Updated October 2026
TL;DR
This article covers 16 computer science internships for high schoolers, offering you a mix of big tech companies, federal and national labs, university research programs, and city-based or remote mentorship opportunities. Most run 6 to 10 weeks over the summer, though a few offer year-round or multi-track options. Eligibility is often tied to a specific city, state, or school district, and grade requirements typically fall between rising sophomores and graduating seniors. It’s worth checking each option’s dates, deadlines, and key program features to find the right opportunity for you.
If you are curious about computer science, you do not have to wait until college to start exploring it. A computer science internship in high school can give you a chance to work on coding projects, learn how software is developed, or explore areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, data science, and web development. Depending on the internship, you might build a project, solve programming problems, analyze data, or work with other students and professionals. These experiences can also help you understand which parts of computer science you enjoy most.
Why should you do a computer science internship?
A computer science internship can help you see how the programming and problem-solving skills you learn in class can be used on real projects. Depending on the program, you might explore software development, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, robotics, or other areas of computing. You can also learn more about what computer science work looks like and whether you want to study the field in college. Before starting as an intern, you can explore our guide to setting goals for your internship to ensure you get what you want from the experience.
How do you apply for a computer science internship?
The process and requirements can differ for each internship, so start by checking the internship’s eligibility criteria, application deadline, and required materials to know exactly what you need. Some programs may ask for a resume, transcript, essays, coding samples, recommendations, or information about your previous projects. You may also need to meet requirements related to your grade level, age, location, or programming experience. If this would be your first internship, our guide to applying for internships without any experience can be your next read. Additionally, check the requirements early on, so you have enough time to prepare your application and any supporting materials.
To help make the process easier, here is a list of 16 computer science internships for high school students. Our selection prioritizes internships that come with strong networking opportunities, hands-on computer science exposure, and credible host institutions.
You can also check out our selection of programming internships and summer computer engineering programs if you are looking for additional structured learning experiences tied to computer science.
Quick internship overview
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Big tech company programs |
No cost; stipends available |
Students who live near a major tech hub and want to see how a large technology company operates from the inside |
|
|
Federal and national lab programs |
SEAP, AFRL Scholars Program, NIST SHIP, AEOP Internships, Sandia National Laboratories Internships, Internships @ Idaho National Laboratory |
Free; stipends ranging from ~$500/week to $4,500 for the summer |
Students who want a paid, structured research experience at a government or national lab, most requiring U.S. citizenship |
|
University research programs |
Anson L. Clark Scholars Program, NYU ARISE, UChicago DSI Summer Lab, Columbia ENG, George Mason ASSIP |
Cost: Free – $1,299 (waivers available); stipends of up to $5,600 available |
Students seeking faculty- or mentor-led research on a university campus; many are limited to students in or near the host city |
|
City-based and remote mentorship programs |
Ladder Internships, Boston PIC Tech Apprentice, SPARK Summer Mentorship Program |
Cost varies with financial assistance available; Boston PIC Tech Apprentice offers hourly wages |
Students who want either a fully virtual internship or a locally based, mentor-driven placement tied to a specific city |
1. Microsoft Discovery Program
Location: Microsoft’s facilities in Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact details not officially disclosed
Dates: July 6 – 31 (Atlanta) | July 13 – August 7 (Redmond)
Application deadline: Rolling; applications open in early February.
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who have completed pre-calculus or equivalent courses and live and attend high school within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA; Redmond office applicants should be members/participants of Microsoft-sponsored organizations listed on the website; Atlanta applicants must be enrolled in schools within the DeKalb, Gwinnett, Atlanta Public Schools, Fulton, or Cobb County School Districts
This internship lets high school students explore careers in computer science, software engineering, and tech within Microsoft through real work. You will join a team working on designing products and contribute to a group project, where you will try to learn about customer issues and needs and help the product design meet those requirements. This experience can help you gain experience with UX design, software engineering, and product management as well as build workplace skills, such as collaboration and problem-solving. You will also get to connect with and learn from Microsoft employees and explore various technologies at Microsoft.
Who it’s best for: Students in Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA who want to explore what it’s like to work within a large tech company.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 to 20 hours a week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for hands-on exposure to startup culture and a fully remote internship experience.
3. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~200 students in total since the program began.
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, Belle Haven, or Redwood City and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
Meta Summer Academy is a summer experience that lets high schoolers learn about the inner workings of a large technology company. Over the course of six weeks, you will attend workshops covering digital media and coding basics, and engage in project-based tasks that reflect real-world workplace operations. The internship will also help you see how distinct teams within a company contribute to product development. Mentorship from professionals will help you gain insight into day-to-day responsibilities in tech roles. Alongside technical skills, you will work on developing communication and teamwork skills crucial in the workplace. The experience can also be your chance to learn about career paths within tech.
