15 Online Entrepreneurship Courses for High School Students
If you're considering a career in entrepreneurship, online entrepreneurship courses for high school students can give you a genuine head start before you ever set foot on a college campus.
What do online entrepreneurship courses offer?
Rather than just reading about how businesses work, these programs let you test out market research, product development, and pitching in a low-stakes setting. That kind of practical experience also helps you apply what you're learning in economics or business class to an actual venture, which can make abstract concepts click in a way a textbook never quite manages.
Why join an online entrepreneurship course?
Most online entrepreneurship courses for high school students walk you through the entrepreneurial process from idea to pitch, teaching skills you can use if you decide to start your own business down the road. Along the way, you'll typically get mentorship from working entrepreneurs, professors, or college students, plus the chance to network with a global cohort of peers who share your interests.
For more ways to build out your business résumé, check out our guides on 15 best startup accelerator programs for high schoolers and 30 startup ideas for high school students.
Quick Look
2 free courses: FutureLearn's Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S., which also offers Stanford Continuing Studies credit.
1 fully virtual option focused on real venture-building: Young Founders Lab, the only program here centered on launching an actual revenue-generating startup rather than coursework, with need-based financial aid available.
5 courses offering college credit: both Wharton Pre-baccalaureate courses, Babson Summer Study, and two University of Virginia/University of Illinois Coursera specializations.
Highest-cost option: the Wharton Online Entrepreneurship Certificate at $3,850 for the full three-course sequence.
Most self-paced, non-credit courses (USC, Georgetown, Wake Forest) fall in the $1,595 to $1,990 range.
15 Online Entrepreneurship Courses for High School Students
1. Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program – MGMT 0002: Principles of Entrepreneurial Management
Location: Online (live synchronous classes)
Cost: $4,230 tuition per course + $84 online service fee (course materials fee applies only if required)
Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Multiple sessions offered throughout the year (Spring, Summer, and Fall)
Application Deadline: Varies by session (e.g., Summer I: March 25; Summer II: May 6; Fall I: July 15)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
The Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program allows high school juniors and seniors to enroll in undergraduate-level Wharton courses and earn college credit before graduating from high school. The MGMT 0002: Principles of Entrepreneurial Management course introduces entrepreneurship through topics such as opportunity recognition, business planning, startup financing, marketing, operations, and business growth. You will learn through live online classes, readings, case studies, discussions, assignments, and a final exam. The curriculum emphasizes entrepreneurial decision-making, leadership, ethical considerations, and pitching business ideas while providing exposure to the academic rigor of a Wharton business course. Participants also earn an official Wharton transcript upon successful completion and gain access to the Wharton Youth Network, an online community for summer program participants.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: 100% virtual, with live interactive workshops
Cost: $2,900 (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Not disclosed
Dates: 4-week program starting tentatively on June 5th
Application Deadline: Early Decision: March | Regular Admission 1: April | Regular Admission 2: May
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a real-world startup bootcamp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. You will work towards building a revenue-generating startup that addresses a real-world problem, mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside building your startup, you'll participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. The program gives you a structured space to explore both theoretical and practical frameworks for building a successful business. You can view the brochure here and access the application here.
3. Wharton Online Entrepreneurship Certificate
Location: Online (self-paced)
Cost: $3,850 for the complete three-course certificate
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment; no published acceptance rate or cohort size
Dates: Enroll anytime; each course is approximately 6 weeks long
Application Deadline: None (rolling enrollment)
Eligibility: Open to learners interested in entrepreneurship. While designed primarily for adult learners and professionals, motivated high school students may enroll if they are prepared for college-level coursework.
The Wharton Online Entrepreneurship Certificate is a self-paced program that introduces entrepreneurship through three sequential courses focused on entrepreneurial thinking, opportunity identification, and venture implementation. You will learn how to recognize business opportunities, validate ideas using structured frameworks, and develop strategies to launch or grow a venture. The curriculum also covers topics such as customer discovery, funding options, team building, stakeholder management, and business partnerships. Lessons are delivered through short video lectures, practical exercises, and capstone activities that emphasize applying entrepreneurial concepts to real-world situations. If you complete all three courses, you will receive a digital certificate from Wharton Online.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote — work from anywhere in the world
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate: Not disclosed
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious students. You'll work with a high-growth startup on real projects across industries including tech, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder's startups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars — past founders include YCombinator alums and former employees of Microsoft, Google, and Facebook. You'll work closely with your manager and a Ladder Coach and present your work to the company at the end of the internship. You can apply here.
