High Schoolers: These 20+ Business Programs Could Shape Your Future

Why Business Summer Programs Matter

Imagine this: You’re 16, standing in a room full of professionals, pitching an app you helped design. Maybe it tracks spending habits. Maybe it connects local businesses with student freelancers. Either way, it’s your idea—and people are listening. That’s not a scene from some Netflix teen drama. It’s what real students are doing through business summer programs across the country.

These aren’t just summer camps. They’re launchpads. Whether you dream of being the next Steve Jobs or just want to understand how a lemonade stand becomes a franchise, these programs offer hands-on experiences that can change your path. Think mentorship from MBA students, classes with Ivy League professors, and real-world simulations that make those textbook case studies come alive.

Pre-college business programs show you what it means to think like an entrepreneur, lead like a CEO, and problem-solve like a consultant. You’ll gain skills that colleges (and future employers) love—teamwork, creativity, financial literacy—all before you’ve even chosen your prom outfit.

So here’s the question: What kind of business thinker do you want to become? Explore these 30 summer business programs for high school students and find the one that speaks to your passion, your ambition, your future.

Top Business Summer Programs at Leading Universities

You don’t need to wait for college to dive into the world of business. These top-tier summer programs put you in boardrooms, startup labs, and high-powered classrooms—long before freshman orientation.

Wharton Global Youth Program – University of Pennsylvania

  • Eligibility: Grades 9–12
  • Application Deadline: Varies by program
  • Cost: $$$ (Need-based aid available)
  • Location: University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA) + Online

Imagine learning finance in the same halls where Wharton MBAs prep for Wall Street. Wharton’s Global Youth Program doesn’t water things down—it invites high schoolers into rigorous coursework covering leadership, entrepreneurship, and finance. Bonus: You’ll work on real-world case studies and connect with students from around the globe. For future business leaders who want the Ivy experience early, this is your launchpad.

Babson Summer Study for High School Students

  • Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
  • Application Deadline: Mid-March
  • Cost: $$$ (Need-based aid available)
  • Location: Babson College, Wellesley, MA

At Babson, entrepreneurship isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the heartbeat of the school. In this immersive residential program, students are taught to think entrepreneurially, solve social problems, and create actionable business models. The vibe? Creative hustle meets global impact. If you see business as a force for good, Babson’s got your number.

LaunchX Entrepreneurship Program

  • Eligibility: Ages 14–18
  • Application Deadline: Mid-February
  • Cost: $$$ (Need-based aid available)
  • Location: Boston, Bay Area, + Online

This isn’t a simulation. LaunchX challenges you to build a real startup—from market research to minimum viable product. Collaborate with peers across the world, get mentorship from startup veterans, and pitch to actual investors. Whether you walk away with a prototype or a profitable business, you’ll leave with the mindset of a founder.

CSU College of Business Summer Programs

  • Eligibility: High school students (15-18 years old)
  • Application Deadline: Early app due in Feb; Regular app due in early June
  • Cost: $$$ (Scholarships available)
  • Location: Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State’s summer business academy is short, sweet, and packed with insights. Think interactive sessions on marketing, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy, all led by CSU faculty and industry leaders. It’s also one of the most affordable, making it a standout for students looking for big value on a modest budget.

Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy

  • Eligibility: Rising high school seniors (juniors sometimes considered)
  • Application Deadline: Mid-January
  • Cost: $$$ (Need-based aid available)
  • Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

This program delivers big-school business chops with a mission-driven heart. Hosted by the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, students explore topics like business ethics, marketing, and leadership through hands-on learning. It’s selective—and entirely free—making it an incredible opportunity for aspiring changemakers.

Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy for High Schoolers

  • Eligibility: Grades 9–12
  • Application Deadline: Early April
  • Cost: $$$ (Some need-based aid available)
  • Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

At the heart of Washington, D.C., just steps away from global decision-makers and policy shapers, the Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy gives high schoolers a chance to turn bold ideas into tangible ventures. This one-week program is part bootcamp, part business lab—and 100% real-world.

