15 Business Management Programs for High School Students
Many students want to study business, but business management is often misunderstood until you see it in action. Business management programs give high school students a chance to understand what it means to lead teams, organize work, and make decisions that affect an entire organization.
What are business management programs for high school students?
Business management programs focus on real-world scenarios. You may analyze how companies operate, work with peers on managing projects, or learn how managers balance people, time, and resources. Through this process, you start to see how classroom concepts connect to real business settings.
How can business management programs for high school students be helpful?
These programs also give you concrete experiences to talk about in college applications and interviews. More importantly, they help you test whether managing people and processes is something you enjoy.
If you’re looking for business plan competitions, check here, or have a look at business leadership programs here.
Below is a curated list of 15 business management programs for high school students!
Note: While all programs listed are business-focused, they vary from general management and leadership to specialized finance tracks, so please review the curriculum to match your specific interests.
15 Business Management Programs for High School Students
1. Harvard Pre-College Program – Business, Management & Leadership
Cost: $6,100
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (Residential only)
Program Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 2; Session II: July 5 – July 17; Session III: July 19 – July 31
Application Deadline: December 1 - February 11
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who will graduate high school in the next two years; must be 16 by June 20, and not turn 19 before July 31
The Harvard Pre-College Program runs intensive two-week, non-credit courses where you focus on a single subject, such as business, management, leadership, or economics, in small, discussion-heavy classes. You work through case studies, simulations, and group projects that ask you to think through real constraints, tradeoffs, and decisions. Classes move quickly and expect preparation, clear arguments, and active participation, much closer to a college seminar than a high school course. Outside class, you follow a residential schedule with structured activities and peer discussions that mirror how academic life works on campus.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a 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 complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent 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 for the program here.
3. Colorado State University – First-Generation Business Summit
Cost: Free
Location: Colorado State University College of Business, Fort Collins, CO
Program Dates: July 20 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 2 - April 21
Eligibility: High school students who are first-generation (no parent/guardian with a bachelor’s degree)
The First-Generation Business Summit is a free, week-long residential experience where you explore how business concepts translate into real career pathways. You participate in workshops on financial literacy (earning 1 college credit), business fundamentals, communication, and leadership while working with CSU faculty and first-generation student mentors. The program incorporates tours of Fort Collins companies such as OtterBox, New Belgium Brewery, and local banks, giving you a direct view of business operations and management decision-making. Mentorship from current CSU first-generation students and structured peer activities round out the experience, helping you build confidence, presentation skills, and early management competencies.
4. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote. Attend from anywhere in the world
Cost: Cost applies; Financial aid available
Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Various cohorts including winter, spring, summer & fall
Application Deadline: Varies by your cohort type
Eligibility: High school students and gap-year students
Ladder Internships places you inside a real startup, working on projects that actually matter to the company. You are matched with a fast-growing startup in fields like tech, AI, health, marketing, journalism, or consulting, depending on your interests. These are not mock internships. You work directly with founders and managers, contribute to active projects, and get regular guidance from a Ladder Coach who helps you stay on track. Many of the startups are early stage but well funded, often led by founders with serious industry or startup experience. The program ends with you presenting your work to the company, giving you a clear sense of how startups operate and what it feels like to be part of a small, fast-moving team.
5. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Cost: Free
Location: Primarily online/virtual, with in-person Global Finale for top teams in Philadelphia, PA
Program Dates: Trading: September 29–December 5; Semifinals: Week of March 9 (virtual); Global Finale: April 24–25
Application Deadline: Opens June 30; Closes September 12
Eligibility: Grades 9–12; teams of 4–6 students with a teacher advisor
The Wharton Global High School Investment Competition puts you on a student team acting as an asset management group, responsible for building and defending an investment strategy using Wharton’s stock market simulator. You analyze real market data, research companies and industries, make allocation decisions, and explain your thinking through structured written reports. The work forces you to think carefully about risk, diversification, and trade-offs rather than chasing short-term gains. As the competition progresses, teams are evaluated on how clearly they justify decisions and adapt strategy, not just portfolio returns. Top teams advance through multiple rounds and are reviewed by finance professionals.
