15 Finance Research Opportunities for High School Students
Research programs, courses, and internships can be a practical option for high school students looking to explore finance through structured, real-world experiences. You gain exposure to applied skills such as financial analysis, data interpretation, and investment strategy while working on projects that reflect industry practices. You interact with mentors, professionals, and peers, which helps you understand different career pathways and build meaningful connections. Many opportunities are offered by top colleges and organizations, making them accessible ways to explore finance without requiring long-term commitments. You can use these experiences to test your interest in finance while developing relevant academic and professional skills.
If you want to see what other finance internships are available, find a list of summer-specific internships here & paid internships here.
Why should I participate in a finance research opportunity in high school?
Finance research opportunities enable you to develop technical skills such as financial modeling, research analysis, and data interpretation that align with college-level expectations. You gain exposure to industry concepts like markets, investment strategies, and economic systems through applied learning. You strengthen your college applications by demonstrating initiative, subject-specific interest, and experience with research or projects. You also build communication and critical thinking skills through presentations, reports, and collaborative work.
For students specifically interested in finance, research opportunities allow you to engage with real financial questions and analytical methods. We’ve narrowed down a list of the top 15 finance research opportunities for high school students based on structure, exposure, and learning outcomes.
Key takeaways
This list gathers finance-focused learning opportunities for high school students, spanning pre-college coursework at top universities, a one-on-one research mentorship program, and a federal government internship, with standout hosts including Wharton, Columbia, and NYU.
Cost varies enormously here, with most university pre-college courses charging between $1,300 and $8,299, while Ladder, Lumiere, and the Treasury Department internship are the only options with financial aid or no cost at all, so budget is a major factor to weigh across this list.
Most of these are structured academic courses with case studies and capstone projects rather than open-ended research, so if producing an independent research paper is your goal, the one-on-one mentorship program is the closest fit on this list.
Several of these require attending in person at a specific university campus, while a good number offer a fully virtual or online format instead, making them accessible regardless of location.
A couple of the earliest deadlines fall in January for two of the most structured university programs, so it's worth planning well ahead if a residential summer course interests you.
1. Columbia University’s Online Summer - Introduction to Finance & Investment Management
Location: Virtual
Cost: 1-Week Session (AA): $2,868; 2-Week Sessions (A & B): $4,017; need-based scholarships are available for permanent residents of the United States
Dates: Session AA: June 22–26; Session A: July 6–17; Session B: July 20–31
Application Deadline: Session AA: Rolling basis; Session A: May 18; Session B: June 1
Eligibility: Rising 9th through current 12th grade students
Columbia University’s Online Summer Introduction to Finance & Investment Management course introduces you to financial principles and market systems. You study concepts such as interest rates, compound interest, and the time value of money. You examine how stocks and bonds are valued and how the stock market functions. You explore the structure of the financial system, including the roles of banks, asset managers, and central banks. You analyze risk, return, and factors influencing investment performance. You develop your own investment strategy and build a portfolio.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary 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 virtual program that allows high school students to gain experience by working with startups across industries such as technology, AI/ML, health tech, marketing, journalism, and consulting. You collaborate with high-growth companies that have typically secured significant funding, often exceeding a million dollars. You work closely with a manager while contributing to real-world projects during the internship. You present your completed work to the company at the end of the program. The internship usually runs for about eight weeks. Apply now!
3. Georgetown University Pre-College Programs – Becoming an Investor: An Inside Look at Finance
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,895; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: 1-week intensive, a 2-week session, or a 4-week session depending on the time of year
Application Deadline: One week before the course start date
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
The Investing Track in Georgetown University’s Pre-College Programs focuses on understanding finance and investment principles. You study how markets function and how investors make decisions. You learn how stocks are valued and how trades are executed. You explore portfolio management concepts such as diversification and risk assessment. You examine fintech developments, including cryptocurrencies and digital finance. You apply your learning through a final capstone project. Ultimately, this experience helps you evaluate if a future career in finance or consulting fits your ambitions.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Varies depending on the program type; full financial aid is available
Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school students with demonstrated high academic achievement (accepted students typically maintain an unweighted GPA of 3.3 or higher)
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a structured academic research opportunity for high school students interested in exploring a variety of disciplines. You are paired one-on-one with a PhD-level mentor who guides you in developing an independent research project over the duration of the program. You can select research areas including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, and international relations. You work through a guided research process that focuses on strengthening analytical thinking and academic research skills. By the end of the 12-week experience, you complete a full-length independent research paper. You can explore additional details here and student experiences here and here.
