25 Business Summer Programs for High School Students
Updated: 2 days ago
TL;DR
You'll find 25 summer business programs on this page, grouped into business foundations, entrepreneurship, and online options, from three-day camps to eight-week startup builds. Several programs cost little or nothing, and some even pay a stipend, including the IU Indianapolis Entrepreneurship Bootcamp and the University of Michigan-Flint Summer Entrepreneurship Institute at just $50. Whether you're an eighth grader testing out business for the first time or a rising senior building a college application, you'll find options across grades 8 through 12. If you want to write an original research paper rather than sit in a business course, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you 1:1 with a PhD mentor.
Business programs for high school students range from a three-day camp to a four-week university residency, and the strongest ones fill months before they start. This list covers 28 summer programs, with costs, dates, and eligibility drawn from each program's own site. The programs are grouped by what you will spend most of your time doing: studying the core functions of business, building a venture, or learning online.
How to choose a business summer program for high school students
Filter by eligibility and format first. Then you can focus on matching the program’s focus to your interest.
Check eligibility before anything else: Many programs rule you out early. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy page limits entry to rising seniors with a minimum 3.0 GPA, Babson requires you to be 16 when your session begins, and IU Indianapolis admits only students at four Indianapolis public high schools.
Match the focus to your goal: Foundations programs such as Drexel LeBow's Camp Business and the Rutgers Summer Business Camp cover finance, marketing, and management in a single week. Entrepreneurship programs such as Berkeley B-BAY and the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy have you build and pitch a venture, and B-BAY also runs a Summer Founder Bootcamp if you already operate one.
Look at costs carefully: Virtual options are typically cheaper than on-campus alternatives. Georgetown charges $6,465 for the residential option and $5,075 for commuters, and Babson's weekly rate falls from $3,400 residential to $1,608 online.
Read the application requirements early: Berkeley asks for a two-minute video essay, Georgetown for a 300- to 500-word personal statement, and Tufts for a transcript and one recommendation. Prepare all documents carefully, so you don’t discover you’re missing something at the last second.
How much do business summer programs cost, and are any free?
Business summer programs for high school students run from free to nearly $12,000, and the price mostly follows length and whether you live on campus. A few cost nothing or even pay you, but those are usually limited by location.
Free and paid: Paid programs are typically restricted by geography or citizenship. The IU Indianapolis High School Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is free and pays students a weekly salary, but it is open only to students at four Indianapolis Public Schools high schools.
Under $1,000: UC San Diego's Startup Bootcamp costs $495, USF Bulls Startup Summer Camp $575, and USF Bulls Finance Camp $750. The University of Michigan-Flint Institute costs $50 for three days.
$1,000 to $3,000: Stevens runs two one-week programs at $1,200 each, Harvard Student Agencies charges $1,800 per week, and Rutgers charges $2,600 including room and board.
$4,000 and above: Tufts two-week programs cost $4,225 commuter or $5,750 residential, Berkeley B-BAY costs $7,450 to $7,950, and Wharton's on-campus programs range from $8,299 to $11,899.
Aid is available: Numerous paid programs offer financial aid to students/ Harvard Student Agencies reports that more than 80 percent of its students receive some financial assistance, and Michigan Ross offers full and partial need-based scholarships.
What classes should you take in high school to go into business?
Take the most rigorous math, economics, and writing courses your school offers. No single class is required, so aim for a mix that shows you can handle numbers and explain your thinking clearly.
Start with economics: If your school offers it, AP Microeconomics is the clearest entry point. The College Board describes AP Microeconomics as an introductory college-level course, and its course overview states there are no prerequisites. AP Macroeconomics is the companion course.
Build your quantitative base: Take the highest math sequence you can manage, and add statistics or calculus if they are offered. Finance, analytics, and marketing courses at the college level lean on these skills.
Practice writing and speaking: Business programs tend to end with a presentation. Berkeley B-BAY teams present their business plans, USF Bulls Startup campers pitch to industry judges, and the IU Indianapolis bootcamp finishes with a Friday pitch contest. English, debate, and public speaking prepare you for those moments.
Do business summer programs help your college applications?
Yes, depending on what you do in the program and the output you produce at the end.
