10 Ivy League Business Programs for High School Students
If you’re a high school student interested in business, Ivy League business programs for high school students can give you an early look at college-level business studies at some of the most popular institutions in the country. These programs offer the chance to explore areas like entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and economics while learning from renowned professors and accessing advanced resources at Ivies. You’ll also get a feel for campus life and build skills that can strengthen your college applications.
Here’s a list of 10 Ivy League business programs for high school students, including online, commuter, and residential options.
Location: Online
Cost: $5,070 tuition; $85 technology fee
Dates: Session A: May 27 – June 28 | Session B: July 1 – August 2
Application Deadline: Opens mid-January
Eligibility: High school students
The Yale Summer Session’s macroeconomics course covers key concepts such as national income accounting, economic growth, inflation, unemployment, fiscal and monetary policy, and financial crises. You will explore how these topics apply to recent global economic challenges through lectures and discussions led by Yale faculty. The course emphasizes critical thinking and analytical skills essential for understanding complex economic systems. You’ll also earn academic credit, gaining experience with college-level coursework. Enrollment is limited for more personalized instruction, and a background in introductory economics is recommended.
Location: On campus
Cost: $5,800 plus a $75 application fee
Dates: Session I: June 22–July 3 | Session II: July 6–18 | Session III: July 20–August 1
Application Deadline: Applications open December 2
Eligibility: High school students
Harvard's Invention, Innovation, and Markets Pre-College Summer Program explores the economic impacts of technological progress in sectors like energy, medicine, and transportation. You will examine how innovations, such as automation technologies, affect productivity, social systems, trade policies, and wages. Led by Harvard faculty, the course offers critical insights into both micro- and macroeconomic effects of invention and innovation. Through interactive discussions and projects, you’ll develop analytical skills valuable for academic and professional growth. This on-campus, noncredit program is designed for students with a strong interest in economics and innovation
Location: Online
Cost: $3,960 (2-week course) | $2,810 (1-week course)
Dates: Session A: July 7–18 | Session B: July 21–August 1 | Session C: August 11–15
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, including recent graduates
Columbia University's Pre-College Program in Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurship offers high school students an in-depth look at finance, investment management, and entrepreneurial innovation. In the Introduction to Finance & Investment Management course, you’ll explore concepts like the time value of money, risk and reward, stock market functions, and portfolio management. You’ll analyze the role of financial institutions, from central banks to hedge funds, and connect economic principles to real-world investment outcomes. By developing your own investment strategies and portfolios, you’ll gain practical experience in global financial markets. This program strengthens critical thinking and analytical skills, ideal for students with a strong interest in business.
Location: On-campus at Brown University
Cost: $3,584 (1-week) | $5,534 (2-weeks)
Dates: June 22–July 3 | June 29–July 11 | July 13–July 25
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Open to high school students ages 14–18
Brown University's I Heart Startups: An Entrepreneurship Incubator is an immersive summer program that introduces high school students to the problem-solving and innovation strategies behind successful startups. Through hands-on workshops, group projects, and individual pitches, you’ll explore lean principles, ideation tools, and venture development strategies in industries like AI, fintech, and healthcare. The course sharpens skills in agile decision-making, collaboration, and entrepreneurial leadership, supported by case studies of companies like Amazon and Tesla. Mentor sessions and a final "Demo Day" presentation provide real-world insights into launching and scaling businesses. Active participation, teamwork, and daily assignments are key to making the most of this program
Location: Philadelphia, USA (on campus)
Cost: $7,899–$9,799
Dates: June 8–28 | June 29–July 19 | July 20–August 9
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Open to 11th-grade high school students with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA and demonstrated leadership experience. International applicants are welcome.
The Wharton Leadership in the Business World (LBW) program offers high school students a chance to experience Wharton’s undergraduate curriculum while exploring leadership in modern organizations. You’ll attend lectures by Wharton professors, engage in discussions on leadership and teamwork, and apply concepts through business simulations and case competitions. The program also includes research on business enterprises and interactions with leaders from industries like finance, entrepreneurship, and entertainment. This hands-on approach sharpens critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership skills. Active participation and a strong interest in business are essential for success.
Location: In person at Columbia University (with an online option)
Cost: NYC Residential 3-Week Program – $12,750
Dates: June 30–July 18
Application Deadline: Early – February 2 | General – March 2
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Columbia University’s Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics program offers high school students a two-week exploration of financial markets and firm behavior. Whether online or on Columbia’s Morningside Campus, you’ll study investment strategies, financial instruments, stock market mechanics, and valuation models. The course blends instruction, case studies, and projects to deepen your understanding of risk assessment and microeconomic principles. You can also participate in workshops like the Columbia Writers Workshop and engage in student life activities. This program builds foundational business knowledge and skills, preparing you for future academic pursuits. Students must be 16 or older to enroll in the residential option.
Location: Online
Cost: $5,520
Program Dates: June 24–July 12 (Tentative)
Application Deadline: End of June (Tentative)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors, aged 15 or older at the start of the course
Cornell University's School of Applied Economics and Management offers an introductory course for high school students interested in macroeconomic concepts. You’ll explore topics like GDP, inflation, employment, and how economic models impact growth and job creation. Through interactive projects, you’ll apply macroeconomic principles to analyze current economic challenges. This program provides a strong foundation for understanding the forces shaping national and global economies, making it an ideal starting point for students passionate about economics.
Location: Dartmouth College
Cost: $7,999
Program Dates: June 29–July 11
Application Deadline: March 25
Eligibility: High school students
This two-week experiential course is designed for high school students looking to develop essential business skills and understand key concepts in economics, finance, accounting, strategy, and marketing. Simulating real-world business environments, the program emphasizes teamwork through collaborative projects in small groups, fostering leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills. Beyond professional applications, the course highlights how business principles influence everyday decision-making. It offers aspiring business leaders hands-on experience, a strong foundation in core business areas, and opportunities to practice interpersonal skills crucial for future success.
Location: Yale Campus
Cost: Residential tuition: $6,298; Commuter tuition: $3,498
Program Dates: Between June and July
Application Deadline: N/A
Eligibility: High school students
This two-week course is designed for aspiring entrepreneurs to explore key aspects of starting, managing, and scaling a business. Participants will engage with topics such as idea generation, revenue models, customer relationships, financial analysis, product design, marketing strategies, and team management. Through collaborative projects, students will develop and refine their own business ideas, applying the entrepreneurial process to create viable startups. The program concludes with a Shark Tank-style pitch to a panel of business professionals, providing constructive feedback and insight into the real-world startup ecosystem.
Location: Virtual or in-person at Brown University, Providence, RI
Cost: Varies by course and duration; check the full list for details.
Program Dates: June 23–July 11
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Brown University’s Summer@Brown program provides high school students with access to over 300 non-credit courses across various subjects. One such course focuses on macroeconomic theory, introducing fundamental macroeconomic data and the theoretical frameworks that inform policy decisions. Students will learn to interpret real-world economic data and understand the objectives of fiscal and monetary policies. The course also aims to enhance critical thinking skills by exposing students to key economic analysis tools. This experience fosters a deeper understanding of macroeconomic principles and their impact on society.
Bonus - Young Founders Lab
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.
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. There is need-based financial aid.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Vary according to cohort.
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
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.
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