10 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in New York
If you're a high school student in New York interested in an accessible way to explore business, economics, entrepreneurship, or leadership, a summer program can be a great way to develop your skills. These programs are designed to be short but intensive, giving you hands-on experience in marketing, finance, management, and startup development.
Many are hosted by top universities or business schools in New York, offering direct exposure to professionals, real-world projects, and even site visits to iconic institutions like Wall Street, that can be super accessible to you as a local.
Why should I do a business summer program in high school?
Participating in a summer business program doesn’t just build practical skills; it also demonstrates initiative and academic curiosity, which can strengthen your college applications. You’ll have the chance to collaborate with peers, build meaningful connections, and get a taste of life on a college campus. And since all the programs in this list are based in New York State, they’re logistically accessible whether you live upstate, in the city, or anywhere in between.
From entrepreneurship boot camps to finance workshops, here are 10 business summer programs for high schoolers in New York you’ll want to check out.
The Young Founder’s 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.
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.
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Starts on June 5th and spans over 4 weeks.
Application Deadline: There are 3 application deadlines that you can choose between: Early Decision Deadline: March | Regular Admission Deadline 1: April | Regular Admission Deadline 2: May. You can access the application link here!
NYU Precollege – Business Track
As part of the NYU Precollege program, you can enroll in credit-bearing undergraduate business courses covering economics, finance, business organizations, and marketing. These courses are taught by NYU faculty and mirror the rigor of a real college classroom, giving you a preview of what it’s like to pursue a business major. In addition to academics, the program offers College 101 workshops covering financial aid, study skills, and admissions prep, plus access to university resources like academic advising and the NYU Libraries.
Location in New York: NYU Campus, Manhattan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective. Information on the size of the application pool and the exact cohort size is unavailable.
Cost: Tuition ranges from $3,832 (2 credits) to $7,664 (4 credits), plus additional fees. Scholarships available.
Dates: July 2 - August 13
Application Deadline: The priority deadline is in April. The final deadline is June 16
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Lumiere Research Program – Business & Entrepreneurship Track
If you're ready to take a deep dive into real-world business research, Lumiere offers a structured opportunity to work 1:1 with PhD mentors on individualized topics. The Business & Entrepreneurship track allows you to explore areas such as technology adoption in firms, behavioral economics, or startup strategy through a research-based lens. Over 12 to 16 weeks, you’ll engage in literature reviews, develop original research questions, and write a formal paper—with support from research mentors, writing coaches, and publication advisors. This remote program emphasizes academic rigor and includes access to workshops and the chance to present at Lumiere’s own research symposium. While the program is not exclusively business-focused, the ability to tailor your research topic makes it an ideal fit for students with niche interests in business, economics, or entrepreneurial innovation.
Location: Remote (virtual participation from anywhere)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact cohort size not disclosed
Cost: Varies by program; financial aid available
Dates: Summer cohort typically runs June–August; 12–16 week duration
Application Deadline: Final deadline for Summer 2025: May 12
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 with a strong academic record and motivation for research
Exploring Entrepreneurship – Fordham University
This program introduces you to the fundamentals of launching a startup, from crafting a business model canvas to building a minimum viable product and planning funding through bootstrapping or venture capital. You’ll work in teams to develop your ideas and present them to a panel of entrepreneurs. The program includes site visits to startup incubators and is taught by Fordham’s entrepreneurs-in-residence and industry professionals.
Location in New York: Fordham University (alternating sessions between Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is selective. Information on the size of the application pool and the exact cohort size is unavailable.Cost: $1,800; includes lunch and field trip transportation
Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application recommended
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
Follow the Money: Reporting on Business – The School of The New York Times
This course blends financial literacy, economics, and investigative journalism into a two-week summer program. You'll explore how business reporters make sense of the economy—tracking trends in consumer behavior, corporate strategy, and market dynamics—while building core research, writing, and financial analysis skills. Topics include how companies operate, how markets move, and how to interpret economic data. You’ll practice writing business stories and gain firsthand exposure to professional environments through site visits to institutions like Wall Street, CNBC, and The New York Times.
Location in New York: Central Manhattan (NYC-based residential or commuter options available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective. Information on the size of the application pool and the exact cohort size is not available.
Cost: $5,660 (Day) or $6,990 (Residential). Scholarships available.
