15 Online Economics Programs for High School Students
If you are interested in business, policy, or finance and want to understand how real decisions are made, economics is a good place to start.
What are online economics programs for high school students?
Online economics programs give high school students a structured way to explore these ideas while continuing with their regular school schedule. Since they are online, these programs make it easier to learn without worrying about travel or housing costs. You study topics like markets, incentives, basic finance, and public policy using data and real examples rather than abstract theory.
Why pursue online economics programs for high school students?
Over a few weeks, you work through economic questions that involve real tradeoffs and real outcomes. Along the way, you build skills that strengthen college applications and help you decide whether economics is something you want to pursue more seriously.
If you’re also interested in economics competitions (quite a few of which are online), check this out, or go here for economics summer programs.
With that, here are 15 online economics programs for high school students worth exploring!
15 Online Economics Programs for High School Students
1. The Business of Economics – Rice University Precollege Program
Location: Online (asynchronous and self-paced)
Cost: $1,795 per course; need-based scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Less selective
Program Dates: Available year-round (flexible start dates)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 13+
Rice University’s online "Business of Economics" course allows you to explore how economic principles drive business decisions and government policy without the pressure of live class times. You examine critical topics such as inflation, interest rates, the labor market, and energy supply and demand, learning how these forces impact profitability and growth. The curriculum is delivered through dynamic video lessons and interactive assignments designed by Rice faculty. You culminate your studies with a capstone project where you apply your knowledge to a real-world business scenario, earning a Certificate of Completion from Rice University to enhance your college profile.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Vary by cohort
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Young Founders Lab is an online startup program where you work on developing a business idea that responds to a real-world problem. Over the course of the program, you move through the stages of ideation, customer discovery, and early execution while applying concepts from economics, entrepreneurship, and business strategy. You receive guidance from mentors with experience in startups and large technology companies, offering practical insight into how ideas are evaluated and scaled. The curriculum includes live sessions on market validation, pricing, and strategic decision-making, along with collaborative workshops and case discussions. By the end of the program, you will have gained hands-on experience in venture development while building skills in analytical reasoning, communication, and leadership.
3. Harvard Secondary School Program – Economics, Finance, and Public Policy
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (residential, commuter, and online options)
Cost: Tuition-based; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Seven-week summer sessions
Application Deadline: Varies by round
Eligibility: High school students admitted to the Harvard Secondary School Program
Harvard University’s Secondary School Program in economics, finance, and public policy places you in a seven-week college-level academic setting. You choose two courses that shape your focus, with options like microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, public finance, or financial accounting. The work is analytical and demanding. You use data, models, and evidence to study real policy questions and financial systems, learning how abstract theory connects to real outcomes. Classes mirror undergraduate expectations, with an emphasis on quantitative reasoning and clear argumentation. You earn official Harvard Summer School credit and a transcript.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by placement; need-based financial assistance may be offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Application Deadline: Rolling, depending on the cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts available throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program matches you with early-stage startups working across areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, health innovation, consulting, marketing, journalism, and social impact. During the internship, you contribute to clearly defined projects that can involve research, strategy, operations, or business analysis, depending on the startup’s needs. You receive structured guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach who supports your professional development and helps you manage project timelines and deliverables. Many host startups are led by founders with experience in top accelerator programs or major tech companies, giving you exposure to how fast-moving startup teams operate in practice.
5. Financial Decision Making – Wharton Global Youth
Location: Online
Cost: $4,099; limited financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 15 – June 26 or July 6 – July 17
Application Deadline: Priority deadline January 28; applications reviewed on a rolling basis afterward
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12
Wharton Global Youth Program’s Financial Decision Making course is a two-week online program that teaches you how people and organizations actually make financial choices. You work through everyday decisions around budgeting, credit, investing, and markets, while also learning how banks and monetary policy shape the financial system. The course is practical and data-driven. You use real examples and spreadsheets to analyze risk, return, and long-term planning, building comfort with Excel and quantitative reasoning. By the end, you earn a Wharton Global Youth certificate.
