12 Summer Business Programs for High School Students in Michigan
Summer programs are one of the most effective ways for high school students to explore their interests while gaining practical skills that prepare them for the future. Summer business programs, in particular, typically offer networking opportunities, mentorship from industry professionals, and project-based learning. These experiences can help you develop skills that will be useful in college regardless of what you eventually major in.
Michigan hosts many summer business programs tailored for high school students, backed by established universities and companies. For example, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University offer summer business programs that provide exposure to industries across the state. In this article, we’ve compiled 12 summer business programs for high school students in Michigan, highlighting a mix of in-person and online options that provide mentorship, practical projects, and exposure to business concepts.
12 Summer Business Programs for High School Students in Michigan
1. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit placements across Michigan; includes a leadership summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: None / Paid internship, amount not specified + all expenses covered for the D.C. summit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 300 students chosen nationwide each year
Dates: 8-week summer internship; typically begins shortly after the school year ends
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 Bank of America Student Leaders Program provides high school students with paid internships at community-focused nonprofits, including organizations like the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Habitat for Humanity. As an intern, you’ll contribute to meaningful projects that address local needs while gaining professional and leadership skills. A highlight of the program is the week-long Student Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll meet peers from across the country, attend workshops, and learn directly from nonprofit and government leaders. This combination of local service and national networking makes the program a strong option if you’re interested in leadership, civic engagement, and the business of running nonprofits.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies according to program type; full financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10-25% / 70 - 100 students
Dates: 8–12 week cohorts offered in spring, summer, fall, and winter; Summer Cohorts I and II start June 2 and July 14, respectively
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Summer Cohorts I and II deadlines in April and May, respectively
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8-16 weeks
Ladder Internships places you with high-growth startups across industries such as technology, health tech, AI/ML, consulting, and marketing. During the program, you’ll contribute to real-world projects under the guidance of a company manager, while also receiving mentorship from a dedicated Ladder coach. The internship emphasizes teamwork, professional communication, and applied problem-solving, and concludes with a presentation of your work to company leadership. Because startups participating in Ladder’s program often have significant funding and growth trajectories, you’ll gain exposure to dynamic business environments. You can apply by clicking here.
3. Entrepreneur Leadership Initiative High School Camp
Location: Michigan State University, Eli Broad College of Business, East Lansing
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified / 55+ students
Dates: June 20 – 22
Application Deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
This three-day camp gives you the chance to explore entrepreneurship in an immersive setting at Michigan State University. You’ll engage directly with entrepreneurs, build your understanding of business fundamentals, and take part in creative problem-solving activities. The program includes opportunities to visit the Eli Broad College of Business, interact with faculty, and work through the entrepreneurial process from idea to action. Designed to spark innovation and leadership skills, the camp is free for participants, making it one of the most accessible options for Michigan students curious about business careers.
4. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type; need-and merit-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / Not specified
Dates: Summer: June 1; Summer II: July 13
Application Deadline: Summer: May 10; Summer II: June 21; apply here
Eligibility: All high school students
The Young Founders Lab is a startup bootcamp created by Harvard entrepreneurs to give you a hands-on introduction to building and launching a business. Over four weeks, you’ll work on developing a revenue-generating venture that solves a real-world problem, while being mentored by professionals from companies such as Google, Microsoft, and X. The program includes workshops on business ideation, case studies, and skill-building sessions in areas like strategy, marketing, and pitching. You’ll also participate in panel discussions and interactive classes that connect theory with practical application. By the end, you’ll have built and presented a business project while gaining valuable entrepreneurial experience and mentorship in a collaborative, global environment.
5. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Cost/Stipend: $5,500 + $75 application fee; full and partial need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / Around 60 students per cohort
Dates: June 13 – 27
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | Preference for U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week residential program designed to give you an inside look at business education and practice. Through classes, workshops, and group projects led by Ross faculty, you’ll explore how companies operate and what it takes to solve complex business problems. Daily programming includes academic sessions, field trips, guest speaker lectures, and team-based activities that simulate real-world business scenarios. Beyond academics, you’ll experience life on the University of Michigan campus, connecting with peers who share your interests in leadership and entrepreneurship. The program does not offer college credit or admissions preference, but it provides a rigorous and immersive pre-college experience in business.
6. Summer Entrepreneurship Institute
Location: University of Michigan-Flint, School of Management classrooms in the Riverfront Center
Cost/Stipend: $50; need-based scholarships and $25 family scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 20 - 25 students
Dates: June 16 – 18
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Summer Entrepreneurship Institute is a three-day program designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of starting and managing new ventures. Through interactive lectures, creativity exercises, and guest speakers, you’ll learn how to evaluate business ideas and develop entrepreneurial thinking. The program includes team-based projects, company visits, and mentorship from faculty in the School of Management. Parents are invited to attend both the opening session and the final project presentations, creating a collaborative experience. With its concise format, affordable cost, and strong community connections, the institute is an excellent entry point for those curious about pursuing business or entrepreneurship in college.
