15 Investment Courses for High School Students
If you're interested in building a future in investments, business, or entrepreneurship, you shouldn’t wait until college to start learning how capital actually moves. As a high school student, you can begin understanding how markets function, how companies are valued, and how investors make decisions under uncertainty.
What do investment courses cover?
Investment courses give you structured exposure to financial markets, stock analysis, portfolio management, risk assessment, valuation techniques like discounted cash flow (DCF), and the time value of money. You analyze financial statements, evaluate companies, study macroeconomic forces, simulate trades, and sometimes manage virtual portfolios.
Why participate in investment courses as a high schooler?
Investment courses are directly useful if you plan to launch your own venture. You learn how investors evaluate startups, how capital is structured, how to forecast cash flows, and how to think about risk-adjusted returns. From a college applications standpoint, completing a rigorous investment program signals intellectual initiative, quantitative ability, and clarity of interest.
For adjacent opportunities, you can check out investment & trading summer programs. You might want to further sharpen your skills and practice teamwork by participating in investment competitions.
If you’re ready to explore markets, valuation, and real-world investing before stepping into college, here is our list of the best investment courses for high school students.
15 Investment Courses for High School Students
1. Personal Finance and Financial Well-Being – Harvard Summer School Secondary School Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $4,180 (7-week online/commuting, 4 credits); $9,100 (4-week residential); $15,735 (7-week residential, 8 credits); Financial aid is available for eligible U.S. students.
Program Dates: July 13 – August 6 (4-week session within the Secondary School Program)
Application Deadline: Early & Priority Financial Aid – January 7; Regular & Financial Aid – February 11; Late Deadline – April 1
Eligibility: You must graduate high school in 2026, 2027, or 2028, be at least 16 years old by June 20, and not turn 19 before July 31.
In this college-level economics course, you study the foundations of personal finance and long-term financial well-being through an analytical lens. You examine budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, and risk management while analyzing how behavioral biases influence financial decisions. You apply economic theory to financial shocks and household investment strategies, strengthening your ability to evaluate trade-offs across asset classes. Through lectures, structured discussions, and problem-based assignments, you develop quantitative reasoning and a framework for making evidence-based financial decisions. By completing a Harvard undergraduate-level course for credit, you build both investment literacy and academic credibility in economics and finance.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: Varies as per program. There is need-based financial aid.
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. You will learn about finance, the basics of investing, and understand the financial aspects of running a business. 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. Investments, Financial Planning & You (IFPY) – UC Irvine
Location: Paul Merage School of Business, University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost: $1,495 per week
Program Dates: June 22 – June 26; July 6 – July 10; July 20 – July 24; July 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (space limited; early application recommended)
Eligibility: You must be an incoming high school freshman or a recently graduated senior. No prior finance coursework is required, but you should be prepared to engage with college-level material.
In this one-week commuter program, you build foundational knowledge in investment vehicles including stocks, corporate and municipal bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. You practice asset allocation and construct a stock portfolio while applying principles of wealth creation and retirement planning. During a Bloomberg demonstration and sessions on fundamental and technical analysis, you evaluate securities using market data and bond mathematics. You participate in case studies, online simulations, and group projects, culminating in a capstone personal wealth management plan that you present and defend. Through daily discussions with finance faculty and industry professionals, you develop analytical reasoning, portfolio strategy skills, and an applied understanding of long-term financial planning.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies as per program. There is need-based financial aid.
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 real projects and present your work to the company. Though you won’t be enrolled in an investment course, you will learn investing, trading, and finance skills if you pursue an internship in these fields.
5. Wall Street 101 – Bentley University
Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA
Cost: $1,490 (Online); $2,450 (Commuter); $3,380 (Residential). Need-based scholarships are available
Program Dates: Multiple one-week sessions (five-day courses) available during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admission until June 1 (space-available basis)
Eligibility: You must be a rising high school junior or senior. A basic familiarity with the stock market and proficiency in Excel or Google Sheets is recommended.
In this program, you work directly with Bentley faculty to analyze stocks, bonds, and macroeconomic trends using real market data. You build stock pitches in teams, conduct investment research, and participate in macroeconomic simulations and policy debates. If you enroll in the Stock Market and Investment Research course, you use Bloomberg terminals, FactSet, and Bentley’s Financial Trading System to evaluate companies and assess valuation metrics. You also explore fintech innovation, global trade, and AI applications in finance, gaining exposure to how technology is reshaping capital markets. Through presentations and collaborative projects, you strengthen your analytical reasoning, Excel-based modeling, and investment decision-making skills in a trading-room environment.
6. Finance: From Personal Literacy to Global Markets – USC Pre-College Online
Location: University of Southern California (Online)
Cost: $1,990 tuition; limited full scholarships are available for eligible USC NAI students.
Program Dates: Multiple start dates available (February 2, February 16, March 2, March 16). Course access lasts up to 90 days; expected completion in 4 weeks.
