15 University-Led Online Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students
- Stephen Turban
- 6 days ago
- 10 min read
If you're a high school student interested in computer science, summer is a great time to build new skills and explore what the field has to offer. Whether you're curious about coding, AI, web development, or data science, joining a program can help you figure out what areas you enjoy most.
You can learn Python, build apps and websites, work with real-world data, and even try out AI and machine learning. Many programs also cover topics like algorithms, ethical computing, and how computer science is used in fields like medicine, climate, or space.
Colleges also value this kind of experience. It shows you’ve taken the time to explore your interests and can handle college-level work in a STEM field. Plus, university programs are often more advanced than camps or internships, and can give you a good idea of what a computer science degree in college might look like.
With that, here are the 15 best online university-led computer science summer programs for high school students!
15 University-Led Online Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students
Cost: Free
Dates: June 24 – August 21
Application Deadline: January 1 – February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (15+), with a minimum GPA of 2.8.
The ASPIRE Program at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab gives high school students the chance to work on real research projects in areas like computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, and data analysis. You will be matched with a mentor and work in a lab based on your main interest, though you might also work in related fields depending on the project.
This is a hybrid program with online work and possible in-person visits for setup or access to equipment. You will learn how research labs work, build technical and teamwork skills, and get experience solving problems with real data and tools used in the field.
Cost: $25 application fee (waivers available); internship is unpaid
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school students 15+ for remote/computer-based internships; 16+ for wet-lab placements
George Mason University’s ASSIP program lets high school students take part in real research in areas like AI, cybersecurity, data science, and computer engineering. For eight weeks, you will work with a faculty mentor and build skills in programming, data analysis, and writing research papers. Projects are available in remote, hybrid, or in-person formats based on your area of focus.
In the remote track led by Dr. Ron S. Mahabir, you will work with AI tools like natural language processing, machine learning, and deep learning. You will use real datasets and apply algorithms to topics like satellite data and urban systems. The program also includes workshops on how to present your research clearly and follow ethical standards in science.
Cost: $1,500 for research participants; free for non-research track
Dates: June 16 – August 8
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders; preference for San Diego County students, but others may apply
UC San Diego’s REHS program gives high school students an eight-week chance to explore computer science, data science, and artificial intelligence. It is hosted by the San Diego Supercomputer Center and offers both in-person and virtual options. You will work on real research projects with guidance from UCSD faculty and researchers.
You will learn how to ask research questions, analyze data, and use computing tools to solve real problems. The program includes workshops, peer sessions, and lectures to help you improve your technical skills and how you present your work. You can choose between a research track that includes a fee or a free workshop-only track, depending on your interest and time.
Cost: $4,000 (Financial aid available)
Dates: June 18 – July 2
Application Deadline: January 24
Eligibility: Rising 10th graders (must be at least 14); preference for students with strong math or CS backgrounds
Stanford AI4ALL is a two-week online summer program that introduces high school students to artificial intelligence. It is designed for rising 10th graders and is led by faculty and researchers from the Stanford AI Lab. You will learn how AI works and how it is used in areas like robotics, computer vision, natural language processing, and healthcare.
You will work in teams on research projects, build your coding and problem-solving skills, and take part in workshops and group discussions. The program also helps you understand the social and ethical sides of AI.
Cost: scholarships available
Dates: 5 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students with an interest in data science
Columbia University’s Summer Research Program is a five-week virtual research experience in data science for high school students. You will work as a research assistant to Columbia faculty and graduate students on projects that use data science to solve real problems in areas like medicine, finance, and sports.
You will learn R programming, machine learning, web scraping, data cleaning, and how to make graphs and visualizations. You will also design your research project with help from mentors. This program helps you build both technical and research skills that are useful for college and beyond.
Cost: $40 application fee + $850 participation fee
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28
Eligibility: U.S. high school students (14+) with strong math/programming skills or experience in a healthcare-related project
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) offers a two-week virtual research program for high school students like you who are interested in the intersection of computer science and healthcare. You’ll learn how AI, especially machine learning, is being used to improve medical diagnostics and healthcare equity.
