15 Economics Summer Programs in New York for High School Students
If you are interested in careers related to economics, finance, business, or public policy, participating in a structured summer program can help you explore these fields early and with purpose.
What are economics summer programs in New York for high school students?
Economics summer programs in New York for high school students allow you to move beyond classroom theory and apply economic concepts to practical problems, from analyzing markets to understanding public policy and entrepreneurship. Through hands-on projects, mentorship, and exposure to professionals, these programs help you build useful skills while clarifying your academic and career interests.
Why participate in economics summer programs in New York for high school students?
By participating, you can learn how economic principles shape business decisions, government policy, and social outcomes: skills you can later apply to your own ventures or academic research. Many programs also strengthen your college applications by demonstrating intellectual curiosity, initiative, and engagement.
You can find online economics programs here, or go here for economics competitions for high school students.
Below are 15 economics summer programs in New York for high school students that offer a range of academic, research, and work-based experiences.
15 Economics Summer Programs in New York for High School Students
1. NYU Precollege - Economics Track
Location: New York University, New York, NY (in-person and online options available)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition charged per course credit, plus program and housing fees where applicable
Cohort Size: Course-based enrollment; class sizes vary by subject and format
Dates: Summer session runs July 1 – August 12
Application Deadline: March 13 (international students attending in person); June 15 (U.S. and online students)
Eligibility: High school students who meet NYU Precollege academic requirements
NYU Precollege allows you to experience college-level academics by enrolling in undergraduate courses taught by NYU faculty across business, economics, humanities, social sciences, STEM, and the arts. You can take economics- and business-focused courses such as marketing, accounting, statistics, and management while earning official NYU college credit. Through rigorous coursework, you develop analytical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and academic writing skills aligned with university expectations. Beyond the classroom, you participate in College 101 workshops that introduce you to the college admissions process, study strategies, and financial aid planning. Throughout the program, you can access NYU’s academic advising, libraries, and campus resources, which will give you a realistic preview of college life and academic intensity.
2. Young Founder’s Lab
Location: Virtual (live, interactive online workshops)
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Cohort Size: Cohort-based; size varies by program and season
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Young Founder’s Lab is a startup boot camp founded and led by Harvard entrepreneurs that introduces high school students to the process of building and scaling a real business. In this program, you work toward developing a revenue-generating startup designed to solve a complex, practical problem. You receive mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals affiliated with companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X, gaining insight into both product development and business strategy. Alongside venture building, you participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals, ideation frameworks, and market validation. The curriculum also includes workshops, case studies, panel discussions, and skill-building sessions that expose you to practical and theoretical aspects of entrepreneurship. Overall, the program provides structured guidance and hands-on experience for students interested in exploring entrepreneurship and business innovation during high school.
3. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Location: Multiple U.S. locations (local nonprofit placements) + Washington, DC (leadership summit)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship; all summit-related travel, housing, and meals fully covered
Cohort Size: ~300 students selected annually from nearly 100 communities
Dates: 8-week summer program (includes one week at the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC)
Application Deadline: Mid-January
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who meet work authorization, residency, and program participation requirements
The Bank of America Student Leaders® program is a highly selective national leadership and workforce development initiative designed to prepare community-minded high school students for long-term career success. Through an 8-week paid internship, you are placed with a local nonprofit or charitable organization, where you work full-time and gain hands-on experience addressing real community needs. The program emphasizes professional skill development, civic engagement, and leadership training, helping you build workplace readiness alongside a strong sense of social responsibility. In addition to the local internship, you participate in a Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, where you engage with peers from across the country, develop leadership competencies, and explore careers in public service, business, and nonprofit sectors.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote (work from anywhere globally)
Cost/Stipend: Unpaid; program participation fee required
Cohort Size: Selective; cohort sizes vary by startup and term
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered throughout the year (8–12 weeks per cohort)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program designed for ambitious students seeking real-world experience at fast-growing companies. In this program, you are matched with a high-growth startup and work directly on meaningful projects across industries such as economics, technology, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Many participating startups are venture-backed, with founders who are Y Combinator alumni, have raised significant funding, or have professional experience at companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook. Throughout the internship, you collaborate closely with startup managers while receiving structured guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach. You contribute to real business initiatives rather than simulated tasks, gaining exposure to startup operations, problem-solving, and professional communication. The program culminates in a final presentation where you showcase your work to the company, helping you build both technical and professional confidence.
