15 Economics Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 1 hour ago
- 12 min read
If you are a high school student interested in economics, summer programs offer a structured way to explore economic theory, policy, and financial systems before college. These programs allow students to work with professors or mentors and gain exposure to how businesses and markets operate, the factors that affect prices, and global financial trends. Many programs also provide opportunities to conduct research, collaborate with peers, and develop analytical and quantitative skills.
Why should I participate in an economics summer program in high school?
Below is a curated list of 15 economics summer programs for high school students.
If you’re looking for online STEM programs, check out our blog here.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,000+ $80 application fee (early action)/$95 (regular decision) with need-based financial aid available covering up to the full cost of tuition to all, including international students; need-based application fee waiver also available
Program Dates: June 21–July 3 (Session I) | July 5–17 (Session II) | July 19–31 (Session III)
Application Deadline: October 15 (early action) | January 7 (regular decision)
Eligibility: Current high school sophomore or junior (or international equivalent); must be between the ages of 16–18 years old by the first day of Session III (check all requirements here)
The Politics of Law & Economics (PLE) session of the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Program is a rigorous, 2-week summer program that explores the economic, legal, and political theory aspects of social systems. Across three sessions, you will study in a residential university setting, interacting with peers. You will attend lectures and seminars led by Yale faculty and professionals. The learning modules include economic theories, governance structures, human rights, international policy, and more. You will participate in group brainstorming sessions and activities at a symposium to explore PLE topics. You will work on a collaborative capstone project under the staff's mentorship and receive an electronic certificate of completion at the end of the session.
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on program type | Full financial aid available
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring; options range from 12 weeks to one year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate 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. There is a broad range of subject areas to explore, including STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences. The program pairs high school students with PhD mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper. You can choose an economics-focused field of interest, such as econometrics, economic history, applied microeconomics, health economics, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Washington University in St. Louis, Danforth Campus, St. Louis, MO, with commuter and online options available
Cost: Varies based on modality and number of credits taken | Need-based scholarships and discounts available (check fees and scholarships here)
Program Dates: June 7–July 11
Application Deadline: March 2 (early application) | April 1 (regular application)
Eligibility: Current junior in high school (graduating next year) | Limited to 5–20 students
The Introductory Microeconomics program is an immersive learning course in Washington University in St. Louis's High School Summer Scholars Program, offering the opportunity to explore an undergraduate course for college credit. Residential, commuter and online options are available. You will first learn the basics of economic principles and how markets work. You will then study key aspects of economics, such as the theory of production and the functioning of market structures. Learning modules may also include other fields such as trade policies, taxes, and more. At the end of the program, you can request an official transcript of grades earned, which will be sent to the college where you are seeking undergraduate admission.
Location: Cambridge, London, Singapore, Toronto, Tokyo, Boston, and Oxford | Online option available (check locations based on age group here)
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts | Rolling admissions.
Eligibility: Students aged 13–18 currently enrolled in middle or high school
Immerse Education's Economics Summer School is an Academic Insights Program that provides high school students with opportunities to experience university life firsthand. You will live on campus and study in small groups of 7-10, learning from tutors from top universities such as Oxford and Cambridge. You will gain insight into the basics of economic concepts and principles. You will apply the knowledge you have acquired to a real-world problem, analyze an economic issue, and present your findings to the class. You will also participate in discussions, debates, and workshops. By the end of the program, you’ll complete a personal project, receive written feedback, and receive a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $5,700 ($1,300 for local/regional students only) with scholarships available for children of Cornell employees (check details here)
Program Dates: July 13–25
Application Deadline: December 15 (early bird deadline) | April 15 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: High school students of any grade
This 2-week summer residential economics program, hosted by the Cornell Institute for China Economic Research (CICER), provides high school students with an immersive on-campus learning experience. Through this program, you will study economic, social and business-related issues from around the world, especially those centered on China and the U.S. In addition to components on behavioral and environmental economics, you can study one of two electives: Big Data & Business Analytics or Engineering Economics & Systems Thinking. You will work in a small group on a project in a business simulation lab for a business competition. In addition to a campus tour, you will meet faculty and students, attend economic research seminars, visit local sites, and more. At the end of the program, you will receive an official certificate to indicate that you have completed this program.