6. NYU SPS High School Academy: Career Edge
Cost: $50 application fee; $2,579 tuition; optional housing & dining $640
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Program Dates: Session 1: June 23–27; Session 2: July 7–11; Session 3: July 14–18; Session 4: July 21–25; Session 5: July 28–August 1; Session 6: August 4–8
Application Deadline: International students: March 15; Residential U.S. students: May 15; Commuter U.S. students: June 13
Eligibility: Students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11 must be 15+ by program start to access NYU housing
NYU SPS High School Academy Career Edge offers short, intensive business courses that focus on how finance and startups actually operate in New York City. Over the course of a week, you work through hands-on projects tied to areas like investing, fintech, and early-stage ventures, using basic financial tools and decision frameworks that professionals rely on. Classes are taught by people currently working in the field, so discussions often draw from real market activity rather than textbooks. The program also includes guest talks and visits connected to the city’s finance and business scene, which helps you understand how classroom concepts show up in real workplaces.
7. NYU Precollege
Cost: $700–$14,000 total (credit-based; $1,750–$2,000 per credit for 0–8 credits)
Location: New York University, New York, NY (in-person + online options)
Program Dates: Summer session: July 2 – August 13; Spring session: January 27 – May 13
Application Deadline: Summer: May 15
Eligibility: High school students who will have completed grades 10 or 11 by program start; a strong academic record is required
NYU Precollege lets you step directly into real undergraduate business classes and see what studying business in college actually feels like. You sit in on lectures with NYU students, take courses like Principles of Marketing, Accounting, Statistics, or Management, and are held to the same academic standards through graded assignments, problem sets, and class participation. Much of the work is practical: breaking down case studies, interpreting data, and applying basic business frameworks rather than memorizing theory. Outside the classroom, you have access to academic advising and College 101 sessions that explain how to manage coursework, credits, and expectations at a large university.
8. Harvard Summer School – Secondary School Program
Cost: $4,180–$15,735 depending on format
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (Residential, Online, or Commuting options depending on length)
Program Dates: 4-Week: July 12 – August 7; 7-Week: June 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: January 7 for early and aid, February 11 for regular, April 1 for late.
Eligibility: Students who will graduate high school in the next three years, be 16 years old by June 20, and not yet 19 before July 31
Harvard’s Secondary School Program allows you to take actual undergraduate courses for credit in areas like economics, finance, entrepreneurship, public policy, and leadership. You are treated like a college student from day one, attending lectures, submitting graded work, joining discussions, and completing analytical or project-based assignments. Your work will revolve around case studies, market analysis, or strategic decision-making. Many business-focused classes emphasize how managers think through tradeoffs, data, and constraints rather than abstract theory, and some include guest speakers or team-based projects drawn from real professional settings. If you choose the residential option, you also live on campus, follow a structured schedule, and use academic resources such as tutoring and writing support.
9. USC Summer Programs – Introduction to Business
Cost: $7,000 – $8,000 (four-week credit-bearing course)
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Program Dates: June 22 – July 17
Application Deadline: International students: March 13; Domestic students: May 8
Eligibility: Students must have completed 9th grade by the program start; a strong academic record is recommended. International students must meet English proficiency requirements.
USC’s Introduction to Business course immerses you in core management functions like finance, accounting, marketing, product design, data analytics, and leadership, through a four-week, college-credit curriculum. You work on structured team assignments analyzing real business cases, apply quantitative and strategic frameworks to evaluate companies, and build presentations that simulate executive-level decision-making. The program includes field trips to major Los Angeles businesses such as SoFi Stadium and Warner Bros. Studios, where you observe entertainment and sports operations firsthand. Networking with USC Marshall faculty and industry practitioners forms a key part of the experience, culminating in a Capstone Case Competition in which teams pitch data-driven solutions to a real company.
10. Colorado State University – Global Business Academy
Cost: $3,750; limited scholarships available
Location: Colorado State University College of Business, Fort Collins, CO
Program Dates: July 12 – July 22
Application Deadline: Early Admission & Scholarship: February 1; Final: May 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 15–18; must be enrolled in high school for Fall (current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors)
The Global Business Academy is a 10-day residential program where you explore sustainability, entrepreneurship, ethics, and global business practices through applied, faculty-led modules. You participate in team-based projects, negotiation exercises, leadership labs, and an innovation-focused “Rec Tech Challenge” that simulates building a startup from scratch. Company tours, executive fireside chats, and interactions with local and global business leaders provide you with professional exposure beyond the classroom. The program also incorporates experiential components like a ropes course, whitewater rafting, and campus-based team challenges that strengthen collaboration and decision-making skills.