5. CLA High School Internship Program
Location: CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) offices across the U.S., including the New York City area
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: 4–8 weeks; runs between June and August
Application Deadline: Varies by location; typically January–March
Eligibility: High school students aged 16–18
The CLA High School Internship Program is a paid summer opportunity designed to introduce high school students to careers in accounting and professional services. During the internship, you gain exposure to the day-to-day work of a national professional services firm through interactive case studies, hands-on projects, and opportunities to shadow experienced professionals. The program allows you to explore core service areas such as audit, tax, and consulting while developing an understanding of how these functions support businesses and organizations. In addition to technical exposure, you build professional skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving in a structured workplace environment. Interns work alongside CLA teams and receive guidance from professionals who provide insight into career pathways within accounting, finance, and consulting.
6. Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics (BUFE0220)
Location: In person and online at Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based program; fees vary by enrollment type and format. Check here.
Cohort Size: Course-based enrollment; class sizes vary by section
Dates: Offered during Summer A and Summer B sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by program and enrollment track
Eligibility: High school students who meet the hosting institution’s academic requirements
Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics is a rigorous academic course that examines how firms make financial and economic decisions in competitive markets. In this course, you explore how companies raise capital, evaluate investment opportunities, and determine the value of their securities. The curriculum covers core topics such as stocks, bonds, financial markets, valuation techniques, and optimal investment strategies, providing a structured introduction to business and finance theory. You also analyze real case studies and engage in sustained independent work to understand how firms assess risk, interpret accounting statements, and operate within financial markets. The course emphasizes both conceptual understanding and practical application, helping you develop analytical and critical thinking skills relevant to economics and finance.
7. Follow the Money: Business Reporting
Location: New York City (in-person; residential and day options available)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based program; $7,695 (residential) or $6,195 (day program); additional fees apply; scholarships available
Cohort Size: Course-based enrollment; class sizes vary by term
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions offered throughout June and July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until sessions are filled
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders and graduating seniors
Follow the Money: Business Reporting is a pre-college journalism course that explores how reporters cover business, finance, and economic trends that shape everyday life. In this program, you develop both financial and media literacy by learning how journalists identify business stories, analyze financial markets, and explain complex economic forces to the public. The curriculum examines how companies operate behind the scenes, how corporate leaders make financial decisions, and how consumer behavior reflects broader economic shifts. Based in New York City, the heart of the U.S. financial and media landscape, the course combines classroom discussion with hands-on reporting experience. You read and analyze current business and economic news, learn to use tools that track markets and economic data, and report on local businesses and financial topics.
8. Game Theory: A Course in Mathematical Economics (ECON0102)
Location: In person at Columbia University (New York City) and online
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based pre-college course; fees vary by format and enrollment. Check here.
Cohort Size: Course-based enrollment; class sizes vary by section
Dates: Offered during Summer A and Summer B sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by program track; rolling admissions while seats remain
Eligibility: High school students who meet Columbia University Pre-College academic requirements
Game Theory: A Course in Mathematical Economics introduces you to the strategic decision-making frameworks used to analyze competition, cooperation, and uncertainty in economic and real-world contexts. In this course, you study how rational agents make choices when outcomes depend on the actions of others, applying game-theoretic models to scenarios such as pricing strategies, negotiations, product launches, and strategic cooperation. The curriculum draws on foundational works by key pioneers in game theory and connects these ideas to economics, business, political science, and project management. You are expected to apply theoretical concepts to solve probability-based problem sets and analyze decision-maker payoffs, strengthening your quantitative reasoning and analytical skills.
9. Cornell Institute for CICER Summer High School Program in Business, Economics & Data Analytics
Location: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (in-person)
Cost/Stipend: $5,700 (includes meals, accommodation, materials, local transportation, and activities; travel to campus not included); reduced commuter rate available for eligible local students
Cohort Size: Limited; selective admission
Dates: July 13 – July 25
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school students; international students welcome (English proficiency required for non-U.S. schools)
The CICER Summer High School Program is a two-week immersive academic experience that introduces students to business, economics, and data analytics in an Ivy League environment. You take two core courses and one elective, with options that include behavioral and environmental economics, big data and business analytics, and systems thinking. Beyond the classroom, the program emphasizes experiential learning through team-based business competitions, including a business analysis simulation and a business pitch competition. You also participate in academic consultations with Cornell faculty, staff, and students, gaining insight into college admissions and potential majors. Residential students have the opportunity to explore campus and nearby attractions, while all participants earn a certificate upon successful completion and sit for a graded final exam.
10. Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom
Location: Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY (hybrid: in-person or virtual)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based program; $1,300 total ($100 non-refundable deposit required at application)
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions offered between mid-June and late July
Application Deadline: Priority given to applications submitted before April 1
Eligibility: Open to all high school students; international students are eligible to attend virtually
Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom is a one-week intensive program designed to introduce high school students to core concepts in finance, investing, and personal financial management. Offered by the Gabelli School of Business, the program provides a structured overview of financial markets, economic fundamentals, and modern investment strategies. You explore topics such as the time value of money, stocks and bonds, monetary policy, asset allocation, risk management, and alternative investments, including hedge funds, private equity, and cryptocurrency. The course is taught by a former Wall Street global equity trader and emphasizes discussion-based learning to strengthen conceptual understanding and real-world application. Guest speakers from leading finance firms and Gabelli alumni share industry perspectives, helping you connect classroom concepts to professional pathways
11. Global Finance
Location: Fordham University, Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, NY (hybrid: in-person or virtual)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based program; $1,300 total ($100 non-refundable deposit required at application)
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 6 – July 10
Application Deadline: Priority given to applications submitted before April 1
Eligibility: Open to all high school students; international students may attend virtually
Global Finance is a one-week intensive program designed for high school students interested in understanding financial markets from an international perspective. The program introduces you to how global economic systems, trade, and investment flows shape financial decision-making. The curriculum begins with a historical overview of globalization and the post-war economic order before examining modern global financial structures. You study topics such as foreign exchange markets, the evolution from the gold standard to fiat currencies, and strategies for investing in international equities. The course also explores global trade dynamics, including tariffs, trade imbalances, and their broader economic implications, along with future trends such as emerging markets and the challenges of globalization.
12. Macroeconomics: An Introduction (ECON0101)
Location: In person at Columbia University, New York City
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based pre-college course; fees vary by enrollment track
Cohort Size: Course-based enrollment; class sizes vary by section
Dates: Summer A session (June 29 – July 17)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions while seats remain
Eligibility: High school students who meet Columbia University Pre-College academic requirements
Macroeconomics: An Introduction is a fast-paced foundational course that examines the forces shaping national and global economies. In this course, you explore how economic output is measured, including concepts such as GDP, and analyze why indicators like inflation, unemployment, and economic growth matter for societies and policymakers. The curriculum introduces core macroeconomic principles while connecting theory to real-world economic challenges that affect everyday life. You study the roles of fiscal and monetary policy, learning how governments and central banks influence interest rates, money supply, taxation, and international trade. Through historical and contemporary case studies, including financial crises and global trade conflicts, you develop the ability to analyze how economic shocks ripple through economies.
13. Wall Street Stock Market & Investment Experience
Location: New York City (in-person; residential and commuter options available)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based program; $3,899 for one week or $6,699 for two weeks (airfare not included)
Cohort Size: Up to 100 participants
Dates: One- or two-week sessions offered in July
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until sessions are filled
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12
The Wall Street Stock Market & Investment Experience is an immersive finance program jointly offered by Westcoast Connection and the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF). The program introduces you to key areas of finance, including trading, wealth management, venture capital, hedge funds, private equity, cryptocurrency, and financial statement analysis. Throughout the program, you participate in engaging classroom sessions, collaborative projects, and career-focused discussions that explore how capital markets function in practice. Set in the heart of New York City, the experience combines academic learning with professional exploration and cultural activities, offering insight into finance careers while building peer connections. You receive a certificate of completion and may request letters of recommendation, making the program a strong option for those seeking early exposure to finance in a real-world setting.
14. Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program
Location: Virtual (live online classes)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition-based program; $1,990
Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until seats are filled
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18
The Young Finance Scholar (YFS) Program, offered by the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF), is a structured pre-college program designed for high school students seeking early exposure to finance, business, and economics. The program emphasizes conceptual understanding alongside applied learning through case studies and discussion-based classes. In addition to economic fundamentals, you learn how to analyze companies from a financial perspective by examining assets and liabilities, equity and debt structures, revenue and cost models, and cash flow. The curriculum also introduces you to Wall Street and capital markets, covering the history of Wall Street, key market participants, investment banking, and IPOs. Further modules focus on emerging areas such as sustainable finance and fintech, including blockchain, digital finance, and sustainability concepts.
15. JA Economics®
Location: Offered in schools across New York State (classroom-based or virtual)
Cost/Stipend: Free through participating schools and Junior Achievement partners
Cohort Size: Varies by school and district participation
Dates: Semester-long course (approximately 12–16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by school or district
Eligibility: Open to high school students; availability depends on local JA partnerships
JA Economics® is a standards-aligned high school course that introduces students to core economic principles and their relevance to everyday decision-making. In this program, you explore how markets function, how supply and demand influence prices, and how economic forces shape individual and societal choices. The curriculum emphasizes practical applications of economic reasoning, often through interactive lessons, case studies, and project-based activities. Junior Achievement volunteers frequently support instruction as guest speakers or mentors, helping connect economic concepts to real-world careers and workplace skills. As part of Junior Achievement’s broader financial literacy and workforce readiness pathway, JA Economics® is well-suited for students seeking a foundational understanding of economics alongside preparation for college and future careers.
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