It shows sustained interest in a field: A completed program, such as a two-week business plan build, gives your essays and activities list something specific to point to instead of a general claim that you like business.
It gives you a story to tell: Our admissions report surveyed 492 Lumiere Research Scholar Program alumni. Its clearest finding still applies here: the students who did best placed their activity inside a broader story about their interest and ability in a field, in essays or interviews, instead of listing it alone.
It counts for more when you build on it: Programs that end in a pitch or a plan hand you a finished project to describe. A program you extend into a club or a small venture says more than one you attended and left behind.
How we selected these programs
We checked every program against five criteria.
Instruction and mentorship: Who teaches or mentors, whether faculty, industry professionals, or student leaders, and how small the cohort is.
What you finish with: A business plan, pitch, portfolio, or certificate, not only attendance.
Cost and transparency: The full price including application fees and housing, and how clearly aid is explained.
Verifiable details: Dates, deadlines, and eligibility checked against each program's own site rather than third-party summaries. Where 2027 dates are not yet posted, we say so.
Access and fit: who can apply, including grade, GPA, residency, and online options.
Section | Top programs | Cost | Best for |
Business foundations, leadership and finance | Wharton Global Youth On-Campus, Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy, Drexel LeBow Camp Business | $750 to $11,899 | Students who want a campus introduction to finance, marketing, management, and leadership |
Entrepreneurship and startup | Free to $7,950 | Students who want to build, plan, and pitch a venture | |
Online business programs | About $500 to $6,495 | Students without campus access, or who want a flexible schedule |
Business Foundations, Leadership and Finance Programs
These programs teach the core functions of business, including finance, marketing, management, and leadership, usually on a university campus.
Location: University of Pennsylvania campus, Philadelphia; residential
Cost/Stipend: 2026 fees: Essentials of Entrepreneurship $8,299; Essentials of Finance $8,299; Leadership in the Business World $11,899; Management & Technology Summer Institute $9,000; Product Design Academy $10,599; there is a $100 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: 2026 sessions ran between June 7 and August 8, with dates set by program; 2027 dates will be posted when applications open in November
Application deadline: Applications for the next summer open in November; the priority deadline has usually been in late January (January 28 in 2026), with later rounds into the spring
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9 to 11
Wharton's on-campus programs place students in Penn residence halls for intensive courses taught by Wharton faculty. The business-focused options are Essentials of Entrepreneurship, Essentials of Finance, Leadership in the Business World, Management & Technology Summer Institute, and Product Design Academy. Fees include housing, meals on weekdays and Sundays, and weekend excursions.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a residential Wharton experience and is choosing among entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and product design.
Location: University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Cost/Stipend: The fee covers housing, meals, and program events, and full and partial need-based scholarships are available; check the official page for the current fee; the application fee is $75 and non-refundable
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The Data-Driven Decision Lab academy takes a cohort of 50; no acceptance rate is published
Dates: Two-week residential academies held in June; the 2027 academies take place in June
Application deadline: Applications open in November 2026 and close January 10, 2027, with decisions at the end of March
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with a minimum 3.0 GPA; preference is given to US citizens and permanent residents; the application includes two essays of 300 words or less and a recommendation form
The Ross School of Business runs two-week residential academies for rising seniors on the Ann Arbor campus, combining workshops, company field trips, and guest speakers. Teams work on business challenges and present their solutions, and students live in a university residence hall. Ross also offers a Data-Driven Decision Lab academy alongside the general program.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here!
Who it's best for: A rising senior with a 3.0 or higher GPA who wants a two-week residential business experience on the Michigan campus.
Location: Livingston Campus, Rutgers University-New Brunswick, Piscataway, New Jersey; residential
Cost/Stipend: $2,600 for the week, including room and board, meals, and all field trips; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The 2025 camp sold out by early February and the 2026 sessions had waiting lists; no acceptance rate is published
Dates: One week, usually in three sessions across July; the 2026 camp ran July 5 to 11, July 12 to 18, and July 19 to 25, and 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: No deadline is listed; registration usually opens in winter and sessions fill by about February, so check the official page early
Eligibility: High school students; the page lists no specific grade range
Rutgers Business School's camp is a week-long residential introduction to marketing, management, accounting, finance, and supply chain, taught by RBS faculty. Campers visit local companies, build a business plan for a team competition, and practice an elevator pitch. Registration is first come, first served.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a one-week residential taste of every major business discipline and is ready to register early.
