15 Best Summer Business Programs for High School Students

If you're a high school student interested in business—whether it's starting your own venture, gaining insight into how companies operate, or exploring careers in finance and marketing—summer programs are an excellent way to get an early start. With several of the best summer business programs for high school students offered at schools like Wharton, Babson, and Michigan Ross, you'll have the opportunity to experience how business is taught at leading universities. 

Many of these programs also offer college credits, startup funding, or the chance to pitch your ideas to investors, making them a unique way to spend your summer. In this list, you’ll find 15 of the best summer business programs for high school students. 

15 Best Summer Business Programs for High School Students

1. Babson Summer Study

Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: New England Innovation Academy (NEIA) or online
Cost: $6,295 (online); $3,000 (commuter); $6,500 (residential); $95 application fee; Limited need-based financial aid offered
Dates: July 7 – 28
Application Deadline: December 5 – February 14 (early), March 14 (regular)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

Babson Summer Study is an experiential program for rising high school juniors and seniors that’s designed to help you develop an entrepreneurial mindset and become an innovator and changemaker. During the program, you will have the opportunity to explore social, economic, and environmental challenges as outlined by the U.N. Global Goals. You’ll also explore concepts like leadership, marketing, finance, business communication, and more. As a participant, you’ll get to work closely with and learn from mentors, Babson faculty, and fellow students. You’ll also earn four college credits by the end of the program.

2. Ladder Internships

Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts in the spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High schoolers, gap year students, undergrads; Must spend 10-20 hrs/week for 8-12 weeks

During the Ladder Internships program, you’ll be paired with a startup company in fields like AI, marketing, business consulting, journalism, and more. You'll get to work on live projects that directly contribute to the company, from growth strategies to research or content development. You’ll also be supported by your startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who will guide you throughout the internship. At the end of your time there, you’ll get to present your work to startup leadership. The program is fully remote and flexible.

3. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)

Cohort Size: ~50 students per session
Location: UC Berkeley
Cost: Varies; Limited needs-based scholarships available
Dates: Session 1: July 5 – 19; Session 2: July 19 – August 2
Application Deadline: March 1 (rolling)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12

This two-week academy at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business will take you through the full cycle of starting a business. You’ll work with a team to develop a business idea, conduct market research, and pitch your plan to a panel of professionals. Along the way, you’ll learn from Berkeley professors and guest speakers from the corporate world. Upon completing the program, you will have developed a comprehensive business plan and gained valuable hands-on collaboration experience. It’s a great way to test out business school life and meet students from around the world.

4. Young Founders Lab

Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies; Need-based financial aid available
Dates: June 5 – July 3 (as per the previous year)
Application Deadline: March (early), April, and May (regular rounds)
Eligibility: High school students

The Young Founders Lab is a virtual start-up bootcamp founded by Harvard entrepreneurs. During the program, you’ll build a revenue-generating startup from scratch, guided by mentors from companies like Google, Microsoft, and X. Along the way, you’ll attend live sessions on business fundamentals, strategy, and pitching, plus hands-on workshops and case studies. You’ll also collaborate with peers on ideation, feedback loops, and go-to-market planning for your business. By the end of the program, you’ll have a working startup, a founder’s mindset, and a solid grasp of what launching a venture actually takes.

5. Wharton Global Youth Program

Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Location: University of Pennsylvania (in-person and online)
Cost: Varies by course and format
Dates: Varies by program
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students; Specific requirements vary by program

Hosted by one of the most prestigious business schools in the world, Wharton’s high school programs cover topics like finance, data science, sports analytics, and entrepreneurship. You'll take classes with Wharton faculty and collaborate with peers from around the world on team projects or research. The curriculum varies across programs but often includes case studies, business simulations, and presentations. You’ll explore what it’s like to study business at a top university and understand how business connects to the global economy. Whether you choose a for-credit program or a non-credit experience, this is a strong resume addition for future business students.

6. Indiana University: Business Is Global

Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: Indiana University Bloomington
Cost: $2,000; Need-based CIBER scholarships available
Dates: June 22 – July 5
Application Deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

This two-week program focuses on international business and cross-cultural communication, offering you insight into the global markets. You'll explore how business works across different countries while also learning basic phrases in languages like Arabic, Korean, Estonian, or Portuguese. The curriculum is based on Kelley School of Business content and designed to give you a strong global perspective. Cultural activities, collaborative exercises, and interactive lectures are part of the daily schedule. You’ll gain practical skills and cultural fluency that set you apart in a competitive business world.

7. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy

Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: University of Michigan
Cost: $5,500; Full and partial scholarships available
Dates: June 13 – 27
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors

At this selective two-week academy, you’ll dive into how companies operate and what it takes to be a strong leader. You’ll attend business classes taught by Ross faculty, join leadership workshops, and work on real case studies. You’ll also engage in team-based projects and practice presenting your ideas under tight deadlines. This is a great opportunity to experience life at a top business school while building foundational knowledge. You’ll leave with a stronger sense of your interests, skills, and career direction.

