15 Best Economics Summer Programs for High School Students

Summer economics programs give high school students the chance to delve deep into the subject beyond the classroom, often through hands-on projects, case studies, and discussions that mirror real-world economic decision-making. The best economics summer programs for high school students offer insights into industries like finance, entrepreneurship, and policy, and are hosted by top organizations in the country! They also create opportunities to meet peers and mentors who share your interests, building connections that can last well into college and a career in the field.

For students who want to study economic concepts in depth, summer programs can provide a focused environment to test interests and build a skillset before committing to a college major. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of 15 standout programs that blend academic rigor with real-world application.

15 Best Economics Summer Programs for High School Students 

1. Yale Young Global Scholars – Politics, Law & Economics Track

Location: Yale University's campus, New Haven, CT
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 3 | Session II: July 5 – 17 | Session III: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Typically early January
Eligibility: Must be between the ages of 16-18 by July 19 | Current high school sophomores or juniors (or the international equivalent) | First-time participant

If you are interested in exploring how economics, politics, and law intersect, the Politics, Law & Economics session at Yale Young Global Scholars gives you a strong yet flexible way to study these connections. The program uses a variety of learning formats such as lectures, seminars, group discussions, and collaborative projects, without assigning grades or course credit, which allows you to focus fully on learning and analysis. You will engage with topics like public policy, human rights, governance structures, market regulation, and international relations, examining them through both historical and comparative perspectives. Activities include breakout discussions on lecture material, a Capstone Project guided by mentors, and a symposium for hands-on exploration within the track theme.

2. Texas Tech University - Anson L. Clark Scholars Program 

Location: Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Cost/Stipend: None / $750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 12 students
Dates: June 22 - August 7
Application Deadline: February 24
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 by the start date | U.S. citizen or permanent resident | Graduating in the application year or the next

The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University is a seven-week summer research experience for a small group of high-achieving juniors and seniors. You work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on a research project in your chosen field, which can range from economics and social sciences to STEM and the arts. Weekly seminars and field trips provide context for research methods, critical thinking, and career planning, while group discussions connect you with peers in other disciplines. The program is highly selective, with participants chosen based on academic performance, recommendations, and clear research interests. At the end of the program, you submit a formal research report and receive a $750 stipend for your work.

3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available / None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts during the year; Summer I and II cohorts: June 2 and July 14 respectively
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer I and II cohorts on May 11 and June 23 respectively; apply here
Eligibility: Current high school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)

The Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows you to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor over 12 weeks to produce an independent research paper in a subject area you choose. If you select economics, you’ll collaborate with a mentor from a top university to investigate advanced economic concepts and apply them to your own research question. The program is conducted remotely, with regular meetings to guide you through research design, data collection, analysis, and the writing process. Your final product is a complete research paper that reflects both your individual work and your mentor’s academic expertise. Some participants may also earn UCSD credit for their work. 

4. Georgetown's Economics Policy Academy

Location:  Georgetown campus, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: $7,700 (est.)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderate
Dates: June 29 – July 18
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Students currently in grades 8-12 | At least 2.0 GPA | Must be at least 15 years old by the date of check-in for select Non-Credit Academies

Georgetown’s Economics Policy Academy examines how governments and governing bodies influence markets, using both economic and political science perspectives. Through lectures, workshops, and case studies, you will learn about concepts such as globalization, poverty, development economics, behavioral economics, and fiscal and monetary policy in the U.S. The program includes field trips to local economic policy organizations, hands-on projects, and a research-based poster that ties into the program theme. You’ll explore the philosophical foundations of economics alongside its real-world applications, assessing policy solutions to global and domestic issues. A Certificate of Participation is awarded upon completion.

5. Horizon Academic Research Program

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on program type; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June – September).
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.

