15 Summer Business Programs for High School Students in Texas
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 6
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 13
If you’re a high school student in Texas interested in learning how business works, joining a summer program in the state can help you build a practical skillset and explore business as a possible career path in an accessible manner.
These programs give you a chance to learn how businesses make decisions, manage money, market products, and plan growth. You’ll work on projects where you build simple business plans, practice financial modeling, or design marketing strategies. Some programs also introduce you to tools like spreadsheets, budgeting software, or presentation tools used in business settings.
Most of these programs last a few weeks and are either free or low-cost. They’re offered by universities, business schools, or local organizations across Texas. Whether you’re interested in entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, or business analytics, these programs give you a structured space to build foundational knowledge and work with peers who share your interests.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve listed 15 summer business programs for high school students in Texas!
15 Summer Business Programs for High School Students in Texas
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program track. Full financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts offered – Spring (March–June), Summer (June–August), Fall (September–December), Winter (December–February)
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Open to high school students globally. Applicants should demonstrate strong academic performance (unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher is typical)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as business, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
Location: University of Texas at Austin
Cost: Residential: $6,599 | Commuter: $3,599
Dates: June 15–27
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Organizational Behavior and Leadership Academy at UT Austin is a summer course where you learn how people and teams shape workplace culture and performance. You’ll study leadership styles, decision-making, and motivation through case studies, group projects, and expert-led discussions. You’ll also explore how to lead teams and build inclusive environments. By the end of the program, you’ll understand what drives team success and how to apply leadership strategies in real situations. You’ll receive a certificate and a portfolio that shows what you learned and worked on during the course.
Location: University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business, Austin
Cost: Free
Dates: June 8–12
Application deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Open to current high school juniors enrolled at a Texas high school
Subiendo is a free, five-day summer program for current high school juniors in Texas who are interested in leadership and public policy. You’ll work in teams to solve real-world challenges in areas like education, healthcare, and the environment. You’ll take part in leadership training, meet professionals in business and politics, and present your ideas at the Texas State Capitol. You’ll also live on the UT Austin campus, attend workshops on communication and college readiness, and connect with a network of Subiendo alumni across the state.
Location: University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business, Austin
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not officially published
Dates: June 1–6
Application deadline: November 1–March 1
Eligibility: Open to current high school sophomores and juniors
MFEA is a free, six-day summer business program for high school sophomores and juniors in Texas. You’ll stay on the UT Austin campus and learn about business through workshops, mentorship, and a team case competition. You’ll explore topics like finance, marketing, and operations, and meet faculty from the McCombs School of Business and professionals from partner companies. The program is especially for students who are first-generation college-bound or have faced economic or social challenges.
Location: TCU Neeley School of Business, Fort Worth
Cost: $1,800 (need-based scholarships are available)
Dates: July 13–18
Application deadline: February 3–April 11
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors with strong math skills
This one-week residential program at TCU introduces you to data analytics and how it’s used in business. You’ll learn about data visualization, predictive modeling, and storytelling with data through hands-on sessions led by faculty from the Neeley School of Business. You’ll also explore how machine learning and AI are used in industries like retail, insurance, and media. Working in teams, you’ll collect and analyze data to find patterns and trends. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a certificate that shows what you’ve learned.
Location: Texas Southmost College, Brownsville
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 10–12 and July 15–19
Application Deadline: June
Eligibility: Open to high school students interested in technical fields, including business, engineering, architecture, or technology.
The B.E.A.T. Summer Camp at Texas Southmost College helps you explore careers in Business, Engineering, Architecture, and Technology. You’ll take part in hands-on workshops where you learn skills like reading schematics, using engineering tools, and working with design systems. On the business side, you’ll explore how technical skills connect to entrepreneurship, marketing, and operations. You’ll also learn how data and technology support decision-making in industries like retail, construction, and digital media. The camp includes group projects, career exploration sessions, and guidance from college faculty.
Location: TCU Neeley School of Business, Fort Worth
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Cost: $1,600
Dates: June 2–6 | June 16–20; portfolio tracking continues through July–March
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors with a strong interest in economics or investing
The TCU High School Investor Challenge is a hybrid program that starts with a one-week summer residency at TCU, where you’ll take college-level finance classes and learn about investing, portfolio management, and securities analysis. After the summer, you’ll manage a $100,000 virtual stock portfolio throughout the school year, submitting trades and stock reports for review by university-level investment analysts. You’ll get feedback from students in TCU’s Educational Investment Fund and track your performance over time. The program ends with a spring banquet where you present your portfolio and share what you’ve learned about market research and investment strategy.
