15 University Computer Science Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- Jul 6
- 11 min read
Updated: Oct 14
If you are a high school student interested in computer science, a program in the subject area can be a good way to spend your school break and get some early exposure to the field. You may also benefit from going for a structured program conducted in a well-equipped facility. This is where university-led computer science programs come in.
Multiple universities with computer science departments offer opportunities that can help you explore key topics in the field, such as programming, algorithms, cryptography, and artificial intelligence. The programs cover important concepts, tools, and techniques through live instruction, hands-on individual and group activities, research projects, simulations, and more.
Additionally, if you are considering pursuing computer science at the undergraduate level, participation in high school programs hosted by universities can be a valuable addition to your academic portfolio.
To help you get started, here is a list of 15 university computer science programs for high school students.
Location: UC Berkeley campus, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $5,160 + $25 application fee
Application deadline: March 10
Dates: June 22 – July 4
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are at least 16 and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy is an intensive two-week online program designed for high school students interested in exploring college-level computer science academics. Based on the university’s introductory course, The Beauty and Joy of Computing (CS10), the program covers essential concepts such as abstraction, algorithms, Boolean logic, recursion, and the social implications of computing. As a participant, you will develop foundational coding skills through hands-on work with Snap!, a visual programming language, and gain exposure to key computational thinking principles essential for pursuing computer science in the future.
Throughout the program, you will engage in daily coding challenges, collaborate on programming exercises, and design an independent final project that demonstrates both creativity and technical ability. The experience culminates in an event called Code Celebration, where you will present your project to UC Berkeley computer science faculty and instructors and get some feedback. Along with helping you acquire technical skills, this program can help you hone your problem-solving and project management skills and also develop an understanding of the broader ethical and societal contexts of computing.
Location: UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $3,291.00 | Financial aid is available
Application deadline: June 13
Dates: June 23 – July 11
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 15 years old
The Computer Science Introductory Track, offered by UCLA, is a structured three-week program designed for high school students interested in developing foundational skills in computer science. Based on UCLA’s CS30 course, the program introduces core concepts such as functional decomposition, data types (integers, booleans, strings, lists), and control structures (conditionals and loops), with Python as the primary programming language. During the program, you will also learn how to design, implement, and test programs that solve computational problems, while also gaining exposure to the broader applications and creative possibilities associated with computer science.
Through a combination of lectures, coding exercises, discussion sessions, and lab tours, you will engage with real-world applications of programming and data analysis. Hands-on experiences include building functional programs, exploring algorithms like sorting and recursion, and working with tools such as Turtle graphics and file operations. Additionally, you will participate in seminars conducted by the UCLA faculty and conclude the experience with a final event called Hackathon, where you will apply the skills acquired to solve practical challenges.
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. The upcoming summer cohort deadline is May 11.
Program dates: Vary as per the cohort | The summer cohort runs from June to August, the fall cohort runs from September to December, the winter cohort is conducted from December to February, and the spring cohort runs from March to June.
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research experience designed for high school students. Here, you will get 1-on-1 mentorship and research opportunities across a broad range of subject areas, including computer science, engineering, and more. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you would have developed an independent research paper! As a participant, you will also be able to seek support and resources if you want to continue with your research beyond the program. You can find more details about the program and application here.
Location: Johns Hopkins University Campus, Baltimore, MD | Commuter options offered in CA, Washington D.C., and MD
Cost: Various costs ranging from $1,290 to $9,950
Application deadline: May 28
Program dates: June 30 – July 25
Eligibility: High school students and recent high school graduates. | Talented rising sophomores may be considered
Explore Engineering Innovation (EEI), offered by the Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, is a three-credit program designed for high school students interested in developing foundational engineering skills. Through lectures, laboratory work, and team-based projects, you will learn to apply core concepts from various engineering fields, including computer/electrical engineering. This is also a chance to hone skills such as problem-solving, technical communication, ethical decision-making, data analysis, and basic electronics and coding. Hands-on experiences include testing the material properties of spaghetti for structural design, constructing a model bridge, designing and building an electronic device, and developing a bioreactor project linked to heat transfer and chemical processes. You will also engage in collaborative problem-solving exercises, prepare technical presentations, and learn how to apply finance principles to engineering projects. The program is structured to provide a realistic preview of college-level engineering coursework and help you assess your interest in pursuing engineering and computer science in the future.
Location: Online
Eligibility: Anyone can apply; however, for the AI Fellowship program, you must have completed the AI Scholars program or have some familiarity with AI and/or Python.
Application deadline: Cohorts run throughout the year | Applications for the summer cohort are due on May 25. Find out more about the program here.
