15 Business Pre-College Programs for High School Students
If you have an interest in learning more about business, then there are a few ways to go about it. Internships, research programs & pre-college programs are some options. While research programs focus more specifically on the ‘research’ component, Pre-college programs are academic programs specifically designed for high school students. They also do a good job of providing a glimpse of college life by offering courses, workshops, and other relevant experiences.
These programs allow you to dive deep into areas such as entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and consulting while gaining exposure to real-world practices from professionals and academics in the field.
Why should I apply to business pre-college programs as a high school student?
By engaging in these programs, you will get the opportunity to learn from industry experts, collaborate with like-minded peers, and develop skills that are essential for future business success.
This hands-on experience can give you valuable insights into the business world, helping you make more informed decisions about your career paths
Participating in a pre-college business program can not only enhance your resume but also demonstrate your commitment to pursuing a business career, which can set you apart from other applicants while applying to college..
Whether you’re interested in business management, startup culture, or corporate finance, pre-college programs offer a unique platform to jump-start your journey and gain a competitive advantage in both college admissions and future job opportunities.
In this blog, we have curated a list of 15 business pre-college programs for high school students!
Young Founders Lab
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Cost: The total cost to attend the 4-week program is $2900. There is need-based financial aid.
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!
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.
Leadership in the Business World - Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: Philadelphia, USA (on campus)
Cost: Ranging from $7,899 - $9,799
Dates:
Jun 8 - Jun 28
Jun 29 - Jul 19
Jul 20 - Aug 9
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students currently enrolled in grade 11 with demonstrated leadership experience.
The Wharton Leadership in the Business World (LBW) program offers high school students an opportunity to experience Wharton’s undergraduate curriculum and explore leadership in modern organizations. In this immersive summer program, you'll attend lectures from distinguished Wharton professors, engage in classroom discussions on leadership and teamwork, and apply your learning through real-world business simulations and case competitions. You’ll also conduct research on business enterprises and interact with successful leaders from diverse industries such as finance, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
Invention, Innovation, and Markets, Harvard Pre-College Programs
Location: On Campus
Cost: $5,800 plus $75 application fee.
Dates:
Session I: June 22–July 3
Session II: July 6–18
Session III: July 20–August 1
Application Deadline: Applications for Summer Programs open on December 2
Eligibility: High school students
This program allows you to explore the economic impacts of technological progress across sectors such as energy, medicine, and transportation. Led by Harvard faculty, the course delves into innovations, from automation technologies and how they influence productivity to social systems, trade policies, and wages. Through rigorous academic engagement, you will gain critical insights into the micro- and macroeconomic effects of invention and innovation, equipping you with analytical tools essential for future academic and professional success. This is an on-campus, noncredit program.
Summer Business Programs, Columbia University
Location: Online
Cost: Varies for 1-week and 2-week offerings, more details here.
Dates: Vary from cohort to cohort, usually 11 days for each
Application Deadline: The main summer deadline usually falls around April 2
Eligibility: The summer program is open to all high school students and even those applying during their senior year.
Columbia University's Pre-College Program in Business, Economics, and Entrepreneurship offers high school students an in-depth exploration of finance, investment management, and entrepreneurial innovation. In the Introduction to Finance & Investment Management course, you'll learn essential financial concepts such as the time value of money, risk and reward, stock market functions, and portfolio management. Through engaging class sessions and independent work, you’ll analyze the role of key financial players, from Central Banks to hedge funds, while connecting economic principles to real-world investment outcomes. By creating your own investment strategies and portfolios, you'll gain hands-on experience in navigating global financial markets.
Lumiere Research Scholar Program, Business Track
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school
Duration: Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Dates: Varying deadlines
Cost: Full financial aid available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students, across a broad range of business-related topics that you can explore as a high schooler. All programs take place completely virtually, allowing you to pursue independent research from anywhere in the world!
