10 Best Economics Programs for Middle School Students

Choosing a strong economics program for middle school students is a smart move if you want to build early academic momentum. These programs offer a chance to experience college-style learning, sharpen analytical and financial reasoning, and see how economic forces operate in real life. Students gain exposure to life‑skills like budgeting, decision‑making under scarcity, cost–benefit thinking, and policy tradeoffs. Plus, they often connect with mentors, peer cohorts, and professionals in the field. Importantly, good economics programs need not be prohibitively expensive, many offer financial aid or subsidized spots. 

For students seriously interested in economics, applying for scholarship‑supported opportunities can make participation feasible. We’ve curated programs based on rigor, prestige, networking potential, full funding or strong aid, and low acceptance rates. Below you’ll find ten selective programs (or models) ranked by prestige, starting with the most competitive.

10 Best Economics Programs for Middle School Students

1. Lumiere Junior Explorer Program (JEP)

Location: Remote

Cost/Stipend: Varies; Full financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: 8-week program; multiple cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6-8

Lumiere’s Junior Explorers Program is a selective online research experience for middle school students, designed to build advanced academic writing and research skills. You begin by selecting a subject area, such as STEM, humanities, or social sciences, and are matched with a PhD-level mentor from a top university. Over the course of the program, you receive a structured introduction to your chosen field, then design and carry out an independent research project focused on a real-world question. To strengthen your writing and analytical abilities, you conclude the program by producing a formal research paper that presents your findings. 

2. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth Middle School After School Virtual Program

Location: UC Berkeley (virtual, hosted by the Haas School of Business)

Cost/Stipend: Varies, financial aid available

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective, rolling admissions

Dates: February 1 – April 15

Application Deadline: December 20

Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in grades 6–8 to apply

In this fully virtual after-school program, you'll explore foundational business concepts and collaborate with other students to develop real solutions to real-world problems. The 2026 program focuses on Artificial Intelligence, giving you the chance to examine how AI is reshaping industries and brainstorm your own innovative, AI-powered ideas. You’ll participate in hands-on projects, use the Business Model Canvas to structure your ideas, and build communication skills through team-based presentations. Classes meet twice weekly via Zoom, and all learning materials are managed through Canvas. You’ll also need to complete two short essays that help the admissions team understand your interests, maturity, and motivation.

3. Veritas AI - AI Trailblazers

Location: Remote

Cost: Varies; Full financial aid is available

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective

Dates: Various cohorts throughout the year

Application Deadline: Varies by the cohort

Eligibility: Students in grades 6–8; no coding or technical background required

Veritas AI’s AI Trailblazers program introduces you to key concepts in artificial intelligence and machine learning through live instruction and collaborative learning. Over 25 hours, you learn Python programming, explore data analysis, and build models using regression and classification techniques. You receive personalized guidance through small-group mentoring, with a five-to-one student-to-mentor ratio. As the program progresses, you explore more advanced topics such as neural networks and AI ethics. A central part of the experience is the team-based capstone project, where you and a few peers apply your new skills to solve a real-world challenge and present your findings at the end.

4. Georgetown University Economics Policy Academy

Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Cost/Stipend: $7,700 for residential students; $5,800 for commuters

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective, application reviewed on a rolling basis

Dates: Typically held in June or July (exact 2026 dates pending)

Application Deadline: Early bird deadline: January 31; Final deadline: April 15

Eligibility: You must be a current 8th–12th grader and at least 15 years old by the program’s start date

At this intensive summer program, you’ll explore the intersection of economics and political science through lectures, workshops, and field visits in Washington, D.C. You’ll study how markets interact with governments and evaluate policies tied to real-world issues like inequality, trade, and development. Georgetown faculty and guest speakers lead daily sessions, and you'll also develop a research-based capstone project. Throughout the program, you'll engage with peers in group discussions, off-site visits, and residential life activities that simulate college life. By the end of your experience, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of economic policy and a Certificate of Participation from Georgetown.

5. High School of Economics and Finance ECO Summer Experience 

Location: High School of Economics and Finance, 100 Trinity Place, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Open to all incoming HSEF 9th graders

Dates: July 14 – July 31

Application Deadline: Rolling; registration required before program begins

Eligibility: You must be an incoming 9th-grade student at HSEF

This free summer bridge program is designed to help you transition smoothly into high school at the High School of Economics and Finance. Held on campus in Manhattan’s Financial District, the program runs four days a week and includes both classroom activities and daily field trips. You’ll get to know your new school community, meet classmates, and explore nearby financial institutions, giving you early exposure to the economic environment around your school. Breakfast and lunch are provided each day, and you'll be guided by staff and coordinators who are part of your future high school experience. Participation is expected for all incoming students, though it does not replace any middle school graduation requirements.