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia; residential or commuter
Cost/Stipend: Based on the most recent published rates, roughly $950 for the commuter session and $2,000 for residential; check the official Tuition and Scholarships page for current tuition
Acceptance rate/cohort size: The 2026 sessions filled completely; no acceptance rate is published
Dates: One week, usually in three sessions across mid-to-late July; the 2026 sessions ran July 13 to 17 (residential), July 20 to 24 (commuter), and July 27 to 31 (residential), and 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: Usually around May 1 (May 1 in 2025), and applications may close earlier if the program fills; check the official page for 2027
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Camp Business at Drexel's LeBow College of Business is a one-week introduction to accounting, marketing, finance, and management alongside leadership, professional image, and etiquette. Students learn about the stock market and financial documents, and they receive a certificate of completion. It has been recognized by Forbes as an innovative summer business program.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here!
Who it's best for: A Philadelphia-area student who wants an affordable commuter week of business fundamentals, with the option to live on campus.
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa; day camp, with an optional residential add-on
Cost/Stipend: $750; the Rocky's Residents add-on for 6 days and 5 nights costs $1,395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Capacity is 60 students
Dates: One week from 9:00am to 4:00pm, usually in June or July; no further 2026 sessions are available, and 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: Registration usually opens around February 1 and stays open until sessions fill; check the official page for 2027
Eligibility: Entering grades 9 to 12, including students who have just finished 8th grade
Hosted by USF's Kate Tiedemann School of Business and Finance, this camp covers personal finance, financial planning, investing, corporate finance, and fintech. Students use Bloomberg terminals in the Lasher Center and hear from faculty and USF Federal Credit Union professionals. Lunch is provided each day.
Who it's best for: A student as young as rising ninth grade who wants an affordable, finance-focused week on a Florida campus.
Location: On campus at Harvard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with classes from 9am to 5pm
Cost/Stipend: $1,800 per one-week academy; early-bird discounts are offered, and more than 80 percent of students receive some financial assistance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: One-week academies run Monday to Friday, with weekly sessions from early June to mid-August; two tracks are offered, Entrepreneurship and Management and Strategy
Application deadline: Usually rolling, with early-bird discounts for registering early; check the official application site for the current deadline
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12
Offered through Harvard Student Agencies, a student-run nonprofit, these are one-week, Monday-to-Friday business academies with two tracks: Business: Entrepreneurship and Business: Management and Strategy. The academies are run by students rather than by Harvard University itself, and sessions are taught by Harvard undergraduates. A separate virtual business academy also exists.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here!
Who it's best for: A student in grades 9 to 12 who wants a one-week, student-taught business course in Cambridge and values a lower price and wide financial aid over faculty-led instruction.
Location: University of South Florida, Tampa; day camp, with an optional residential add-on
Cost/Stipend: $1,695; the Rocky's Residents add-on for 6 days and 5 nights costs $1,395
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Capacity is 30 campers
Dates: Five days from 9:00am to 4:00pm, usually in the summer; no further 2026 sessions are available, and 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: Registration usually opens around February 1 and stays open until sessions fill; check the official page for 2027
Eligibility: Rising grades 9 to 12; open to any entrant, limited only by age and capacity
Run with USF's Vinik Sport and Entertainment Management Program, this bootcamp covers marketing, sales, finance, operations, and legal work inside professional sports organizations. Campers tour local teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and USF Athletics, and on the last day they pitch a sports marketing plan to a panel of experts.
Who it's best for: A sports-minded student who wants to see the business side of a pro team and build a marketing plan for it.
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey; in person, on campus
Cost/Stipend: $1,200; lunch is provided and the program carries no credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: One week, usually in August; the 2026 program ran Monday to Friday, August 10 to 14, from 10am to 3pm, and 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: Usually opens in winter and closes in spring; register through the Stevens application link and check the official page for the 2027 deadline
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 9 to 11
Stevens's School of Business runs this one-week leadership program using behavior labs, leadership simulations, AI tools, and virtual reality training modules. Students practice managing group dynamics, resolving conflicts, and deciding under uncertainty, guided by faculty and industry professionals. They finish with a personal leadership portfolio.