Application Deadline: Rolling admission; applications due the Wednesday before each listed start date.
Eligibility: You must be at least 14 years old and currently enrolled in high school. You must submit an online application, a short-answer essay, and a $35 application fee.
In this self-paced course, you build foundational investment literacy starting with personal financial planning and risk mitigation strategies. You analyze how stocks and bonds function within corporate finance, learning concepts such as time value of money, interest rates, and risk-return tradeoffs. You examine how companies raise capital and how stock exchanges operate within global markets. You also explore emerging financial technologies, including cryptocurrencies and blockchain systems, gaining exposure to digital asset frameworks. Through recorded lectures, applied calculations, and structured assignments, you strengthen your ability to evaluate investment decisions using financial formulas and market reasoning.
7. Finance: Think Like an Investor – Northwestern Pre-College Online
Location: Northwestern University (Online)
Cost: $1,895 tuition. Need-based scholarships are available
Program Dates: March 15 – April 12; March 29 – April 26; April 12 – April 26 (2-week option also available; multiple rolling cohorts offered).
Application Deadline: March 8 (for March 15 start); March 22 (for March 29 start); April 5 (for April 12 start).
Eligibility: You must be at least 13 years old. You must submit basic personal information and a brief personal statement in English. No transcripts or recommendation letters are required.
In this online investment course, you examine how financial markets operate and how investors evaluate opportunities across asset classes. You analyze economic foundations such as supply-demand dynamics, risk-return tradeoffs, and the time value of money before applying them to real-world investment strategies. You practice interpreting balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements to assess company performance. In the private equity module, you conduct due diligence on a case study, build financial projections, and develop an investment recommendation as part of your final capstone project. With mentor guidance and applied assignments, you strengthen analytical reasoning, valuation thinking, and structured investment decision-making skills.
8. Introduction to Investments – UCLA Summer Sessions
Location: University of California, Los Angeles (Commuter or Virtual)
Cost: ~$3,156 (Commuter); $2,330 (Virtual). Need- and merit-based scholarships are available for eligible California students
Program Dates: July 13 – July 31 (Session A: Commuter; Session B: Virtual)
Application Deadline: June 12
Eligibility: You must be in grades 9–12 in Spring and at least 15 years old by June 22. You must submit an unofficial transcript (minimum 3.2 GPA), a short value statement, a 250-word essay, and proof of English proficiency if applicable.
In this three-week program, you build a structured foundation in financial markets, asset classes, and valuation frameworks under the UCLA economics faculty. You examine stocks, bonds, commodities, venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, and global markets while analyzing how economic cycles and the Federal Reserve influence investment decisions. You apply quantitative analysis and valuation styles to case studies, strengthening your ability to assess risk and return across asset classes. Through lectures and small-group discussion sessions led by UCLA Economics majors, you articulate investment ideas and test your understanding in applied scenarios. By the end of the program, you will have gained both personal financial planning tools and exposure to career pathways in investing and financial economics.
9. Essentials of Finance – Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $8,299 tuition; need-based scholarships and financial awards are available
Program Dates: June 7 – June 19; June 21 – July 3; July 12 – July 25; July 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: Priority – January 28; Final – March 18
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in grades 9–11. A minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA is typically expected. You must submit academic records, a teacher recommendation, and required essays through the Wharton Global Youth application portal. Admission is selective.
In this intensive two-week program, you study the foundations of both personal and corporate finance through structured lectures and applied exercises. You analyze core concepts such as compounding, discounted cash flow, net present value, risk-return tradeoffs, and corporate accounting. You evaluate equities using financial statements and case studies, then collaborate in teams to assess a publicly traded company and present a market recommendation. You also explore venture capital, corporate valuation, and alternative investments beyond traditional stock analysis. Through presentations and cohort discussions, you strengthen quantitative reasoning, financial modeling logic, and structured investment decision-making skills aligned with modern finance frameworks.
10. Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom – Fordham University
Location: Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University, Bronx, NY (Hybrid: In-person or Remote)
Cost: $1,300; need-based discounts are available for eligible families
Program Dates: June 15 – June 19; June 22 – June 26; July 20 – July 24; July 27 – July 31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; priority consideration for applications submitted before April 1
Eligibility: You must be a high school student in grades 10–12. You must submit an application, a recent report card, and a $100 deposit.
In this one-week intensive, you build foundational investment literacy across personal finance, asset classes, and market structure. You study the time value of money, economic cycles, and monetary policy before analyzing stocks, bonds, hedge funds, and private equity. You examine risk management theory and asset allocation strategies while discussing emerging assets such as cryptocurrency. Through classroom discussions led by a former Wall Street trader and guest speakers from finance firms, you connect theory to industry practice. By the end of the program, you will have strengthened your ability to interpret financial markets and evaluate investment decisions using structured financial reasoning
11. Financial Analysis & AI Consulting – Northeastern Accelerate
Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost: $7,095 (includes tuition, housing, meals, and activities). Need-based scholarships and program discounts are available
Program Dates: July 26 – August 7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (apply early; space limited)
Eligibility: High school students are eligible for Northeastern Accelerate Pre-College Programs.