The Horizon Academic Research Program offers a trimester-long opportunity to work closely with a PhD-level mentor and produce a 20-page research paper suitable for publication or academic competitions. You can choose to work in economics or another field such as political theory, data science, or biomedical ethics, with the flexibility to pursue either quantitative or qualitative methods. Weekly virtual meetings with your mentor guide you through the entire process, from refining your research question to structuring and revising your final paper. Horizon provides in-depth feedback and a recommendation letter upon completion. Many participants use their final paper as part of college applications or submit it to student research journals.

6. UCLA Economics Summer Institute

Location: Virtual or on-campus at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost/Stipend: Calculate an estimate here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 14 – August 1
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9th- 12th in Spring | At least 15 years of age by June 23 | Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 (from unofficial transcripts from grade 9 to present) | Basic algebra skills

The UCLA Economics Summer Institute is a three-week program that develops your understanding of major economic issues and the tools economists use to analyze them. Faculty-led lectures are paired with small-group workshops and discussion sessions, allowing you to apply theoretical concepts to practical problems. Working in teams guided by UCLA Economics undergraduates, you’ll prepare case study presentations on topics such as international trade, price controls, rent regulation, and the economic effects of taxation. You will also practice analyzing empirical data, justifying positions using evidence, and considering the trade-offs involved in policy decisions.

7. Economics for Leaders (EFL) by the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)

Location: Multiple locations across the U.S. + Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies based on location and type; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies by location; See here for information on the site and dates
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors 

EFL combines economic analysis with leadership training, giving you the tools to think critically about public policy issues while also strengthening your ability to work with and guide others. The program uses interactive simulations and discussions to explore topics such as opportunity cost, incentives, labor markets, property rights, international trade, and inflation, all framed around five core Economic Reasoning Propositions. Alongside the economics component, leadership instruction follows the Leadership Pyramid Matrix, focusing on personal, relational, and contextual leadership skills that are used in university-level courses. You will examine current national and international issues, applying both economic theory and leadership strategies to complex real-world problems.

8. Wharton Global Youth Program – Essentials of Entrepreneurship

Location: The Wharton School campus, Philadelphia
Cost/Stipend: $7,899; application fee waivers and scholarship opportunities available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 8 – 21 | June 22 – July 4 | July 13 – 26 | July 27 – August 9
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11

This two-week program introduces the process of building and scaling a business, from identifying opportunities to pitching a startup idea. Through lectures, workshops, and collaborative projects, you will learn how to conduct user research, test ideas, develop a minimum viable product, and plan for marketing, financing, and growth. Team-based assignments lead to a final group pitch, where you present your early-stage venture concept to peers and instructors. The curriculum also introduces specialized areas such as technology entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, and strategic business planning. Evening activities offer time for networking, project work, or campus recreation, while guest speakers from Wharton’s faculty and alumni network provide insight into entrepreneurship across industries. 

9. Penn Summer Prep Program

Location: The University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost/Stipend: $5,949 + $100 application fee; students attending School District of Philadelphia public or charter high school are eligible for fully-funded scholarships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 5 – 19
Application Deadline: April 27
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade high school students | Minimum 3.5 GPA | Strong writing skills | Other eligibility requirements for non-native English speakers apply

Penn Summer Prep allows you to experience undergraduate-style learning by enrolling in two non-credit modules from across disciplines, including economics, humanities, and STEM. You choose one morning and one afternoon module, each taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty, graduate students, or staff, and supported by readings, group activities, and assignments outside of class. The program is designed to help you strengthen analytical and critical thinking skills while exploring subjects in depth within an intensive two-week schedule. You’ll also have access to Penn’s academic resources and the opportunity to take in Philadelphia’s historic and cultural sites. Upon completion, you receive a Certificate of Completion and may request recommendation letters from your instructors.

