18 Online Business Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Apr 28
- 10 min read
If you're in high school and looking for a flexible way to pursue business outside of the classroom, we’ve put together a list of 18 popular online business programs open to high schoolers!
These programs, offered by schools like Wharton, Columbia University, Yale, Harvard, and Seattle, can help you build key skills in financial modeling, marketing strategies, data analysis, and entrepreneurship.
You’ll also gain exposure to fields like investment banking, corporate finance, and digital marketing, all without having to move states or cities, and spending a ton of money on travel. Many of these programs are free or fully funded, making them an affordable option as well.
The programs below can help you explore specific fields like supply chain management, venture capital, or business analytics, which aren’t usually covered in the typical high school curriculum.
18 Online Business Programs for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: $ 2990 - $ 8990 based on duration. Full financial aid available!
Program Dates: Summer: June - August, fall: September - December, winter: December - February, spring: March - June.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The Summer Cohort I application deadline is April 13!
Eligibility: High school students with strong academic achievement
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a challenging research opportunity for high school students, offering personalized 1-on-1 mentorship in a variety of subjects. In this program, you’ll be paired with a Ph.D. mentor to work closely on an independent research project.
Over 12 weeks, you'll develop a research paper on a topic of your choice. You can select a subject track, such as business, and focus on specific areas like entrepreneurship. This program provides a unique chance to explore advanced topics and gain valuable research experience.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099
Program Dates: Session 1: June 16–27 and Session 2: July 7–18
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: April 2; Final deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising seniors and recent high school graduates
The Wharton Global Youth Program is a two-week virtual summer experience for high school students interested in business. During the program, you’ll improve your leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through interactive lectures, group projects, and case competitions.
You’ll work with Wharton faculty, guest speakers, and students from around the world. The program includes digital simulations that focus on decision-making in leadership. You’ll also attend daily live lectures on leadership, participate in TA-led sessions to build business knowledge, and gain hands-on experience.
Location: Virtual (Live, interactive workshops)
Cost: Need-based financial aid available
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The summer deadline is May 11!
Program Dates: Individual Program: June 2; Group Program Summer 1: June 9-29; Group Program Summer 2: August 4-24.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp created by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you’ll work on building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You’ll also receive mentorship from professionals at top companies like Google, Microsoft, and Meta.
While developing your start-up, you'll participate in interactive classes covering business fundamentals and business ideation, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, and panel discussions. The program culminates in a demo day, where you'll pitch your start-up to potential investors. You can find the application here!
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,750 per session (Financial aid available) + $75 non-refundable application fee
Program Dates: Session I: June 22 – July 3; Session II: July 6 – July 18; Session III: July 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Harvard University’s Pre-College Program in Business and Leadership offers a strong introduction to key business concepts and leadership development. With small class sizes of 12 to 18 students, the program focuses on collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving in real-world situations.
Under the guidance of Harvard-affiliated instructors, you will participate in discussions, practice public speaking and negotiation, and analyze case studies. You will also gain specific business skills, including data analysis, market research, and developing strategic recommendations.
Location: Virtual (Live, interactive workshops)
Cost: 1-week Session: $2,815 per course and 2-week Session: $3,965 per course
Program Dates: Session A: July 7 – July 18; Session B: July 21 – August 1; Session C: August 11 – August 15
Application Deadline: Varies by session — check for details
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–11) with a strong academic background and an interest in business
Columbia University’s Online Summer Immersion Program gives high school students the chance to experience college-level academics from home. Led by Columbia’s renowned faculty, students can explore courses in subjects like entrepreneurship, finance, economics, and investment portfolio management.
Courses such as Becoming an Entrepreneur, Introduction to Business, and Investment Portfolio Management are designed to develop analytical thinking, creativity, and strategic decision-making. The program includes interactive class discussions, group projects, and real-world case studies to deepen your understanding of the business world. The virtual format allows you to access Columbia’s academic resources and connect with peers from around the globe.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,840 per credit
Program Dates: June 2 – June 20 (Session 1), June 23 – July 11 (Session 2), July 14 – August 1 (Session 3), June 23 – August 1 (Six-Week Session).