Who it’s best for: Students in and around Menlo Park looking for exposure to the daily work of a leading tech company.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: U.S. Department of the Navy labs (multiple sites in the country)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend for new participants, and $4,500 stipend for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements across 38+ labs nationwide
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; term can be extended to 10 weeks.
Application deadline: November 30
Eligibility: High school students, ages 16 and up, who have completed at least grade 9 and are U.S. citizens; some labs may be open to permanent residents or dual citizens (check individual lab pages for additional requirements here).
Each summer, SEAP places high schoolers in Department of the Navy labs to contribute to real naval research for 8 to 10 weeks. As a participant, you will join a lab and work on projects in STEM, including computer science, alongside scientists and engineers. Depending on placement, you may help with software development and design, testing and analysis of information systems, or improve cybersecurity infrastructure. While the day-to-day responsibilities can vary by site, you will find opportunities to connect with researchers, tour labs, and learn about careers in research and engineering at your SEAP site. Additionally, you will get to shadow STEM professionals and attend seminars and technical meetings.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a paid internship focused on naval tech and STEM research.
5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple sites in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is typically $506.80/week; a few sites offer bigger stipends + travel coverage (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Vary by site and internship; typically a minimum commitment of 8 weeks is required, with most internships running 10 – 12 weeks in the summer, spring, and fall.
Application deadline: Summer: January 11 | Fall/Spring: Not specified
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens and 16+
The ARFL Scholars Program is a paid internship that lets high school and college students engage in project-focused work experiences at Air Force research facilities. You will join a research team at an Air Force lab, with placements spanning various disciplines, including computer science, data science, and related fields. Over eight weeks or more, you will work in the assigned lab under the supervision of scientists, learn about Air Force-centric R&D, and explore paths in STEM. Tasks can vary by placement: you may work with large datasets, build data-driven model identification techniques, run experiments, or help document research. You can also return to the program next year to continue engaging in research.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in working within Air Force research facilities on real technical projects.
6. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST in Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10.4% acceptance rate; 35 students in the last cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0+; applicants must be U.S. citizens living within 50 miles of either of the NIST campuses.
Every summer, NIST labs host high school students through SHIP, a seven-week internship. As a high school intern, you will join one of six laboratories to engage in lab work and research, with opportunities spanning a range of disciplines, including computer science. Your daily schedule may require you to work with materials science or measurement science data, using advanced technologies and tools, or assisting with a technical investigation. At the end of seven weeks, you will present your findings to peers and professionals at a poster session.
Who it’s best for: Students living near NIST campuses in Maryland or Colorado who want firsthand exposure to the research-focused work of a government agency.
7. AEOP (Army Educational Outreach Program) Internships
Location: Research sites available across the country
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed; typically competitive
Dates: June – August; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by lab position
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; specific roles can have additional criteria
Every year, AEOP places students at U.S. Army research facilities and university labs to work with scientists or engineers on research in science and tech. During the internship, you will work under the supervision of a scientist or engineer, contributing to active research projects in STEM, including in computer science. You may help run experiments, collect data, and conduct lab work. The program will additionally offer access to the mentorship of a STEM professional. You will also attend workshops and sessions via the AEOP Learning Hub and find opportunities to connect with peers and the broader program network.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in STEM research seeking credible, lab-based internship experience and mentorship.
8. Internships @ Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; competitive hourly pay and benefits available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed; can vary by role
Dates: Year-round and summer internships (10 to 12 weeks) available
Application deadline: Varies based on specific opportunity
Eligibility: Students, ages 16 and up, who are enrolled full-time at accredited high schools, colleges, or universities; a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for undergraduate and high school students applying for clerical/labor-based positions and 3.0 or higher for undergraduate students and high schoolers applying for R&D, technical, or business positions is required.
Sandia National Laboratories’ internships and co-op programs let students engage in research and technical work in advanced lab settings. As an intern at Sandia’s labs, you will contribute to projects focused on cybersecurity, engineering, energy, and advanced research centered on national security. Depending on your placement, you will work with researchers, engineers, or other professionals on mission-driven projects while receiving guidance throughout the experience. In addition to the assigned project tasks, you may access networking events, leadership sessions, employee resource groups, and professional development programs that can help you build key workplace skills and explore career paths in STEM.
