15 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in Texas
If you're a high school student in Texas interested in business, summer is the perfect time to explore that interest! One way to do this is by applying to a summer program.
Texas is home to multiple startups, banks, and universities that offer some great summer programs and internships for high schoolers in business.
As a participant, you can expect to engage with topics in entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and marketing, all without interfering with your school year. You will gain practical skills through real-world projects, meet industry professionals, and collaborate with peers who share your interests.
Whether you're aiming for business school or simply exploring the field, a summer business program can be a great place to start!
We've compiled a list of 15 business summer programs in Texas for high school students. These programs vary in duration, focus, and eligibility criteria, providing a range of options to suit different interests and goals.
McCombs Future Executive Academy – UT Austin
At the McCombs Future Executive Academy, you’ll spend six days on the UT Austin campus exploring business fundamentals and leadership principles. You’ll engage in group activities, leadership sessions, and interactive workshops led by McCombs faculty and corporate representatives. The experience includes team problem-solving challenges and insight into careers in business and entrepreneurship. The program encourages participation from first-generation students and those who have faced economic or social barriers.
Location: Austin, TX (The University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not officially published
Cost: Free to attend (includes housing and meals)
Dates: June 1 – June 6
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors across the U.S
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.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not officially published
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. There is need-based financial aid.
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and springApplication Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
Rice University Summer Session
This summer program allows rising high school juniors and seniors to take college courses for credit. You can enroll in a business-related course, working with peers and under the guidance of Rice University’s faculty. For high schoolers, this research experience can stand out on one’s resume. High school students must fill out a Visiting Student Application.
Location: Rice University
Cohort size: Variable
Cost: Students will not be charged tuition for up to 3 credit hours.
Dates: There are 7 sessions. Information on each can be found on the program website.
Application deadline: Variable depending on the session
Eligibility: High school junior or senior
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, including Texas
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. For Summer, deadlines include April 13 and May 12.
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.
Organizational Behavior and Leadership Academy – UT Austin
In this two-week program, you'll explore the behavioral dynamics of the workplace and how leadership styles impact organizational culture and effectiveness. Through case studies, discussions, and group projects, you will examine theories of organizational behavior while developing your leadership skills. You’ll analyze group dynamics, study leadership traits, and gain insight into how to build inclusive, high-performing teams. This academy is especially well-suited for those interested in human capital, business psychology, or leadership consulting.
Location: Austin, TX (University of Texas at Austin – Summer Discovery)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; space may be limited
Cost: Residential: $6,599 | Commuter: $3,599
Dates: June 15 – June 27
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: High school students
Business 101 Academy: Global Entrepreneurship – UT Austin
This three-week academy offers an introduction to entrepreneurship and the global business landscape. You’ll explore what it takes to ideate, validate, and launch a startup, from understanding international markets to developing business models and go-to-market strategies. Activities include group pitches, simulation challenges, and mentorship from entrepreneurs. The curriculum is designed to help you build a strong foundation in global entrepreneurship while refining your teamwork and public speaking skills.
Location: Austin, TX (University of Texas at Austin – Summer Discovery)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; limited seats
Cost: Between $5,200 and $6,200 for 3 weeks (includes housing, meals, instruction, and activities).
Dates: June 29 – July 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade students interested in global business and entrepreneurship
Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders – UT Austin
Subiendo is a five-day leadership development program at the University of Texas at Austin for rising Texas high school seniors. This experience highlights the importance of public policy, community impact, and ethical leadership. You’ll explore real-world challenges through case studies, engage with industry professionals and public sector leaders, and participate in collaborative projects to develop your critical thinking and problem-solving. The program brings together a diverse group of students from across the state of Texas. It is designed to prepare you for leadership roles in business, policy, and civic life. You’ll also get to network with mentors, attend workshops with UT faculty, and live on campus.
Location: Austin, TX (The University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not officially published
Cost: Free to attend (educational, housing, and food costs fully covered)
Dates: June 8 – June 12
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors enrolled at a Texas high school.
DYNAMC – Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers – UT Austin
DYNAMC is a six-day summer program for high school sophomores and juniors who are curious about how accounting fits into the larger world of business strategy, analytics, and financial leadership. Hosted by the McCombs School of Business, this program explores the role of accounting in various aspects, including entrepreneurship and corporate decision-making. You'll engage with McCombs faculty, participate in interactive workshops, and take part in a case competition that simulates real accounting and business challenges. The program is supported by Ernst & Young.
Location: Austin, TX (The University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not officially published
Cost: Free to attend (educational, housing, and food costs fully covered)
Dates: June 22 – June 27
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Open to current high school sophomores and juniors in the United States.
UT Dallas Information Technology and Systems (ITS) Exploration Summer Camp
At this five-day camp hosted by the Naveen Jindal School of Management, you'll explore how IT systems function in business environments. The camp breaks down complex IT topics into accessible modules, covering cybersecurity, data visualization, and hardware prototyping using Arduino boards. You’ll visit major corporations, such as State Farm and Texas Instruments, to see how IT supports their strategic operations. You can expect to develop foundational skills in business technology, understand careers within IT-enabled business functions, and gain insights into tech-business roles.