6. Invest in Girls – Girls Who Invest
Location: Offered through partner high schools nationwide and virtually via the IIG Afterschool program
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; mentorship placements available for a limited number of students each year
Dates: Programs and workshops run throughout the academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling; registration required through participating schools or online programs
Eligibility: Open to high school girls interested in financial literacy and finance-related careers
Invest in Girls is designed to help you build practical financial knowledge while exploring pathways in economics, investing, and finance. Through classes and workshops, you develop skills in budgeting, saving, investing, and long-term financial planning. The program places a strong emphasis on mentorship, offering opportunities to connect one-on-one with women professionals working in areas such as investment banking, venture capital, and corporate finance. You may also participate in site visits or virtual sessions with financial institutions to better understand how finance functions in real workplaces.
7. Game Theory: A Course in Mathematical Economics
Location: In-person at Columbia University (New York City) with an online option available
Cost: $6,645 tuition per three-week session; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small class sizes to support interactive learning
Dates: July 6 to July 17 (Online)
Application Deadline: Priority deadline in early March; final deadline in late May
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 with a strong interest in mathematics; no prior economics coursework required
This course introduces you to game theory as a mathematical framework for analyzing strategic decision-making. You study how individuals and institutions make choices under conditions of competition, cooperation, and uncertainty by working with payoff matrices, probability sets, and equilibrium concepts. The curriculum applies these tools to real-world situations in economics, business strategy, and political decision-making. Through problem sets and case-based discussions, you learn how abstract models translate into practical insights about negotiations, pricing, and incentives.
8. Federal Reserve Bank of New York High School Fed Challenge
Location: Virtual, with oversight by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (serving New York State)
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; thousands of students participate annually across Federal Reserve Districts
Dates: Registration opens in September; paper submission in March; publication decisions announced in May
Application Deadline: February 17 (registration); March 16 (final submissions)
Eligibility: Open to students in grades 9–12; no prior economics coursework required
The High School Fed Challenge is a team-based academic competition that introduces you to applied economics through research and policy analysis. Working with a group, you investigate an annual theme such as food systems or inflation by analyzing data, reviewing economic literature, and developing evidence-based arguments. You submit a written paper that is evaluated by Federal Reserve staff, emphasizing clarity, analytical rigor, and real-world relevance.
9. Globalization: Challenges in International Economics & Politics
Location: In-person at Columbia University (New York City) with online options available
Cost: $6,645 tuition per three-week session; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small, seminar-style cohorts
Dates: Session A: June 30 – July 18; Session B: July 22 – August 8 (in-person); July 7 – July 18 and July 21 – August 1 (online)
Application Deadline: Priority deadline in early March; final deadline in late May
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12 with an interest in economics, political science, or international relations
This course explores how globalization shapes economic outcomes and political decision-making across countries. You examine topics such as international trade, foreign aid, sovereign debt, and the roles of institutions like the IMF and the United Nations. The curriculum uses contemporary case studies, including populism, currency policy, and global debt dynamics, to connect theory with real-world developments. Through seminar-style discussions and applied analysis, you develop skills in critical reading, policy evaluation, and economic reasoning.
10. Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics - Columbia University Pre-College Program
Location: Remote and In-person at Columbia University (New York City)
Cost: $6,645 tuition per three-week session; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small, seminar-style cohorts
Dates: Summer A: July 6 to July 17; Summer B: July 20 to July 31
Application Deadline: Priority deadline in early March; final deadline in late May
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12; laptops recommended for in-person participants
This course introduces you to foundational concepts in business, finance, and economics through a structured, college-level curriculum. You study how firms raise and allocate capital, analyze valuation models, and interpret financial statements to assess business performance. The program covers financial instruments such as stocks and bonds, along with risk evaluation and investment strategies. Through case studies and applied projects, you connect economic theory to real business and market scenarios. The curriculum balances microeconomic analysis of firm behavior with broader macroeconomic factors that influence financial markets.