5. University of Virginia – Entrepreneurship: Growing Your Business Specialization (Coursera)
Location: Online (self-paced)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment; no published acceptance rate or cohort size
Dates: Start anytime; approximately 4 weeks (10 hours per week)
Application Deadline: None (rolling enrollment)
Eligibility: Open to all learners
The Entrepreneurship: Growing Your Business Specialization, developed by the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business, introduces the core concepts involved in starting and expanding a business. Across four online courses, you learn topics such as business strategy, financial accounting, ethical leadership, innovation, and business model design. The curriculum includes practical exercises like preparing financial statements, using the Business Model Canvas, and applying design thinking and Lean Startup methods to evaluate business ideas. As you progress, you complete hands-on projects that reinforce entrepreneurial decision-making and problem-solving skills. Students who finish the specialization earn a shareable certificate that can be added to college applications, resumes, or professional profiles.
6. Wharton Pre-baccalaureate Program – MGMT 0003: AI, Technology and the Future of Business
Location: Online (live synchronous classes)
Cost: $4,230 tuition per course + $84 online service fee (no course materials fee)
Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer I: May 26 – July 1, Summer II: July 2 – August 7; Fall I: August 24 – October 6, Fall II: October 19 – December 2
Application Deadline: May 6 (Summer II); July 15 (Fall I)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors and seniors
MGMT 0003: AI, Technology and the Future of Business is an undergraduate-level Wharton course that introduces high school students to how artificial intelligence is transforming entrepreneurship, innovation, and business strategy. Through readings, case studies, guest lectures, and live online discussions, you explore how AI technologies influence startups, established companies, and emerging industries. The course also provides an introduction to core AI concepts while examining their practical and societal implications. You will earn college credit and an official Wharton transcript upon successful completion of the course. The program is delivered through live online classes with academic support, making it suitable for students interested in the intersection of business, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies. You may go through the course description here.
7. Wharton Global Youth – Future of the Business World
Location: Online
Cost: Paid (financial aid available for eligible participants)
Acceptance rate: Selective cohort (acceptance rate not publicly disclosed)
Dates: June 15 – 26 and July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: Priority: January 28; Final: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school students in Grades 9–12
Wharton Global Youth's Future of the Business World is a two-week online summer program that introduces you to entrepreneurship, innovation, and the evolving global business landscape. Through live online classes, independent learning, business simulations, and collaborative projects, you'll explore topics such as design thinking, scenario planning, market research, leadership, and entrepreneurial problem-solving. Throughout the program, you'll work in teams to develop solutions to real-world business challenges and create a final project that predicts future business trends. The curriculum is taught using instructional methods similar to those used in Wharton's undergraduate and graduate programs, while guest discussions and collaborative activities allow you to engage with peers from around the world. Participants who successfully complete all program requirements receive a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
8. Babson Summer Study for High School Students (Online)
Location: Online
Cost: $6,295 tuition + $95 application fee (need-based financial aid available for eligible online applicants)
Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: July 8 – 28
Application Deadline: March 13 (Standard deadline for the online format)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Babson Summer Study is a three-week online pre-college program where you earn 4 college credits through EPS1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience. The course explores entrepreneurship by examining real-world social, economic, and environmental challenges through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. You study topics such as entrepreneurial thinking, leadership, marketing, finance, business communication, and venture creation while collaborating with peers on team projects. You also complete additional independent and group work outside class. By the end of the program, you develop practical problem-solving, teamwork, and entrepreneurial skills while undergoing a college-level business curriculum.
9. University of Southern California (USC) Pre-College Online Course – Entrepreneurship: Exploring What It Takes to Create Your Own Business
Location: Online (self-paced)
Cost: $1,990 tuition + $35 application fee
Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed (rolling admissions)
Dates: June 22 – July 20; July 6 – August 3; July 20 – August 17
Application Deadline: June 17; July 1; July 15
Eligibility: High school students
USC's Entrepreneurship: Exploring What It Takes to Create Your Own Business is a four-week online course that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship and venture creation. Through recorded lectures, business case studies, and insights from professionals in entrepreneurship, finance, and law, you learn how entrepreneurs identify opportunities, analyze markets, create customer value, secure funding, and pitch business ideas. The curriculum also explores different business models, ethical leadership, and strategies for managing teams. You will complete approximately 20–25 hours of coursework at your own pace and receive up to 90 days of course access. Upon successful completion, participants earn a USC Pre-College Certificate of Completion.
10. Georgetown University – Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation
Location: Online
Cost: $1,895 (need-based scholarships available for eligible students)
Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 1-week session: July 12 – 19; 2-week session: July 12 – 26; 4-week session: July 12 – August 9
Application Deadline: July 5 (for all listed sessions)
Eligibility: Students 13 years of age or older
Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation is an online enrichment course that introduces middle and high school students to the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. You learn how entrepreneurs identify market opportunities, develop business models, build partnerships, secure funding, and create effective business pitches. The curriculum also explores innovation, leadership, networking, and how businesses adapt when ideas do not go as planned. Throughout the course, you complete approximately 20–30 hours of online coursework, receive guidance from Georgetown student mentors, and develop a final capstone project that presents your business idea. The flexible online format allows you to complete lessons on your own schedule while building foundational business and entrepreneurial skills.
11. Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S.