6. GYEL Promising Young Leader Program: The Foundation for Global Young Leaders

Location: Virtual (delivered globally via Zoom and TalentLMS)

Cost/Stipend: Varies, financial aid available

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Rolling admissions, selective cohort

Dates: Spring Term: January – May; Fall Term: September – December; Summer Term: June – August

Application Deadline: Rolling; recommended at least one month before term begins

Eligibility: You must be in grades 6–8 at the time of application

In this leadership-focused program, you’ll join students from around the world to explore how the United Nations, global institutions, and young leaders address real-world challenges. Each term features Ivy League–style lectures taught by experienced professionals with backgrounds from institutions like Harvard and Oxford, alongside weekly office hours for mentorship and personalized feedback. You’ll study topics like emotional intelligence, digital leadership, negotiation skills, and global policy, then apply what you learn through weekly assignments and a capstone project that asks you to tackle a real issue tied to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll also gain experience presenting ideas through video pitches and infographic designs. Upon completion, you receive formal certification and may request letters of recommendation from GYEL leaders, recognition that can strengthen future applications and leadership pursuits.

7. James Madison University Center for Economic Education

Location: James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA (resources available online)

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Open access

Dates: Self-paced, available year-round

Application Deadline: None

Eligibility: You should be in grades 6–8 and have an interest in economics

This program offers a collection of online, self-guided lessons designed to introduce you to key economic concepts in an engaging, accessible way. You can explore topics like opportunity cost, circular flow, human capital, government roles, and the basics of the stock market through literature-based and scenario-driven lessons. Lessons are aligned with national standards and come from reputable sources like the Federal Reserve and EconEdLink. You’ll find resources tied to books such as Lawn Boy, The Giver, and My Side of the Mountain, helping you apply economics to stories and real-world situations. If you're looking for free, flexible, and school-friendly enrichment, this is a useful starting point for understanding how economics shows up in daily life.

8. NYU College and Career Lab – Business

Location: New York University, New York, NY

Cost/Stipend: Free

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Selective; preference given to NYC public school students

Dates: July 6 – July 31

Application Deadline: March 31 at 11:59 PM

Eligibility: You must be in 7th or 8th grade at a New York City public school during the application period

As a participant in the College and Career Lab’s business track, you'll spend four weeks on NYU’s campus exploring core areas of business through hands-on courses taught by faculty from the Stern School of Business. You'll be introduced to subjects like economics, marketing, accounting, technology, and entrepreneurship while also meeting NYU alumni working at companies like Google, Facebook, and EY. The program includes field trips across New York City, daily classes, and mentoring from NYU students and professionals. Meals and MetroCards are provided, and attendance during the school-year Practice Labs is required to continue in the six-year pipeline. This is one of the few long-term, fully funded economics and business experiences designed specifically for middle school students in NYC.

9. Summer Springboard Business & Entrepreneurship

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT

Cost/Stipend: Residential: $4,298; Commuter: $2,498; financial aid not mentioned

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Open enrollment, space limited

Dates: Session 1: June 14 – June 20; Session 4: July 5 – July 11

Application Deadline: Rolling; early pricing deadline is November 30

Eligibility: You should be a motivated high school student interested in entrepreneurship

In this one-week program at Yale University, you'll work in teams to create a startup, develop a marketing and financial plan, and pitch your business to a panel of experts. You'll explore how different areas, like sales, operations, and finance, work together to build a successful company. Using the Business Model Canvas as a guide, you’ll learn to structure ideas and solve real business challenges. The course combines classroom instruction with hands-on teamwork and ends with a professional-style pitch presentation. Throughout the week, you’ll also connect with entrepreneurs and business leaders, gaining exposure to different industries and career paths.

10. UMBC Middle School Summer Programs – Entrepreneurship: Financial Literacy

Location: University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD

Cost/Stipend: Varies by course; financial aid not mentioned

Acceptance rate or cohort size: Open enrollment, space limited

Dates: July 15 – July 19 (Session 3), 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Application Deadline: Rolling, until course fills

Eligibility: You must be an incoming 6th–8th grade student

In this hands-on course, you’ll explore personal finance and business fundamentals while designing a business plan of your own. You’ll build a personal budget, sharpen your math and critical thinking skills, and learn how entrepreneurs launch and manage new ventures. The course includes practical tools to help you manage money and apply financial knowledge in your daily life. You’ll also get a chance to present your business idea, making this class both interactive and applicable. Held on UMBC’s campus, the program gives you a chance to spend a week learning about business while building real-world skills.

Lydia is an alum from Harvard University and studied Molecular and Cellular Biology & Economics. In high school, she was the captain of her high school’s Academic Decathlon team and attended the Governor's School of Engineering and Technology. She is working as a life sciences consultant after graduation. 

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