8. Penn State BOSS Program

Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: Penn State University Park campus
Cost: $250; Scholarships may be available
Dates: June 14 – 26
Application Deadline: October 20 – March 20
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico

BOSS (Business Opportunities Summer Session) is a two-week program designed to support underrepresented students in exploring business majors. You'll take college prep and business courses, live in dorms, and get support from Penn State faculty and mentors. There are also group activities and social events to help you bond with other students. You’ll explore real business case studies and get hands-on exposure to college-level work. Once the program has ended, you’ll leave with new skills, connections, and a stronger application for business school.

9. Leangap

Cohort size: 80 students
Location: UC Berkeley
Cost: $6,450 (online); $9,950 (in-person); Need-based financial aid available
Dates: Online: June 16 – July 11; In-person: July 13 – August 9
Application Deadline: Rolling; Apply as early as possible
Eligibility: High school students

Leangap is a fast-paced startup accelerator for teens who want to build real companies. You’ll start with a business idea, test it with real users, and build your MVP (minimum viable product). Mentors will guide you through pitching, user interviews, marketing, and product design. You’ll also work in fast-moving teams, validate your concept, and make real-time changes based on user feedback. You’ll graduate the program with an actual startup, traction data, and maybe even your first users or investors.

10. Georgetown Entrepreneurship Academy

Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: Georgetown University
Cost: $4,145 (commuter); $5,950 (residential); Limited scholarships available
Dates: June 15 – 27
Application Deadline: January 31 (early); April 15 (final)
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 with at least a 2.0 GPA

At Georgetown’s Entrepreneurship Academy, you’ll explore what it means to turn ideas into startups. You'll dive into prototype testing, business models, and social innovation through case studies and workshops. Classes are taught by Georgetown faculty and visiting entrepreneurs who share their own startup journeys. You’ll also engage in group projects and learn how to evaluate your ideas based on user feedback and market research. You’ll end the program with a full startup pitch and a much deeper understanding of how business ideas take shape.

11. Drexel Camp Business (LeBow College of Business)

Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Location: Drexel University
Cost: Varies; Limited alumni-sponsored, need-based scholarships available
Dates: Commuter: July 20 – 25; Residential Blue: July 13 – 18; Residential Gold: July 27 – August 1
Application Deadline: May 1 (priority deadline)
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors

Drexel’s Camp Business gives you a full taste of college and business education in one. You'll explore key areas like finance, leadership, marketing, and professional image—all taught by Drexel’s LeBow faculty. You’ll also participate in simulations, presentations, and team challenges that mirror real-world business scenarios. Depending on the session you choose, you'll either commute or stay on campus to get the full residential experience. At the end of the program, you'll receive a certificate of completion and a clearer sense of your fit for a business career.

12. USC Exploring Entrepreneurship

Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: University of Southern California + Online
Cost: Varies
Dates: June 15 – July 12
Application Deadline: May 2 (domestic); March 14 (international)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors to seniors; More info here 

This four-week summer course helps you understand the full scope of entrepreneurship, from accounting and marketing to HR and business ethics. As a participant, you’ll work on your own business concept and present it in a final pitch to an expert panel. You’ll also hear from guest entrepreneurs, visit local startups, and collaborate with peers to refine your idea. Some key concepts you’ll explore include personal branding, operations, and innovation management. By the end, you’ll have a strong foundation in business principles and presentation skills.

13. Howard Business Enrichment Program

Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: Howard University
Cost Free
Dates: July 13 – 18
Application Deadline: March 1 (early); April 1 (regular)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

This fully funded residential program is hosted by the School of Business at Howard University. During the program, you’ll explore four high-growth business areas: Accounting, Information Systems, Actuarial Science, and Entrepreneurship. Faculty-led sessions are combined with company site visits, networking activities, and student group presentations. The program focuses on practical skill-building, critical thinking, and college readiness. It’s especially valuable if you’re from an underrepresented group and want to explore business careers in a supportive, rigorous environment.

14. Rutgers Summer Business Camp

Acceptance Rate: Not specified
Location: Rutgers Business School
Cost: $2,500
Dates: Session 1: July 6 – 12; Session 2: July 13 – 19
Application Deadline: Opens January 2; First-come, first-served
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12

Rutgers’ weeklong summer camp introduces you to key business areas, from supply chain and finance to marketing and management. As a participant, you’ll learn from faculty, visit local businesses, and even compete in a business plan competition with your team. The sessions are interactive and include both classroom learning and group-based challenges. The program is designed to feel like a real college experience, complete with dorm stays and project-based learning. You’ll leave with stronger teamwork, presentation, and business problem-solving skills.

15. Bentley Wall Street 101

Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Location: Bentley University + Online
Cost: Varies; Limited scholarships available
Dates: Varies by format
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled (by June 1)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors (16+); Prerequisites for each course vary

Bentley’s Wall Street 101 is a business and finance-focused program that introduces you to the world of investing. During the program, you'll explore markets, stocks, crypto, currencies, and how global finance actually works. The curriculum blends simulations with core theory, and you'll participate in discussions around trading, risk, and financial planning. Sessions are structured like college seminars and cover both technical and strategic topics. It’s ideal if you’re leaning toward a career in finance or economics and want to get an early start.

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