During the program, you’ll attend lectures by Stanford researchers, work on collaborative projects, and take part in career panels with industry professionals. You’ll gain skills in data analysis, model training, and research communication. If you show strong potential, there may even be opportunities to extend your research beyond the two weeks.
Cost: EEI & BMEI: $3,800 tuition + lab kit fees ($269.47 for EEI, $320 for BMEI); $50 application fee. Intro to Python: $1,265 tuition; $25 application fee
Dates: EEI: June 30 – August 1, BMEI: June 23 – August 1, Intro to Python: May 19 – June 30 or June 30 – August 11
Application Deadline: May 17
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors with strong grades in STEM courses; must have completed Algebra II, Trigonometry, and at least one year of chemistry or physics with lab.
The Johns Hopkins Online Programs offer a self-paced introduction to engineering for high school students with a strong STEM background. You can choose from programs like Engineering Innovation (EEI), Biomedical Engineering Innovation (BMEI), and Intro to Python.
Throughout the courses, you'll complete assignments, join optional live study sessions, and collaborate with peers using Microsoft Teams. Whether you're designing circuits, simulating chemical reactions, or learning Python, each course helps you develop practical skills in engineering and computer science.
Cost: $3,218 – $6,238 depending on course duration
Dates: June 16 – July 25 (course-specific dates vary)
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: High school students worldwide, grades 9–12, ages 14–18 by June 15
Summer@Brown Online offers over 80 college-level courses in subjects like computer science, biological sciences, engineering, medicine, literature, and data science, all based on Brown University's Open Curriculum. This program gives you the freedom to explore your academic interests without worrying about grades, credits, or a strict structure.
For instance, the "AI, Data Science, and Machine Learning" course introduces you to data exploration, visualization, diagnostic analytics, and predictive modeling using statistical and machine learning techniques. Similarly, the "Introduction to Computational Mathematics and Big Data Visualization" course covers scientific computing, numerical simulation, parallel computing, data analysis, and visualization.
Cost: Free
Dates: May 13
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to all K–12 students
MIT’s Day of AI is a free, one-day virtual event that gives K–12 students an introduction to artificial intelligence. The event is designed to be interactive and provides a curriculum tailored to different grade levels. For high school students with some coding knowledge, the “High School CS” track focuses on more advanced topics.
You’ll learn Python programming, image classification, data visualization, and AI ethics. You’ll work with real-world datasets and explore how AI is used in applications from healthcare to activism.
Cost: $850 participation fee + $40 application fee
Dates: June 16 – June 27
Application Deadline: December 9 – February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 in the fall; must be 14+ by start date
The AIMI Summer Health AI Bootcamp is a two-week virtual program that introduces high school students to machine learning in healthcare. This boot camp combines interactive lectures, group projects, and hands-on coding exercises to show how AI can solve real medical problems.
You’ll learn core machine learning concepts like model training, evaluation metrics, and data analysis. You’ll also dive into more advanced topics such as generative AI and foundation models. The program includes "Career Lunch and Learns," where you can hear from experts in academia, industry, and government.
Cost: $350 – $395 per course
Dates: Ongoing, 9-month access with ~10 weeks per course
Application Deadline: None (rolling enrollment)
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Futures: Machine Learning for High Schoolers program is a self-paced online course that gives you a strong foundation in machine learning and its mathematical concepts. You’ll learn Python programming, data processing, and machine learning algorithms while building your understanding of probability, statistics, calculus, and linear algebra.
With courses like Python and Mathematics for Machine Learning, Machine Learning Algorithms, and Deep Neural Networks, you’ll explore topics like regression, clustering, and neural networks. The program also includes hands-on projects where you can apply what you’ve learned to real-world problems.