Dates: June 22–July 4 (Term 2) or July 6–18 (Term 3)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application strongly encouraged due to limited seats
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduating seniorsColumbia University Pre-College: Business, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation Tracks
Columbia’s Pre-College Summer Program in New York City offers several intensive business courses. In Entrepreneurship & Innovation, you'll work in teams to develop a startup from scratch, refining your idea through market research, business model design, branding, financial planning, and investor pitching. For a global lens, Empowering Change: An Introduction to Social Entrepreneurship focuses on building mission-driven ventures, analyzing triple-bottom-line strategies, and solving real-world problems through sustainable innovation. You’ll also find tracks in marketing, investment portfolio management, statistics for finance, and more—each taught by Columbia faculty and rooted in current economic and social contexts.
Location in New York: Columbia University, Morningside Heights (Manhattan)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective. Information on the size of the application pool and the exact cohort size is unavailable.
Cost: $12,750 per 3-week session (includes tuition, housing, dining, activities, and health services). Scholarships available.
Dates: Session A: June 30–July 18 | Session B: July 22–August 8 | Session AB (6 weeks): June 30–August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application strongly encouraged
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 16 or older by program start date
Syracuse University Summer College – Business Tracks
Syracuse University’s Summer College – On Campus program offers business-focused courses that blend foundational theory with real-world applications. Options include Business Innovation, Design and Startups, a fast-paced workshop-style course where you’ll ideate and prototype a venture concept, and Business Communication, where you’ll learn how to present and report information in a corporate environment. You can also explore Microeconomics for a foundational understanding of how markets function or learn about Essential Leadership Skills, Sport Management, and Crisis Management to see how business thinking applies across industries.
Location in New York: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is moderately selective. Information on the size of the application pool and the exact cohort size is unavailable.
Cost: Ranges from $1,908 to $7,695 depending on credits, number of weeks, and residential or commuter. Scholarships and need-based aid available
Dates: Multiple 1, 2, 3 and 4 week sessions between July 6 and August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; merit- and need-based scholarship deadline is March 1
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 15 or older by the course start dateInnovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) – NYU Tandon
Held at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, ieSoSC combines STEM learning with entrepreneurial action. You’ll work in small teams to ideate, prototype, and present a smart city solution using Internet of Things (IoT) tools and concepts. With a mix of engineering, applied science, and public presentation training (through a collaboration with Irondale Theater), the program helps you build technical and storytelling skills. Alongside academic sessions, you’ll participate in NYU’s College 101 workshops and optional social outings across NYC. The program concludes with a public pitch event where you’ll showcase your project to urban planners, engineers, and the broader community.
Location in New York: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The program is highly selective. Information on the size of the application pool andthe exact cohort size is unavailable.
Cost: Free of cost
Dates: Orientation: June 28; Program runs July 1 – August 2
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Open to NYC residents currently in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade; strong academic record and interest in STEM required
Summer Leadership Academy – Mercy University
The Summer Leadership Academy at Mercy University is a week-long program that offers rising high school seniors firsthand exposure to university life and business careers. Throughout the week, you'll engage in active learning sessions led by faculty members with experience at top global companies. The curriculum covers various aspects of business, including accounting, finance, management, marketing, economics, computer information systems, and business analytics. Team-building exercises like the "Shark Tank" competition and visits to Fortune 500 companies offer practical insights into the business world. Additionally, you'll receive guidance on university applications and financial aid, preparing you for college admissions.
Location in New York: Mercy University's Westchester Campus in Dobbs Ferry, NY.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; approx. 40 students per session selected from ~400 applicants
Cost: $695 (includes meals, housing, local travel); tuition and board are free
Dates: Three one-week sessions: July 6–12, July 13–19, and July 20–26.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; early application is encouraged due to limited spots.
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors (rising seniors) with a cumulative weighted GPA of 90 or above, demonstrated leadership skills, excellence in public speaking, and a passion for business.
Bossgirls Summer Program – CCNY Zahn Innovation Center
Hosted at the City College of New York’s Zahn Innovation Center, this free five-week entrepreneurship program is open to high school girls and nonbinary students. You’ll work in a team to identify a problem, design a product or service solution, conduct market research, and build a business plan. The program covers branding, pricing, and prototyping and culminates in a final pitch presentation. Along the way, you’ll receive mentorship from professionals at Standard Chartered and participate in workshops on human-centered design and leadership.
Location in New York: The City College of New York, Manhattan
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; exact cohort size not disclosed
Cost: Free; fully sponsored by Standard Chartered
Dates: June 30 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31 (rolling admissions; apply early for priority consideration)
Eligibility: Open to high school girls and nonbinary students in grades 9–12 living in the tri-state area