15 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in California
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 21
- 11 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
If you’re a high school student based in California, you should consider a summer program!
Exploring business summer programs for high school students in California can be one of the most impactful ways to test-drive your interests before college. These programs offer much more than classroom learning; they provide hands-on exposure to real-world business challenges, college-level coursework, and life on a university campus.
Several top universities (such as UCLA and UC Berkeley) and organizations (Google, Apple) offer business summer programs for high school students in California. Many also provide opportunities to build practical skills in areas like entrepreneurship, finance, and leadership, while reducing travel and housing costs.
To make your search easier, we’ve curated a list of 15 competitive and rewarding business summer programs for high school students in California. Each program on this list stands out for its academic rigor, selectivity, hands-on learning, and strong networking opportunities. They also include a few virtual business summer programs that allow students in California to apply.
15 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in California
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: The summer cohorts (I and II) typically runs for 12 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort; Summer deadline typically in June
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is an intensive academic opportunity that allows high school students to engage in individual research under the guidance of a Ph.D. mentor. Over 12 weeks, you’ll work closely with your assigned mentor to explore a topic of your choice and develop a fully independent research paper. This online summer enrichment program for high school students supports a wide variety of disciplines, including areas like business, psychology, law, international relations, economics, chemistry, engineering, physics, and computer science. This structure allows you to dive deep into a subject that aligns with your academic interests while gaining valuable experience in scholarly research and critical thinking. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 42.5% | AI Scholars: 5:1 student/mentor ratio, AI Fellowship: 1:1 student/mentor ratio
Dates: Varies by cohort
Application Deadline: Final summer application deadline: July 20
Eligibility: AI Scholars is open to all high school students | The AI Fellowship is for students who either have prior experience with Python or have completed the AI Scholars program.
Veritas AI’s Finance Deep Dive explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the financial industry. Students receive 1-on-1 mentorship and engage in hands-on coding projects to build machine learning models that forecast stock prices, predict market trends, and analyze financial data. The curriculum includes lectures, code walkthroughs, and small-group collaboration, guided by mentors from top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. Graduates also have the option to receive post-baccalaureate credit through UC San Diego Extended Studies, adding academic weight to the experience. Past student projects have tackled topics like portfolio optimization and predictive finance using neural networks. Classes are highly interactive, combining theory and project-based learning.
Location: Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, CA.
Cost: $6,292 (CA residents) | $7,332 (Out-of-state); limited needs-based scholarships available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 50 students per cohort globally
Dates: Session I: July 5 – July 19 | Session II: July 19 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: All high school students worldwide (grades 9–12) with an interest in business and entrepreneurship.
Each summer, 50 high school students from around the world are chosen for a two-week deep dive into entrepreneurship at the Haas School of Business. At B-BAY, you’ll form a startup team, develop a business idea, and create a full-fledged business plan under the guidance of UC Berkeley faculty and corporate guest speakers. You can expect an interactive mix of lectures, computer lab sessions, independent research, and teamwork, culminating in a final business plan presentation. You’ll also gain exposure to college life, participate in workshops on admissions and essay writing, and engage in campus activities like karaoke night and scavenger hunts. The program helps you build research, communication, and leadership skills.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Domestic - Residential: $11,347; Commuter: $7,812 | International students: $11,949 + $185 visa application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Specific cohort size not published.
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Domestic: May 2; International: March 14
Eligibility: Domestic: Students who have completed at least 9th grade by June 15 | International student eligibility can be found here
This four-week residential program offers high school students a broad, college-level introduction to the fundamentals of business. Taught at the University of Southern California, the course covers topics like operations, finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and management. You will explore real-world industries such as entertainment, sports, and real estate while learning to analyze financial statements, evaluate business strategies, and build customer-focused plans. The program also highlights ethical business practices, sustainability, and the value of diversity in the workplace. You will complete hands-on assignments and gain experience in presenting ideas with professionalism and clarity.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Domestic - Residential: $11,347; Commuter: $7,812 | International students: $11,949 + $185 visa application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Specific cohort size not published.
