15 Economics & Business Summer Programs for High School Students
For high school students eager to explore careers in economics and business, summer programs provide networking opportunities and college-level learning.
What are economics & business summer programs for high school students?
Economics & business summer programs bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing you to go beyond classroom concepts. They demonstrate how economic principles, business models, and entrepreneurial strategies play out in realistic settings. You’ll participate in simulations, case studies, and collaborative projects. They provide hands-on exposure to decision-making, leadership, and data-driven analysis.
How can participating in economics & business summer programs for high school students help you?
Participating in these programs can help you improve your college applications, learn how to build your own startup, and network with like-minded peers and top faculty. Through developing a startup idea, analyzing financial markets, or learning from industry leaders, you will discover your interests, build practical skills, and make informed choices about your academic and career paths in business and economics.
If you’re also interested in business leadership programs, please check here.
Here are 15 Economics & business summer programs for high school students!
15 Economics & Business Summer Programs for High School Students
1. Business Leadership Program (BLP) — University of Colorado Boulder, Leeds School of Business
Cost: Free (fully funded by the Leeds School of Business and corporate partners)
Location: Boulder, Colorado (on-campus at the University of Colorado Boulder)
Program Dates: June 21–27
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Current high school juniors attending a Colorado high school; preference for first-generation or low-income students
The Business Leadership Program (BLP) at the Leeds School of Business is a one-week immersive experience that teaches you to solve business challenges through a competitive case competition. You will work in teams to design and present a marketing campaign for corporate partners such as EY, Deloitte, and Elevations Credit Union. You will gain exposure to branding strategy, data-driven decision-making, and professional communication. You’ll learn directly from Leeds faculty and business professionals, enhancing your leadership, collaboration, and presentation skills in a university setting. The program culminates with team presentations, and the top-performing group receives a $1,000 scholarship to the Leeds School of Business. Notable features include networking sessions, college preparation guidance, and residential campus living, offering an authentic preview of business school life.
2. Young Founders Lab
Cost: There is need-based financial aid.
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 practical 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. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
3. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Location: Remote. You can work from anywhere in the world.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech, and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Past founders have included YCombinator alums, founders raising over 30 million dollars, or founders who previously worked at Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. In the program, you work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on projects and present your work to the company. Here is the application form. As an intern, you are offered one-on-one training in communication, time management, and other such valuable skills, and you will also have the opportunity to attend group training sessions with other interns in your cohort.
4. Harvard Summer School — Secondary School Program (Economics, Finance, and Public Policy Focus)
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts or Online
Cost: Approximately $3,700–$7,500, depending on course load and residential status
Program Dates: June 21–August 8
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and above who have completed at least their sophomore year
Through Harvard’s 7-week Secondary School Program, you can immerse yourself in rigorous coursework across economics, finance, and public policy, earning up to 8 college credits. You’ll choose two courses, ranging from Principles of Economics to Neuroscience and Economic Decision-Making, and build skills in data interpretation, econometrics, and financial analysis. You’ll engage in projects that simulate market behavior, policy evaluation, and strategic decision-making using real case data. Courses are led by Harvard faculty and feature small, discussion-driven classes that emphasize critical reasoning and analytical writing. Notable features include optional networking sessions, virtual lectures by guest economists, and academic advising sessions to help plan future college majors.
5. Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) — Penn State Smeal College of Business
Cost: $350 (due only after acceptance)
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
Program Dates: June 14–26
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school juniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Penn State’s Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) is a two-week residential program designed to introduce high school juniors to college-level business education and campus life. You will take college preparatory and business fundamentals courses taught by Smeal College of Business faculty, focusing on key areas like management, marketing, and accounting. You will engage in case-based learning, collaborative group projects, and problem-solving sessions simulating real business challenges. Beyond academics, you will experience authentic college life, living in dorms, dining on campus, and networking with peers and mentors. Notable features include interactive workshops, exposure to Penn State’s diverse academic community, and sessions that prepare you for the college application process and business school pathways.
6. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Cost: $6,295 (Online); $9,295 (Commuter); 12,995 (Residential)
Location: Online or in-person at New England Innovation Academy, Marlborough, Massachusetts
Program Dates: July 8–28 (orientation begins July 6 for in-person students)
Application Deadline: Opens December 1; closes March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Babson’s Summer Study for High School Students is a 3-week pre-college program that immerses you in EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, earning 4 college credits. Through Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® framework, you’ll learn to identify opportunities, evaluate market needs, and design ventures aligned with the U.N. Global Goals. You will work in teams on a social impact project, developing business models and presenting your ideas to faculty and peers. The program combines theory with hands-on learning, emphasizing problem-solving, leadership, and business communication. Notable features include mentorship from Babson graduate and undergraduate leaders, guest lectures by startup founders and innovators, and exposure to a global network of peers.
7. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program for High School Students
Cost: $6,100 + $75 application fee; limited financial aid available
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (on-campus only)
Program Dates: Session I: June 21–July | Session II: July 5–17 | Session III: July 19–31
Application Deadline: Early: January 7 | Regular: February 11 | Late: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (ages 16–18)
Harvard’s Pre-College Program is a two-week residential experience where students take one intensive, non-credit college-level course in Economics, Business and Leadership, or Public Policy. Classes are capped at around 15 students and emphasize analytical reasoning, debate, and problem-solving. Through the program, you’ll develop advanced academic and communication skills while engaging in co-curricular activities designed to simulate real college life. You will attend daily lectures, complete 2–4 hours of homework, and receive a detailed evaluation and transcript upon completion. Notable features include college readiness workshops, panels with admissions officers, and seminars on essay writing and financial aid.
8. Wharton Global High School Investment Competition
Cost: Free
Location: Online (global participation)
Program Dates: Typically runs from September to March (spanning the academic year, with final presentations in spring)
Application Deadline: Opens each August; registration deadlines vary by region (typically September)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) working in teams of 4–6 with a teacher advisor
Hosted by the Wharton Global Youth Program at the University of Pennsylvania, this experiential competition challenges you to develop and manage a simulated investment portfolio using a stock market simulator. Teams create investment strategies, analyze industries, diversify portfolios, and present detailed reports on performance and rationale. You will gain a foundational understanding of financial markets, risk assessment, and macroeconomic trends while honing communication and teamwork skills. The top-performing teams advance to regional and global finals, where they pitch to Wharton faculty and finance professionals. Notable features include access to Wharton educational resources, mentorship from teachers and financial experts, and recognition through certificates, digital badges, and media features.
9. Summer@Brown (Business, Economics & Legal Studies)
Cost: Varies by course length; limited financial aid available
Location: Providence, Rhode Island (on-campus) and Hybrid
Program Dates: June 15–July 25 (multiple 1-, 2-, 3-week on-campus sessions; 5-week hybrid: 2 weeks online + 3 weeks on campus)
Application Deadline: Applications open early spring; rolling admissions until courses fill (varies by course)
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12; ages 14–18 by June 14
Summer@Brown lets you build your own business/economics pathway from 200+ non-credit courses, including options like Introduction to Finance, Financial Accounting, Introduction to Microeconomics, Financial Mathematics, and more. You’ll spend ~3 hours/day in class plus 2–3 hours/day on assignments, developing analytical reasoning, quantitative problem-solving, and business communication. You’ll complete case-based projects (e.g., modeling risk/return, building basic financial statements, or drafting a startup concept) and practice evidence-based argumentation in seminars. Notable features include workshops, activities, and events for networking with peers, Course Performance Reports, and a community that mirrors first-year college study.
10. The Business Academies — Harvard Student Agencies
Cost: $1,800; early-bird discounts and need-based financial aid available (80% of students receive aid)
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts (on-campus)
Program Dates: Entrepreneurship: June 8–12, June 29–July 3, July 6–10, July 20–24, August 3–7, August 10–14 | Management & Strategy: June 22–26, July 13–17, July 27–31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until seats are filled
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Hosted by Harvard Student Agencies, the Business Academies offer one-week immersive programs focused on Entrepreneurship and Management & Strategy. In the Entrepreneurship Academy, you’ll develop a startup from idea to pitch, learning to perform SWOT analyses, create business plans, and conduct market research. In the Management & Strategy Academy, you’ll take on the role of a consultant, analyzing corporate data, evaluating company performance through financial statements, and designing business solutions for real case studies. Both tracks emphasize analytical reasoning, teamwork, and communication through simulations and interactive exercises. Notable features include case-based learning inspired by Harvard Business School, mentorship from Harvard students, and a final investor-style pitch competition to showcase your strategic and entrepreneurial skills.
11. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Cost: Approximately $5,500; limited financial aid available
Location: UC Berkeley, California (on-campus)
Program Dates: Two-week sessions in July (exact dates vary each summer)
Application Deadline: Typically March 15 (applications open in December)
Eligibility: High school students worldwide (grades 10–12)
The B-BAY Summer Entrepreneurship Program immerses students in two weeks of university-level business education at Berkeley Haas. Guided by Haas faculty and industry experts, you will learn foundational concepts in marketing, finance, economics, and management while developing and pitching your own business ventures. Each team conducts market research, designs a business plan, and presents it to a judging panel in a simulated investor pitch. Coursework combines lectures, computer lab sessions, and interactive projects that strengthen communication, research, and analytical skills. You will also engage in admissions workshops, peer networking, and sessions with Berkeley undergraduates, offering insight into college life and business careers. Notable features include a final investor-style pitch competition and a formal Certificate of Completion from Berkeley Haas.
12. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Cost: $5,500; full and partial need-based scholarships available
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (on-campus at the University of Michigan)
Program Dates: June 7–17, June 21–July 1
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (students entering their final year of high school)
The Summer Business Academy at the Stephen M. Ross School of Business introduces you to business fundamentals through two weeks of college-level coursework and collaborative learning. You will explore functional areas such as marketing, finance, and operations while analyzing how high-performing companies succeed. Through faculty-led workshops, case studies, and team projects, you will learn to interpret business data, identify strategic opportunities, and present actionable solutions. The program’s action-based learning model mirrors Ross’s undergraduate business education style, emphasizing leadership and collaboration. Notable features include guest lectures, site visits, and evening networking events that provide students with firsthand exposure to business education and corporate environments.
13. Economics for Leaders (EFL) — Foundation for Teaching Economics
Cost: $2,800
Location: Multiple campuses, including UC Berkeley, Yale, Cornell, Duke, and the University of Michigan
Program Dates: June–August (one-week sessions at various U.S. universities)
Application Deadline: Opens in December; rolling admissions until sites fill
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors
The Economics for Leaders (EFL) program equips high school students with the tools to integrate economic reasoning into leadership and decision-making. Over a week of residential learning, you will explore how market forces shape policy, trade, and innovation through simulations, case discussions, and interactive lectures. You practice applying micro- and macroeconomic principles to practical public policy problems while also developing core leadership skills like negotiation, communication, and ethical reasoning. Classes are taught by university economics professors and leadership instructors trained by the Foundation for Teaching Economics. Notable features include college-credit options, a 90% participant recommendation rate, and networking opportunities with peers and faculty at top universities such as Yale, UC Berkeley, and the University of Pennsylvania.
14. Entrepreneurship Academy — Georgetown University
Cost: $6,465 (residential, includes housing and meals); $5,075 (commuter)
Location: Washington, D.C. (on-campus at Georgetown University)
Program Dates: June 7–17
Application Deadline: Applications open in late fall; rolling admissions until spots are filled
Eligibility: High school students (typically rising juniors and seniors)
The Entrepreneurship Academy at Georgetown University’s School of Continuing Studies is a two-week, hands-on program where you’ll explore how to develop and manage a startup. You will learn design thinking, prototyping, market research, and business modeling through workshops and case studies led by Georgetown faculty and visiting entrepreneurs. Each team builds a business plan and presents it in a final pitch competition judged by industry professionals. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, ethical business practices, and communication, key skills for aspiring entrepreneurs. Notable features include guest lectures from founders and investors, field trips to local startups, and a certificate of participation.
15. Exploring Entrepreneurship — University of Southern California (USC)
Cost: $8,130 (Commuter); $11,570 (Residential)
Location: Los Angeles, California (on-campus at USC)
Program Dates: June 15–July 12
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 10th grade by the program start date
USC’s Exploring Entrepreneurship program immerses students in the process of starting and scaling a business, combining business theory with practical, team-based application. You’ll study key topics such as accounting, marketing, finance, human resources, and innovation while developing a business plan from concept to presentation. You’ll engage in off-campus field trips to Santa Monica’s Silicon Beach, local startups, and manufacturing hubs, gaining firsthand insight into Los Angeles’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Daily classes include lectures, group work, and hands-on projects that refine leadership and public speaking abilities. Notable features include guest speakers from the startup community, networking sessions, field visits, and a final pitch presentation.
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