15 Business Summer Schools for High School Students
If you're interested in business, entrepreneurship, finance, or innovation, participating in structured programs can help you explore these fields beyond what you learn in the classroom.
What do business summer schools involve?
Through workshops, case studies, startup challenges, and team-based activities, you can gain hands-on experience to better understand potential career paths. Business summer schools vary widely in focus, with some emphasizing entrepreneurship and startup creation, while others focus on leadership, finance, consulting, or social impact.
Why pursue a business summer school in high school?
Many programs challenge you to collaborate, present ideas, analyze real-world business problems, and learn from faculty members, business leaders, and experienced entrepreneurs. Whether you're hoping to launch a venture of your own or simply gain exposure to the world of business, these experiences often provide access to mentors, industry professionals, and like-minded peers.
We have narrowed down a list of 15 business summer schools for high school students. For related opportunities, check out our guides on finance workshops for high school students and ivy league entrepreneurship programs.
Quick Look
2 free programs: the Suffolk University Summer Entrepreneurship Program and Bossgirls at CCNY, both fully covering costs like meals and transportation.
1 fully virtual option: Young Founders Lab, open to all high school students nationwide.
Highest-cost programs: Wharton's Leadership in the Business World ($11,899) and USC's Exploring Entrepreneurship (up to $11,570 residential).
1 program restricted to a specific demographic: Bossgirls, open only to girls and nonbinary students in the NY tri-state area.
Young Founders Lab is the only option centered on building an actual revenue-generating startup rather than coursework or case studies, with need-based financial aid available.
15 Business Summer Schools for High School Students
1. Boston Leadership Institute: Finance & STEM Entrepreneurship
Cost: Finance program tuition varies by format; STEM Entrepreneurship tuition is $2,500 for the three-week program, with an optional residential fee of $2,097
Location: Boston, MA (Finance program also offered in Waltham, MA; STEM Entrepreneurship offered in the Greater Wellesley area)
Dates: Finance: June 22 – July 10 or July 6 – 24; STEM Entrepreneurship: June 29 – July 17
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students; requirements vary by program
The Boston Leadership Institute offers business-focused summer programs that combine academic learning with practical applications in finance and entrepreneurship. In the Finance program, you explore concepts such as investing, financial markets, and business decision-making while working through real-world case studies and industry-inspired challenges. The STEM Entrepreneurship program takes a more innovation-focused approach, introducing you to the process of developing ideas, evaluating market opportunities, and understanding how technology-driven ventures are built and scaled. Across both programs, you learn in a collaborative environment that emphasizes problem-solving, presentation skills, and analytical thinking. Participants also benefit from exposure to professionals, college-level instruction, and opportunities to engage with Boston’s broader innovation ecosystem.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type (need-based financial aid available)
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Dates: 4-week program starting tentatively June 5th
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March | Regular Admission 1: April | Regular Admission 2: May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. You will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem, mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your startup, you'll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. The program gives you a structured space to explore both theoretical and practical frameworks for building a successful business. You can check out the brochure here and access the application here.
3. Suffolk University Summer Entrepreneurship Program
Cost: Free (includes daily lunch and local public transportation passes)
Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Dates: July 7 – 24
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in January
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum 2.7 GPA; rising juniors may be considered on a space-available basis; designed for students who can commute to campus
If you are interested in entrepreneurship and want a college-level introduction to launching new ventures, Suffolk University's Summer Entrepreneurship Program offers a structured way to explore the field. During this three-week experience, you learn how entrepreneurs identify opportunities, develop ideas, and create value within both startups and established organizations. The program combines classroom learning with team-based projects, visits to entrepreneurial organizations across Boston, and conversations with business leaders and founders. You also gain exposure to the college experience through access to campus resources and guidance on the college application process. The program culminates in a final presentation where you pitch your own venture concept, and participants earn three college credits through Suffolk University.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type (financial aid available)
Location: Remote; work from anywhere in the world
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious students. You'll work with a high-growth startup on real projects across industries including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder's startups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars — past founders include YCombinator alums and former employees of Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. You'll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach and present your work to the company at the end of the internship. You can apply here.