Who it’s best for: Students who are interested in hands-on lab experiences and able to work in Sandia’s facilities in New Mexico or California.
9. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Internships
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 to 16 weeks; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Full-time students attending accredited high schools or colleges with a minimum GPA of 3.0+; international students at accredited U.S. institutions must have valid Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization.
Internships at INL let college and high school students explore what it is like to work at a national laboratory within science and tech areas, including computer science, computer engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics, information management/technology, software, web development, and more. You will spend most of your time working on real projects and the rest on lab tours, seminars, and networking sessions. You will also get to work closely with INL professionals who may serve as mentors throughout the internship and offer insights into possible career paths in your area of interest. The program will wrap up with a final project presentation.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in working at a national lab on real projects in STEM and able to commute to INL in Idaho.
10. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program @ Texas Tech University
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 students/cohort
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors, ages 17 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a competitive summer research program that lets students engage in real research alongside faculty on the Texas Tech University campus. Placements are typically available in various STEM fields, including computer science and electrical/computer engineering. You will spend seven weeks conducting research, receiving faculty guidance, and completing your project. The schedule will include weekly seminars, discussions, and field trips, all while giving you a taste of college life during your stay on campus. At the end, you will submit a research report.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a competitive, mentored research opportunity and exposure to life on a university campus before college.
11. Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) Tech Apprentice
Location: Boston, MA (placements at various host companies across the city)
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of minimum $15/hour available (a total of $3,000 – $3,500 for the summer)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified; the program has placed more than 1,700 students since it began 18 years ago
Dates: Six to seven weeks over the summer
Application deadline: TBA for next cycle
Eligibility: Boston Public Schools high school students who are at least 16 years old
Tech Apprentice, part of the Mayor's Summer Jobs Program, places students at host companies in Boston to work on real technology projects tied to that employer's needs and students’ skill level and interests. You will join one of five tracks: Software (programming, coding, and QA), Web Development, Help Desk/IT Support, Digital and Social Media, or Database and Data Analysis, and engage in track-specific responsibilities, from HTML/CSS and JavaScript to social media content creation and SQL. The experience can help you explore workplace expectations and figure out next steps if you are considering a path in computer science or tech. Beyond the internship itself, some employer partners also offer additional career exploration opportunities, like guest speaker sessions, workshops, company tours, and job shadows.
Who it's best for: BPS high school students who want paid, hands-on experience at a real Boston-area company before pursuing an IT-related college major or career.
12. NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering)
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn (New York City), NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact details not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who live and attend school in NYC
ARISE is a paid program that offers high schoolers lab training as well as research experience on the New York University campus. In the initial four weeks, you will receive training focused on college-level writing, lab safety, and research basics. Then, you will engage in a six-week lab experience, conducting research in STEM. Placements span a range of fields, including computer science, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and data science. Over the course of the summer, you will gain about 150 hours of lab exposure, receive college application guidance, work through skill-building activities, and build a research presentation, which you will deliver at the end of the program. You will also leave with access to ARISE’s alumni network.
Who it’s best for: NYC students who want a paid research experience and lab exposure on a university campus.
13. University of Chicago Data Science Institute (DSI) Summer Lab
Location: UChicago Hyde Park campus, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: No fee; $5,600 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by year; 22 students in the past cohort.
Dates: June 15 – August 7
Application deadline: January 12
Eligibility: Undergraduate students and Chicago-area high school students; familiarity with programming languages and coursework in computer science, statistics, and math is preferred.
Run by UChicago’s Data Science Institute, the DSI Summer Lab is a paid summer internship that lets high school and undergraduate students engage in interdisciplinary data science research. You will join a mentor and a lab and work on a research project in computer science, data science, public policy, biomedical sciences, or social science. You will gain experience working with computational methods, datasets, and research methodologies. The program schedule will include a speaker series and group sessions covering topics in STEM and research. Social and recreational activities such as picnics, sports, and trivia will help you experience life on campus and connect with peers. You will additionally practice communicating your research findings through a video, which will be showcased at a symposium held at the conclusion of DSI Summer Lab.
Who it’s best for: Chicago students looking for paid interdisciplinary research experiences on a university campus.