Location: University of Texas at Austin
Cost: $5,200–$6,20
Dates: June 29–July 18
Application deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to high school students
Over three weeks on the UT Austin campus, you’ll dive into the world of entrepreneurship through hands-on workshops, market research, and team-based projects. You’ll work with peers to develop a business idea from concept to launch, guided by UT faculty and visiting entrepreneurs. You’ll learn about financial analysis, product design, startup funding, and global markets, and visit a local incubator to see how real startups grow. The program also covers business strategy, marketing, and pitching skills, helping you build confidence and communication.
Location: TCU Neeley School of Business, Fort Worth
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; the program hosts approximately 30–35 students
Cost: Free
Dates: July 13–18
Application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 with a minimum GPA of 2.0 for freshmen/sophomores and 2.5 for juniors/seniors
ACAP is a free, one-week summer residency program for high school students in Texas who want to explore careers in accounting, finance, and business. You’ll attend workshops and lectures on topics like financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and business strategy, all led by college faculty and professionals from top firms. You’ll work in teams on group projects, build presentation skills, and visit accounting firms or corporations to see how business works in the real world. The program is designed to increase diversity in business fields and is especially for students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Location: Prairie View A&M University
Cost: $500 program fee; scholarships are available for select participants
Dates: July 14 – August 11
Application deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Open to students ages 14–18 with a minimum 3.0 GPA
The Young Business Leaders (YBL) Summer Program at Prairie View A&M University is a one-week residential experience for high school students interested in business careers. You’ll explore fields like marketing, accounting, management, finance, and information systems through faculty-led classes, case studies, and visits to local companies. You’ll work in teams to solve real business problems, build presentation skills, and learn how different business functions connect in real-world settings. Current PVAMU business students and faculty will mentor you throughout the week, helping you understand career paths and college options.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions available
Application deadline: Varies depending on the course
Eligibility: Open to high school students aged 13 and above
Through Notre Dame’s online pre-college business course, you’ll learn how to start and grow a business, from developing your idea to planning for an IPO. You’ll explore financial statements, legal and tax issues, and compare business structures like LLCs and corporations. You’ll study real companies like Nike and AT&T, and create your startup concept using strategic tools to simulate growth. Lessons cover pricing strategies, mergers, and long-term planning. You’ll complete a capstone project to show what you’ve learned and earn a Certificate of Completion from the University of Notre Dame.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $6,295 + $95 application fee (scholarships available)
Dates: July 7–28
Application deadline: Early Bird: February 14; Standard: March 14
Eligibility: Open to rising high school juniors and seniors
Babson College’s Summer Study program is a multi-week experience for rising high school juniors and seniors who want to learn how to think like entrepreneurs. You’ll take a for-credit course called Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, where you explore global challenges through the lens of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. You’ll work in teams to develop a business idea, guided by Babson faculty and supported by graduate and undergraduate mentors. The course covers leadership, marketing, finance, and communication. You’ll also attend speaker panels and connect with students from around the world. By the end of the program, you’ll earn college credit and leave with a portfolio that showcases your work and ideas.
Location: Nacogdoches, TX
Cost: Free; scholarships may be available for motivated participants
Dates: Fall (Pop-Up Pitch); Spring (Lumberjack Entrepreneurship Competition)
Application deadline: Varies by event dates
Eligibility: Open to high school students exploring SFA
The Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) offers high school students a chance to explore business through programs like the Lumberjack Entrepreneurship Competition. You’ll work in teams to develop a business idea, build a model, and pitch it to a panel of judges in a Shark Tank–style format. Along the way, you’ll learn practical skills in communication, planning, and market analysis, with mentorship from SFA faculty and local business leaders. You’ll also attend workshops and networking events, and get access to information about scholarships and internships.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,365
Program dates: July 14–August 1
Application deadline: June 1
Eligibility: Open to rising students in grade 10 to graduating grade 12
The SELF program at the University of Maryland helps you become the “CEO of Me” by treating your personal leadership journey like a business. Over three weeks, you’ll take a college-level course called Enterprising Leader through Terp Young Scholars, earning three credits while exploring topics like market-based economics, personal finance, strategy, and marketing. You’ll work in teams to solve real-world problems, guided by UMD faculty and business professionals. Whether you choose the in-person or online format, you’ll build a venture pitch, get feedback from mentors, and learn how business tools can help you lead with purpose.
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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