15 Prestigious Business Summer Programs for High School Students
If you are interested in exploring careers in business, attending a structured, high-level summer program can be one of the most impactful ways to gain early exposure to the field.
What do prestigious business summer programs for high school students offer?
Prestigious business programs allow you to experience practical problem-solving, develop leadership abilities, and build fundamental skills in strategy, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and organizational management. Hands-on business programs offer you the chance to apply classroom concepts in real settings, whether through case studies, simulations, consulting-style projects, or startup-building experiences.
Why pursue prestigious business summer programs for high school students?
Exposure to business tools, professional communication, and collaborative work environments helps students build confidence and understand what business careers look like on a day-to-day basis. These experiences can also strengthen college applications, since universities value students who demonstrate initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to challenge themselves academically.
If you’re also interested in business leadership programs, go here, or check here for business analytics internships.
With these factors in mind, we’ve compiled 15 prestigious business summer programs for high school students.
1. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)
Cost/Stipend: Free; travel and housing not included for in-person programs
Location: Bloomington, Indiana (in-person) and virtual options
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited seats available
Dates: Virtual: April 22 & 29, In-person events vary. Check here.
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.5 GPA; application essays required
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI) is a selective leadership and business program designed to empower high-achieving young women interested in business careers. You will engage in case-based problem solving, group strategy exercises, and interactive workshops that explore areas such as marketing, consulting, and finance. The program includes mentorship discussions focused on leadership development, communication, and navigating gender-related challenges in professional environments. You’ll also work closely with peers on collaborative projects that emphasize critical thinking and decision-making. KWLI blends academic rigor with practical insight, highlighting how diversity, innovation, and inclusive leadership shape modern business.
2. Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Cost/Stipend: $350 program fee (due upon acceptance)
Location: Penn State University Park, State College, Pennsylvania (residential)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited to high school juniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Dates: June 14–26
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school juniors interested in business
The Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) is a selective two-week residential program that offers high school juniors an immersive introduction to business education at Penn State. You will take courses taught by faculty from the Smeal College of Business. You will explore core topics such as management, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship while gaining insight into the expectations of a top business school. The program also emphasizes college readiness through workshops on academic skills, personal development, and leadership. Outside of class, you’ll live in residence halls, participate in group activities, and build friendships with a cohort of motivated peers from across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
3. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial aid available
Location: 100% virtual with live, interactive workshops
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts year-round (summer, fall, winter, spring)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a selective, project-based entrepreneurship program run by Harvard-trained entrepreneurs, designed for students who want to build and launch a real start-up. Throughout the program, you will work toward creating a revenue-generating venture that solves a meaningful problem. You’ll be guided by mentors from companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X. Alongside your start-up work. You will also participate in interactive workshops covering business fundamentals, market analysis, product ideation, and strategic decision-making. Case studies and panel discussions introduce you to the frameworks used by successful founders, helping you understand how strong businesses are built from the ground up. You will also attend skill-building sessions on pitching, financial planning, and customer discovery.
4. Ladder Internship Program
Cost: Varies by program
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap-year students able to commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a highly selective program that connects ambitious students with high-growth startups for intensive, real project experience. As an intern, you will work directly with founders and early-stage teams on responsibilities like business development, market research, financial analysis, product strategy, or operational planning. You receive ongoing mentorship from both your manager and a dedicated Ladder Coach. The program also includes one-on-one training in communication, time management, and workplace readiness, along with optional cohort-based workshops. Past host companies have been founded by Y Combinator alumni and entrepreneurs with experience at Google, Microsoft, and Meta, making this an especially strong pathway for students exploring business, tech, or entrepreneurship.
5. Leadership in the Business World (LBW)
Cost/Stipend: $11,899; need-based financial aid available; $100 non-refundable application fee
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (on-campus, residential)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; admits students globally
Dates: June 7–27, June 28–July 18, July 19–August 8
Application Deadline: Priority: January 28; Final: March 18
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
Leadership in the Business World (LBW) is Wharton’s premier three-week summer program designed for exceptional high school students who want an academically rigorous introduction to business and leadership. You will study core business topics, including management, organizational strategy, and competitive analysis, through lectures, discussions, and hands-on exercises led by Wharton faculty. The program’s signature feature is its capstone case competition, where you work in teams to analyze a real company, develop strategic recommendations, and present your findings to faculty and industry experts. You’ll engage in simulations, debates, and leadership workshops to build communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. You also gain exposure to Wharton’s analytical frameworks, such as SWOT analysis and Porter’s Five Forces, applying them in collaborative projects. At the end of the program, you’ll earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.