14. Columbia University’s Engineering the Next Generation (ENG)
Location: Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend of $17/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: July 6 – August 13
Application deadline: FoR track: January 16 | CS3 track: March 1
Eligibility: Current 11th graders (rising seniors) attending NYC schools who are legally allowed to work in NYC with prior work or volunteer experience
ENG is a six-week paid summer internship offered by Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science. You will choose from two engineering tracks: Foundations of Research (FoR) and Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3). In the FoR track, you get to work closely with Columbia Engineering faculty and researchers on projects in computer science or engineering. In the CS3 track, you will gain experience with AI tools, coding, computer vision, and urban tech with a focus on how technology affects community life. Both tracks will run college-prep sessions, science communication training, and research skills workshops, and offer the mentorship of graduate students and faculty. Depending on your track, you may also get the opportunity to present your work to city officials or contribute to a published research paper.
Who it’s best for: NYC high schoolers looking for paid hands-on tech and engineering experiences.
15. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: Virtual or in-person in the Greater Seattle area, WA; other locations may also be available
Cost/Stipend: Small registration fee and project costs may apply; stipend-based and unpaid opportunities are both available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; the number varies by project and year
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks between June and August
Application deadline: Typically, April/May
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SPARK SMP connects high school students to project teams led by mentors who are professionals from industry, academia, or research. As a participant, you will spend a few weeks in the summer working on real projects in science, tech, or engineering, depending on your mentor’s expertise. You may work on computer science, AI, software, or analytical tasks while learning how workplaces operate. Your mentor will outline the project scope, expectations, and deliverables at the start of the program. You will learn about technical workflows and real-world problem-solving, and may even gain access to professional development opportunities. The summer experience may conclude with a presentation of project outcomes.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for mentored work experiences and opportunities to collaborate with professionals on real technical projects.
16. George Mason University Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Virtual or George Mason University and affiliated sites in Virginia
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee + $1,299 tuition (fee waivers available); no stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students who are at least 15 years old for remote internships or 16+ for in-person/wet-lab opportunities
ASSIP allows students to work one-on-one with faculty researchers at George Mason University on active research projects. Placements span various STEM fields, including computer science, where you may contribute to projects in machine learning, deep learning, scheduling algorithms, combinatorial optimization, or data mining, among other potential focus areas. During the eight-week experience, you will learn how to work with lab equipment, lab tech, and research tools, and develop and practice scientific writing and formal communication skills. You will also learn about career paths through discussions with STEM professionals. You will leave ASSIP with three university credits.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in research who want to work closely with faculty mentors in virtual or university lab settings.
What skills can you pick up in computer science internships?
Computer science internships can help you develop technical skills such as programming, debugging, data analysis, software development, and computational problem-solving. You may also learn how to use programming languages, development tools, or other technologies depending on the internship. Working on projects with other students or professionals can also help you build communication, teamwork, and project-management skills.
Can a computer science internship help with your college applications?
A computer science internship can give you meaningful experiences that you can discuss in your college application. Here’s exactly how an internship can help:
Explain your interest in the major: You can use the internship to show how your experience helped you understand why you want to study computer science. You can also discuss whether the experience reinforced your interest in the subject or introduced you to an area of computer science you had not explored before.
Connect your coursework to real projects: You can discuss how programming, math, or other subjects you studied in school were useful during the internship.
Give you material for essays and interviews: Specific projects, challenges, or problems you worked on can become concrete examples to discuss in your profile.
To strategically leverage your experience, check out our detailed guide on how to use your high school internship to boost your college applications.
What high schoolers wonder about these computer science internships
1. Will these internships let me focus specifically on computer science, or could I end up working across other STEM fields too?
It depends on the program. Some placements are built specifically around computer science topics like software development, AI, or cybersecurity, while others are broader STEM or engineering programs where computer science is just one of several tracks you could be assigned to, alongside fields like data science or electrical engineering.
2. Will I actually write code and build things, or will I mostly be observing and shadowing professionals?
Most of these internships involve hands-on work rather than passive observation, such as contributing to software projects, working with real datasets, or helping develop and test systems under the guidance of a mentor. That said, some also include time set aside for shadowing professionals, attending seminars, or touring facilities, so the balance of hands-on versus observational work can vary depending on where you're placed.
3. How much do these internships pay, and are any of them not free to join?
Stipends across these programs range from none up to around $5,600 for the summer, with several falling in the $500 to $4,500 range. A few programs are free to apply to but don't offer a stipend, and at least one requires an application fee plus tuition, so it's worth checking the cost structure of each program individually.
4. Are these internships only open to students from specific cities? Is a virtual option available if I can't relocate?
Most of these internships require you to be on-site, often in a specific city or state. That said, a few do offer virtual or hybrid formats if relocating isn't an option for you. If you are looking for an entirely virtual experience, Ladder Internships can connect you to startups for a flexible remote project-based experience.