5. Wharton Global Youth Program: Financial Decision Making
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,099 + $100 application fee; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: Session 1: June 15–26; Session 2: July 6–17
Application Deadline: Rolling; priority deadline is January 28
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in grades 9–12 with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.3
Wharton Global Youth’s Financial Decision Making program introduces you to personal and corporate finance concepts through structured coursework. In this program, you study budgeting, saving, credit, and interest rates to understand everyday financial decisions. You explore financial markets, including stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, and how they function. You analyze economic factors such as inflation, monetary policy, and banking systems. You work with real-world datasets and use Excel to evaluate financial scenarios. You complete program requirements to earn a certificate of completion.
6. Fordham University – Global Finance for High School Students
Location: Virtual or in-person at Fordham University, Bronx, NY
Cost: $1,300
Dates: July 6–10
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: High school students interested in global finance, investments, or managing their personal finances
Fordham University’s Global Finance Program for High School Students is a one-week course focused on international financial markets and investment concepts. You study finance fundamentals through a global perspective, including the evolution of markets since the post-war era. You explore foreign exchange systems, including the gold standard, fiat currency, and currency markets. You examine global investing, multinational business operations, and foreign investment flows. You analyze global trade topics such as tariffs and trade imbalances. You also engage with guest speakers from finance companies and alumni.
7. U.S. Department of the Treasury – Headquarters Student Internship Program
Location: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Spring (January – May); Summer (May – August); Fall (September – December)
Application Deadline: October for spring cohort, December for summer cohort, and June for fall internships
Eligibility: High school students in the U.S. who are enrolled or accepted at an accredited institution
The Headquarters Student Internship Program at the U.S. Department of the Treasury is a semester-based opportunity in Washington, D.C. You support work related to promoting economic prosperity and financial security in the United States. You gain exposure to federal operations and public service careers through hands-on experience. You work on tasks aligned with your academic interests while developing analytical and management skills. You observe daily operations within a cabinet-level agency environment. You also build professional networks and explore career pathways in government.
8. Wharton Global Youth Program: Essentials of Finance
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $8,299 + $100 non-refundable application fee; need-based scholarships are available
Dates: June 7–19 (session 1); June 21–July 3 (session 2); July 12–25 (session 3); July 26–August 8 (session 4)
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Grade 9–11 high school students worldwide
In the Wharton Essentials of Finance program, you will conduct practical finance research by analyzing real corporate financial data. You will comprehensively cover topics including personal finance, corporate finance, fixed income, equities and impact investing, risk and the cost of capital, capital structure, and valuation models. During the program, you will actively value equities, navigate real-world case studies, and collaborate in teams to rigorously evaluate a publicly traded company. You will then synthesize this applied research to formulate and present a final market recommendation. The program uniquely features an innovative curriculum developed directly by Wharton faculty and grants an official certificate of completion.
9. Bentley University Pre-College Programs – Wall Street 101
Location: Bentley University, Waltham, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: $1,490 per online course / $2,450 per commuter course / $3,380 per residential course; a limited number of need-based scholarships are available, and students attending two or more sessions receive 10% off additional courses
Dates: Session A (online) June 8–12, followed by weekly in-person sessions through July
Application Deadline: Rolling, space-available basis until June 1
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; applicants without at least two years of U.S. 16 years old by September 1 of the program year to live in residence halls, while younger students may commute or take online courses
In this program, you spend an intensive week training like a junior equity research analyst in Bentley's academic Trading Room, using industry databases including Bloomberg, FactSet, Morningstar Direct, and CapIQ to perform valuations of simulated investments. In the Stock Market and Investment Research course, you learn financial statement analysis, forecasting, risk analysis, and analyst recommendations using industry-standard valuation models, and value firms on ESG performance indicators. Working in small teams, you prepare stock pitches, analyze investment strategies, and participate in macroeconomic simulations and policy debates, then present your research to financial executives. Trading simulations, guest lectures, and group presentations build your capital markets insight.
10. Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business – Finance Institute: Wall Street in the Classroom
Location: Rose Hill Campus, Bronx, New York
Cost: $1,300
Dates: Four one-week Summer sessions: June 15–19, June 22–26, July 20–24, or July 27–31
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility: Any high school student interested in learning more about finance or in managing their own finances
In this program, you spend one focused week at Fordham's Gabelli School of Business studying how financial markets are researched and analyzed, taught by Jim Gannon, a Certified Financial Education Instructor and former Wall Street global equity trader. You work through economic basics, the time value of money, and monetary policy, then move into investment analysis of stocks and bonds using investment analysis formulas. You also study alternative investments, including the hedge fund and private equity industries, alongside asset allocation and risk management theory. Sessions cover market ethics and current industry trends, sharpening the analytical habits behind real financial research. Guest speakers from top finance companies and recent Gabelli School alumni visit the classroom, connecting concepts to careers.