Location: Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
Cost: Starts at $3,748 for a one-week course with a supplemental or materials fees applicable to some courses (check program costs here) | Application fee waiver and scholarships are available
Program Dates: June 15–July 25 with one- to four-week options (check upcoming program dates here)
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12, ages 14 to 18 by June 14
Brown University's pre-college summer programs provide high school students in grades 9 to 12 with opportunities to study the undergraduate-level economics curriculum. You will study without worrying about grades or college credit. You will have an on-campus learning experience with peers who share your interest in the subject and will participate in workshops, events, and activities. There is a diverse range of courses, including introductory courses in macroeconomics, microeconomics, and game theory; the economics of inequality; the economics of energy; and more. At the end of the course, you will receive a digital CeCertificate of Completion, and for a 2-week or longer course, you will receive a Course Performance Report (CPR). Explore in-person Economics courses at Brown University here.
Location: Virtual with asynchronous/blended sessions
Cost: Starts at $3,364 for a two-week course with a supplemental or materials fee applicable to some courses (check program costs here) | Application fee waiver and scholarships are available
Program Dates: June 15–July 24 with two- to six-week options (check program dates here)
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9–12, ages 14 to 18 by June 14
Brown University's Pre-College Online programs provide opportunities to study college-level academics from wherever you are through the university's Canvas learning management system. You will join peers from around the globe to explore economics courses and receive personalized feedback from the instructors. You will participate in online workshops and activities for about two to three hours each day (about 15 hours/week). You can construct economic models using simple algebra in the introductory course in macroeconomics or dive into real-world scenarios that illustrate how human behavior is understood and predicted in the behavioral game theory course. You will receive a digital CeCertificate of Completion and a Course Performance Report (CPR) after completing the course.
Location: Virtual through Brown University's Canvas learning management system
Cost: $8,973 ($17,935 if you also opt for a second Pre-Bacc course) | Check here for application fee waiver and here for scholarships
Program Dates: June 15–July 31 (25 to 30 hours/week for 7 weeks)
Application Deadline: May 8 or till spots fill
Eligibility: Rising or recently graduated high school seniors, age 17 by June 14
Brown University's Principles of Economics course is a Pre-Baccalaureate Program that provides high school students with an opportunity to acquire a specialized knowledge of economics. You will attend virtual lectures asynchronously in the first half of the program, followed by preparations for a final paper/presentation/exam in the seventh week. Economic concepts and issues are some of the learning components of this intensive, credit-bearing, undergraduate-level program. You will gain insight into the basics of economic analysis and its application to current social problems. You will participate in online activities with peers and have access to virtual pre-college Student Life programs.
Location: The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $10,050 (includes program fees, residential costs, and course materials) + $100 non-refundable application fee | Scholarships available for Philadelphia residents enrolled in School District of Philadelphia public or charter high schools (check details here)
Program Dates: July 11–August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current 9th-11th grade students with strong academic performance | No prerequisites
The University of Pennsylvania's Economics Academy is a residential economics summer program hosted by the School of Arts & Sciences (SAS). In this non-credit 3-week program, you will gain exposure to economic principles and applications while experiencing campus life. You will attend academic lectures led by faculty and guest speakers, participate in class discussions, and undertake tours of local sites. You will collaborate with peers to apply economic theory to current events, culminating in a final capstone project to solve a real-world economic challenge. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
Location: Virtual (asynchronous)
Cost: $1,795 | Need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: Vary with 1-week/2-week/4-week sessions depending on the time of year, with 20-30 hours of total instruction and coursework
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up who are not yet enrolled in college, and no more than one year post-high school graduation (gap year)
The Business of Economics is a Rice University pre-college, non-credit-bearing course designed for high school students. You will attend pre-recorded video lectures and complete assignments at the end of each module. Learning modules include basic concepts of economics, insights into how businesses use economics, an understanding of energy markets, and more. You will work on and present a capstone project focused on a topic you learned in the course, with guidance and feedback from mentors. You will also gain insight into potential careers associated with the discipline of economics. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion from Rice University, which will help boost your college applications.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $2,800 with need-based scholarships available (from $100 to $2,000) for U.S. citizens/residents in the U.S. | Discounts available for early and priority deadlines
Program Dates: June 22–28
Application Deadline: February 11 (early deadline) | March 18 (priority deadline) | April 15 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: High school students who are currently in their sophomore or junior year
The FTE Environment & the Economy (E&E) program is an immersive learning experience for high school students to explore the impact of economic principles on environmental policy, sustainability and social issues. The course covers a diverse range of topics, including climate change, air and water quality, endangered species, and more. You will gain an understanding of pricing, opportunity cost, land use, incentives, and other key concepts. You will attend lectures and participate in leadership development activities, and work on case studies. You will also undertake a field trip to focus on an environmental issue and evaluate it to find a rational solution based on economic analysis. On completing the course requirements, you will receive a transcript from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), showing three semester hours of graded undergraduate credit.