11. Penn State Smeal College of Business – Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Cost: $350 program fee
Location: Penn State University Park, University Park, PA
Program Dates: June 14 – June 26
Application Deadline: October 20 - March 20
Eligibility: High school juniors from the U.S. or Puerto Rico interested in studying business; requires a transcript, standardized test scores (if available), and a recommendation letter
BOSS is a two-week residential business immersion in which you take college-style business fundamentals courses taught by Penn State faculty and experience life as a business student on campus. You participate in structured academic modules covering management, strategy, and analytical thinking while living in residence halls, eating in campus dining commons, and collaborating with a cohort of academically driven peers. The program includes site visits to organizations such as EY, amusement parks, and sports facilities, providing direct exposure to operational decision-making and business environments. You also complete a business pitch project, gaining experience in team-based problem-solving and formal presentation skills.
12. University of Colorado Boulder – Business Leadership Program (BLP)
Cost: Free
Location: Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Program Dates: June 21 – June 27
Application Deadline: December 1 - March 13
Eligibility: High school juniors who are Colorado residents or currently attend a Colorado high school; students from diverse, first-generation, or low-income backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply
The Business Leadership Program is a free, week-long residential experience designed around a team-based case competition where you develop and pitch a marketing campaign for one of CU Boulder’s corporate partners. Throughout the week, you learn from Leeds School of Business faculty and staff through workshops in strategy, leadership, marketing, and problem-solving, while practicing collaborative decision-making in diverse teams. Program activities incorporate structured networking with business professionals from companies such as EY, Deloitte, and KeyBank, offering real insight into career pathways. Teams present their final solutions to judges, with the top project earning a $1,000 scholarship, adding a competitive, performance-driven element.
13. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) – High School Business Internships
Cost: Free (paid internship positions depending on role; PNNL classifies them as student employee appointments)
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), various Washington State campuses
Program Dates: Academic Year Internships: August – May; Summer Internships: June – August
Application Deadline: Summer: March; Academic Year: June (Applications open in early February for both cycles)
Eligibility: High school students; must be at least 18 years old to work in laboratory spaces, but business-track roles often allow younger students, depending on duties; requires resume, cover letter, transcript, and references
PNNL’s High School Internship Program allows you to work alongside professionals in business operations, project coordination, communications, finance support, or administrative functions. As a business-track intern, you contribute to applied tasks such as data organization, workflow coordination, documentation, or communications while observing how federal research organizations manage large-scale projects. You also participate in leadership workshops, career awareness sessions, and lab-wide professional development activities that introduce organizational behavior and workplace communication skills.
14. University of Michigan – Ross Summer Business Academy
Cost: $5,500 program fee; need-based full and partial scholarships available
Location: Stephen M. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Program Dates: Session 1: June 7 – June 17; Session 2: June 21 – July 1
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; applicants from resource-limited households and first-generation students are especially encouraged to apply
The Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week intensive that introduces you to business fundamentals through a mix of faculty-led classes, collaborative workshops, and experiential projects. You participate in management, marketing, strategy, and problem-solving sessions while completing group assignments that mirror business school team-based learning. Daily programming includes structured coursework, applied exercises, field trips, and guest speaker events with industry professionals. Action-based learning is central, giving you firsthand experience with how companies operate and how leaders make decisions.
15. University of Kansas – Summer Venture in Business (SVB)
Cost: Free (all accepted students receive a scholarship covering housing, dining, and program materials)
Location: KU School of Business, Capitol Federal Hall, Lawrence, KS
Program Dates: June 15 – 20; July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: The typical cycle opens in early spring
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders; priority consideration for first-generation students, Title I school students, rural school students, Kansas & Greater Kansas City area students with a GPA of 2.75+
Summer Venture in Business introduces high school students to business fundamentals through a campus-based, week-long immersion combining workshops, group projects, and presentations. You participate in structured sessions covering areas such as management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and business analytics while gaining exposure to KU’s academic resources and student support systems. The experience includes college-prep workshops, admissions guidance, and professional development activities designed to prepare you for future business studies. Structured team exercises give you opportunities to practice communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and foundational management skills.
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