Who it's best for: A student who wants leadership training rather than pure business theory and is drawn to simulations and virtual reality.
Location: Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, New Jersey; in person, on campus
Cost/Stipend: $1,200; lunch is provided and the program carries no credit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: One week, usually in late July; the 2026 program ran Monday to Friday, July 27 to 31, from 10am to 3pm, and 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: Usually opens in winter and closes in spring; register through the Stevens application link and check the official page for the 2027 deadline
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
In this one-week course from the Stevens School of Business, students learn how artificial intelligence works and how it is changing business, then design and prototype an AI-powered app with no coding required. Days move from AI basics and design thinking to prototyping, a guest speaker on AI in business, and a final team showcase. Students earn an AI digital badge.
Who it's best for: A student interested in where AI meets business who wants to prototype an app in a week without knowing how to code.
Location: Tufts University, Medford and Somerville campus, near Boston; residential or commuter
Cost/Stipend: $5,750 residential and $4,225 commuter; limited need-based aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: Two weeks, usually in July; Summer 2027 dates are coming soon
Application deadline: Applications open December 14, 2026 and close May 1, 2027
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12 or a 2027 high school graduate; residential students must be 15 to 19
Run with the Tufts Gordon Institute, this two-week program teaches students to analyze customer needs and evaluate marketing methods from traditional to digital. They complete hands-on projects and team work, meet guest speakers from industry, and are mentored by Tufts students and alumni. The program is not for credit.
Who it's best for: A student drawn to branding, campaigns, and customer research who wants a marketing-specific program rather than a general business course.
Location: Tufts University, Medford and Somerville campus, near Boston; residential or commuter
Cost/Stipend: $5,750 residential and $4,225 commuter; limited need-based aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: Two weeks, usually in July; Summer 2027 dates are coming soon
Application deadline: Applications open December 14, 2026 and close May 1, 2027
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12 or a 2027 high school graduate; residential students must be 15 to 19
Business Essentials, offered with the Tufts Gordon Institute, covers the role of business in modern society and the different business roles and functions. Students take part in debate, role playing, and case study discussions and examine factors such as artificial intelligence and corporate social responsibility. The instructor is a serial entrepreneur who teaches entrepreneurship at Tufts.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a broad overview of how businesses work and prefers debate and case discussion over a single-subject course.
Entrepreneurship and Startup Programs
Each program here centers on building a venture, from a three-day camp in Flint to a two-week residential business plan at Berkeley Haas.
Location: UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, Berkeley, California; residential
Cost/Stipend: $7,450 for California residents and $7,950 for out-of-state students, plus a non-refundable $100 application fee; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 50 high school students from around the world attend each year
Dates: The flagship two-week Summer Entrepreneurship Residency usually runs in July and August (2026: July 5 to 18 and July 19 to August 1); 2027 dates are not yet published
Application deadline: Usually early February (February 8 for 2026), with decisions by early April; check the official page for the 2027 deadline
Eligibility: Rising grades 10 to 12, including international applicants; the application includes a two-minute video essay
B-BAY is the Haas School of Business's residential program in which students develop a business idea and write a full business plan in two weeks. Berkeley Haas professors and corporate guest speakers teach the core disciplines, and teams present their plans at the end. Newer tracks now include a Summer Founder Bootcamp for students who already run a venture and a virtual academic-year program called Startup Launchpad.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here!
Who it's best for: A student who wants a small, competitive, university-run business plan experience and is comfortable applying with an essay and video.
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, DC; residential or commuter
Cost/Stipend: 2026 rates: $6,465 residential (tuition and meals) and $5,075 commuter
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published; the residential section was 94 percent full when checked
Dates: Two weeks, usually in June; the 2026 academy ran June 7 to 19, and 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: Early bird deadline January 31 (application fee waived); final deadline April 15; admission is rolling
Eligibility: Current 8th to 12th graders in good academic standing, with at least a 2.0 GPA; the application asks for a 300 to 500 word personal statement and a School Official Reviewer Form
Georgetown's two-week academy introduces students to entrepreneurship on the university's Washington, DC campus. Students can live on campus or commute, which makes the price roughly $1,400 lower for local families. It is part of Georgetown's summer programs for high school students.
