, and understanding how lean startups function. The curriculum emphasizes innovation, experimentation, and strategic problem-solving. You will also learn about business modeling, customer value delivery, and startup barriers. This program can help you get an intensive, university-level business course experience.
10. Columbia University’s Pre-College: Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Changing the World via Venture Creation
Location: Online and at Columbia University, New York City, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Cost: $12,764 for residential, $6,310 for commuter, and $3,965 for online + application fee of $80
Dates: Summer A (in-person): June 30 – July 18; Summer B (in-person): July 22 – August 8; Summer A (online): July 7 – 18; Summer B (online): July 21 – August 1
Application deadline: Rolling (early application encouraged)
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia University’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation course offers high school students a hands-on experience in launching a business or social enterprise. This course guides you through the venture creation process, covering everything from customer discovery and financial modeling to brand development, product innovation, and pitch creation. Throughout the three-week course, you will work in teams to develop your own startup ideas, receive instructor and peer feedback, and refine your business model using tools from real-world entrepreneurship. By the end, you will have built a complete venture plan with supporting materials such as an investor pitch, a sample website, and even a crowdfunding video.
11. UC Berkeley Haas: Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) High School Entrepreneurship Program
Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, CA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; approximately 50 students admitted annually
Cost: $6,292 for California residents; $7,332 for out-of-state residents
Dates: Session I: July 5 – 19; Session II: July 19 – August 2
Application deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school students
Hosted by the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, the Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) is a rigorous two-week summer program designed for high school students interested in innovation, leadership, and launching their own business. During the program, you will be assigned a team within which you will develop a comprehensive business plan, from ideation and market research to final presentations. Throughout the program, you will attend business courses led by Berkeley professors, interact with corporate guest speakers, and participate in computer lab research and structured team sessions. You will gain exposure to key business areas like marketing, finance, leadership, and entrepreneurship. The program also features a college prep component, which offers interactive sessions with UC Berkeley admissions officers and undergraduates. At the end of the program, your team will pitch a fully developed business plan in front of a panel.
Consider checking out our deep dive on B-BAY before making a decision!
12. UPenn’s Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact size not disclosed
Cost: $7,899; limited need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 8 – 21; June 22 – July 4; July 13 – 26; July 27 – August 9
Application deadlines: Priority deadline: January 29; Final deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11
Hosted on campus at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, this two-week intensive program offers high school students a rigorous introduction to launching a business venture. Through a mix of lectures, business simulations, team projects, and guest speaker sessions, you will learn essential entrepreneurial skills like opportunity testing, MVP development, scaling strategies, and customer discovery. During the program, you will also develop and pitch a startup idea, gaining hands-on experience under the guidance of Wharton faculty and PhD students. The program can help you develop innovative thinking and a real-world entrepreneurial mindset that you can apply to any future career path. This experience can help you explore life on a college campus.
13. Montclair State University’s Business Entrepreneurship Week
Location: Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective; information on exact cohort size and acceptance rates is not available.
Cost: $1,800 (includes tuition, housing, meals, activities, and field trips)
Dates: July 13 – 19
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders
Montclair’s Business Entrepreneurship Week is a one-week summer experience designed for high school students who want to explore the world of business and business innovation. Hosted by the Feliciano School of Business, this program dives into core entrepreneurial concepts like idea generation, company formation, business plan creation, and leadership development. Here, you will gain practical skills through hands-on activities, workshops, and collaborative projects. The curriculum introduces topics such as compassionate capitalism, nonprofit ventures, stakeholder dynamics, and AI/tech trends. You will also get to pitch your ideas, simulate startup launches, and connect with real-world professionals from nonprofits and corporations. A key highlight of the program is the field trip to Wall Street and a visit to a top New Jersey company.
14. Georgetown University’s Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation
Location: Online
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; moderately selective
Cost: $1,795
Dates: May 4 – June 1 (four-week session); May 18 – June 1 (two-week session); May 18 – June 15 (four-week session)
Application deadlines: April 27 for the May 4 session; May 11 for the May 18 sessions (both two-week and four-week options)
Eligibility: Students who are 13 or older
Hosted by Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, this flexible online entrepreneurship course covers every phase of launching a business, from market analysis to customer identification, branding, and financial planning. Taught by Dr. Patricia Grant and supported by student mentors from Georgetown, the course blends video lectures, mentor feedback, and real-world assignments. During the program, you will complete a capstone project where you pitch your own business idea, which would include a value proposition, monetization strategy, and go-to-market plan. If you want a comprehensive introduction to entrepreneurship from a credible university, this is an accessible, self-paced program worth considering.
15. Suffolk University’s Summer Entrepreneurship Program for High School Students
Location: Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School, Boston, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not officially disclosed, but spaces are limited
Cost: Free (includes daily lunch and public transit passes)
Dates: July 7 – 24
Application deadline: Formal application opens in January; early application recommended due to limited spaces
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors; rising juniors may be considered if space is available; must be metro-Boston based (commuter program)
The Summer Entrepreneurship Program at Suffolk University is a three-week immersive entrepreneurship experience. Through a combination of hands-on classroom learning, real-world field visits, and guest sessions with successful entrepreneurs, you will explore how new ventures are built and how entrepreneurial thinking drives innovation across industries. Throughout the program, you will attend workshops, develop a new business idea with your team, and refine it for a final pitch presentation. Guest speakers from Boston’s thriving startup community will offer you some insights into funding, product development, and leadership. You will also receive practical support for navigating the college admissions process, including workshops on financial aid and personal statements. The program awards three Suffolk University college credits.
One other option —Young Founders Lab
If you’re looking for an incubator program that helps you establish a developed startup in high school, consider the Young Founders Lab!
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up 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.
You can find the application form here!