10. UPenn Summer Academies - Economics Academy

Location: University of Pennsylvania campus
Cost/Stipend: $9,949 (scholarships are available for select Philadelphia students)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: July 5 – 26
Application Deadline: Typically mid-February; rolling until full
Eligibility: Current 9th–11th grade students

The Economics Academy at the University of Pennsylvania is a three-week, subject-intensive program that blends core economic theory with real-world applications in a global context. You will study concepts such as scarcity, market structures, market failures, and the role of government in economic systems, using examples from multiple countries to deepen your understanding. Daily classes combine lectures, workshops, and guest talks from experts, encouraging you to debate, question, and apply economic models to contemporary policy issues. A highlight of the program is the capstone project, where you work in groups to analyze an economic challenge faced by a specific country and present your findings in a poster format.

11. Penn State University Park – Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)

Location: Penn State’s University Park campus, State College, PA
Cost/Stipend: $250
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 14 – 26
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school juniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico

BOSS at Penn State’s University Park campus is a residential program for high school juniors interested in exploring business education. The schedule includes college-level workshops on business fundamentals taught by Penn State faculty, along with sessions on college preparation and the admissions process. For two weeks, you will stay in campus residence halls, dine in university facilities, and work with a diverse group of peers in team-based projects and discussions. Company visits and industry interactions are part of the program, giving you exposure to how business concepts are applied in professional settings.

12. Harvard Pre-College Summer School Program

Location: Harvard campus, Cambridge, MA
Cost/Stipend: $5,800 + $75 application fee; limited scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 15 students per class
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 2 | Session II: July 5 – 17 | Session III: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by June 21 and will not turn 19 years old before July 31

In Harvard’s two-week Pre-College Program, you live on campus and focus on one subject through a non-credit college-level course. Since courses are not graded with letter marks, you can explore topics like economics, management, or leadership without the pressure of GPA impact, but still at a rigorous academic pace. Outside class, you take part in co-curricular activities ranging from debates and workshops to creative and cultural events, giving you a balanced schedule of academic and social experiences. At the end of the program, you receive a written evaluation from your instructor along with a transcript reflecting your progress.

13. Harvard Secondary School Program 

Location: Virtual or on-campus at Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 
Cost/Stipend: $4,050–$14,950 + $75 application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 4-Week: July 12 – August 8 | 7-Week: June 20 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Students graduating high school in current or next two years | At least 16 years old by June 21 and under 19 years old as of July 31

Harvard SSP lets you spend either four or seven weeks taking college courses for credit alongside Harvard undergraduates and students from around the world. The four-week option is fully residential, while the seven-week version offers residential, online, and commuting formats, allowing you to take one or two courses depending on your schedule. With more than 50 subjects available, including economics, entrepreneurship, and global business, you can study new topics or build on existing interests. Classes are intensive and often small, giving you direct engagement with faculty and classmates while managing the pace of college-level work. Completing a course provides both a Harvard transcript and college credit.

14. Indiana University Kelley School of Business: Business Is Global

Location: Indiana University
Cost/Stipend: $2,000; full need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 22 – July 5
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors in high school

At the Kelley School of Business’s two-week Business Is Global program, you combine an introduction to core business concepts with an exploration of world languages and cultures. Mornings typically alternate between sessions on international business practices, based on Kelley’s undergraduate curriculum, and beginner-level language study for specific global regions. Afternoons focus on hands-on activities, including cultural workshops, political and economic discussions, and team-based projects. You work in groups to research and present on a global business challenge by the program’s end, building both collaboration and presentation skills. Living on the Bloomington campus also gives you exposure to university life.

15. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)

Location: George Mason University; Remote & hybrid options available 
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee with need-based fee waivers available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Students must be at least 15 years old for remote internships and at least 16 years old for in-person or hybrid wet-lab internships

The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program at George Mason University offers eight weeks of full-time, mentored research in a field you choose, including economics, finance, entrepreneurship, and other applied areas. You work closely with faculty or partner institution researchers, gaining experience in project design, data collection or analysis, and academic writing. The program includes forums and discussions on career pathways, as well as opportunities to present your work at a final research symposium attended by the university community. Many participants contribute to published papers or conference presentations, making this a chance to engage in research that has tangible academic outcomes. 

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