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as finance, economics, entrepreneurship, international relations, and more, and offers UCSD credit upon successful completion! You can find more details about the application here!
Introduction to Macroeconomics | Yale Summer Session
Location: Online Course
Cost: Tuition: $5070. Technology Fee: $85.
Dates:
Session A: May 27 – June 28
Session B: July 1 – August 2
Application Deadline: Applications will open in mid-January
Eligibility: Applicants must be high school students
The Yale Summer Session offers courses on every subject. This particular macroeconomics course provides a unique opportunity to explore foundational macroeconomic concepts while earning academic credit and preparing for the rigors of higher education. You will engage in topics such as national income accounting, economic growth, inflation, unemployment, fiscal and monetary policy, and the dynamics of financial crises, with a special focus on recent global economic challenges. Led by Yale faculty, the program fosters an environment of academic excellence, enabling students to deepen their understanding of complex economic systems and develop skills critical for success in selective colleges.
Introduction to Business, Finance and Economics, Columbia Business Summer Programs
Location: In-person, at Columbia University Campus with an online option as well
Cost: NYC Residential 3 Week program - $12,750
Dates: June 30 to July 18
Application Deadline:
Early Registration Deadline: February 2
General Application Deadline: March 2
Eligibility: All applicants must be high school students
Columbia University’s Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics program offers high school students a two-week exploration of the financial and economic behavior of firms. You will delve into topics such as investment strategies, financial instruments, stock market mechanics, and valuation models for firms and securities. The course combines rigorous instruction, case studies, and independent projects to help students understand the dynamics of financial markets, risk assessment, and the microeconomic models that drive firm behavior. You will also have the chance to participate in workshops like the Columbia Writers Workshop!
I Heart Startups: An Entrepreneurship Incubator, Pre-College Program Brown University
Location: On-Campus at Brown University
Cost: Programs start from $3,584
Dates:
June 22 to July 3
June 29 to July 11
July 13 to July 25
Application Deadline: May 9
Eligibility: All applicants must be in high school from the age range of 14-18
Brown University's I Heart Startups: An Entrepreneurship Incubator is a summer program designed to teach high school students the structured approach to problem-solving and innovation that drives successful startups. Hands-on workshops, group projects, and individual pitches will teach you to explore lean principles, ideation tools, and strategies for developing and launching ventures in industries such as AI, fintech, and healthcare. This course helps hone critical skills like agile decision-making, collaboration, and entrepreneurial leadership while exposing you to case studies of major companies like Amazon and Tesla.
Business Academy | Georgetown University Summer Programs for High School Students
Location: Residential at Georgetown University
Cost: $7,700
Dates: July 20 - Aug 1
Application Deadline: April 15 although the early bird deadline is January 31
Eligibility: Applicants must be current or rising high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, or seniors during the prior academic year
In this program, you'll explore critical aspects of international business, including globalization, emerging national economies such as China, India, and Brazil, and the role of institutions like the World Bank and the WTO. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills and critical thinking through activities like investment challenges, group presentations, and field trips, preparing you for future academic and professional success. With a focus on technology's impact and global economic trends, this program provides a comprehensive foundation for young business leaders. You are expected to demonstrate a keen interest in global business and participate actively in all learning experiences.
High School Entrepreneurship - Berkeley Business Academy for Youth
Location: Campus of Berkeley College
Cost:
California Resident $6,292
Out of State Resident $7,332
Dates:
Session I: Saturday, July 5 – Saturday, July 19
Session II: Saturday, July 19- Saturday, August 2
Application Deadline: March 1. Applications for the Summer Sessions will open in January
Eligibility: Applicants should be motivated high school students who have a passion for business
The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) offers high school students a dynamic two-week program to develop their entrepreneurial skills and business acumen under the guidance of Berkeley Haas professors and industry experts. Through interactive classroom sessions, team projects, and real-world insights, you'll learn to create a comprehensive business plan while mastering key concepts in leadership, marketing, finance, accounting, and organizational management. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, including SWOT analysis, financial planning, and negotiation strategies, along with public speaking workshops to refine presentation skills. Only 50 students are accepted each year!