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. with a virtual option available (check locations here)
Cost: $2,800 with need-based scholarships available (from $100 to $2,000) for U.S. citizens/residents in the U.S. | Discounts available for early and priority deadline applications
Program Dates: Vary, based on the campus location (check dates here)
Application Deadline: February 11 (early deadline) | March 18 (priority deadline) | April 15 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors in high school | Limited to approximately two applicants for each available spot | 25 – 40 students are accepted at each site based on campus restrictions
The FTE Economics for Leaders (EFL) program provides high school students with opportunities to gain insight into foundational economic concepts and experience a pre-college experience, either on campus or remotely. You will learn to apply economic analysis to public policy decisions and develop leadership skills. Key topics included in the program are money and inflation, national and international markets, economic growth, property rights, and more. You will participate in simulations to gain hands-on learning experiences and build critical thinking skills. You will also participate in leadership sessions, which are components of the university Leadership Pyramid Matrix, which incorporates personal, relational, and contextual leadership spheres.
Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT | University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $2,800 with need-based scholarships available (from $100 to $2,000) for U.S. citizens/residents in the U.S. | Discounts available for early and priority deadline applications
Program Dates: June 15–21 (Yale University) |July 27–August 2 (University of Michigan)
Application Deadline: February 11 (early deadline) | March 18 (priority deadline) | April 15 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors in high school | Must have an economics course completed on the transcript | 25–40 students are accepted at each site based on campus restrictions
The FTE Advanced Economics for Leaders (Advanced EFL) program for high school students is a one-week residential program with an advanced curriculum that explores college-level intermediate micro- and macroeconomic topics. You will deep dive into economic models and theories. Learning components of the rigorous coursework include capital asset pricing models, the labor supply curve, the quantity theory of money, and more. You will participate in activities to apply economic reasoning to an issue and enhance decision-making skills. You will also attend leadership development sessions.
14. Harvard Summer School's Secondary School Program - Economics, Finance, and Public Policy Courses
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Varies, depending on the course (starts at $4,180) + $75 application fee | Need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: June 20–August 8
Application Deadline: June 15 (registration deadline for these courses) | Check important deadlines
Eligibility: High school students | Prerequisites may apply to some courses
The Economics, Finance, and Public Policy courses at Harvard Summer School provide high school students with opportunities to learn on an Ivy League campus or remotely and earn college credit. You will expand your academic knowledge of the subject and interact with peers who share your interest in economics. There is a diverse range of courses in the discipline, including an introduction to financial and managerial economics, an introduction to econometrics, principles of microeconomics, principles of macroeconomics, and more. You will be required to complete reading and assignments outside of class time. At the end of the course, you will receive a letter grade and can request a Harvard transcript with the course(s) listed on it.
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA, with virtual options available
Cost: Varies (use the fee calculator for an estimate of the program fee) | Full and partial need- and merit-based scholarships available for California high school students (check details here)
Program Dates: Vary, with multiple sessions during the summer (check important dates here)
Application Deadline: Rolling (registrations typically open on February 18)
Eligibility: High school students | Prerequisites may apply to some courses
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) offers a diverse range of summer programs in economics for high school students. Whether you study on campus or opt for remote lessons, you will gain exposure to the same university-level academic curriculum. You will have immersive learning experiences with peers from around the world, and earn college credit. You will attend academic lectures and participate in activities. You can enrol in one or two approved courses (a maximum of 10 units). The UCLA summer session courses in economics include the principles of economics, microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, introduction to econometrics, econometrics laboratory, environmental economics, and more. Explore UCLA economics summer courses here.
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, check out students’ reviews of the program here and 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 graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. 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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