Cost: Live courses: $550 – $1,365; Individually Paced courses: $984 – $1,499; Session-Based courses: $716 – $2,127
Dates: Varies by course type
Application Deadline: May 20 for LIVE and Session-Based courses. Varies for Individually Paced courses (depends on the course)
Eligibility: High school students
The CTY Online Programs from Johns Hopkins University offer high-achieving high school students the chance to explore subjects like computer science in a way that fits their learning style. Whether you prefer live sessions with instructors or working independently, you can choose from different formats to match your schedule and interests.
In the computer science track, you can start with Scratch programming or take on more advanced courses like Java and AP Computer Science. You’ll work on hands-on projects in areas like game design, animation, and web development, building practical experience. CTY instructors provide personalized academic support to help you succeed and grow in the subject.
Cost: $200 for one and $300 for both
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – July 11 and Session 2: July 21 – July 25
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
Purdue University’s Machine Learning for Beginners is a virtual, one-week summer program for high school students in grades 10–12 interested in programming and applied mathematics. No prior coding experience is needed, making it perfect for beginners. You’ll learn core Python programming skills and key machine learning concepts such as data fitting, feature extraction, and pattern recognition.
Throughout the program, you’ll complete hands-on exercises and apply machine learning tools to real-world problems like image processing. You’ll also explore mathematical topics like optimization and linear regression, building a solid foundation in both coding and data analysis.
Cost: $1,750 for students from families earning over $150,000; free for those with lower household incomes
Dates: July 7 – August 3
Application Deadline: March 3 - 31
Eligibility: U.S.-based high school students in grades 9–11 (most accepted students are in 11th grade)
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI) is a four-week, intensive program in STEM. It offers hands-on courses in areas like AI, machine learning, quantum software, game development, and hardware design. Courses are taught by MIT faculty and experts from MIT Lincoln Laboratory. You can choose from courses like Serious Games Development with Artificial Intelligence, where you'll explore AI ethics in simulation games.
The Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks) course focuses on building AI models that mimic human decision-making. The Quantum Software course teaches coding and creating quantum algorithms.
Cost: 2-week session: $3,960, and 1-week session: $2,810. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for NYC commuter programs.
Dates: Multiple sessions available in summer (June–July) and fall (September–December)
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students with no experience in coding or programming
Columbia University’s Data Science and Machine Learning 1 is a beginner-friendly course for high school students. You’ll learn Python programming and gain a practical understanding of data science and machine learning.
You'll build skills in data manipulation, exploratory data analysis (EDA), and visualization using tools like Pandas and Matplotlib. You’ll also learn key machine learning algorithms, including linear regression, classification, and clustering, and practice model evaluation techniques.
Bonus online computer science programs for high school students - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Cost: Starting from $2,990 (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 regular admissions deadline for the Summer Cohort I is May 11
Eligibility: Open to high school students with strong academic records (3.3+ GPA recommended)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a selective, 12-week research program where high school students work 1-on-1 with Ph.D. mentors to develop an independent research project. You can explore fields like computer science, engineering, economics, data science, psychology, and more, with no prior experience in the subject required.
The program emphasizes academic rigor and personalized mentorship, helping you build critical thinking, research, and communication skills. By the end, you will complete a full-length research paper and gain a deeper understanding of your chosen field. Lumiere offers rolling cohorts year-round, making it a flexible option for students with varying schedules.
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290, AI Fellowship: $5,400, Both: $6,900. Need-based aid is available.
Dates: Multiple 12–15 week cohorts—Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on cohorts. The summer cohort deadline is May 25.
Eligibility: Open to high school students; AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the Scholars program or show prior experience with AI/Python
Veritas AI offers online programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. Created by Harvard graduate students, the programs focus on both building your AI knowledge and helping you do independent research. In the AI Scholars program, you’ll learn core AI topics in a 10-session boot camp, including supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, and real-world applications.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll work one-on-one with mentors from top universities on your research project. You’ll also get help from Veritas’s publication team to publish your work in a high school research journal. Programs run in multiple cohorts throughout the year.
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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