11. Wake Forest University’s Summer Immersion Programs (Online Courses) – Investing: The Future of Finance
Location: Online
Cost: $1,595; need-based scholarships available
Dates: Multiple 1-, 2-, and 4-week sessions offered year-round
Application Deadline: One week before the course start date
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up
In this course, you analyze capital-raising options such as IPOs, bond issuance, private equity, and venture capital, and hear directly from investment bankers, traders, private equity executives, and portfolio managers. Coursework explores ESG investing, blockchain, smart contracts, decentralized finance, and FinTech disruption of lending, insurance, and real estate. For your capstone, you step into the role of a financial analyst, selecting a publicly traded company and writing a research report on how the future of finance affects its practices and prospects. A dedicated mentor guides your assignments and capstone research, and you earn a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
12. Wake Forest University’s Summer Immersion Program – Finance and Investing Institute
Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus
Cost: $3,500 + a $60 non-refundable application fee; limited need-based scholarships are available for U.S. students
Dates: June 14–19; June 21–26
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until programs fill
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9 through 12; clean high school disciplinary record; strong academic background and fluency in English
In this program, you spend an intensive residential week at Wake Forest researching how markets, companies, and investments actually work. You study how the stock market operates, conduct market analysis and financial statement analysis, and learn how fundamental analysis drives valuation, building a genuine research toolkit for evaluating securities. You practice buying and selling stocks and bonds, complete a "How to Pick a Stock" group project, and participate in a mock investment competition. You visit a financial institution and trading floor and learn directly from Wake Forest School of Business faculty and financial leaders. You pitch prospective investments, sharpening public speaking alongside analytical skills. All participants earn an official Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.
13. Columbia University Pre-College Programs – Introduction to Corporate Finance
Location: Columbia University Morningside campus, New York City, New York
Cost: $2,883 program cost per one-week session; need-based financial aid is offered for the NYC Commuter Summer program
Dates: June 22–26
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 9th through current 12th grade students with a strong academic record
This introductory-level course teaches you how corporations make business decisions and how they fund them, with an emphasis on applying finance fundamentals to real-world corporate decision-making and financial intermediation. You research and analyze investment decisions using core analytical concepts, including the time value of money, the risk-return tradeoff, cost of capital, and interest rates. You practice quantitative valuation workflows such as discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, net present value, internal rate of return, hurdle rate, and payback period. Instruction is led by Columbia Pre-College instructor Ashish Kohli in a full-day, in-person commuter format on Columbia's campus. These research-grade analytical methods mirror those used by professional financial analysts.
14. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: Stephen M. Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,500 + $75 application fee; need-based full and partial scholarships are available
Dates: Cohort 1: June 7–17; Cohort 2: June 21 – July 1
Application Deadline: January 8
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade students at the time of the program; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy offers you an opportunity to explore how businesses operate through a structured program designed for rising high school seniors. You engage in college-level classes and workshops led by faculty across multiple business disciplines. You examine how companies function and how leaders approach problem-solving in real-world contexts. You participate in a collaborative, action-based learning environment alongside a cohort of peers. You interact with faculty, company partners, and industry professionals to understand different business perspectives. You experience a college-style academic setting, although the program does not provide college credit or influence admissions decisions.
15. NYU High School Academy: Finance NYC
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,579 per course + $50 application fee; $684 for optional housing and dining; 10% discount available to NYU faculty and staff
Dates: Multiple one-week sessions running between June and August
Application Deadline: International: March 14; US Residential: May 8; US Commuter: June 12
Eligibility: High school students who have completed grades 9, 10, or 11
The NYU High School Academy: Finance NYC program introduces you to foundational concepts in financial analysis and investment management through a structured pre-college course. You study how financial systems operate, including the types of assets traded and the role of institutions such as the Federal Reserve. You learn techniques for evaluating risk and return and how portfolios are managed in real-world contexts. You explore concepts such as time value of money, capital budgeting, and financial derivatives. You examine current economic conditions and how they influence financial markets. You engage with course material taught by an industry expert to understand finance as an academic and career pathway.
Questions students often ask about these programs
1. Do I need prior finance coursework to apply to these programs?
No, most of these are designed to introduce financial concepts from the ground up, so no background is expected going in. A genuine interest in markets or business matters more than specialized knowledge at this stage.
2. Most of these are paid courses rather than research internships. Is that still valuable for a finance-focused resume?
Yes, a rigorous pre-college finance course still demonstrates initiative and subject-specific interest, which matters for college applications. Just describe the experience accurately as coursework rather than calling it research or an internship.
3. These programs range widely in cost. How should I decide which one is worth the investment?
Compare what's actually included, like faculty access, certificate value, and whether the curriculum matches your specific interest within finance. If cost is a major factor, prioritize the free or financial-aid-eligible options first.