11. Apprenticeship Program
Location: Hybrid format with virtual and in-person opportunities across Virginia (including Richmond, Herndon, and Virginia Beach)
Cost: Paid stipend based on hours worked; academic credit may be available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Year-round with flexible scheduling
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications submitted via email with resume and cover letter
Eligibility: High school students (and undergraduates) with strong professionalism and an interest in business, economics, entrepreneurship, or public policy
The VACC Apprenticeship Program offers project-based, real-world experience in business development, economics, government affairs, and entrepreneurship. As an apprentice, you work on tailored assignments that match your interests, which may include marketing strategy, international trade research, event planning, policy analysis, or community outreach. The program emphasizes applied learning through mentorship and on-the-job training, giving you insight into economic development and policymaking within Virginia’s diverse business ecosystem. You gain exposure to how chambers of commerce support small businesses and regional growth, particularly within Asian-American communities.
12. High School Internship Program – Pentacle
Location: Virtual with select in-person opportunities in New York
Cost: Paid; $600 total
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: Eight-week program (specific session dates vary)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Pentacle High School Internship Program places you with small for-profit and nonprofit organizations in the arts and creative sectors, offering exposure to the business side of cultural organizations. You commit approximately five hours per week to project-based work with a host organization, completing tasks such as data tracking, project coordination, research, and organizational support. In addition, you participate in weekly career development workshops focused on professional skills, workplace communication, and career exploration. The program emphasizes how economic systems operate within the arts, including nonprofit management, budgeting, and entrepreneurship. Through its virtual structure, you gain practical experience while building transferable skills relevant to business, economics, and creative industry careers.
13. Understanding Your Money – Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: Fully online and self-paced
Cost: $329
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Dates: On-demand; you can begin at any time
Application Deadline: None; rolling enrollment
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Understanding Your Money is a self-paced online course that introduces you to core concepts in economics, personal finance, and investing. Through short video lectures taught by Wharton faculty, you learn how money flows through the economy and how individuals make financial decisions. The curriculum covers practical topics such as budgeting, saving, earning income, and evaluating spending choices using real-world examples. Interactive quizzes and scenarios reinforce key ideas and help you apply concepts independently. The flexible structure makes it well-suited for students managing busy schedules while still seeking a credentialed learning experience in finance.
14. Finance: Investing & Market Insights – Dartmouth College Pre-College
Location: Online (accessible globally via the course platform)
Cost: $2,495 tuition; limited financial aid available]
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 28 – July 18 (three-week online session)
Application Deadline: Priority deadline April 1; rolling admissions thereafter
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 with an interest in finance and investing; no prior coursework required
Dartmouth College's Pre-College course on Finance: Investing & Market Insights introduces you to professional-level frameworks for understanding financial markets and investment analysis. Through weekly lectures and interactive case studies, you examine financial instruments, company valuations, risk assessment, and the decision-making processes used by portfolio managers and investment professionals. The curriculum covers essential topics such as financial statement analysis, valuation methods like Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), the mechanics of initial public offerings (IPOs), and the role of investment banks in capital markets. You apply these tools to analyze real-world companies and develop investment theses. The program culminates in a capstone project where you evaluate an actual investment opportunity and present your recommendation.
15. Mathematics of Money – Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Location: Fully online (asynchronous, individually paced)
Cost: $1,365 (6-week session) to $1,850 (12-week session); financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Offered year-round; Summer sessions typically run late June – early August
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; enrollment typically opens 2–3 months before session start
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12 with qualifying test scores (e.g., SCAT, SAT, ACT)
This course bridges the gap between theoretical math and practical financial literacy, showing you how mathematical models drive personal and global economies. You explore essential financial concepts such as compound interest, present and future value, credit card debt, and mortgage amortization through algebraic formulas and real-world scenarios. The curriculum challenges you to calculate income tax brackets, evaluate stock market trends, and understand the mathematics behind insurance and inflation. By applying these quantitative tools, you gain a rigorous understanding of how money grows and moves, equipping you with the skills to make data-driven financial decisions.
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