Summer programs offer an excellent opportunity for high school students to gain practical skills, industry exposure, and valuable connections. For students interested in business, these programs provide a unique chance to explore the field, develop crucial skills, and network with industry professionals. By dedicating time during the summer, you can deepen your understanding of business concepts and start building a foundation for your future career.

In this post, we've shortlisted the 10 best business summer programs for high school students. These programs stand out for their strong reputations, rigorous selection processes, and the depth of learning they offer. Whether the program is fully funded, boasts a highly selective acceptance rate, or is hosted by an established organization, these programs provide meaningful learning experiences.

If you’re a high school student looking to take your business interests to the next level, check out our list. We've also covered a host of free, online, paid, and region-specific business research opportunities and business internships for high school students here.

1. Wharton Global Youth Business Programs

Location: University of Pennsylvania

Cost: $8,000 to $11,000 depending on your program choice

Program Dates: Two- or Three-week sessions in June-August

Application Deadline: Different deadlines for different courses

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11 (program-specific eligibility applies)

The Wharton Global Youth On-Campus Programs offer high school students an introduction to business through hands-on learning experiences. Designed by the faculty and staff at Wharton, these programs integrate research and teaching to provide real-world business skills. For students interested in product development, the Product Design Academy covers design thinking, product creation, and customer-centered development. The Essentials of Entrepreneurship program takes a deep dive into the entrepreneurial process, helping you develop innovative ideas and understand the skills needed to become an entrepreneur. Check out their website to see the full range of programs available. 

2. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)

Location: UC Berkeley

Cost: California Resident $6,292 | Out-of-State Resident $7,332

Program Dates: July 5 - 19 or July 19 - August 2

Application Deadline: January 17

Eligibility: Open to all high school students

B-BAY invites high school students from around the world to learn about business at UC Berkeley. Led by Berkeley Haas professors and complemented by corporate guest speakers, this program covers the fundamentals of business formation and development. You will engage in independent research, computer lab assignments, and collaborative projects. One of the highlights of B-BAY is the opportunity to work in teams to develop a complete business plan, which you will present at the end of the program. Through interactions with Berkeley undergraduates and admission advisors, you will gain insights into college life and the application process, including tips on crafting a strong personal statement and application essay for UC schools. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

3. Georgetown University Entrepreneur Academy

Location: Georgetown University, Washington D.C

Cost: $5,950

Program Dates: June 15 - June 27

Application Deadline: Early Bird Deadline: January 31; Final Deadline: April 15

Eligibility: Open to current or rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors with a minimum GPA of 2.0

Georgetown University's Entrepreneur Academy offers high school students a two-week program focused on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. This program covers various topics: startup ideation, prototype testing, market research, social innovation, and global business strategies. The program introduces you to skills like design thinking and brainstorming techniques that can turn ideas into actionable business plans. Throughout the program, you will work in teams to develop a business plan and pitch presentation, which you’ll present during a final pitch competition. The curriculum includes guest lectures and case studies. Upon completing the program, you will receive a Certificate of Participation. To learn more about this program, check out our review here. 

4. LeanGap Entrepreneurship Program

Location: UC Berkeley (In-person) or Online

Cost: $6,450 (Online) / $9,950 (In-person)

Program Dates: June 16 - July 11 (Online) / July 13 - August 9 (In-person)

Application Deadline: Typically February

Eligibility: Open to all high school students

LeanGap offers an opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to gain practical experience in starting and growing a business. Whether you attend the in-person program at UC Berkeley in San Francisco or the flexible online option, LeanGap provides a hands-on learning experience. This four-week program covers the key stages of launching a startup, from idea validation to developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and gaining market traction. With mentorship from entrepreneurs, you’ll learn to pitch your ideas, form teams around the most promising ventures, and refine your product and presentation skills. At the end of the program, you’ll present your startup to a panel of Silicon Valley investors, CEOs, and technologists, giving you valuable exposure and feedback. 