If you're interested in learning more, check out our deep-dive here!
Who it's best for: A student in the Washington area who wants a short, campus-based entrepreneurship course and can choose between commuting and living on campus.
Location: Tufts University, Medford and Somerville campus, near Boston; residential or commuter
Cost/Stipend: $5,750 residential and $4,225 commuter; a $550 non-refundable deposit counts toward the fee; limited need-based aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: Two weeks, usually in July; Summer 2027 dates are coming soon
Application deadline: Applications open December 14, 2026 and close May 1, 2027; admission is rolling
Eligibility: Students entering grades 10 to 12 or a 2027 high school graduate; residential students must be 15 to 19
Run with the Derby Entrepreneurship Center, this two-week bootcamp has students build a venture from scratch, whether a startup, small business, or nonprofit. They develop a business case, a go-to-market strategy, and a sales plan, then pitch to a panel on demo day. The program is not for credit, and the application asks for a transcript, one recommendation, and a short statement.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a structured two-week venture build on a Boston-area campus and is happy to submit a transcript and recommendation.
Cost/Stipend: $50, which covers instruction, materials, lunch, snacks, a t-shirt, and a backpack; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: Three days; the 2027 institute runs Tuesday to Thursday, June 15 to 17
Application deadline: Thursday, April 29, 2027
Eligibility: Students who will be a junior or senior in fall 2027
The Hagerman Center's institute is a three-day commuter camp that walks students through the entrepreneurial process. It is one of the lowest-cost programs on this list, and food and materials are included. The camp is hosted by the University of Michigan-Flint's School of Management.
Who it's best for: A Michigan student who wants a low-cost, short introduction to entrepreneurship without paying for housing.
Location: Eli Broad College of Business, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Cost/Stipend: The program announcement lists no fee, and the Chapman Family Foundation provides financial support; check the official page for current cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: Four days, usually in late June; the 2026 camp ran June 22 to 25, and 2027 dates are not yet published
Application deadline: Applications opened in February for 2026 and usually close in the spring, around March to April; check the official page for 2027
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; the camp invites students from across Michigan
Run by the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship with the Multicultural Business Programs, this camp introduces students to building a business and leading a team in a four-day, on-campus format. It began in 2022 and is aimed at students exploring both entrepreneurship and leadership. Students spend the four days on the Broad College of Business campus.
Who it's best for: A Michigan student entering junior or senior year who wants a short campus experience combining entrepreneurship and leadership.
Location: UC San Diego Extended Studies, 8980 Villa La Jolla Drive, San Diego; in person
Cost/Stipend: $495; materials are included and students bring their own lunch
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: One week, usually in July; the 2026 session ran Monday to Friday, July 20 to 24, from 9:00am to 3:00pm, and no 2027 session is listed yet
Application deadline: Enrollment usually stays open until about late June (refunds ended June 29 for 2026); check the official page for 2027
Eligibility: High school students; the course page lists no grade or age minimum
UC San Diego's extension school offers this one-week, in-person bootcamp in which students identify a business opportunity, run market research, plan finances, and pitch to a venture capitalist. The instructor is a venture capitalist who has supported dozens of startups. It is one of the lowest-priced full-week programs on this list.
Who it's best for: A student in the San Diego area who wants a hands-on week of startup work with a working investor as instructor, at a modest price.
Location: Virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Application-based; open to all high school students
Dates: Multiple cohorts a year, including summer, fall, winter and spring
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: All high school students
Founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs, Young Founders Lab is a startup boot camp where you work toward building a revenue-generating startup that tackles a real problem. You’re mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft and X. Alongside the build, you take interactive classes on business fundamentals and ideation, plus workshops, case studies and panel discussions.
Who it’s best for: A student who wants to launch an actual revenue-generating startup rather than study business in a classroom.