6. Summer Venture in Business (SVB)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Location: University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas (on-campus, residential)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; priority given to first-generation, Title I, rural, and Kansas-area students
Dates: June 15–20; July 13–18
Application Deadline: Typically spring (dates announced annually)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; minimum 2.75 GPA
Summer Venture in Business (SVB) is a week-long, fully funded pre-college program designed to introduce high school students to business concepts and college life at the University of Kansas. Through interactive workshops, you will explore topics such as marketing, finance, leadership, and problem-solving, all taught by KU faculty and business professionals. The program places strong emphasis on personal development and college preparation, offering sessions on admissions, financial aid, and academic success. As a residential program, you’ll live in campus housing, participate in group activities, and connect with peers who share similar academic and career interests. SVB prioritizes first-generation students, those from Title I schools, and students from rural communities, creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment.
7. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Cost/Stipend: $5,500; need-based full and partial scholarships available
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (on-campus, residential)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohort of rising seniors
Dates: June 7 - 17; June 21 - July 1
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; priority for first-generation and resource-limited students
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week immersive program that introduces students to business fundamentals through the Ross School’s signature action-based learning model. Throughout the program, you will explore topics in finance, marketing, leadership, and strategy through faculty-led workshops, interactive simulations, and collaborative case studies. You’ll also work in teams to develop solutions to real business challenges, strengthening your quantitative reasoning, problem-solving abilities, and communication skills. The academy includes professional development sessions and site visits to regional companies, giving you firsthand exposure to different sectors and workplace environments.
8. Georgetown University Entrepreneurship Academy
Cost/Stipend: $6,465 (residential, includes housing and meals); $5,075 (commuter)
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (on-campus; commuter option available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; limited spaces available
Dates: June 7–17
Application Deadline: Opens in winter; deadlines announced by spring
Eligibility: High school students interested in entrepreneurship and business
The Georgetown University Entrepreneurship Academy offers a rigorous, project-based introduction to the startup ecosystem and entrepreneurial strategy. Over two intensive weeks, you will study design thinking, business modeling, financial feasibility, and market validation through sessions led by Georgetown faculty and entrepreneurs-in-residence. Working in teams, you’ll develop a business concept, conduct customer discovery, analyze real market data, and refine your idea for a final pitch competition judged by industry professionals. Workshops on public speaking, negotiation, and leadership communication help strengthen both your strategic and presentation skills. The academy combines theory with hands-on execution, providing a comprehensive understanding of how new ventures are created and evaluated.
9. More Spark! – Colorado State University Institute for Entrepreneurship
Cost/Stipend: Free
Location: Virtual (hosted by CSU’s Institute for Entrepreneurship)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; open only to Spark! alumni; cohort size varies
Dates: Multiple sessions year-round, including a December pitch-practice session
Application Deadline: Opens in early fall
Eligibility: Middle and high school students, educators, and school clubs who have completed Spark! or Venture Validator
More Spark! is an advanced, university-supported entrepreneurship program designed for students who have already completed CSU’s Spark! or Venture Validator courses. You will apply entrepreneurial frameworks to strengthen your venture idea through structured work in marketing, finance, operations, and project planning. The curriculum emphasizes iterative venture development, giving you opportunities to refine your ideas through pitch workshops, feedback sessions, and coaching from CSU Venture Development Specialists. You will also gain presentation experience through the Venture Rams Showcase, where you pitch to peers and potential funders in a supportive but professional environment. Undergraduate mentors provide guidance as you test assumptions, evaluate feasibility, and make strategic decisions.
10. Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internships; stipends provided by host employers
Location: Chicago, Illinois (in-person placements at financial firms and businesses)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; Chicago-based cohort
Dates: Summer (June–August)
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Chicago residents who are rising sophomores or juniors; minimum 3.0 GPA; household income under $80,000
The Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI) offers competitive, paid internship placements that give students early exposure to professional environments in finance, accounting, consulting, and related business sectors. Throughout the summer, you will work at financial firms and corporate offices, gaining hands-on experience in tasks such as data entry, client support, organizational projects, and basic financial analysis. The program includes structured training sessions focused on leadership, teamwork, workplace professionalism, and effective communication. CSBI places a strong emphasis on supporting students from modest-income families, allowing you to access high-quality business experiences that are typically difficult to obtain in high school.