7. Summer Springboard @ University of Michigan Business & Entrepreneurship
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Cost/Stipend: Residential tuition $5,698; commuter tuition $2,998 + $99 application fee; financial protection plan available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective / Small cohort
Dates: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling until May 15
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least 8th grade | minimum GPA of 3.0 or the local equivalent | International student eligibility can be found here
This two-week pre-college program teaches you the fundamentals of business while allowing you to launch your own startup idea. From the start, you’ll work in teams to brainstorm, design, and refine a business concept, building it into a plan with financial projections and marketing strategies. The program includes classroom instruction from experienced educators, but much of the learning comes from applied projects and immersive experiences, like visits to maker spaces or local startups. Along the way, you’ll hear directly from entrepreneurs and industry professionals about the challenges of growing a venture. The experience culminates in a final pitch to a panel of investors and mentors.
8. NSLC’s Business & Entrepreneurship High School Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Cost/Stipend: $4,095; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective / 70 - 80 students
Dates: June 16 – 24; June 29 – July 7
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 14–18 who have completed at least one year of high school
This program teaches students the fundamentals of creating and managing a successful business. The program covers topics such as business models, product development, market analysis, finance, marketing, and leadership. You engage in activities like realistic business simulations, developing a business plan, pitching your ideas to professionals, and participating in workshops hosted by entrepreneurs from leading companies. Unique features of the program include its partnership with Inc. Magazine, offering access to insights from top entrepreneurs, as well as hands-on experiences that bridge classroom learning with real-world business challenges. Throughout the program, you build key skills like strategic thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving, preparing you for future roles in entrepreneurship and business leadership.
9. Economics for Leaders
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (University of Michigan campus)
Cost/Stipend: $2,300; scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive / 25 - 40 students
Dates: July 28 – August 3
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors, including international students
The Economics for Leaders program at the University of Michigan is a one-week intensive summer experience designed specifically for high school students who want to deepen their understanding of economics and leadership. The program covers key economic concepts such as scarcity, opportunity cost, and the role of incentives, while integrating lessons on leadership theory and ethical decision-making. You engage in activities like solving real-world economic problems, participating in leadership simulations, collaborating on group projects, and debating current economic issues. Throughout the week, you sharpen critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork skills while gaining confidence in applying economic reasoning to everyday challenges.
10. Oakland University School of Business Summer Camps
Location: Oakland University, School of Business Administration, Rochester, MI
Cost: $325; discounts are available for OU staff families
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment / About 20 students
Dates: July 21 – 25
Application Deadline: Typically spring
Eligibility: Rising 10th–12th grade high school students
Oakland University’s School of Business offers week-long summer camps that immerse you in key areas of business, economics, and entrepreneurship. Led by OU faculty, the program covers topics such as marketing, supply chain management, leadership, artificial intelligence in business, and global economics with a special focus on U.S.–China relations. Each day combines classroom learning with interactive activities, group projects, and presentations, helping you develop and strengthen your teamwork and communication skills. You will also participate in field trips to local businesses like Stellantis and Rocket Companies, gaining firsthand exposure to real business operations and leadership.
11. Babson Summer Study for High School Students
Location: Virtual
Cost: $6,295 +$95 application fee; financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive / 300 students globally
Dates: July 7 – 28
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors who are at least 16 years old by the start date
Babson Summer Study is an intensive three-week pre-college program that develops your entrepreneurial mindset while awarding you four Babson College credits. Through the course Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, you’ll explore global challenges framed by the United Nations Global Goals and learn how to apply entrepreneurial thought and action to create solutions. Daily classes combine academic instruction with hands-on teamwork, case studies, and mentorship from Babson faculty and graduate mentors. Outside the classroom, you’ll interact with entrepreneurs, alumni, and industry leaders who share their startup journeys and provide feedback on your projects.
12. Business Disruptors: Market Innovators – Summer Discovery at University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Cost: No cost specified for 1 week; however tuition fee applies
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective / 25 - 40 students
Dates: June 28 – July 4
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled; typically in spring
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
This course introduces you to the world of business disruptors, companies like Amazon, Uber, and Netflix, that have reshaped entire industries through innovation. Over one week, you’ll analyze disruptive business models, explore how innovation impacts consumers and economies, and develop problem-solving skills to tackle challenges in changing markets. The program culminates in a group project where you create your own disruptive business concept and pitch it to peers and instructors. Alongside coursework, you’ll gain portfolio-building credentials, including a certificate of completion and a letter of recognition. Designed for aspiring entrepreneurs, the program helps you connect business theory with practical innovation while experiencing campus life at the University of Michigan.
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