Application Deadlines: May 5 (Session 1), May 19 (Session 2 & Six-Week Session), June 16 (Session 3).
Eligibility: High school students (grades 11–12) with strong academic performance and a passion for business
Cornell University’s Online Pre-College Summer Programs offer you the chance to experience college-level academics and earn college credit. Conducted virtually, these programs provide flexibility while giving you access to top faculty and resources.
You can choose from business courses like AEM 1200: Introduction to Business Management, AEM 3991: Global Business Strategy, and NBA 2650: Strategic Management of Tech & Innovation. In these courses, you’ll develop skills in business management, global strategy, innovation management, and decision-making. The program also includes networking events, virtual field trips, and guest lectures from industry professionals. Upon successful completion, you’ll earn 3 to 12 credits and receive an official Cornell University transcript.
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Yale University’s online course Capitalism: Success, Crisis, and Reform offers a extensive exploration of capitalism. Through interactive modules, case studies, and real-world examples, you will examine the origins of capitalism, its impact on global economies, and the challenges it faces. The course covers topics such as the rise of industrial capitalism, economic inequality, and financial crises, and it encourages you to explore potential reforms to address issues like income inequality and economic instability.
The course is self-paced, allowing you to balance it with your other academic and extracurricular activities. This program allows you to apply critical thinking to economic theory, analyze historical and modern economic systems, and understand the complexities of global markets under the guidance of Yale’s faculty.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,000–$5,000 (2–4 weeks)
Program Dates: June 24 – July 19
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Brown University’s Pre-College course Leadership in Changing Business: Social Entrepreneurship offers you the chance to explore how business can drive social impact. This program focuses on creating sustainable business solutions in areas like health, education, and environmental sustainability.
You will engage in interactive lectures, case studies, and group discussions to understand the challenges and opportunities in social entrepreneurship. A key part of the program is the capstone project, where you will design and present a business plan for a social enterprise.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee (Need-based scholarships available)
Program Dates: July 7 – 28
Application Deadline: December 5 - February 14
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16+ years old by the program start date)
Babson Summer Study is an intensive, college-level program designed to give high school students an entrepreneurial mindset. Using Babson College’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® methodology, the program helps you develop leadership skills and introduces key business concepts in marketing, finance, and business communication.
The curriculum, aligned with the United Nations Global Goals, encourages you to solve real-world problems with practical and innovative solutions. The program combines live daily sessions with asynchronous coursework, providing flexibility while maintaining academic rigor. Upon completion, you’ll earn 4 college credits from Babson College, boosting your academic profile.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495 per course
Program Dates: Multiple 2- and 4-week sessions available year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students completing grades 9–12, ages 13+
Wake Forest University’s Business Strategy & Innovation course offers high school students the chance to explore how companies drive innovation and make strategic decisions. You will analyze case studies from leading companies like Netflix and Apple to understand their business strategies.
The course is led by experienced professionals, including former CEO Dr. Dan Fogel and business leader Lee Weiss. Through hands-on learning and mentorship, you will gain insights into entrepreneurship and business management.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495 per course
Program Dates: Various multi-length courses throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students interested in business and entrepreneurship
Rice University’s Pre-College Business Programs offer you the chance to explore entrepreneurship and financial technology (Fintech). Through interactive coursework, hands-on projects, and real-world case studies, you will gain essential business knowledge and practical skills.
You will study topics like innovation, business management, and finance while developing an entrepreneurial mindset. Upon successful completion, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Rice University, which can enhance your academic portfolio and college applications.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $25
Program Dates: 17-18 July
Application Deadlines: 10 July
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Accelerated Business Program is a selective opportunity for high school students interested in business fundamentals and career paths in high-demand sectors. Hosted by the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia (UGA), the program is available in both in-person and virtual formats, offering flexibility for students across the country.
The virtual program provides a condensed, immersive experience with guest speakers from companies like PwC and Charles Aris. You will develop skills in financial analysis, market research, strategic planning, and business communication. The program also covers leadership principles and problem-solving techniques used in real-world business settings. Upon completion, you will earn a Certificate of Completion from the Terry College of Business.
