15 Business Programs for High School Students in NYC (New York City)
For high school students, business programs offer a way to develop skills, explore industries, and make professional connections early on. These opportunities provide practical experience in finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and operations. They often include workshops, case studies, and projects that simulate business challenges, allowing you to develop skills such as teamwork, communication, and critical analysis.
New York City houses several institutions like NYU, Fordham, Columbia, and the Fashion Institute of Technology, which run an array of summer and pre-college business programs. The city's global status means you will learn in a cosmopolitan environment, gaining exposure to current trends, multicultural perspectives, and market challenges. To help you, we’ve curated a list of the 15 top business programs for high schoolers in New York City, focusing on practical learning, affordability, and industry relevance.
15 Business Programs for High School Students in NYC (New York City)
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Non-profits nationwide and a Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC. Click here to find available locations.
Cost/Stipend: No cost / Paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 300 students
Dates: 8 weeks in summer, typically June – August; the Summit in DC runs from July 21 – 26
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors legally authorized to work in the U.S. | Permanently reside in one of the eligible locations | First-time applicant
The Student Leaders program selects more than 300 high school juniors and seniors annually from nearly 100 U.S. communities for a paid eight-week internship with a local nonprofit. You work with organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity, gaining direct experience in community service and nonprofit operations. The program also includes a national leadership summit in Washington, D.C., centered on civic engagement and policy-making. Through this combination of internship and leadership training, you’ll develop practical skills and a deeper understanding of community impact.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10 – 25%; 70 – 100 students
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective program that places high school students in internships with emerging startups backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have experience at companies such as Google, McKinsey, and Microsoft. You work across fields including technology, AI/ML, deep tech, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. Partner companies generally have over a million dollars in average funding. Throughout the eight-week virtual program, you will collaborate with managers and Ladder Coaches on substantive projects and present your results at the conclusion. The program provides a structured environment to gain practical startup experience. If you’re interested in participating, the application form is available here.
3. Futures and Options Internship Program
Location: Futures and Options office at 111 Broadway in Manhattan, NY/ Virtual/ Hybrid
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: NYC high school juniors and seniors (ages 16–19) with valid working papers
This internship gives you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a business environment while developing work-readiness skills. You will work 5 to 10 hours per week during the school year, totaling between 60 and 100 hours. Preparation includes attending two orientations and a financial literacy workshop. Interns also take part in a reflection and future planning workshop and a career exploration field trip to engage with industry professionals. The program concludes with a post-internship survey to assess your experience. This structure balances training, work, and career exposure.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies according to program type; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here
Eligibility: All high school students (grades 9-12)
The Young Founder’s Lab is a startup accelerator designed for high school students, founded by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this hands-on program, you will create a real, revenue-generating startup that tackles a real-world problem. Mentors from leading companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X guide you through workshops, case studies, and lessons on essential business concepts. You will gain practical experience in ideation, strategy, and execution, applying entrepreneurial theory in real time. The program offers a platform to develop both business acumen and hands-on startup experience while still in high school.
5. Bossgirls Summer Program
Location: CCNY campus (City College of New York), Manhattan
Cost/Stipend: No cost or stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 5 – 6 students
Dates: June 30 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: High school girls and non-binary students in grades 9-12, including graduating students, who are residents of the tri-state region
The Bossgirls Summer Program, hosted by The City College of New York's (CCNY) Zahn Innovation Center, is designed to ignite a passion for finance among high school girls and nonbinary students. Throughout the program, you engage in daily, hands-on sessions covering everything from entrepreneurship and economic principles to vital leadership skills. The curriculum features inspiring speakers, frequently including successful women executives from the world of corporate finance, alongside engaging business competitions held right in the classroom. You get a direct view of the industry with trips to Manhattan's financial districts and work collaboratively on detailed business simulations. The experience culminates in a final team project presentation.
6. Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom
Location: Fordham University (Bronx/Manhattan), Rose Hill and Lincoln Center campuses; Hybrid or fully remote formats available
Cost: $1,100 + $100 application fee; financial aid is available, and need-based discounts are available for students with family incomes below $50,000 per year
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Week 1: June 16 – 20; Week 2: June 23 – 27; Week 3: July 21 – 25; Week 4: July 28 – August 1
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12
The Gabelli School of Business runs a week-long, intensive business bootcamp that dives deep into finance and economics through classroom lessons and case studies, enriched by constant real-world exposure. You benefit from guest speakers and guided visits to top Wall Street firms, offering firsthand insights into finance careers and live environments such as trading floors. The program’s lectures cover essential topics like investments and banking, while culminating in teamwork on a finance project, which helps students apply what they’ve learned in a practical setting. This focused experience provides a well-rounded introduction to finance majors and career paths, blending academic rigor with site visits to nurture a strong foundation in the field.
7. Fordham University - Invest in Her: Financial Literacy & Leadership for Women
Location: Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, New York City, NY
Cost: $1,100 + $100 application fee; financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small, focused cohort
Dates: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; priority given to applications received before May
Eligibility: Female high school students
This program is specifically created to equip young women in high school with crucial expertise in both financial literacy and leadership. The curriculum delves into key practical areas, including how to budget effectively, the principles of investing, navigating credit management, and mastering professional etiquette. You engage in hands-on tasks like developing their own personal financial plans, evaluating various investment strategies, and attending valuable networking events with successful program graduates. A defining aspect of this experience is its intentional focus on boosting confidence and promoting financial autonomy for young women, all within a welcoming and supportive setting. Ultimately, students walk away with practical, essential abilities in managing money, effective communication, and sharp critical thinking.
8. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship
Location: New York City Office of the Mayor
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; cohort size not specified
Dates: Spring: October 20 – April 10; Summer: June – August
Application Deadline: Spring: August 31; Summer: late fall/early winter
Eligibility: High school students 16 years of age or older | Have current working papers/employment certification at the time of application
As a Mayor’s Office intern, you will participate in the daily functions of New York City’s government while supporting programs that impact residents. You can choose a department to work in and contribute through tasks such as data analysis, brief writing, event assistance, and public outreach. The internship includes a Speaker Series at City Hall, offering opportunities to meet senior officials and learn about leadership in city government. Interns also collaborate on a community service project through NYC Service. This program provides hands-on experience and a chance to contribute to initiatives across all five boroughs.
9. Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Leadership
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099 + $100 application fee and additional fees for materials; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; likely 50 – 150 students
Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27; Session 2: July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12, including international students
The Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Leadership offers an intensive two-week virtual summer opportunity designed for high school students interested in business and developing their leadership potential. You will explore the foundational concepts of leadership and entrepreneurship. A major component involves collaborating on team-based projects, where students, guided by their peers and Wharton faculty, must conceive and pitch a comprehensive business plan. Throughout the course, you'll gain practical knowledge in crucial areas like business strategy, marketing, and finance through dynamic lectures, case studies, and realistic simulations. The curriculum strongly focuses on taking a venture idea from inception to a final presentation delivered to seasoned business professionals.
10. University of Rochester - Business Pre-College Programs
Location: University of Rochester, NY
Cost: Session A (Residential): $4,800; Session A (Commuter): $1,000 | Session B (Residential): $2,400; Session B (Commuter): $500. More pricing details here; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; likely 20 – 50 students
Dates: Session A: July 7 – 18; Session B: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students between grades 9 – 12
The program provides a diverse selection of specialized business courses. In Innovation Management, you delve into assessing and improving novel business ideas by utilizing real-world strategies for brainstorming and strategic planning. Basics of Investments and Careers in Finance provides a look at investment techniques, portfolio creation, and various financial career paths, including insights directly from finance professionals. Language and Advertising helps you analyze the significant role linguistic decisions play in influencing consumer behavior and crafting compelling marketing stories. Introduction to Business covers core concepts such as entrepreneurship, data analysis, marketing, and accounting. Finally, Generative AI in Business offers practical, hands-on experience in developing and implementing AI technologies within commercial settings.
