10 Online Business Courses for High School Students
- Jessica Zhou
- Dec 1, 2023
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 31
If you're a high school student interested in business, make sure to check out the courses in this list! These courses allow you to deepen your understanding of fundamental business principles, gain insights into various aspects of the business world, and demonstrate your interest in the subject to college admissions officers.
Enrolling in courses offered by established institutions with strong business programs can carry substantial weight in the eyes of colleges. Regardless of the course's prestige, what matters is how you highlight your coursework, achievements, and the skills you've cultivated through it.
Here are 10 great online business courses for high school students! Note that the following information is based on the most recent program, with dates subject to change but generally similar from year to year.
Cost: $3,700 (4 credits) or $7,400 (8 credits) (financial aid available)
Eligibility: Students aged 16-18 who will graduate from high school
Application Deadline: January 10 (Early), February 14 (Regular), and April 10 (Late)
Course Dates: 7 weeks (June 22 – August 10)
Enrolling in the Harvard Summer School's Quantitative Methods in Economics and Business program is a great opportunity to explore economics and business analysis. This program is designed to provide an understanding of the quantitative tools and methods essential for decision-making in these fields. Taught by Harvard faculty and industry experts, the course covers statistical analysis, econometrics, data modeling, and financial analysis. Through a blend of lectures, problem-solving sessions, and case studies, you will gain a strong theoretical foundation.
Cost: Free without a certificate and $199 with a certificate (financial aid available)
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: Self-paced
Taught by Silicon Valley insiders, this course provides a guide to the entire startup process, from idea conception to launch and scaling. You will gain insights into crucial aspects such as identifying market opportunities, developing business models, and crafting effective pitches. The course also covers case studies and practical advice, drawing from the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Silicon Valley. It includes video lectures, readings, projects, and peer collaboration.
Cost: $4,099
Program dates: 2 weeks in June - July
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school students
This course applies innovative online tools used in Wharton's undergrad and graduate classrooms to introduce different business themes. This two-week summer program is designed for high school students enrolled in 9th to 12th grades. It takes you through the framework of design thinking, the business aspects of scenario planning, and the strategies to work in a team. This program also features two interactive business simulations to help you practice what you have learned to solve real-world problems.
Cost: Up to $1,795
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
Application Deadline: Rolling
Course Dates: 1, 2, and 4 week sessions
Through this program, you will explore the history of entrepreneurship, learn how to identify a need in the marketplace, discover what it means to “fail forward” by adapting to market changes, and develop fluency in thinking and speaking about how businesses work. You will also learn how to build partnerships and funding sources through networking, develop a timeline and plan to launch your business, and determine if entrepreneurship is something you’d like to pursue in college and beyond. The course culminates in a special Capstone Project that shares your business idea.
Cost: $329
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: Self-paced
The UPenn Wharton Global Youth Program's "Understanding Your Money" course is a valuable educational opportunity if you’re interested in financial literacy and personal finance. This program, led by instructors from the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, introduces key financial concepts, such as budgeting, saving, investing, and making informed financial decisions. You will explore personal finance through activities, workshops, and discussions. You will gain insights into managing your own finances, setting financial goals, and making responsible decisions about spending and saving. For a deep dive into this program, check out this article!
Cost: $3,050
Eligibility: 9-12th graders
Application Deadline: March
Course Dates: Two weeks in June or July
Taught by faculty and industry experts, this course covers topics such as market analysis, competitive advantage, corporate innovation, and effective strategic planning.
You will be introduced to the nature of entrepreneurship through case studies of prominent businesses, such as Facebook and Amazon, and social enterprises, such as Kiva, that have a global presence and operate at scale. You will discover how to build a new business from scratch, covering everything from developing compelling and sound ideas to tackling the testing and implementation process and handling sales and business management.
Cost: $3,000-$5,000 (2-4 weeks)
Eligibility: 16-18-year-old high school sophomore or junior
Application Deadline: January
Course Dates: 2 weeks or 4 weeks in July
This course will help you understand how social entrepreneurs drive innovation in fields such as health, education, and the environment while considering community needs. You will examine the opportunities and challenges associated with various social enterprises, including social purpose businesses, nonprofits, and revenue-generating enterprises. Guest speakers will allow you to engage with individuals and organizations that exemplify mission-driven values. The course includes readings, recorded presentations, and discussions. You will develop a business plan and an elevator pitch for your own idea for a non-profit or for-profit social enterprise as your capstone project.
Cost: $3,050
Eligibility: 9-12th graders
Application Deadline: March
Course Dates: July 10 - July 21
Taught by faculty and experienced entrepreneurs, this course covers idea generation, market analysis, product development, and the process of launching and scaling a startup. Through lectures, workshops, case studies, and collaborative projects, you will gain a solid theoretical foundation in entrepreneurship. You will explore a wide range of fundamental business concepts and Silicon Valley companies. The class incorporates exercises and a team startup final project.
Cost: Up to $1,795
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and up
Application Deadline: Rolling
Course Dates: 1, 2, and 4 week sessions
This program gives high school students an understanding of the financial markets, investment principles, and practical skills necessary to successfully navigate the world of investing. Taught by instructors and industry experts, the course covers portfolio management, risk assessment, asset allocation, and different investment vehicles. You will describe financial markets and explain how to make money through investing, determine how stock markets work by explaining the stock trade process in the U.S., and explain the process of wealth creation. You will complete a Final Capstone Project to demonstrate what you’ve learned and earn a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University!
Cost: Free without a certificate and $199 with a certificate (financial aid available)
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Course Dates: Self-paced
The "Foundations of Finance" course offered by the University of Cambridge on edX provides learners with a strong understanding of the fundamental principles of finance. This course is structured to cover a wide range of financial topics, including risk management, financial markets, valuation, and investment strategies. It includes high-quality video lectures, readings, case studies, and assignments. The course is taught by faculty from the University of Cambridge.
One other option - the Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you would like to dive further into business research, another way to stand out on applications and resumes, you should also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a selective online high school program for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Jessica attends Harvard University where she studies Neuroscience and Computer Science as a Coca-Cola, Elks, and Albert Shankar Scholar. She is passionate about educational equity and hopes to one day combine this with her academic interests via social entrepreneurship. Outside of academics, she enjoys taking walks, listening to music, and running her jewelry business!
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