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Domestic: May 2; International: March 14
Eligibility: Domestic: Students who have completed at least 9th grade by June 15 | International student eligibility can be found here
Offered by the University of Southern California, this four-week residential program immerses students in the startup world through an intensive, college-level entrepreneurship curriculum. You’ll attend lectures on finance, marketing, HR, ethics, and business planning, paired with off-campus field trips to LA-based startups, venture firms, and retail spaces in Santa Monica’s Silicon Beach and Downtown LA. You will work in teams to create your own businesses, present your ideas, and build essential communication and leadership skills. The program also includes sessions on personal branding and networking, and gives you a taste of business environments through hands-on exposure and guest talks.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Domestic - Residential: $11,347; Commuter: $7,812 | International students: $11,949 + $185 visa application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Specific cohort size not published.
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Domestic: May 2; International: March 14
Eligibility: Domestic: Students who have completed at least 9th grade by June 15; International student eligibility can be found here
This four-week course explores how business innovation can address urgent climate and environmental challenges. Topics covered by the program include energy economics, sustainable product development, and career paths in green businesses. You will study the science of climate change alongside business strategies that promote sustainability, from clean energy and transportation to ethical product design. Through a mix of lectures, industry site visits, and hands-on assignments, you will engage with changemakers and startup founders working to decarbonize key sectors of the economy. The course emphasizes economic transformation through sustainable innovation, encouraging you to think critically about profitability, impact, and long-term value creation.
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Cost: Domestic - Residential: $11,347; Commuter: $7,812 | International students: $11,949 + $185 visa application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Specific cohort size not published.
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: Domestic: May 2; International: March 14
Eligibility: Domestic: Students who have completed at least 9th grade by June 15; International student eligibility can be found here
This four-week course introduces you to the fundamentals of data science and its powerful role in business decision-making. You’ll learn to gather, clean, and visualize data, and apply key algorithms like regression, classification, and clustering to analyze trends and make predictions. Real-world case studies from companies like Amazon, TikTok, and Tesla help you understand how businesses use analytics to improve operations and strategy. The program includes off-campus field trips to observe analytics in action and collaborative projects to develop practical teamwork and technical skills. By the end, you will be equipped with a data analyst’s mindset and hands-on experience with essential tools used in modern business analytics.
Location: UC Berkeley, San Francisco, CA | Virtual
Cost: In-person: $9,950 | Virtual: $6.450 (financial aid available for 10% to 50% of the in-person program cost and 10% to 80% of the online program cost)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Limited to 40 students.
Dates: In-person: July 13 – August 9 | Virtual: June 16 – July 11
Application Deadline: Applications for 2025 are closed; typically in April
Eligibility: Open to high school students between ages 13 to 18
Leangap is an immersive entrepreneurship accelerator for high school students that takes participants from idea to a launched startup in just four weeks. Held in San Francisco and hosted at UC Berkeley, the program places students in founder teams and guides them through product development, customer validation, and pitching to investors. You’ll receive mentorship from real startup founders, TED speakers, and venture-backed entrepreneurs, while living and working in the heart of Silicon Valley. Field trips, recreational activities, and exposure to the Bay Area startup ecosystem round out the experience. The program focuses on execution, where students acquire users, build prototypes, and solve real-world problems like actual founders.
Location: Virtual | Residential at University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Virtual: $1,850 | Residential: $3,921 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity. Cohort size not published.
Dates: Session A (Virtual): June 23 – July 4 | Session B (Residential): July 6 – July 19 | Session C (Residential): July 20 – August 2 | Session D (Virtual): August 4 – August 15
Application Deadline: Session A: June 13 | Sessions B & C: June 6 | Session D: July 25
Eligibility: Students in 10th–12th grade by Spring | At least 15 years old for virtual sessions | 17+ for residential sessions
This two-week institute introduces high school students to the world of social entrepreneurship, guiding them in building nonprofits or social impact ventures. Through hands-on workshops, you will design your own social good organizations, learning key concepts like mission design, startup strategy, and community impact. Each participant gets the chance to pitch a fully developed idea that addresses a real-world problem, with mentorship from UCLA faculty and seasoned entrepreneurs. The program emphasizes innovation for the public good, helping students transform their passion into tangible action. Multiple sessions are available, both virtual and residential, allowing flexibility for participants across geographies.
Location: University of California, Berkeley, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $4,095 residential. Scholarships are available. Learn more here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity. Class size varies by location.
