15 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in Massachusetts
If you're a high school student in Massachusetts with an interest in business, the summer after your school year is a good time to explore the field in depth.
A good way to do this? Summer business programs!
Without interfering with your school-year schedule, summer business programs in the state offer the chance to gain insight into finance, entrepreneurship, marketing, and management, all while building your resume for college.
From startup simulations to pitch presentations and guest sessions with founders and industry experts, these programs will challenge how you think and work in a team. You’ll build skills like business writing, budgeting, and market analysis, and in many cases, you’ll experience life on a college campus that you may end up applying to after graduating high school. Whether you're planning to major in business or just want to explore the possibilities, these programs offer a valuable head start.
We have compiled a list of 15 summer business programs for high school students in Massachusetts:
Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program
In Harvard’s Pre-College Program, you’ll spend two weeks living on campus and engaging with a single subject, including business, in a seminar-style class led by Harvard instructors. Beyond the classroom, the program offers a schedule of co-curricular sessions that cover college admissions strategies, financial aid, and academic exploration. While there are no grades or credit, you’ll receive a written evaluation and a transcript noting whether you met the program’s academic requirements.
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Cost: $5,800 per session; limited need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 22–July 3, July 6–18, or July 20–August 1
Application Deadline: Early: January 8, Regular: February 12, Late: April 9
Eligibility: Open to rising juniors and seniors who will be at least 16 years old by June 21
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: The 2024 edition of the program 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.
Babson Summer Study for High School Students
For three and a half weeks, you will engage with Babson College faculty, industry experts, and near-peer mentors to explore the process of creating impactful and sustainable business solutions. You earn four college credits through the course “EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience,” which provides a foundation in entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication. The program features live class discussions, group projects, and collaborative activities to develop creative problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Location: Virtual
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Cost: $6,295; Financial aid available
Dates: July 8 – 29
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors who will graduate in this or next year.
Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Business & Entrepreneurship Track
If you're interested in going deep into a business concept and developing a research paper with real-world relevance, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous, remote research opportunity tailored to high school students like you. Through this program, you’ll work 1-on-1 with a Ph.D. mentor from a top university to explore complex business topics such as behavioral economics, market structures, entrepreneurial strategy, or firm-level innovation. Over 12 weeks, you’ll identify a unique research question, conduct in-depth analysis, and complete a full-length research paper with expert guidance. You’ll also gain exposure to methodologies like case study design, data analysis, or economic modeling, depending on your topic. The program culminates in a virtual symposium where you can present your findings and receive feedback.
Location: Remote – available to students anywhere
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies
Cost: Varies by program track; the standard Individual Research Program begins at ~$2,400
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered – Spring (March–June), Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort.
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally. Applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance (unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher is typical), but no prior research or business experience is required.
Business Programs at Tufts University
Tufts University offers a range of summer programs that allow you to explore entrepreneurship, innovation, and finance in both classroom and real-world contexts. Through intensives like the Tufts College Accelerator and the Entrepreneurship & Innovation Bootcamp, you will explore startup thinking, learn the fundamentals of business strategy, and interact with faculty and mentors. Some programs offer a project-based curriculum that focuses on building and pitching ventures, while others explore topics such as impact investing or marketing strategy.
Location: Tufts University, Medford
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity; varies by program
Cost: Varies by track; check the website for details on individual programs
Dates: Typically 2 to 6 weeks between June - August (varies by track)
Application Deadline: Rolling deadlines depending on the program
Eligibility: Open to high school students (specific programs may target rising juniors/seniors)
Boston University Summer Challenge Program
Boston University’s Summer Challenge program gives you the flexibility to explore business in a multidisciplinary setting. Over two weeks, you’ll select two seminar-style courses, one of which can be in Business, Economics, or related fields like Law or Mass Communication. In the Business seminar, you’ll work in groups to develop product ideas and create a mock business plan while learning foundational concepts in marketing and finance. The program consists of daily lectures and project-based assignments, culminating in final presentations. The program awards a certificate and letters of evaluation from instructors. You’ll also attend a college admissions workshop and experience residential life on BU’s campus.
Location: Boston University, Boston
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Low selectivity; typically fills quickly
Cost: Approx. $3,500, including tuition, housing, and meals (based on prior years)
Dates: June 15–27, July 6–18, or July 20–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Summer Springboard: Business & Entrepreneurship at MIT
This two-week program on MIT’s campus introduces you to startups and the business-building process. You’ll form a venture team, brainstorm ideas, and build a marketing and financial strategy. The experience culminates in a final pitch to investors in a simulated “Shark Tank” environment. You’ll also visit DetraPel’s production site and meet its founder, a Shark Tank alum, gaining insight into product development and scaling. Led by business educators like Barry Horwitz from Boston University, the program introduces you to career paths in business.
Location: MIT, Cambridge
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity; commuter and residential options available
Cost: $6,498 (residential); $3,298 (commuter)
Dates: Session 1: June 22–July 4, Session 2: July 6–July 18
Application Deadline: April 20 or until seats are full.
Eligibility: High school students
UMass Amherst Pre-College: Entrepreneurship – Becoming a Game-Changer
This two-week program at UMass Amherst introduces you to the entrepreneurial journey, from identifying real-world problems to building solutions, creating ventures, and pitching ideas. You’ll work in teams to build a startup, nonprofit, or new organization while learning core concepts like market research, funding, mentorship, and innovation strategy. The course integrates experiential learning with access to university resources, such as the UMass 3D printing lab, and visits to local hubs like Valley Venture Mentors and TechSpring. You’ll end the program by presenting your solution to peers and UMass mentors.