5. Harvard Student Agencies Business Academy

Location: Harvard University Campus

Cost: Virtual: $450; On Campus: $1,800

Program Dates: Five-day sessions offered between June and August

Application Deadline: January 26th

Eligibility: Open to 9th–12th grade high school students, ages 14+ at the time of the program

This program introduces entrepreneurship and business management through two specialized tracks: the Business Entrepreneurship Academy and the Business Management and Strategy Academy. In the Business Entrepreneurship Academy, you’ll explore the startup ecosystem, learning how to create, refine, and pitch a business idea. This track emphasizes building financial literacy, developing analytical skills, and understanding the market landscape. The program culminates with a startup pitch simulation. The Business Management and Strategy Academy looks at corporate challenges and strategies. As consultants, you’ll tackle problems such as improving profitability, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and understanding market entry strategies.

6. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy

Location: University of Michigan Ross Campus

Cost: $5,500; scholarship available

Program Dates: June 13 – 27

Application Deadline: January 21

Eligibility: Open to rising high school seniors with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week program introducing students to business and leadership fundamentals. Tailored for motivated rising seniors from diverse backgrounds, this academy offers an opportunity to explore the core aspects of business operations, discover potential career paths, and experience college life at Michigan Ross. You will work with Ross faculty, industry leaders, and company partners through interactive sessions, workshops, and projects. A hallmark of the program is its emphasis on purposeful leadership, helping you consider the societal and ethical dimensions of business decision-making. The coursework is modeled after college-level academics. To learn more about this program, check out our complete guide here. 

7. LaunchX Summer Entrepreneurship Programs

Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan | UC Berkeley | Online

Cost: Varies (financial aid available)

Eligibility: Open to all high school students

Application Deadline: March 1

Program Dates: Specific dates vary for in-person and online options (see website for details)

LaunchX equips high school students with the skills to create and launch their own startups. With an acceptance rate of just 10-20%, this selective program allows you to collaborate with driven peers and build a business from the ground up. The program blends aspects of a startup accelerator, internship, and conference while offering mentorship from industry leaders, including CEOs, entrepreneurs, and academic professionals. 70% of alumni continue to work on entrepreneurial ventures, and 15% of startups initiated during the program remain active and successful. Developed initially under MIT’s Martin Trust Center for Entrepreneurship, LaunchX has since become an independent educational institution.

8. Columbia Business Summer Programs: Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics

Location: In-person at Columbia University’s Morningside Campus, with an online option available

Cost: NYC Residential 3-Week Program: $12,750

Dates: June 30 – July 18

Application Deadlines: Early Registration: February 2; General Application: March 2

Eligibility: High school students aged 16 and older (for residential programs)

This program introduces high school students to the principles of corporate finance, investment strategies, and economic behavior. You will explore core topics like financial markets, valuation models, stock trading, and risk analysis. The curriculum blends lectures, case studies, and independent projects, offering insights into how financial systems and microeconomic models shape firm decisions. Beyond classroom learning, you can participate in extracurricular opportunities, including workshops and social events. 

9. Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory and Policy @Cornell University

Location: Online

Cost: $5,520

Program Dates: June 24 – July 12

Application Deadline: June 23

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors aged 15 or older at the program start

Cornell University’s School of Applied Economics and Management offers the Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory and Policy course, ideal for students keen to explore large-scale economic principles. This program delves into macroeconomic fundamentals, focusing on critical topics like GDP, employment, inflation, and economic growth. Through lectures and projects, you will analyze real-world challenges using macroeconomic models. The course offers an opportunity to understand how policy decisions influence national and global economic trends, making it an excellent foundation for students interested in economics or public policy. 

10. McCombs Future Executive Academy

Location: McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, TX

Program Dates: First week of June

Cost: Free

Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores and juniors

Application Deadline: March 1

The McCombs Future Executive Academy is a free, competitive six-day program hosted by the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin. Designed for high school students interested in entrepreneurship and leadership, the program provides a valuable experience in business education. You will participate in workshops, collaborative projects, and keynote sessions led by McCombs students, faculty, and prominent industry professionals. The curriculum focuses on building business fundamentals, entrepreneurial strategies, and leadership skills. Through networking opportunities, you will gain practical insights into launching and managing ventures. 

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.

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 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.