Location: Online (live virtual classes)
Cost: No tuition (program supported by donor funding)
Acceptance rate: 20 students selected each session
Dates: Winter and Summer sessions offered annually
Application Deadline: Winter applications open in September
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in the United States
Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S., offered by the Stanford Program on International and Cross-Cultural Education (SPICE), is an online entrepreneurship program that helps high school students develop creative solutions to local and global challenges. Through live discussions with Stanford faculty, scholars, and industry experts, you explore entrepreneurship using a human-centered design approach that emphasizes problem identification, innovation, and collaboration. Between class sessions, you participate in discussion boards, group projects, research assignments, and independent coursework. Those who successfully complete the program earn Stanford Continuing Studies credit along with a Certificate of Completion from SPICE. The program is intentionally small, with only 20 participants, allowing for close interaction with instructors and peers.
12. Wake Forest University – Business: Strategy & Innovation
Location: Online
Cost: $1,595 (need-based scholarships available for eligible students)
Acceptance rate: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 1-week session: July 12 – 19; 2-week session: July 12 – 26; 4-week session: July 12 – August 9
Application Deadline: July 5
Eligibility: Students 13 years of age or older
Business: Strategy & Innovation is an online pre-college course that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of business strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovation. Using companies such as Apple and Netflix as case studies, you examine how organizations develop business models, evaluate competitors, improve customer experiences, and adapt to changing markets. The curriculum also explores leadership, ethics, strategic decision-making, and innovation through recorded lectures, interactive activities, and approximately 30 hours of online coursework. You will receive guidance from mentors throughout the course and complete a capstone project in which you analyze a company's business strategy and present recommendations. Participants who successfully complete the program earn a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
13. The Academies by Harvard Student Agencies – Virtual Business: Entrepreneurship Academy
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: $679 (Early July applicants pay a discounted tuition of $579 if they apply by July 5)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 – 5; July 20 – 24
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; You can apply here
Eligibility: High school students
The Business: Entrepreneurship Academy introduces high school students to the fundamentals of starting and developing a business through an intensive week-long virtual program. You explore topics such as startup development, financial literacy, market and customer research, business planning, SWOT analysis, product-market fit, and investor pitching. The curriculum combines interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and mentorship from Harvard undergraduate students to help you apply entrepreneurial concepts in practice. Throughout the program, you develop your own startup idea and refine it using business frameworks before presenting a final pitch to a panel of judges. Sessions are conducted live on Zoom and include approximately 20 hours of instruction over five days.
14. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – Innovation: From Creativity to Entrepreneurship Capstone (Coursera)
Location: Online (self-paced)
Cost: Not specified
Acceptance rate: Open enrollment; no published acceptance rate or cohort size
Dates: Start anytime; approximately 9 hours of coursework completed at your own pace
Application Deadline: None (rolling enrollment)
Eligibility: Open to all learners
The Innovation: From Creativity to Entrepreneurship Capstone is a project-based online course that brings together the concepts covered throughout the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's entrepreneurship specialization. You analyze a real-world business scenario involving a new venture or an innovation within an existing organization, then evaluate its current business model and compare alternative strategies. The course emphasizes strategic thinking, business modeling, innovation, and entrepreneurial decision-making through practical assignments rather than lectures alone. You will complete six modules and apply entrepreneurship frameworks to identify opportunities and address business challenges. Upon successful completion, participants earn a shareable certificate that can be added to resumes, college applications, or professional profiles.
15. FutureLearn – Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate: Not specified
Dates: Self-paced; available year-round (2-week course, approximately 3 hours per week)
Application Deadline: None (enroll anytime)
Eligibility: Open to all learners.
FutureLearn's Entrepreneurship and Innovation course introduces learners to the foundations of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creative problem-solving through a flexible online format. Over two weeks, you will explore entrepreneurial thinking, innovation ecosystems, organizational culture, and the strategies businesses use to develop and scale new ideas. The curriculum also examines team dynamics, ethical challenges, and the practical realities of launching and managing innovative ventures. Learning is delivered through videos, articles, quizzes, peer discussions, and practical activities, allowing you to study at your own pace. Those who complete at least 90% of the course and all required assessments receive a PDF Certificate of Achievement.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there free online entrepreneurship courses for high school students?
Yes. FutureLearn's Entrepreneurship and Innovation course is completely free, and Stanford e-Entrepreneurship U.S. is also free while still offering Stanford Continuing Studies credit, though its cohort is limited to 20 students.
2. Which option is best if I want to build a real business instead of studying entrepreneurship theory?
Young Founders Lab is designed specifically for this, guiding you through market validation and go-to-market strategy as you build an actual revenue-generating startup, led by Harvard entrepreneurs with need-based financial aid available.
3. Which courses let me earn college credit?
Both Wharton Pre-baccalaureate courses (MGMT 0002 and MGMT 0003), Babson Summer Study, and the University of Virginia and University of Illinois Coursera specializations all offer credit or shareable certificates that can go on college applications.