Program dates: Multiple sessions from July to September. The AI Scholars runs for 10 weeks, and the AI Fellowship program runs for about 12 to 15 weeks.
Veritas AI offers multiple programs, from closed-group AI learning experiences to personalized project pathways. The programs, developed and run by Harvard graduate students and alumni, also have a one-on-one mentorship component. If applying to the AI Scholars program, you will get to work with Ph.D. students from leading universities. During the program, you will learn how to work with Python and explore core concepts in machine learning, AI, and data science, including neural networks, natural language processing, and regression.
The AI Fellowship program also offers mentorship to help you work on a unique project. In the past, program participants have worked on interdisciplinary projects that use concepts from computer science, engineering, medicine, sports, finance, AI, environmental science, mental health, and more. You can take a look at the past Veritas AI projects to know what to expect during the program.
Location: Tufts University - Medford / Somerville Campus
Cost: Commuter program costs $4,225 and residential costs $5,750
Application deadline: May 1
Program dates: July 20 – August 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 to 12 or recent high school graduates
Tufts University’s Coding Programs offer a two-week, university-level experience to high schoolers looking to build foundational and advanced coding skills through a structured curriculum and hands-on learning. The program combines daily coding practice, workshops, and group-based projects where you will build, deploy, and present a final coding project. You will learn Python programming, data-intensive research methods, and collaborative software development while gaining exposure to fields such as AI, robotics, and cybersecurity through lectures and industry expert talks. Another part of the program is Tech Treks to Boston-area tech companies such as Google and Hubspot, which can provide insights into real-world technology careers. Depending on your proficiency, you will be placed in appropriate tracks ranging from Coding 101 (for beginners) to Coding 301 (for advanced learners), earning two Tufts credits and gaining essential technical and teamwork skills critical for success in today’s digital and data-driven fields.
Location: MIT Campus, Boston, MA
Cost: Free
Program Dates: Six weeks from late June through early August
Application deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school juniors
Note: Preference might be given to students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM. Check the details here before applying.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology/MIT’s Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) Summer program is a fully funded, six-week residential experience designed to develop academic and professional skills in STEM through rigorous coursework and project-based learning. Here, you will engage in advanced studies in mathematics, science, and humanities, and explore specialized electives such as machine learning, genomics, and engineering design. Hands-on experiences include laboratory tours, real-world STEM workshops, site visits to research labs and tech companies, and collaborative projects. These activities can strengthen your problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork abilities. Additionally, MITES Summer offers mentorship and college admissions guidance to help you build a solid foundation for pursuing higher education and careers in STEM fields.
Location: Carnegie Mellon University campus, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: Free
Application deadline: March 1
Dates: June 21 – July 19
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors who are at least 16 years old.
The CS Scholars (CSS) program at Carnegie Mellon University is a fully funded, four-week residential experience that offers high schoolers an introduction to computer science through college-level courses, hands-on research projects, faculty lectures, and industry engagement. During the program, you will learn core programming skills in Python, including algorithms, data structures, and problem-solving techniques, such as top-down design and debugging. You will also be able to work on strengthening your computational thinking through the math course. Hands-on experiences include developing and presenting a group project that focuses on the application of computer science concepts to real-world challenges, participating in workshops on college readiness and equity in STEM, and engaging directly with Carnegie Mellon faculty and industry leaders. The program also provides academic tours, field trips to tech companies, and opportunities to build technical and collaborative skills.
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Application deadline: May 15
Program dates: July 14 – August 8
Eligibility: NYC students in grades 10 and 11
CS4CS (Cyber Security for Computer Science), offered by NYU Tandon School of Engineering, is a summer program that introduces core concepts in cybersecurity and computer science to high school students. During the program, you will learn the fundamentals of ethical hacking, cryptography, steganography, digital forensics, privacy, and data protection while gaining practical coding and programming skills through hands-on training and real-world security analysis exercises. The program also incorporates theater-based communication workshops to strengthen your ability to present technical ideas clearly and effectively. This experience can help you build foundational technical and analytical skills critical for navigating the evolving landscape of cybersecurity.
Location: MIT Beaver Works, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Cost: Free
Application deadline: April 16
Program dates: August 4 – 8
Eligibility: High school students
The LLCipher program, offered by the Lincoln Laboratory, is a one-week summer workshop designed for high school students interested in cryptography, mathematics, and cybersecurity. During this program, you will learn the principles of theoretical cryptography while focusing on how to build secure encryption schemes and digital signatures. Additionally, through hands-on activities, you will gain practical experience in applying abstract algebra, number theory, and complexity theory to cryptographic problems. The workshop also covers advanced topics such as homomorphic encryption and multi-party computation, which allow for processing secret data without exposing it. While no formal prerequisites are required for the program, a foundational understanding of math will help you fully engage with the material.