In this two-week program, you build foundational skills in reading and interpreting financial statements and evaluating company performance. You analyze how financial data informs strategic decisions, then use accessible AI tools and industry-standard software to strengthen your analysis and visualization of trends. Working with curated datasets modeled on real business scenarios, you identify risks, opportunities, and operational insights through structured financial reasoning. You also examine the ethical and practical limitations of AI-assisted financial analysis, adding critical thinking to technical skill development. The program culminates in a professional-style consulting presentation where you translate financial findings into clear, defensible recommendations.
12. Finance: Investing & Market Insights – Dartmouth Precollege Online
Location: Dartmouth College (Online)
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Program Dates: March 15 – April 12; March 29 – April 26; April 12 – April 26 (2-week option available; multiple rolling cohorts offered)
Application Deadline: March 8 (for March 15 start); March 22 (for March 29 start); April 5 (for April 12 start).
Eligibility: You must be at least 13 years old. You must submit basic personal information and a brief personal statement in English. No transcripts or recommendation letters are required.
In this online investment course, you examine how financial markets operate and how investors assess company value. You study risk versus reward, market structures, IPO mechanics, and valuation models, including discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. You learn to interpret financial statements, estimate intrinsic value using discount rates, and evaluate investment red flags. In the final capstone project, you assume the role of a private equity analyst, assess a real-world investment opportunity, and present your recommendation using quantitative and qualitative analysis. Through structured modules and mentor guidance, you strengthen your valuation logic, financial reasoning, and investment decision-making skills.
13. Finance and Investing Institute – Wake Forest University Summer Immersion Program
Location: Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,500; need-based scholarships are available
Program Dates: Week of June 14–19; Week of June 21–26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (no hard deadline). The scholarship consideration deadline was February 1
Eligibility: You must be a current 9th–12th grade student in good academic standing with no school suspensions. You must submit an online application and one recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or administrator.
In this residential finance immersion, you examine how financial markets function and how investment decisions are evaluated in real-world contexts. You study stock market mechanics, financial statement analysis, time value of money, risk-return tradeoffs, and private equity fundamentals. Through workshops and a mock investment competition, you practice analyzing securities, building investment theses, and pitching recommendations. You also visit a financial institution or trading floor and engage with business faculty and industry professionals to understand career pathways in finance. By the end of the week, you will have refined your investment reasoning, public speaking skills, and understanding of professional finance roles while earning a Wake Forest Certificate of Completion.
14. Investing Like a Wall Street Pro – NYU SPS High School Academy
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,579 tuition; $684 housing & dining (optional)
Program Dates: June 29 – July 2; July 6 – July 10; July 13 – July 17; July 20 – July 24; July 27 – July 31; August 3 – August 7
Application Deadline: March 14 (International Students); April 29 (Residential Students); June 12 (Commuter Students)
Eligibility: You must have completed grades 9, 10, or 11. You are required to submit an online application, a 250–500-word essay explaining your interest in the course (including prior coursework or experience), and an official high school transcript.
In this course, you examine how professional fund managers analyze companies and construct portfolios using real-world valuation frameworks. You study economic moats, business cycles, and competitive dynamics, then apply these concepts to case studies of companies like Apple, Disney, Nike, and Snapchat. You learn to read income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, and apply valuation ratios to assess performance. Using structured financial model templates, you forecast sales growth, operating margins, and capital expenditures, and build discounted cash flow and comparable company valuation models. You also conduct equity research using annual reports and financial data sources, developing a systematic approach to stock analysis aligned with Wall Street methodologies.
15. High School Investor Challenge® – Texas Christian University
Location: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Cost: $1,600 (includes room, board, and program expenses). Financial assistance is available
Program Dates: June 1–5; June 15–19. Portfolio management phase runs June through March (concludes March 26).
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: You must be a high school student entering your senior year (expected graduation May or June). You must submit an online application, a high school transcript, and one teacher or counselor recommendation.
In this competitive investor program, you spend a week on campus studying securities analysis and portfolio management at the Neeley School of Business. You learn to evaluate companies using analyst reports, financial data platforms such as Value Line, and structured comparison techniques. After the residential training, you manage a $100,000 virtual portfolio throughout your senior year, submitting stock trades and periodic reports for critique. Your objective is to improve risk-adjusted returns while defending your investment decisions with analytical reasoning. The extended portfolio phase strengthens your ability to track performance, reassess holdings, and apply disciplined investment frameworks over time. This structure gives you sustained exposure to equity research and portfolio strategy beyond a typical short-term summer course.