14 Summer Business Programs for High School Students in Texas

If you are a high school student in Texas interested in business, a wide range of summer programs is available to you in leadership, business, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and sustainability. These programs help you gain professional exposure, mentorship, and experiential learning. Whether you want to work at a start-up, explore fintech, or give back to your community, there is likely a program that is suited to your requirements and interests.

Texas is one of the fastest-growing economies in the U.S., making it an excellent location for business programs designed for high school students. With a wide range of top universities and access to great mentors and resources, you can explore your specific interests within business and start building a professional network. To help you get started, we have put together a list of 15 summer business programs for high school students in Texas. 

1. McCombs Future Executive Academy (MFEA) – UT Austin

Location: Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free, includes housing, meals, and activities
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 1 –  6
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors; first-generation and students with social/economic hardships are strongly encouraged

At McCombs Future Executive Academy, you will reside in residence halls, participate in case competitions, and attend interactive workshops led by distinguished faculty. During the program on the UT Austin campus, you will get an opportunity to be mentored by UT student leaders and network with business professionals. This is an excellent way to experience college life, build teamwork and leadership skills, and explore your interests in various business domains. Additionally, this program promises a strong commitment to practice inclusion, especially towards first-generation and economically underresourced students.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November). 
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
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 start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.

3. Subiendo: The Academy for Rising Leaders – UT Austin

Location: Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free, includes housing, meals, and activities
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 8 – 12
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school juniors in Texas

This is a 5-day leadership business program specially designed for first-generation students or those who are overcoming adversity. As a participant, you will participate in interactive sessions, experience campus life, get mentorship, and solve case challenges. Through policy-focused team challenges in fields related to healthcare, energy, and education, communications workshops, and networking with influential business and political figures, this program will help participants develop their leadership abilities.

4. Young Founders Lab 

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program 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!

The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.

Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.

5. DYNAMC: Discover Yourself in Accounting Majors and Careers – UT Austin

Location: Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: Free, includes housing, meals, and activities
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – 27
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores and juniors

This 6-day deep diveco-designed with Ernst & Young, introduces students to real accounting careers through networking, team-based case studies, corporate insight, and faculty-led workshops. This program is ideal for students who are considering a career in finance or accounting, as it offers an immersive on-campus learning experience evaluating the accounting industry. Participants learn supported programming, network with professionals, explore majors and careers, and take part in case-based projects. 

6. Rice University Pathfinder (Lilie) – Rice University

Location: Houston, TX
Cost/Stipend: $6,000 early bird / $7,000 regular; includes dorm housing and meals
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Limited spots
Dates: 2-week session
Application Deadline: Early Bird: February 15; rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors

The participants of this program visit Houston innovation hubs like Ion and Greentown Labs, where they develop ideas into working prototypes. This program offers exploration in the field of venture building. Students will collaborate within groups over the course of 2 weeks to create a business through fieldwork, business modeling, and customer research. They will also participate in guest lectures, interactive design labs, and will be a part of the final Demo Day, where they will present their ideas to business owners. This business program is ideal for students who are enthusiastic about launching their ideas and interacting with the startup environment.

7. Rice University Pre-College Online Course: Entrepreneurship—From Ideas to Impact in Fintech

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $1,795
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Open enrollment; no formal cohort limit
Dates/Application Deadline: Multi-length, rolling; flexibility to start anytime
Eligibility: Students aged 13 years and above

 This program explores fintech entrepreneurship—covering domains like blockchain, cryptocurrencies, digital payments, and case studies of payment innovation for platforms such as PayPal and Venmo—while providing mentor guidance and concluding with a capstone business concept. This online course allows students to learn at their own pace, helping them understand how market disruptions happen. 