Dates: June 13–21 or June 25–July 3
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12)
At the NSLC Business & Entrepreneurship program, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of launching and managing a company, from stakeholder engagement to scaling strategies. Through hands-on simulations and startup workshops, you will learn the core functions of business, including product development, marketing, and operations. The curriculum is complemented by talks from Inc. 5000 entrepreneurs and site visits to major firms, offering a real-world glimpse into how successful ventures are built. The program teaches leadership development with sessions on communication styles, team dynamics, and decision-making under pressure. You’ll stay in college dorms and get a preview of campus life while networking with peers from across the U.S.
Location: University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA
Cost: $3,650; $500 discounts are available for eligible families; financial aid and scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity. Cohort size not published.
Dates: June 2–12 or June 17–27
Application Deadline: Typically in May
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9–12)
Hosted by the University of the Pacific, this two-week residential program allows high schoolers to explore business, finance, and social impact through experiential learning. You’ll take part in hands-on sessions across fields like leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, guided by Pacific’s award-winning faculty. Classes are complemented by campus-wide activities and evening events, giving students a full glimpse into college life. The program also emphasizes collaboration, public speaking, and career readiness. You will live in college dorms, dine on campus, and engage in both academic and social learning experiences. Discounts are available for alumni families, Pacific employees, and those with multiple participants.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $12,474 (residential option) | $5,175 (commuter option). Need-based scholarships available, California residents given priority
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Exact cohort size not published.
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–11 | Minimum GPA of 3.8 | Exceptional 9th graders may be considered
The Research Mentorship Program (RMP) at UC Santa Barbara offers high-achieving high school students the chance to engage in hands-on, university-level research across a wide range of disciplines. You’ll be paired with a mentor, who’s either a faculty member, graduate student, or postdoc, and dive into a research project selected from an annual list of topics. In addition to research experience, students attend GRIT talks featuring UCSB’s leading researchers and innovators. The program also emphasizes personal and academic growth, with students gaining early exposure to life on a college campus. You’ll develop research skills, expand your academic network, and refine your career and college goals.
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: Residential: $8,774; commuter: $2,775; financial aid is available; learn more here.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective. Exact cohort size not published.
Dates: June 25 – July 25
Application Deadline: March 31 (rolling admissions)
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12 | Minimum 3.60 GPA
The Summer Research Academies (SRA) at UC Santa Barbara allow high school students to explore research in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences through a structured, project-based university course. Each student selects a research track and develops an independent topic guided by a UCSB instructor actively engaged in the field. Over four weeks, you’ll complete a 4-unit course, present findings in a capstone seminar, and strengthen academic and professional skills. The program also includes GRIT talks by UCSB faculty and immersion in campus life. It’s an academically rigorous experience that fosters early exposure to the research process and college-level coursework.
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: Residential: $5,698; Commuter: $3,298
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Medium selectivity. Exact cohort size not published.
Dates: Session 1: June 29 – July 11 | Session 2: July 13 – 25 | Session 3: July 27 – August 8
Application Deadline: May 16
Eligibility: Must have completed 8th grade of middle school by program start date | Minimum 3.0 GPA | International student English proficiency score requirement can be found here
Held on the UC San Diego campus, this immersive pre-college program introduces high school students to the fundamentals of launching and growing a business. As participants, you’ll learn how different departments from marketing to finance work together to drive success. You will form business teams, brainstorm startup ideas, and pitch them to real investors in a Shark Tank-style setting. The curriculum includes site visits to local startups and sessions with professionals from firms like Goldman Sachs and McKinsey. By the end of the two-week course, you’ll walk away with a hands-on understanding of entrepreneurship and early-stage business strategy.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080 (additional course materials may cost up to $100); need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective. Specific cohort size not published
Dates: Session I: June 16 – June 27 | Session II: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–11 at the time of application
This intensive two-week online course gives high school students a hands-on introduction to entrepreneurship through the lens of Silicon Valley. The curriculum explores customer insight, product development, marketing, and business models, with a strong emphasis on design thinking. You’ll work in teams to develop startup ideas and pitch them as part of a final project, gaining practical exposure to core business concepts. Live classes are interactive, supported by daily assignments and personalized feedback. The course also shows diverse career paths and builds leadership skills to help you understand how your interests align with a future in business.
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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