Location: University of Texas at Dallas, Naveen Jindal School of Management, Richardson, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment; cohort size not specified
Cost: $395 (includes meals, snacks, materials, and T-shirt)
Dates: June 23–27
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12) interested in IT, business, or STEM careers
Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship Programs – Stephen F. Austin State University
The Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship (ACE) provides multiple opportunities to explore business innovation. You can participate in semester-based events like the Pop-Up Pitch Competitions or the Lumberjack Entrepreneurship Competition, where you develop startup ideas and present them to judges. ACE also offers mentorship, scholarships, and networking events with professionals and alumni across industries. You’ll gain experience in building business models, refining communication strategies, and pitching ideas.
Location: Nacogdoches, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all high school and college-bound students exploring SFA (no formal cohort selection)
Cost: Free participation in pitch competitions and tours; scholarships may be available for deeper involvement
Dates: Fall (Pop-Up Pitch); Spring (Lumberjack Entrepreneurship Competition)
Application Deadline: Varies by semester, based on the event date.
Eligibility: High school students exploring SFA
If you're curious about how companies like Amazon and Netflix make data-driven decisions, this program offers a rigorous introduction to business analytics. Over one week on campus at TCU in Fort Worth, you’ll explore key concepts in data collection, statistical modeling, data visualization, and predictive analytics. With a daily six-hour academic schedule, the program covers tools such as clustering, regression analysis, and machine learning techniques, all taught by faculty from the Neeley School of Business. You’ll participate in team projects that simulate real business challenges, improve your ability to tell data-driven stories, and earn a Data Analytics Certificate upon completion.
Location: TCU Neeley School of Business, Fort Worth, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity; over 80 students participated in 2024
Cost: $1,800 (includes housing, meals, instruction, and activities). Need-based scholarships are available.
Dates: July 13–18
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors with strong math skills and an interest in data analytics and problem-solving.
TCU High School Investor Challenge
This program offers a crash course in investment strategy and portfolio management, starting with a week-long residential experience on the TCU campus. You'll learn the foundations of securities analysis, portfolio theory, and financial research by evaluating company data, analyzing analysts' reports, and making mock investment decisions. After the on-campus component in June, you’ll manage a $100,000 virtual portfolio throughout the school year, submitting trades and receiving feedback from TCU’s Educational Investment Fund analysts. The program culminates in a spring banquet, where you will present your portfolio performance to peers, professors, and your family.
Location: TCU Neeley School of Business, Fort Worth, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; exact size not disclosed
Cost: $1,600; covers room, board, and program expenses.
Dates: June 2–6 and June 16–20; portfolio tracking continues through July–March
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a strong interest in economics or investing.Accelerated Career Awareness Program (ACAP) – TCU Neeley School of Business
If you're curious about careers in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship, or business technology, this fully funded weeklong residential program at TCU is worth considering. You'll attend workshops on financial literacy, business management, and entrepreneurship, while developing skills such as teamwork and public speaking. The program features interactive sessions with business leaders, site visits to firms, and mentorship through the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). A significant highlight is the opportunity to experience a college-style curriculum on campus.
Location: Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; the program hosts approximately 30–35 students
Cost: Fully funded (includes tuition, room and board, materials, books, NABA HS membership, and meals)
Dates: July 13–18
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for freshmen/sophomores and 2.5 for juniors/seniors
Texas Southmost College – B.E.A.T. Summer Camp
The B.E.A.T. (Business, Engineering, Architecture, and Technology) Summer Camp introduces you to technical experiences that span several careers, including business. In past years, this camp has included workshops in 3D printing, small engine mechanics, plumbing systems, and electrical components, allowing you to explore the foundational tools and technologies used in these industries. You'll learn to interpret engineering schematics, operate basic technical equipment, and understand how design and systems thinking apply across various fields, such as architecture and electronics.
Location: Texas Southmost College, Brownsville, TX
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity.
Cost: Free to attend
Dates: July 10–12 and July 15–19
Application Deadline: June
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in technical fields, including business, engineering, architecture, or technology.
Young Business Leaders (YBL) Summer Program – Prairie View A&M University
The Young Business Leaders Summer Program is a week-long residential experience for high school students interested in careers in business. The program covers core business disciplines including entrepreneurship, marketing, accounting, finance, management, and information systems. Through case-based activities and experiential learning exercises, you’ll work in teams to solve real-world problems using business concepts. You’ll take part in site visits to local businesses. The program includes mentoring from PVAMU business students and staff as well as structured networking opportunities. If you're looking to examine various business career paths and enhance your problem-solving and collaboration skills, this program is a solid option.
Location: Prairie View, TX (Prairie View A&M University)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective (based on academic record and counselor recommendations)
Cost: $500 program fee; scholarships are available for select participants
Dates: June; exact dates are yet to be announced.
Application Deadline: Typically in late spring; rolling review
Eligibility: Current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders (ages 14–18) with a minimum 3.0 GPA.