Location: IU Indianapolis campus, Indianapolis, Indiana
Cost/Stipend: Free; participants are paid a weekly stipend (the 2024 stipend was $350) and can win cash prizes at a Friday pitch contest
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Up to 30 students per five-day session
Dates: Five days, usually in June (the 2023 and 2024 bootcamps ran in June); check with your school for the current year
Application deadline: Students apply through their school, usually in the spring; check with your school's work-based learning coordinator
Eligibility: Open only to students at the four Indianapolis Public Schools district high schools: George Washington, Crispus Attucks, Arsenal Tech, and Shortridge
Formerly called BOSS Camp, this paid, free-to-attend bootcamp is run by the IU Indianapolis Office of Community Engagement with the Kelley School of Business and the Herron School of Art and Design. Students research and design a business, build prototypes in a makerspace, and pitch to judges. Because it is limited to four district schools, it fits a narrow group of local students.
Who it's best for: A student at one of the four Indianapolis public high schools who wants to earn a stipend while building a business plan.
Location: Babson College, Wellesley, Massachusetts; residential, commuter, or half-day online
Cost/Stipend: Per week: $2,680 commuter, $3,400 residential, and $1,608 online; two-week courses cost $5,360, $6,800, and $3,216 respectively; the application fee is $75
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: Usually about four weeks of sessions in July (2026: July 6 to 31, with options from one to four weeks); 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: Usually opens in the fall or winter and closes around May 1 (May 1 in 2026); 2027 applicants can join a notification list, and the official page has the current date
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; students must be at least 16 when their session begins
Babson's non-credit program lets students choose from dozens of three-hour courses across business and finance, entrepreneurship and startup launch, management and marketing, AI and data, communication, and health, food, and the environment. Sessions include pitch workshops, career development sessions, guest speakers, startup panels, and time in the college's makerspace. Students who complete a course earn a Babson digital badge.
Who it's best for: A student who wants to sample several business subjects at a leading entrepreneurship college and would like a choice of residential, commuter, or online attendance.
Online Business Summer Programs
These programs run remotely or offer a remote option, so housing and travel costs drop out. Choices range from a one-week finance bootcamp to an eight-week startup build.
Location: Remote, and you can participate from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available, and the official page lists current pricing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; recent cohorts have drawn over 4,000 applicants for about 500 spots
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring; options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; cohorts usually open for applications around January, May, September, and November
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school with a high level of academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students, offering extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas. It pairs students with PhD mentors to work one on one on an independent research project, and at the end of the 12-week program you will have developed an independent research paper. You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a genuinely individual, mentored research paper rather than a group program, including an economics-minded student who would rather write original research than sit in a class.
Location: Remote, and you can work from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available, and the official page lists current pricing
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; the exact rate is not published
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter; the virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long
Application deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; cohorts usually open for applications around January (spring), May (summer), September (fall), and November (winter)
Eligibility: Students who can work 10 to 20 hours a week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students, placing them with high-growth start-ups on real-world projects. The start-ups range across a variety of industries, from tech and deep tech and AI and machine learning to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more, and are high growth companies that have on average raised over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the start-up and present their work to the company at the end of the internship.
Who it's best for: A student who wants genuine startup work experience rather than a classroom program, and is comfortable being embedded on a real team.
Location: Virtual, live and synchronous
Cost/Stipend: $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: One week, usually in July or early August; the 2026 bootcamp ran August 3 to 7, with sessions from 9:30am to 11:30am and 12:30pm to 2:30pm each day, and 2027 dates are not yet posted
Application deadline: Usually around March (the 2025 cycle closed March 1); check the official page for the 2027 deadline
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Run by the Stevens School of Business, this bootcamp puts students in the role of a portfolio manager for a week. Using the professional S&P Capital IQ platform, they research companies, assess risk, and build simulated portfolios, and they work toward S&P certificates such as Capital IQ Pro 101 and 201. Teaching assistants lead practice sessions twice a day after each lecture.
Who it's best for: A student curious about investing who wants professional-grade tools and industry certificates in a single remote week.
Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: 2026 fees: Future of the Business World, Essentials of Leadership, and Financial Decision Making are $4,099 each; Sports Business Academy is $4,799; there is a $100 application fee, and partial scholarships typically range from $500 to $4,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: No acceptance rate is published
Dates: Two-week sessions in 2026 ran June 15 to 26 and July 6 to 17; Sports Business Academy ran July 6 to 24 over three weeks; 2027 dates will be posted when applications open in November
Application deadline: Applications for the next summer open in November; the priority deadline has usually been in late January (January 28 in 2026), with later rounds into the spring
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 to 12; Sports Business Academy is for grades 10 and 11
Wharton's online summer courses are taught by Wharton faculty and instructional staff and adapted for the virtual classroom, with group work, case competitions, and business simulations. Students choose from Future of the Business World (innovation and entrepreneurship), Essentials of Leadership, Financial Decision Making, and Sports Business Academy. All summer online programs include access to the Wharton Youth Network of global peers.