11. Barnard College - Athena Summer Innovation Institute
Location: Barnard College, New York, NY
Cost: Commuter: $8,160; Residential: $10,171; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 30 students
Dates: July 21 – August 8
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Rising female high school sophomores, juniors, seniors, or gap year students
The Athena Summer Innovation Institute at Barnard College is a highly dynamic program built to champion young women in entrepreneurship. It's an immersive, three-week experience that blends classroom theory with real-world application, covering essential topics like business innovation, startup culture, leadership, and social impact. You will have the chance to develop your ventures through hands-on workshops and creative brainstorming sessions. A core component of the Institute involves mentorship with successful female entrepreneurs and culminates in an exciting final pitch competition, giving students a platform to showcase their projects. The program's distinction lies in its dedication to empowering future female leaders to creatively address challenges.
12. Columbia University Summer Immersion program: Business, Management, and Finance
Location: Columbia University campus, New York City
Cost: $2,830 + $80 application fee; need-based scholarships is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not selective; large cohorts
Dates: Multiple 1-week options between June 30 – August 8
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students who have just completed 12th grade or are entering grades 9 through 12
Columbia University’s Summer Immersion program in Business, Management, and Finance offers high school students a dynamic introduction to fundamental business concepts. You explore topics such as financial markets, investment strategies, corporate management, and economic decision-making, cultivating essential skills like critical thinking, analysis, communication, and teamwork, critical for academic and career success. The program includes hands-on activities like stock portfolio analysis, simulated business case studies, collaborative group projects, and presentations to peers and faculty. You benefit from instruction by Columbia’s esteemed faculty and gain exposure to authentic business scenarios, enhancing your understanding of the professional world while engaging in an immersive learning experience.
13. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) High School Business Internship
Location: Varies based on internship position; virtual options included
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 5 – 6 students per year
Dates: June - August (Summer internships) | August - May (Academic year internships)
Application Deadline: Summer internships: March; Academic Year internships: June
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors | Must attend a partnering local high school (Tri-Cities, WA) and be able to attend in-person | U.S. work eligibility
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) High School Business Internship offers high school students practical experience across various business functions. You engage in areas including finance, operations, business services, and communications. Each day is split between morning classes and up to four hours of hands-on work in the lab. Internship activities may include lab tours, field visits, communication projects, and business-focused research. Students interested in finance or economics can work in departments such as finance, operations, or communications to gain specialized experience.
14. Moneyball FLEX - Wharton Global Youth Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,099; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 20 – 30 students
Dates: Spring: March 30 – April 27; Summer: June 22 – July 28
Application Deadline: Spring: March 6; Summer: May 1
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 with strong math skills and an interest in sports. International applicants are welcome.
This four-week online intensive leverages the field of sports analytics to impart fundamental skills in statistics, data interpretation, and coding in R, the programming language favored by professionals in the sports world. The curriculum provides step-by-step guidance on creating and executing your own sports analysis project and teaches you how to critically evaluate statistical claims made in sports journalism, all while applying mathematical concepts to authentic, real-world datasets. You'll benefit from live classes led by Professor Wyner, receive mentorship from Penn undergraduates, and have access to optional talks with industry experts. The program serves as an excellent entry point into the world of sports statistics.
15. Georgetown’s Pre-College Online Program in Entrepreneurship
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895 (Enrichment course); $3,995 (College credit course); need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; typically 70 – 75 students
Dates: Available in 3 formats: 1-week intensives, 2-week sessions, and 4-week sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and above
Georgetown University’s “Becoming an Entrepreneur: An Inside Look at Innovation” program guides high school students in identifying market opportunities and developing a business. You will explore the foundations of entrepreneurship, learn to recognize market gaps, and understand how to secure support through networking and funding. The program covers business models, pitching strategies, and insights from past failures. It is interactive and culminates in a Capstone Project, where you create a video presentation detailing your business idea, target audience, value proposition, and revenue model.
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