Location: NYU Game Center, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free
Application deadline: November 11
Program dates: Weekends from February 1 through May 10
Eligibility: High school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors
Future Game Designers is a 14-week, university-level workshop offered by the NYU Game Center at Tisch School of the Arts, designed for high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors interested in exploring digital and tabletop game development. In this program, you will learn core methods and tools for creating digital games, develop prototypes through iterative design processes, and build a polished final project that applies key lessons in mechanics, systems, and user experience. The program emphasizes hands-on learning through lab-based sessions, in which you will create games individually and in collaborative teams, strengthening skills in programming logic, game design principles, and creative problem-solving. In addition to working on technical skill development, you will study game history, critically analyze games within cultural and societal frameworks, and refine communication, collaboration, and decision-making skills essential for careers in creative industries.
Location: Cornell University campus, Ithaca, NY
Cost: $1,900; Scholarships are available.
Application deadline: February 15
Dates: July 13 – 19
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who have a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, a strong performance in math and science courses, and an academic history in calculus and physics
The Cornell Engineering High School Outreach Program, offered by Cornell University's College of Engineering, provides rising juniors and seniors with an opportunity to build advanced skills in computer science and engineering through a one-week residential experience. Through the CURIE and CATALYST academies, you will learn foundational and emerging concepts across multiple engineering disciplines, including exposure to coding, algorithmic thinking, and data analysis. You will engage directly with Cornell faculty in daily field sessions, gaining hands-on experience through interactive research projects that simulate real-world engineering challenges. In the afternoons, you will work in small groups under the mentorship of faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students, conducting a research project that culminates in a final presentation. Throughout the week, you will explore the broader applications of STEM in society, strengthen problem-solving and collaboration skills, and explore academic and professional pathways in computer science and related fields.
Location: Harvard University Campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $5,800 + $75
Application deadline: Regular deadline: February 12 | Late application deadline: April 9
Dates: Session I: June 22–July 3; Session II: July 6–18; Session III: July 20–August 1
Eligibility: High school students
The Harvard Pre-College Summer Program offers high school students the opportunity to engage in academically rigorous, university-level computer science courses, providing a deeper understanding of data science, quantum computing, and computational analysis. If you choose the “Introduction to Data Science with a Focus on Visualization” course, you will learn to collect and analyze data using Python, creating visualizations to communicate findings. Here, you will develop proficiency in web scraping, data cleaning, and data visualization using both Python and JavaScript. You can also choose the “Quantum Information and Quantum Computation” course to explore the fundamentals of quantum mechanics, learn how spin states function as qubits, and explore how quantum systems transform information processing. This course covers topics such as superposition, entanglement, and the physical implementation of quantum computing. Irrespective of the course you choose, during the program, you will work collaboratively in small groups, applying these concepts in hands-on projects.
14. Stanford AI4ALL
Location: Online
Cost: $4,000 | Financial aid is available
Application deadline: January 24
Program dates: June 18 to July 2
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders who are over the age of 14 by
Stanford AI4ALL is a three-week online program designed to immerse high school students in the field of artificial intelligence through a blend of lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentoring activities. The program aims to increase diversity within the artificial intelligence field. If selected, you will attend online lectures led by Stanford faculty in Computer Science, AI, and related fields, gaining practical experience through significant research projects focused on the societal impacts of AI. The program explores various AI subfields, including computer vision, natural language processing, robotics, and computational biology, with an annual intake of approximately 40–50 students.
Participants engage with professionals to explore cutting-edge applications of AI in areas such as medicine, disaster response, and poverty alleviation. With mentorship from accomplished practitioners and researchers, you will learn how to leverage AI tools to create positive change and address pressing global challenges.
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,799 | Scholarships are offered.
Application deadline: Priority deadline: January 29; Final deadline: April 2Program dates: July 13 – August 2
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.3
UPenn’s Wharton Data Science Academy offers high school students a hands-on opportunity to master data science techniques while tackling real-world problems. As a participant, you will learn essential skills like data visualization, data wrangling, and modern machine learning methodologies, with a focus on the R programming language, widely used in academia and industry. Guided by expert Wharton instructors and supported by undergraduate and graduate TAs, you will analyze real-world data, engage with guest speakers from the field, and collaborate on a team project presented to peers. Upon completing the program successfully, you earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of 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.
Image Source - Harvard University logo