10 College Summer Camps for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Mar 31
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 14
If you're a high school student, summer is the perfect time to explore your academic interests outside the classroom, gain practical experience, and prepare for college! If you're looking for a way to engage in a subject at the college level in a focused manner, consider a college summer camp! '
College summer camps for high school students offer a way to experience college life, build practical skills, and make valuable connections. These camps expose you to college-level coursework, industry experts, and even research opportunities—all without the long-term commitment or high costs of pre-college programs.
Unlike traditional pre-college programs offered by universities, college summer camps for high school students are shorter, more focused, and often hosted by independent organizations at universities. These camps emphasize specific subjects, such as STEM, business, or the arts, while offering learning experiences and mentorship from professionals.
Below, we've rounded up 10 of the best college summer camps for high school students.
The Delta State University Summer Youth Camp is an excellent opportunity for high school students interested in the arts. This camp offers workshops in music, theater, and visual arts, allowing you to refine your creative skills under the guidance of faculty and artists. Throughout the program, you will participate in projects, collaborative exercises, and skill-building sessions. The camp culminates in a final presentation where you will present your work to peers and instructors. With a cohort of around 100 students, you can connect with like-minded peers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~100 students
Dates: Varies based on camp selected
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
Location: Delta State University, Cleveland, MS
Cost: $30 – $1,400 (varies by camp selection)
The KU School of Engineering Summer Camps offer a week-long experience for high school students interested in engineering. You can explore various engineering disciplines by selecting a specialized track and working on projects with KU faculty and graduate students. Campers gain access to KU’s engineering classrooms and labs, providing a glimpse into college life. Each camp includes interactive lab sessions, group projects, and extracurricular activities. You can choose from tracks in subjects like Aerospace Engineering, Bioengineering, Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, Civil & Architectural Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots
Dates: Session 1: July 6–11 | Session 2: July 13 –18
Application deadline: Rolling admissions (email inquiries to engrsummercamp@ku.edu)
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Location: KU School of Engineering, Lawrence, KS
Cost: $750 per session (includes housing, dining, supplies, and activities)
Mississippi State University’s Veterinary Camp gives high schoolers a hands-on introduction to veterinary medicine. You will participate in clinical simulations, lab work, and fieldwork, gaining experience alongside MSU faculty and veterinary professionals. The program covers topics such as animal anatomy, microbiology, and radiology, offering a deeper understanding of veterinary science. Beyond clinical skills, you will explore diverse veterinary medicine career paths, including public health, research, pathology, and rehabilitation. The camp offers both day and overnight sessions.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited spots available
Dates: Varying dates, typically 4–5 days
Application deadline: January 24 - March 4
Eligibility: Students aged 10–17
Location: Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS
Cost: $750
The Ocean Science and Technology Camp at the University of Southern Mississippi provides students with an introduction to marine science and ocean technology. You will participate in projects alongside USM scientists, including building autonomous vehicle models, exploring the Gulf Blue economy, and conducting fieldwork on marine ecosystems. A highlight of the camp is a research expedition aboard a USM vessel, where you will study the Mississippi Sound and learn about ocean conservation. With a small cohort of just 25 students, this program offers an interactive learning experience.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 25 students
Dates: June 2 - 6
Application deadline: Contact marine.education@usm.edu for information
Eligibility: Students in grades 7–12
Location: Marine Education Centers, MS
Cost: $450
This camp offers high school students an exploration of molecular medicine through workshops on molecular biology, cancer research, immunology, neuroscience, and bioinformatics. These workshops cover disease mechanisms, experimental design, and drug development, blending interactive lectures with laboratory work. You will complete an original research project, gaining valuable experience for future studies and science fair competitions. The camp offers both in-person and online options, with residential programs hosted at top universities, including UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Columbia University, and Imperial College London.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by session
Dates: Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Medicine runs June 9–20, Medicinal Chemistry from July 7–18, and Medical Bioinformatics from June 2–13.
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students aged 14–18 interested in biomedical science
Location: UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Columbia University, and Imperial College London and online
Cost: Intro to Cellular and Molecular Medicine: $510, Medicinal Chemistry: $670, and Medical Bioinformatics: $1070
The program is sponsored by the National Security Agency’s (NSA) GenCyber program and hosted by the University of Missouri-Kansas City. The GenCyber Camp is a one-week, non-residential cybersecurity summer camp for high school students. The program covers internet safety, cryptography, ethics, network scanning, and deepfakes. The curriculum blends theory and practice, helping you develop both technical and critical-thinking skills. Open to all high school students regardless of experience, this camp is an excellent opportunity to explore cybersecurity in a structured environment.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Camp 1: July 22 – July 26; Camp 2: July 29 – August 2
Application Deadline: Not available
Eligibility: Rising 9th to 12th graders
Location: UMKC Campus, Kansas City, MO
Cost: Free
The University of Arizona’s Summer Engineering Academy (SEA) offers camps providing high school students with hands-on experiences and mentorship. SEA has four-day camps and two residential programs. You can explore diverse engineering disciplines, including civil, aerospace, mechanical, semiconductor, and environmental engineering. You will work alongside faculty, industry professionals, and peers. The day camps include lunch, and families are welcome to visit Tucson while their students attend SEA.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, limited spots available
Dates: Various sessions from June 9 – July 25
Application deadline: Needs-based scholarship applications are due April 15 (registration portal required)
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
Location: University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Cost: $750 for residential camps | $350 for day camps (lunch provided for day camps)
The Illinois Aerospace Institute (IAI) Summer Camp offers an aerospace engineering experience for high school students interested in aviation, space exploration, and engineering principles. The program has two on-campus camps and one virtual program. You will explore aerospace concepts through lectures, demonstrations, and activities led by industry experts and faculty. While many participants have prior exposure to model rockets, remote-controlled aircraft, or aviation, no previous experience is required.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment, limited spots available
Dates: TBA, summer
Application deadline: Applications open in March
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9–12
Location: University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL (on-campus and virtual options)
Cost: On-campus camp: $1,000 | Virtual camp: $150 (Students must have a computer, Zoom access, and basic school supplies.)
The Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University Summer Camps offer high school students an introduction to aerospace engineering and aviation. You will study space flight, aviation maintenance, the science of flight, and air traffic control through interactive lessons, activities, and workshops. You can choose from a variety of specialized programs, including Aerospace Camp, Aerospace Career Exploration Camp, Aerospace Engineering, Air Traffic Control, Aircraft Accident Investigation, and Aviation Voyage Camp. Each camp offers exposure to aviation and engineering fields, making it a great opportunity for students interested in STEM careers.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate selectivity
Dates: Varies by program
Application deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Open to high school students who are 18 and younger
Location: Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, multiple campuses
Cost: $950 – $2,475
SUMaC is an elite program for rising high school juniors and seniors interested in advanced mathematics. You will participate in lectures, guided research, and collaborative problem-solving. The curriculum explores modern mathematical research, historical developments, and math applications across scientific disciplines. SUMaC offers both online and residential options. You will work alongside driven peers from around the world, gaining exposure to complex mathematical theories and problem-solving techniques. To learn more about this camp, check out our complete guide here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Session One (Online): June 16 – July 4 | Session One (Residential): June 22 – July 18 | Session Two (Online): July 7 – July 25
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (grades 10–11)
Location: Stanford University and online
Cost: Varies based on session
One other option—the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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