Rice University Precollege Program

  • Eligibility: Ages 13 and up
  • Application Deadline: Multiple programs throughout the year
  • Cost: $$
  • Location: Houston, TX

Want to understand how marketing works or explore business analytics? Rice’s fully online precollege courses let you explore business fields in bite-sized modules, all taught by university faculty. It’s a great entry point if you’re still figuring out which path in business lights you up.

Berkeley Haas High School Entrepreneurship Program

  • Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
  • Application Deadline: Mid-March
  • Cost: $$$ (Need-based aid available)
  • Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Berkeley Haas is all about innovation with purpose. This program puts students into fast-paced, team-based startup challenges with a focus on real-world impact. You’ll learn to pitch, prototype, and persevere—just like the Bay Area entrepreneurs who inspired it.

Kelley School of Business Summer Programs – Indiana University

  • Eligibility: Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors
  • Application Deadline: Mid-April
  • Cost: $$
  • Location: Bloomington, IN

Indiana University’s Kelley School keeps it real—think leadership simulations, ethical dilemmas, and interactive marketing labs. Whether you’re curious about management or intrigued by analytics, this program covers it all with plenty of support from faculty and peer mentors.

Drexel University’s Camp Business

  • Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
  • Application Deadline: Rolling (closes mid-May)
  • Cost: $ (Relatively affordable; some aid available)
  • Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Camp Business lives up to its name—it’s engaging, interactive, and packed with real-world business exposure. From stock trading to business plan creation, you’ll leave with a clearer understanding of what it takes to succeed in a competitive market. Great for hands-on learners.

Bentley University’s Wall Street 101

  • Eligibility: Grades 11–12
  • Application Deadline: Rolling (March–May recommended)
  • Cost: $$ (Some financial aid available)
  • Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA

Designed for high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, Wall Street 101 covers everything from investment strategy and portfolio management to financial markets and corporate decision-making. Led by Bentley faculty and finance professionals, students dive into simulations, analyze case studies, and even use the university’s state-of-the-art trading room—just like the pros.

Free and Low-Cost Business Programs

Not every aspiring entrepreneur has a trust fund—and that’s more than okay. Some of the most impactful business programs come with little to no price tag and are designed specifically to open doors for students who might not otherwise get the chance.

Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) – Penn State

  • Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds
  • Application Deadline: Early May
  • Cost: Free (including housing and meals)
  • Location: Penn State University, University Park, PA

BOSS is tailor-made for students from underrepresented backgrounds looking to explore business education in a college setting. Hosted by Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, the program blends lectures, workshops, and team projects to build both skills and confidence.

University of Georgia – Accelerated Business Program

  • Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from underrepresented backgrounds
  • Application Deadline: Early May
  • Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, and program materials)
  • Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA

At the University of Georgia’s Accelerated Business Program, you’ll learn how business really works—beyond the textbooks and buzzwords. Hosted by UGA’s Terry College of Business, this one-week residential experience is designed for driven high school seniors eager to explore marketing, finance, management, and entrepreneurship in a fast-paced, college-level setting.

Chicago Summer Business Institute (CSBI)

  • Eligibility: Rising high school juniors (Chicago residents only)
  • Application Deadline: Early March
  • Cost: Free (includes paid internship component)
  • Location: Chicago, IL

Hosted by the City of Chicago in partnership with top corporations and law firms, CSBI gives students from underrepresented backgrounds a chance to gain hands-on work experience in business, law, finance, and government. You’ll spend your days shadowing professionals, contributing to real projects, and soaking up professional skills that will set you apart in college—and beyond.

University of Houston’s EXPLORE Business Summer Institute

  • Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
  • Application Deadline: Early Spring; TBD
  • Cost: Free
  • Location: Chicago, IL

Hosted by the C.T. Bauer College of Business, this program provides a deep dive into entrepreneurship, leadership, and personal branding. Expect team projects, guest speakers, and college-readiness sessions—all without a price tag.

Economics for Leaders – Foundation for Teaching Economics

  • Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
  • Application Deadline: Rolling (priority deadlines in spring)
  • Cost: $$ (Some sites free; financial aid available)
  • Location: Multiple university campuses nationwide

This program doesn’t just teach you how economies work—it puts you in charge of leading them. Through simulations and leadership training, students gain insight into economics and decision-making. Scholarships make it accessible for many.