Location: DePaul University's Writing Center, Chicago, IL + Virtual
Stipend: Paid (amount unspecified)
Program Dates: Starts in May
Application Deadline: January – May (Interviews tentatively on January 21)
Eligibility: High school students residing in Chicago
The On the Money Magazine Internship gives Chicago high school students the chance to explore finance and entrepreneurship through journalism. In partnership with the Economic Awareness Council and DePaul University’s Writing Center, the program helps you build skills in financial literacy, writing, public speaking, and interviewing.
As an intern, you will research, write, and publish articles on finance and business topics for a student-led magazine. You will also participate in weekly meetings, collaborate with mentors, and receive a stipend.
Location: Varies based on internship role; virtual options available
Stipend: Paid (amount unspecified)
Program Dates: August – May (School Year Internship)
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students
The PNNL High School Business Internship gives high school students hands-on business experience at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. You will gain insight into finance, business services, operations, and communications while working in a professional setting.
During the internship, you will balance school classes with up to four hours of work per day, five days a week. Tasks may include supporting business operations, conducting financial research, assisting with communications projects, and participating in lab demonstrations.
Location: University of California, Merced (Online and In-Person options available)
Cost: $210 per unit (up to 10 units) — A four-unit course costs $840
Program Dates: Varies based on course selected. Check here.
Application Deadline: April 28
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The UC Merced Summer Session Discount Program offers high school students an affordable opportunity to gain college-level experience in business-related fields. You can enroll in up to 10 units, typically two courses in subjects such as economics, business fundamentals, or data science. You will earn transferable UC credits that also affect your UC GPA if you later enroll at another UC campus.
You can register for courses like Business English: Oral Communication, Business Ethics, Business Law, and Business Writing Virtual. The program is a cost-effective way to build your academic profile. Courses are available both online and in person, letting you choose the format that best suits your summer schedule. Ideal for students considering a future in business, finance, or analytics.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,990 per course, plus a $35 application fee
Program Dates: Varies by course (typically between June and July)
Application Deadlines: Varies by course
Eligibility: High school students (Grades 9–12)
The USC Online Exploration Programs offer high school students a unique opportunity to explore college-level subjects under the guidance of USC faculty and industry professionals. The courses are interactive and designed to challenge students beyond the typical high school curriculum.
By participating, you’ll gain firsthand insight into subjects like Analytics: The Power of Data for Businesses, Building Blocks of Business: Tools for Creating a Dynamic and Sustainable Business, and more. Upon completing at least 70% of the coursework, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from USC and a transcript from the USC Pre-College Programs Office.
Location: Seattle University, Seattle, WA, and Online
Cost: Free, with a $50 registration deposit
Program Dates: 19- 25 July
Application Deadline: February 1- April 25 (priority deadline)
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders; students from underserved communities are encouraged to apply
The Seattle University Summer Business Institute (SBI) is a two-week program where high school students explore business fundamentals through coursework and hands-on projects. You’ll take undergraduate-level classes in business management, financial literacy, and marketing strategy taught by Seattle University faculty.
The program focuses on practical business skills like market analysis, budgeting, and financial forecasting. You’ll work in teams to develop a business plan, applying concepts in competitive analysis, pricing strategies, and revenue modeling. The experience ends with a final pitch to industry professionals.
Location: Virtual via edX
Cost: Free (Optional fee for a verified certificate)
Program Dates: Self-paced; 6 weeks, 4–7 hours per week
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
BerkeleyX’s Entrepreneurship For All (Part I) is a self-paced online course designed by UC Berkeley to introduce high school students to entrepreneurship. You’ll learn how to identify business opportunities, conduct market research, and develop a viable business model.
The course covers key concepts like customer segmentation, pricing strategies, and funding options. You’ll analyze case studies, complete interactive projects, and refine your pitch presentation. The program includes video lectures and peer discussions to help you apply these skills to real-world business challenges. The course is free, with an option to earn a verified certificate upon completion.
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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