11. Business Is Global (BIG)
Cost/Stipend: $2,000; need-based scholarships available
Location: Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana (residential)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; small cohort for immersive learning
Dates: June 22 – July 5
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Business Is Global (BIG) is a two-week immersive program that explores the intersection of international business, language, and culture. Hosted by the Kelley School of Business, you will study foundational business concepts while also learning one of several less commonly taught languages, such as Arabic, Korean, Estonian, or Brazilian Portuguese. The curriculum emphasizes global awareness, introducing you to cultural perspectives and international markets through workshops, discussions, and experiential activities. You’ll also participate in professional development sessions and cultural events that deepen your understanding of how global businesses operate. As a residential program, BIG offers an on-campus experience that includes group projects, community-building activities, and opportunities to connect with peers who share an interest in international business.
12. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Cost/Stipend: $6,295 (Online); $9,295 (Commuter); 12,995 (Residential)
Location: Online or in-person at New England Innovation Academy, Marlborough, Massachusetts
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: July 8–28 (orientation begins July 6 for in-person students)
Application Deadline: Opens December 1; closes March 13
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Babson’s Summer Study for High School Students is a three-week pre-college program built around EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, through which you’ll earn four college credits. Using Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® framework, you’ll learn how to spot opportunities, assess market needs, and design ventures that align with the U.N. Global Goals. Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate in teams on a social impact venture, developing business models and pitching your ideas to faculty and peers. The curriculum blends entrepreneurship theory with hands-on practice, strengthening your problem-solving, leadership, and communication skills. Students also benefit from mentorship by Babson undergraduate and graduate leaders, guest sessions with founders and innovators, and the chance to connect with a diverse global cohort.
13. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Cost/Stipend: Approximately $5,500; limited financial aid available
Location: UC Berkeley, California (on-campus)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Dates: Two-week sessions in July (exact dates vary each summer)
Application Deadline: Typically March 15 (applications open in December)
Eligibility: High school students worldwide (grades 10–12)
The B-BAY Summer Entrepreneurship Program offers a two-week immersion in university-level business education at Berkeley Haas. Under the guidance of Haas faculty and industry professionals, you’ll explore key concepts in marketing, finance, economics, and management while developing your own startup idea. Working in teams, you’ll conduct market research, create a full business plan, and pitch your venture to a panel in a simulated investor competition. The curriculum blends lectures, computer lab work, and hands-on projects that build your communication, research, and analytical abilities. You’ll also participate in admissions workshops, connect with peers, and meet Berkeley undergraduates for insight into campus life and business pathways. The program culminates in an investor-style pitch event and awards a formal Certificate of Completion from Berkeley Haas.
14. Caminos al Futuro
Cost/Stipend: Fully funded (covers tuition, housing, meals, and activities)
Location: George Washington University, Washington, D.C. (on-campus, residential)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; small cohort of Latino/Hispanic student leaders
Dates: July (three-week program)
Application Deadline: Opens December 8; deadline typically in spring
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with strong academics and demonstrated leadership in the service of the Latino/Hispanic community
Caminos al Futuro is a prestigious, fully funded pre-college leadership program for exceptional Latino/Hispanic high school students committed to civic engagement and social impact. During the three-week residential experience, you will take part in university-style seminars, writing labs, and intensive discussions led by GW faculty. The program also includes community action projects and visits to Congress, federal agencies, and major nonprofits, giving you direct exposure to public policy and community leadership in Washington, D.C. You will participate in college preparation workshops that cover admissions strategy, financial aid, and essay development. Caminos emphasizes the connection between academic excellence, cultural identity, and public service, helping you strengthen your voice as a future leader.
15. Business: Strategy & Innovation
Cost/Stipend: $1,595; includes Certificate of Completion
Location: Online (accessible worldwide)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; small virtual cohorts
Dates: Multiple 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling; typically one week before session start
Eligibility: High school students aged 13+
Wake Forest University’s Business: Strategy & Innovation program offers a flexible, university-level introduction to business planning, leadership, and market strategy. Through case studies examining companies like Apple and Netflix, you will explore how successful firms design business models, respond to competition, and create innovative products for global markets. Coursework includes interactive projects, financial analysis, and discussions on organizational culture and leadership approaches. Guided by Wake Forest faculty and industry professionals, you’ll also develop your communication and presentation skills through structured assignments and peer feedback. The program concludes with a capstone project where you apply strategic frameworks to a company or idea of your choice.
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