5. Fordham University: Exploring Entrepreneurship
Cost: $1,950 (includes daily lunches and field trips); $150 non-refundable application fee credited toward tuition if accepted
Location: Fordham University, New York, NY
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: Not specified; check the website for more details
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
If you want to experience the startup process in a condensed, hands-on format, Fordham University's Exploring Entrepreneurship program offers an introduction to building and launching new ventures. Over the course of a week, you work in teams to develop a business idea, refine it using tools such as design thinking and the Business Model Canvas, and ultimately pitch it to a panel of entrepreneurs and startup experts. The curriculum covers key entrepreneurial concepts including value propositions, minimum viable products (MVPs), startup financing, and customer discovery. You also visit a startup incubator to gain insight into the entrepreneurial ecosystem and interact with founders and mentors. Along the way, you receive guidance from Fordham's entrepreneurs-in-residence and innovation staff while experiencing college life and collaborating with peers who share an interest in business and entrepreneurship.
6. Bossgirls: The City College of New York
Cost: Free
Location: The City College of New York, New York, NY
Dates: June 29 – July 30
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Current high school girls and nonbinary students in grades 9–12 (including graduating seniors), residents of the New York tri-state area who can commute to campus and commit to the full program
Bossgirls is a free entrepreneurship program designed to introduce you to business creation, innovation, and human-centered problem-solving. Working alongside a cohort of peers, you explore how to identify real-world problems, understand customer needs, and develop business ideas to address them. Throughout the five-week program, you receive support from mentors and engage with entrepreneurs while refining your ideas through workshops and team activities. The experience culminates in a pitch presentation in which you showcase your solution to an audience, providing practical exposure to the entrepreneurial process from ideation to presentation.
7. Tufts University: Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp
Cost: Commuter: $4,225; Residential: $5,750; Limited need-based scholarships available
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
Dates: July 5 – 17
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10-12 and recent high school graduates; application requires transcripts, two short essays, one letter of recommendation, and a parent permission form
Tufts University's Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp is a two-week pre-college program that introduces you to the process of building and launching a venture. Hosted in partnership with the Derby Entrepreneurship Center, the program focuses on helping participants develop an entrepreneurial mindset while working on solutions to real-world challenges. You will learn how to evaluate opportunities, develop a business case, create a go-to-market strategy, and refine a sales plan. Throughout the program, you collaborate with fellow participants and receive guidance from Tufts students, alumni, and entrepreneurial mentors who share insights from their own startup experiences. A key component of the bootcamp is developing and pitching an original venture idea to stakeholders, allowing you to practice communicating your ideas and receiving feedback.
8. University of Southern California (USC): Exploring Entrepreneurship
Cost: Residential: $11,570; Commuter: $8,130
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Dates: Summer session beginning June 22
Application Deadline: Domestic applicants: May 8; International applicants: March 13
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 9th grade by the start of the program; applicants should be pursuing a rigorous high school curriculum
USC’s Exploring Entrepreneurship program combines college-level coursework with hands-on business development activities. Through a mix of classroom instruction, market research, and team-based projects, you will examine how entrepreneurs identify opportunities, evaluate industries, and turn ideas into viable ventures. The curriculum covers topics such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources, innovation, ethics, personal branding, and business planning. Rather than focusing solely on theory, the program requires you to actively test ideas, gather data, and engage with real-world business challenges. You will also interact with industry professionals, strengthen your public speaking skills, and develop a business concept supported by market research and strategic planning.
9. Fordham University - Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom
Cost: $1,300 ($100 non-refundable deposit required at application)
Location: Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY (with a virtual attendance option)
Dates: June 15 – 19; June 22 – 26; July 20 – 24; July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: Priority consideration for applications submitted before April 1
Eligibility: High school students interested in finance, investing, economics, or personal finance; international students may apply to attend virtually
Fordham University's Finance Institute offers a one-week introduction to finance through its Wall Street in the Classroom program. Designed for high school students, the program explores topics ranging from economic fundamentals and financial markets to investing, risk management, private equity, hedge funds, and cryptocurrency. You will learn directly from a former Wall Street global equity trader while engaging in discussions about real-world financial concepts and current market trends. Guest speakers from leading finance firms and recent Fordham alumni provide additional perspectives on careers in the industry. The curriculum also emphasizes personal finance, helping you understand savings, investing, debt management, and financial decision-making.
10. Wharton Global Youth Program: Leadership in the Business World
Cost: $11,899
Location: University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School), Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 7 – 27; June 28 – July 18; July 19 – August 8
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: January 28; Final deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; highly selective program open to students interested in business, leadership, and economics
Wharton’s Leadership in the Business World program is a three-week intensive that introduces you to foundational concepts in business education at one of the world’s leading business schools. You will engage in structured coursework focused on management theory, organizational behavior, and strategic decision-making, while applying frameworks such as SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, and value chain analysis. The program places strong emphasis on collaboration through team-based projects, simulations, and debates that mirror real-world business environments. You will also analyze a publicly listed company and present your findings as part of a capstone case competition. By the end, you will earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion that reflects your participation in a rigorous, business-focused academic experience.