Innovation and Business Strategy | Continuing Studies, Duke University
Location: In person at Duke University
Cost:
Residential: $2,800 tuition + $1,900 room and meal fee
Commuter: $2,800 tuition + $250 meal fee
Dates:
Session 1: June 16-28
Session 3: July 7-19
Application Deadline: Deadline not mentioned. Applications open December 13
Eligibility: Applicants must be from grades 9-11
The Innovation and Business Strategy program, offered by Duke University, empowers high school students to explore the foundations of breakthrough innovation and strategic business planning. You will delve into concepts such as disruptive innovation, customer analysis, and product/market fit while studying real-world examples from companies like Tesla, Disney, and Apple. Through tools like design thinking, SWOT, and PESTEL analysis, students learn to identify market opportunities, create customer personas, and craft business strategies that align with modern industry demands. The course also examines AI’s growing influence on business leadership. By analyzing case studies and developing your own strategies and plans, you will gain hands-on experience and critical insights.
Entrepreneurship Academy | Georgetown University Summer Programs for High School Students
Location: Georgetown University
Cost: $5,950
Dates: June 15 - June 27
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Applicants must be a current or rising high school freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior during the academic year prior to your summer program.
The Entrepreneurship Academy as part of the Summer Academies at Georgetown University offers high school students a two-week exploration into the world of startups and business innovation. You will dive into key aspects of entrepreneurship, including prototype testing, market research, global business dynamics, and social innovation. The program culminates in a team-based pitch competition, fostering collaboration, creativity, and confidence. Beyond business fundamentals, the academy emphasizes personal development, equipping students with public speaking, communication, networking, and team-building skills.
Capital Markets and Investments | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080 tuition fee plus $65 application fee. Financial aid available
Dates: July 07 - July 18
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students must be in grades 9-11 at the time of application
The Stanford University Pre-College Summer Institutes offer a course called "Capital Markets and Investments," which introduces high school students to the fundamentals of capital markets, financial decision-making, and investment valuation. Through a blend of lectures, discussions, and team-based activities, you will explore essential topics such as stocks, bonds, IPOs, corporate finance, and valuation metrics like P/E ratio, NPV, IRR, WACC, and DCF. The course culminates in a practical project where students build and present a company financial model. This program is ideal for students interested in careers in finance, Wall Street, venture capital, or tech startups.
Introduction to Investments Summer Institute, UCLA Summer Sessions
Location: Online and UCLA Campus for the Commuter Program
Cost: Check here
Dates:
Session A: Commuter - June 23 – July 11
Session B: Virtual - June 23 – July 11
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: High school students in 9th – 12th grade in Spring 2025
The UCLA Introduction to Investments Summer Institute is a three-week program designed for high school students to gain a solid understanding of investment principles and the financial landscape. This course, offered by one of the top economics departments globally, provides foundational knowledge in financial literacy, banking, and investment strategies, making it accessible to students with no prior economics or math background. Students will learn about topics such as financial markets, stock ownership, bonds, venture capital, global markets, and private equity, among others.
The skills developed through lectures, case studies, and discussions with UCLA faculty and economics majors will not only provide practical knowledge but also demonstrate your ability to engage with professionals in a real-world setting.
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Campus
Cost: $5,500 plus a $75 application fee but need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 72 students
Dates: June 13 - 27
Application Deadline: Jan. 21
Eligibility: You must be a current rising high school senior to apply.
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week pre-college program designed for rising high school seniors who are interested in business. This program accepts only 72 students each year and offers you the chance to experience college-level business education by exploring various business functions, leadership strategies, and career paths. Through interactive classes, workshops, and group projects, you will learn how successful companies operate, engage in action-based learning, and gain real-world business insights.