Finance research opportunities for high school students offer a great way to gain exposure to college-level academics, develop practical skills, and build industry connections—all without the high costs associated with traditional college programs. For students interested in finance, these opportunities can be particularly beneficial, allowing you to explore complex financial concepts, conduct data analysis, and collaborate with professionals in the field. Whether you're diving into economic theories, investment strategies, or corporate finance, participating in a research program can provide valuable mentorship and hands-on experience. We’ve narrowed down the top 7 finance research opportunities for high school students to help you find the best fit for your interests and career goals. If you're looking for more research programs and internships in finance for high school students, check out this blog.

1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program – Finance Track

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows high school students to conduct independent research in finance with guidance from PhD mentors. You'll define your research topic, develop focused questions, and work on a comprehensive paper with personalized support. At the end of the program, you'll present your findings at the Lumiere Research Symposium, gaining valuable experience. The program includes virtual site visits and opportunities to collaborate with industry experts, offering a structured environment to strengthen your research skills and explore your interest in finance.

Location: Remote

Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Limited  

Dates: Varies based on program selection

Application Deadline: Early Admissions – February 18; Priority Admissions – March 17

Eligibility: High-achieving high school students with a passion for finance and research

2. Wharton Global Youth Program: Financial Decision Making

Wharton’s Financial Decision Making is a two-week, intensive summer program designed to immerse high school students in personal finance and decision-making. You will learn essential financial principles to help you make informed decisions about spending, saving, investing, and planning for the future. By examining real-world financial scenarios, you will develop skills to navigate various financial situations, from budgeting to understanding inflation, taxes, and more. This program introduces a curriculum inspired by the finance program at the prestigious Wharton School, helping you build both analytical skills and practical decision-making abilities. You will also engage in live lectures, recitations, and collaborative group projects, offering a deeper understanding of financial concepts and the opportunity to connect with peers from around the world.

Location: Virtual

Dates: Session 1: June 16–27; Session 2: July 7–18

Application Deadline: January 29

Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 with a minimum 3.3 unweighted GPA

Cost: $6,500 (includes lectures, recitations, and program materials)

3. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy

The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is one of those finance research opportunities for high school students, which offers the opportunity to explore the world of business at one of the nation’s leading business schools. Over two weeks, you will learn how companies operate, uncover strategies behind successful leadership, and experience life as a business student at Michigan Ross. Led by faculty from various business disciplines, the program challenges you with college-level coursework, providing insights into business operations, management, and strategy. While no college credit is awarded, you will gain valuable exposure to business concepts that can shape your future academic and career paths.

Location: University of Michigan, Ross School of Business

Dates: June 13–27

Application Deadline: January 21

Eligibility: Rising high school seniors

Cost: $5,500 (includes classes, workshops, and program materials)

4. NYU  High School Academy: Finance NYC  

Located in New York City, the financial capital of the world, this pre-college program offers high school students a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on insight into the world of finance. You will explore the fundamentals of financial analysis, investment management, and the financial system. Key topics include time value of money, risk and return, capital budgeting techniques, and the role of the Federal Reserve. Taught by industry professionals, this course will equip you with the knowledge necessary to pursue careers and college majors in finance and business-related fields.

Location: New York City

Dates: Summer program. Exact dates TBA on the website.

Application Deadline:

Residential U.S. Student Deadline: May 15

Commuter U.S. Student Deadline: June 13

Tuition: $2,579 per course

Housing & Dining Fees (optional add-on): $640

Application Fee: $50 (non-refundable)

Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11

5. Wall Street 101 Program

The Wall Street 101 Program offers rising high school juniors and seniors a hands-on introduction to global finance, including stocks, bonds, currencies, and cryptocurrencies. This competitive program covers macroeconomics, securities valuation, trading strategies, and financial technology. You'll gain experience with industry tools like Bloomberg and FactSet, and explore how psychology and technology shape finance. The program includes interactive simulations, stock pitch preparation, investment analysis, and projects on FinTech, AI, and finance research. It also provides insight into how economic and political events impact global financial markets.

Location: Bentley University Campus

Dates: June–July (Exact dates will be announced on the website)

Application Deadline: Applications accepted on a space-available basis until June 1, 2025

Tuition: $1,490

Application Fee: $75

Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

6. Investments, Financial Planning & You (IFPY) - UC Irvine

The Investments, Financial Planning & You (IFPY) program is a week-long finance research opportunity for high school students at the Paul Merage School of Business. The program includes case studies, group projects, online simulations, and industry presentations. You will explore macroeconomics, the international financial system, and portfolio analysis, while gaining hands-on experience in creating investment portfolios and evaluating stocks, bonds, and ETFs. The capstone project involves creating a personalized wealth management plan, preparing you for long-term financial planning.

Location: UC Irvine, Paul Merage School of Business

Program Dates:

• Week 1: July 7–11

• Week 2: July 14–18

• Week 3: July 28–August 1

Tuition: $1,395

Application Fee: $600 (non-refundable)

Eligibility: High school students interested in financial planning and investments

7. Economics for Leaders

Economics for Leaders is a selective summer program designed to help you develop critical economic reasoning skills that can inform your decision-making in both personal and professional contexts. Throughout this interactive program, you will learn how to apply economic principles to everyday situations and complex leadership challenges. By engaging in real-world scenarios and collaborative learning, you will enhance your ability to think critically about economic issues and make informed decisions in an ever-evolving economic environment. This program is an ideal finance research opportunity for high school students who are sophomores and juniors who want to integrate economics into their leadership strategies.

Location: Varies by program (residential and virtual options available)

Dates: Summer program; exact dates may vary

Application Deadline:

February 5: Early Deadline – $200 Tuition Discount

March 12: Priority Deadline – $100 Tuition Discount

March 12: International Student Deadline for Residential Programs

April 9: Final Deadline

Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors

Application Materials: Letter of Recommendation, Transcript, Personal Statement (750 words), $35 Application Fee

Cost: Varies by program location

Stephen Turban

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.