8. Young Business Leaders (YBL) Summer Program

Location: Prairie View A&M University – College of Business
Cost/Stipend: ~$500 (scholarships are available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open, competitive admission
Dates: July 14–August 11
Application Deadline: Spring 
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors

YBL provides a comprehensive introduction to marketing, finance, accounting, management, and information systems. Students improve their communication and teamwork skills while being exposed to a variety of career paths within the business domain. The program places a strong focus on experiential learning through group projects, field trips, and case studies. YBL is an accessible choice due to its reasonable tuition and available scholarships. For college students considering majors in business, the program provides valuable insights.

9. Texas Tech Rawls Business Summer Institute

Location: Texas Tech University – Rawls College of Business
Cost/Stipend: ~$800 (housing and meals included) 
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective
Dates: June–July (1-week sessions)
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors

Texas Tech's Rawls Summer Institute introduces students to fundamental business concepts such as accounting, economics, and entrepreneurship. The program includes workshops, lectures, and group projects. It places a strong focus on developing leaders and preparing students for college. Students will gain university life experience through campus housing and activities. By the end of the program, students not only build a strong foundation in business concepts but also develop confidence in their ability to lead, collaborate, and envision their future paths in higher education and beyond.

10. St. Mary’s University Summer Business Camp

Location: St. Mary’s University – Greehey School of Business (San Antonio)
Cost/Stipend: ~$700 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Limited seats
Dates: July (1-week program)
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors

A wide range of business subjects, such as marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership, are covered in this camp. The camp is a fantastic option for San Antonio students because of its convenient location and encouraging community. Students take part in group projects, business simulations, and interactive workshops. The curriculum places a strong focus on developing practical skills and exposing students to real-world problems. Sessions are led by academics and industry experts, who also offer networking and mentoring opportunities.

11. UT Austin Harkey Summer Entrepreneurship Academy

Location: Austin, TX
Cost/Stipend: $5,500 tuition; financial aid and GI Bill accepted
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited; interest form required, cohort size not specified 
Dates: 8-week program (August–July)
Application Deadline: Interest form opens in late fall
Eligibility: High school pre-college students interested in entrepreneurship

In this intense, 8-week hands-on program, you'll take 4 entrepreneurship courses that can be applied toward UT's entrepreneurship minor. Participants can expect demanding coursework, project-based learning, and readiness for entrepreneurship coursework designed to prepare them for college-level studies. This program is ideal if you want to study business fundamentals in depth.

12. UH NABA ACAP Program

Location: University of Houston, TX (Bauer College of Business)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive, limited seats
Dates: Summer (1-week sessions)
Application Deadline: March 
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors & seniors

In this introductory program, students will explore management, finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship through interactive case studies. ACAP equips students with the tools to excel in their academic and professional journey with immersive experiences, mentorship, and continuous programming. You will get networking opportunities, skill-building activities, and case studies through this program. 

13. Accelerated Career Awareness Program (ACAP)

Location: Texas Christian University – Neeley School of Business
Cost/Stipend: Free (includes housing and meals)
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Highly selective; ~30–35 students
Dates: July 13–18
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9–12, with emphasis on underprivileged groups

ACAP offers a week-long residential program that exposes high school students to careers in business, finance, and accounting. Participants attend workshops, lectures, and company visits to gain practical experience. The business program emphasizes diversity in business while promoting personal growth and career exploration. ACAP is a good first step for students who want to pursue careers in the workforce.

14. UT Dallas Young Entrepreneurs Academy

Location: University of Texas at Dallas – Naveen Jindal School of Management
Cost/Stipend: ~$1,500
Acceptance rate/cohort Size: Selective; small  cohorts
Dates: July (2-week program)
Application Deadline: Spring
Eligibility: High school students interested in entrepreneurship

Students who wish to start their own business can enroll in UT Dallas' Young Entrepreneurs Academy. The program offers aspiring entrepreneurs a supportive environment within UT Dallas's robust business and tech ecosystem. The principles of pitching, business modeling, and ideation are taught to participants. The curriculum places a strong focus on entrepreneurial leadership and innovation. Students can develop and present startup ideas in groups. 

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