University of Colorado Boulder – Business Leadership Program

  • Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
  • Application Deadline: Late April
  • Cost: Free (includes housing, meals, and activities)
  • Location: University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO

Hosted by the Leeds School of Business, the program brings together a diverse group of high-potential students to dive into case studies, team challenges, and interactive workshops. You’ll tackle topics like ethical decision-making, brand strategy, and innovation—guided by CU faculty and industry professionals who don’t just teach business, they live it.

Specialized Business Programs (Marketing, Finance, Entrepreneurship)

If you already know what lights you up—whether it’s launching your own brand, decoding economic trends, or using tech to drive profits—these specialized programs help you go deeper and get clearer on your path.

Athena Summer Innovation Institute – Barnard College

  • Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who identify as female
  • Application Deadline: Late April
  • Cost: $$ (Some aid available)
  • Location: Barnard College, NYC

This one’s for the changemakers. Geared toward young women ready to lead, Athena combines entrepreneurship with leadership development. You’ll brainstorm bold ideas, work on a venture pitch, and get mentored by successful female founders. Think Shark Tank meets a sisterhood of future CEOs.

Startup UCLA: Social Entrepreneurship Summer Institute

  • Eligibility: Grades 9–12
  • Application Deadline: Mid-May
  • Cost: $$$ (Need-based aid available)
  • Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Startup UCLA shows students how to build businesses that solve real problems. The focus is on social impact—so whether you’re tackling climate change or food insecurity, you’ll learn how to turn purpose into profit. You’ll collaborate with peers, hear from startup leaders, and pitch your ideas at a final showcase.

Economics Summer Institute – UCLA

  • Eligibility: Grades 9–12
  • Application Deadline: Mid-June
  • Cost: $$ (Scholarships available)
  • Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

Love graphs, numbers, and big-picture thinking? This institute provides a deep foundation in economic theory and policy. You’ll analyze markets, explore behavioral economics, and discover how theory plays out in the real world. Great for students considering majors in econ, business, or finance.

Python for Economics and Finance Summer Institute – UCLA

  • Eligibility: Grades 9–12
  • Application Deadline: Mid-June
  • Cost: $$ (Scholarships available)
  • Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA

This is where coding meets capitalism. Learn Python to model economic scenarios and analyze financial data—skills in demand across finance, consulting, and tech. No coding experience? No problem. The program is beginner-friendly and taught by UCLA instructors.

Berkeley Business Academy for Youth

  • Eligibility: Grades 9–12
  • Application Deadline: Mid-May
  • Cost: $$$ (Need-based aid available)
  • Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA

Hosted by the Haas School of Business, this program dives deep into entrepreneurship, marketing, and business fundamentals. Students form teams, develop a business plan, and pitch their startups—just like in a real MBA classroom.

Yale Young Global Scholars: Business & Economics Session

  • Eligibility: Grades 10–11
  • Application Deadline: Early January
  • Cost: $$$ (Need-based aid available, including full scholarships)
  • Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT

This program explores global economic trends, innovation, and leadership strategies in an international cohort. Expect deep discussions, faculty-led seminars, and exposure to world-shaping ideas. It’s more than a course—it’s a global think tank for future business leaders.

Choosing the Right Program for You

There’s no one-size-fits-all path to becoming a business leader. Some students find their spark pitching a startup idea in front of venture capitalists. Others light up learning Python to predict stock trends or exploring how economic policy shapes real lives. That’s the beauty of business summer programs—they come in all shapes and sizes, offering high school students the chance to explore, experiment, and evolve.

But with so many great options, how do you choose the right one? Start by thinking about what truly excites you. Are you drawn to entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, or tech? Do you want a residential campus experience or something online and flexible? Factor in cost, location, time commitment—and don’t forget to check if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Many of these programs are competitive and fill up fast, so apply early and thoughtfully. A standout application could mean the difference between landing a spot or waiting another year.

Still unsure where to start? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Schedule a free consultation with Admit Advantage, and we’ll help you find the perfect program to boost your confidence, clarify your goals, and make your college application shine. Let’s build your business story—together.