Who it's best for: A student who wants a Wharton-taught course from home and would like to pick among general business, leadership, and finance tracks.
25. Lumos Fellows
Location: Virtual, from anywhere
Cost/Stipend: $4,500; a Builder Competition covers full tuition plus $1,000 in cash for 10 winning high school students
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; no acceptance rate is published
Dates: Six-week cohorts start several times a year, including summer; the fall 2026 cohort began September 8
Application deadline: Set for each cohort and usually one to two weeks before the start date (the fall 2026 cohort had an early deadline of August 9 and a final deadline of August 23); check the official page for the next cohort
Eligibility: High school and university students; no coding or startup experience required
Lumos Fellows is a six-week, mentor-supported program in which students use modern AI tools to build and launch a real app or website. Each fellow works one on one with a mentor and finishes with a live demo and a marketing toolkit covering positioning, landing pages, and distribution. The emphasis is on shipping a working product and learning to grow it, so the business content centers on launching and marketing.
Who it's best for: A student with a project idea or a club to grow who wants to ship working software and learn to market it, with no coding background needed.
Frequently asked questions: business summer programs for high school students
Are there summer programs for high school students?
Yes, and this list covers 25 business-focused ones, from a three-day camp in Flint to an eight-week online startup program. You can choose a business foundations course, an entrepreneurship build, or an online format, depending on your schedule and budget. If you would rather produce an original research paper in a subject like economics, the Lumiere Research Scholar Program pairs you one-on-one with a PhD mentor. Check each listing for grade and residency limits before you apply.
What skills do you learn in a summer business program?
You pick up the core functions of business, including finance, marketing, accounting, and management, along with leadership and public speaking. Stevens LeadX, for example, has you practice managing group dynamics, resolving conflicts, and deciding under uncertainty. Startup programs such as the UC San Diego bootcamp teach market research, financial planning, and pitching.
What kinds of projects do business summer programs involve?
Most end in something you produce and present. At Berkeley B-BAY you write a full business plan in two weeks, at USF Bulls Startup you build a business model canvas and pitch to industry judges, and at Stevens you manage a simulated portfolio on the S&P Capital IQ platform. Others have you build a product, such as the app prototype at Stevens Business & AI or the live app or website at Lumos Fellows. Sports-minded students can create a marketing plan for a pro team at the USF Sports Business Bootcamp.
Can you network in a summer business program?
Yes, though how much depends on the program. Michigan Ross includes company field trips and guest speakers, Babson adds startup panels and career development sessions, and Wharton's online programs give you access to the Wharton Youth Network of global peers. Tufts programs are mentored by Tufts students and alumni.
What is the difference between online and in-person business summer programs?
Online programs remove housing and travel costs and let you join from anywhere, while in-person programs put you on a university campus with peers and faculty around you. Price shows the gap: Wharton's online courses cost $4,099 to $4,799, while its residential programs run $8,299 to $11,899. Many online options still include live teaching and mentors, such as Wharton Global Youth Online and Stevens' live virtual finance bootcamp.
Do you need business experience to join a summer business program?
No, most programs are built for beginners. Lumos Fellows requires no coding or startup experience, Stevens Business & AI has you prototype an app without coding. Some programs set academic minimums instead, such as a 3.0 GPA at Michigan Ross or a 2.0 GPA at Georgetown.
Stephen Turban is the co-founder of Lumiere Education and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics before beginning a PhD at Harvard Business School. A former McKinsey & Company consultant and former researcher, his research has been covered by the Harvard Business Review, The Economist, BBC News, Freakonomics Radio, and the Washington Post. In his articles for Forbes, he writes on what students and professionals can learn from high school research, high school passion projects, critical thinking, and mentorship. At Lumiere, he leads a selective research program where students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper. Connect with him on LinkedIn.