11. University of Michigan: Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Cost: $5,500 (need-based full and partial scholarships available)
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Dates: June 7 – 17; June 21 – July 1
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA; preference given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week pre-college program that introduces you to core concepts in business through an immersive, college-style learning environment. You explore how companies operate, how leaders approach decision-making, and what it means to study business at a top undergraduate business school. The program is built around interactive classes, workshops, and group projects that emphasize collaboration and applied learning. You also engage with Michigan Ross faculty, industry guests, and peers through structured academic sessions and discussions. Throughout the experience, you participate in field trips, speaker events, and team-based assignments that reflect real business challenges.
12. Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Finance
Cost: $8,299
Location: University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School), Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 7 – 19; June 21 – July 3; July 12 – 25; July 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: January 28; Final deadline: March 18
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9-11; international students are eligible; prior exposure to economics or business is preferred but not required
The Essentials of Finance program at Wharton Global Youth is a two-week intensive designed to introduce you to core concepts in personal and corporate finance. You explore foundational topics such as time value of money, risk and return, compounding, and corporate valuation, with a focus on how these ideas apply in real-world financial decision-making. The program also takes you beyond the stock market, exposing you to areas like venture capital, equities, and alternative investments. You work through interactive exercises and case studies to analyze financial statements and evaluate companies. A key component of the experience is a team-based project where you assess a publicly traded company and present a market recommendation using financial tools and frameworks.
13. Northeastern University: Experiential Entrepreneurship
Cost: $7,095 (includes tuition, housing, meals, course materials, and activities; need-based financial aid available)
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Dates: July 12 – 24
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students (exact grade requirements not specified on the program page)
The Experiential Entrepreneurship program is a two-week immersive experience where you explore entrepreneurship by actively building a startup from the ground up. You work in teams to develop an idea, refine it into a business model, and ultimately pitch it to a panel of entrepreneurs and industry professionals. Throughout the program, you engage with mentors who guide you through key areas such as product development, audience building, negotiation, and business planning. The experience is structured around hands-on learning, where you continuously test, refine, and present your ideas in a fast-paced environment. You also gain exposure to real entrepreneurial thinking through discussions on systems thinking, creativity, and team development.
14. Penn State University: Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Cost: $350 (program fee, paid after acceptance)
Location: Penn State University Park Campus, State College, PA
Dates: June 14 – 26
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico
The Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) is a two-week residential program at Penn State that introduces you to the fundamentals of business. You attend college-level sessions taught by Penn State faculty where you explore core business concepts and begin building an academic foundation in the field. The program also takes you beyond the classroom through site visits to corporate environments and local businesses, helping you understand how different industries operate in practice. You live on campus in residence halls, eat in dining commons, and experience structured college life alongside a cohort of motivated peers.
15. Rutgers Business School Summer Camp
Cost: $2,600 (includes room & board, meals, camp activities, and field trips)
Location: Rutgers University, Livingston Campus, Piscataway, NJ
Dates: July 5 – 11; July 12 – 18; July 19 – 25
Application Deadline: Not specified (program sessions are waitlisted/fill quickly)
Eligibility: High school students (exact grade eligibility not specified)
The Rutgers Business School Summer Camp is a one-week residential program where you explore core areas of business through an immersive, hands-on format. You rotate through key disciplines such as marketing, finance, accounting, management, and supply chain to understand how different parts of a business function together. The program places a strong emphasis on experiential learning, in which you apply concepts through case-based activities, group projects, and simulations. You also take part in site visits to businesses, giving you exposure to real-world operations and professional environments. A key feature of the camp is the opportunity to develop and present a business plan and elevator pitch, helping you practice communication and presentation skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there free business summer schools for high school students?
Yes. The Suffolk University Summer Entrepreneurship Program is free and includes daily lunch and transit passes, and Bossgirls at CCNY is also free, though it's limited to girls and nonbinary students in the NY tri-state area.
2. Is there a fully virtual option that doesn't require travel?
Young Founders Lab is 100% virtual and open to all high school students nationwide, pairing you with mentors from Google, Microsoft, and X as you build a real revenue-generating startup rather than working through case studies alone.
3. Which programs are the most expensive, and what do they include?
Wharton's Leadership in the Business World costs $11,899 for a three-week intensive, and USC's Exploring Entrepreneurship costs up to $11,570 for the residential option, both covering tuition, housing, and structured coursework at a top business school.