Location: University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity; specific cohort size not published
Cost: $3,907 (residential); $2,262 (commuter)
Dates: July 27–August 9
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; early application encouraged
Eligibility: Open to rising sophomores through seniors
Boston University AIM: Academic Immersion – Business
BU’s Academic Immersion: Business program gives you an introduction to business strategy in partnership with the Questrom School of Business. Over three weeks, you’ll take interactive classes in marketing, finance, operations, and data-driven decision-making. You’ll work in teams to develop a new product idea and build a comprehensive business plan, which you'll pitch at the program's conclusion to BU faculty and fellow students. You'll also explore the business world outside the classroom through local company visits and case study workshops.
Location: Boston University, Boston
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity
Cost: Tuition: $5,370, Room & Board (residential): $1,800, Commuter Lunch: $263.25, Application Fee: $60 (non-refundable)
Dates: 3-week program, typically mid-July to early August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors, including international students
Entrepreneurship & Innovation for Women – Northeastern University
In collaboration with the Women’s Interdisciplinary Society of Entrepreneurship (WISE), this two-week program is designed to empower women entrepreneurs. You’ll create a passion project that could take the form of a nonprofit, blog, business, or creative initiative. Through mentorship from women leaders, workshops, and peer collaboration, you’ll learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and how to translate personal interests into impactful ventures.
Location: Boston, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Cost: $6,895 (includes tuition, housing, meals, and activities); financial aid available
Dates: July 20–August 1
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students (women-focused)
WPI Frontiers – Business Entrepreneurship
Hosted at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, the Frontiers program offers a mix of STEM and entrepreneurial thinking. In the Business Entrepreneurship track, you’ll explore how to turn ideas into ventures by applying strategic and analytical thinking to real-world challenges. This residential program combines college-level academic rigor with collaborative workshops, introducing you to topics like opportunity recognition, lean startup principles, and marketing strategy. You'll work in teams, develop problem-solving skills, and pitch ideas as part of your coursework.
Location: Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), Worcester
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity; exact numbers not published
Cost: $4,495 (includes tuition, housing, meals, field trips, and workshops)
Dates: Session I: July 6–18 | Session II: July 20–August 1
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders
Bentley University Pre-College: Entrepreneurship & Innovation
If you're curious about how startups are built, Bentley’s Entrepreneurship & Innovation track gives you a college-level introduction to venture creation. You'll explore how to turn creative ideas into viable businesses through courses like Innovation and Design for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs, Accounting Adventures, and Business of Health Innovation. The program combines case studies, lectures, and simulations to develop your critical thinking skills and entrepreneurial mindset. Some sessions include personal finance and FinTech startup modules. Each program is led by Bentley faculty and includes project work, as well as insight into what it takes to bring an idea to market in today's economy.
Location: Bentley University, Waltham
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity; cohort sizes not published
Cost: Varies by program, approximately ~$1,500–$2,000 per week
Dates: Varies by course; various sessions between June 23 and July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th graders; students must be 16 by September 1 to participate in the residential option
Boston College Experience (BCE) – Business Track Option
The Boston College Experience is a pre-college program designed to introduce you to college life, including faculty-led classes and workshops on networking and resume-building. If you choose a business or economics course while registering, you will explore core topics such as market dynamics, economic theory, and leadership strategies. The program includes structured weekend excursions in Boston, seminars on the college admissions process, and time to explore the campus independently. While this is a generalist program, you can tailor your experience to business by selecting a business-focused course.
Location: Boston College, Chestnut Hill
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity; cohort size not published
Cost: $5,600 (residential) / $3,000 (commuter)
Dates: June 29–July 11, July 13–July 25, July 27–August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Experiential Entrepreneurship – Northeastern University
This two-week residential program allows you to build a startup from scratch. You’ll work in teams to take an idea through the entrepreneurial process—from concept to pitch—guided by Northeastern faculty and industry mentors. The curriculum emphasizes business planning, customer research, product development, and presentation skills. You will also develop essential soft skills, such as teamwork and systems thinking.
Location: Boston, MA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not specified
Cost: $6,895 (includes tuition, housing, meals, and activities); financial aid available
Dates: July 6–18 or July 20–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until filled
Eligibility: Rising high school students
Summer Entrepreneurship Program at Suffolk University
This three-week commuter program at Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School offers you a crash course in entrepreneurship, from ideation to pitch. Through lectures, activities, and team projects, you’ll explore how businesses create value and how startups get off the ground. The program includes site visits to Boston-based entrepreneurial organizations and daily guest sessions with startup founders and investors. A typical day might involve building a crowdfunding campaign, attending a workshop on financial aid, or pitching your startup idea to a mock investor panel. The experience concludes with a final project presentation, where you will pitch your concept, integrating everything you have learned. You’ll also receive three college credits from Suffolk University.
Location: Suffolk University, BostonAcceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity
Cost: Free of cost; includes lunch and local transit pass (no housing provided)
Dates: July 7–24
Application Deadline: Priority deadline is March 14; rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors preferred; rising juniors considered if space is available