Summer is an ideal time to build new skills, work on real-world projects, and explore college-level subjects as a high school student. But not every high schooler has access to in-person programs in their state, or the budget for expensive online courses hosted by universities!
That’s where free online programs come in – they let you learn from experts, develop technical skills, and connect with peers without leaving home.
If you’re interested in STEM, you can study machine learning, bioinformatics, neuroscience, or environmental science. Some programs teach Python, R, and MATLAB for data analysis, while others focus on scientific research methods, computational modeling, and AI applications. If you prefer humanities or social sciences, you can explore political philosophy, ethics, behavioral economics, or international relations through case studies and academic discussions.
To help you get started, here are 10 free online college programs for high school students to consider!
10 Free + Online College Programs for High School Students
1. Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences
The Johns Hopkins Internship in Brain Sciences gives you hands-on experience in neuroscience research. You’ll work with researchers to study how the brain processes information, makes decisions, and responds to stimuli, using neuroimaging, electrophysiology, and behavioral experiments.
You’ll learn how to design experiments, collect and analyze brain data, and interpret results. The program also covers data science, research methods, and scientific writing, helping you understand how real neuroscience studies are conducted. You’ll work with tools like EEG, fMRI, and statistical software for data analysis.
Subject Areas: Neurological sciences
Location: Online or in-person in Baltimore, MD
Program Dates: 5 weeks for the virtual and 8 weeks for the in person program during the summer.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors living anywhere in North America (U.S. or Canada)
Application Deadline: December 1
2. Stanford Online’s Machine Learning Specialization
The Stanford Online Machine Learning Specialization introduces you to machine learning and its real-world applications. You’ll learn how supervised learning works with techniques like linear regression, neural networks, and decision trees. You’ll also explore unsupervised learning, including clustering and dimensionality reduction.
The program covers how to train, test, and evaluate models, helping you understand accuracy, bias, variance, and overfitting. You’ll also work with Python, TensorFlow, and other AI tools to build and optimize machine learning models. By the end, you’ll understand how machine learning is used in fields like healthcare, finance, robotics, and AI development.
Subject Areas: Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence
Location: Online
Program Dates: Self paced
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Rolling
3. MIT OpenCourseWare: Structure of Materials
MIT OpenCourseWare: Structure of Materials explores how material structure affects properties and performance. You’ll study amorphous materials, glasses, polymers, and crystalline structures, learning how their atomic arrangement impacts strength, flexibility, and conductivity.
In Part 1, you’ll use X-ray diffraction and other structural analysis techniques to examine materials at the microscopic level. Parts 2 and 3 cover how these materials are used in engineering, manufacturing, and technology. You’ll learn how to analyze material properties, compare different material types, and understand their role.
Subject Areas: Materials Science, Engineering
Location: Online
Program Dates: Self paced
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
4. Yale Online: Introduction to Political Philosophy
Yale Online: Introduction to Political Philosophy helps you understand how different political systems work and where they come from. You’ll read and discuss ideas from Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Tocqueville, exploring topics like democracy, the state, and constitutional government.
The course also teaches you to break down arguments, compare political ideas, and see how they shape societies. You’ll also build skills in critical thinking, debate, and writing, useful for law, politics, history, and public policy.
Subject Areas: Political Philosophy, Political Science
Location: Online
Program Dates: Self paced
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
5. BerkeleyX: Fundamentals of Economics
BerkeleyX: Fundamentals of Economics introduces you to key economic principles while teaching you how to use Python and data science for analysis. You’ll study supply, demand, equilibrium, market structures, taxation, and economic efficiency, applying these concepts through coding.
You’ll learn to write Python scripts to model economic behavior, analyze datasets, and create visualizations for trends like inflation, income distribution, and market shifts. The course also covers microeconomic and macroeconomic models, game theory basics, and decision-making in economics.
Subject Areas: Economics, Data Science
Location: Online
Program Dates: Self paced
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
6. City University of New York’s College Now: Race & Ethnicity
CUNY’s College Now helps you explore race, ethnicity, and social identity through subjects like sociology, history, and political science. You’ll study prejudice, discrimination, assimilation, and the impact of race on law, education, and economics.
You’ll build skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and research by examining real-world case studies, policies, and historical events. The program also includes workshops on writing, public speaking, and policy analysis, along with career readiness seminars and campus visits.
Subject Areas: Race & Ethnicity, Sociology
Location: Online
Program Dates: March 6-June 10
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students. An overall GPA of 80% or higher
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
7. America’s Unwritten Constitution
America’s Unwritten Constitution explores U.S. history, law, and political science by examining how the U.S. Constitution shapes modern legal and political systems. You’ll study landmark Supreme Court cases, constitutional amendments, and the balance of power between government branches.
The program helps you develop legal analysis, critical thinking, and policy research skills by looking at how constitutional principles apply to civil rights, elections, and legislative processes. You’ll also explore topics like judicial review, executive power, and constitutional interpretation, preparing you for further studies in law, political science, and public policy.
Subject Areas: Law, Political Science
Location: Online
Program Dates: Self paced: 6 Weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
Application Deadline: Rolling
8. American Contract Law I
American Contract Law I introduces you to key principles of U.S. contract law, covering topics taught in first-year law school. You’ll learn about contract formation, offer and acceptance, consideration, promissory estoppel, and contract enforcement. The course also covers the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), focusing on the sale of goods and commercial transactions.
Subject Areas: Law
Location: Online
Program Dates: Self paced: 6 Weeks
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Application Deadline: Rolling
9. Introduction to Internet of Things
Introduction to Internet of Things (IoT) – Stanford covers the core technologies behind IoT systems, including sensors, embedded systems, networking, and circuits. You’ll learn how these components interact to create smart devices and connected systems.
The course is divided into five modules: Cool Applications, Sensors, Embedded Systems, Networking, and Circuits. You’ll also get an introduction to IoT security, data processing, and automation. This course helps you develop skills in hardware integration, wireless communication, and system design, useful for careers in computer science, electrical engineering, and robotics.
Subject Areas: Tech
Location: Online
Program Dates: Self paced: 60 days
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Application Deadline: Rolling
10. Communicating with Presence
Communicating with Presence helps you develop practical communication skills for building trust and improving interactions in professional and personal settings. You’ll learn how to actively listen, interpret body language, recognize emotional cues, and respond with clarity.
The course covers verbal and nonverbal communication techniques, including tone modulation, pacing, and eye contact. You’ll also work on conflict resolution, persuasive communication, and structured dialogue to handle difficult conversations effectively.
Subject Areas: Communications
Location: Online
Program Dates: Self paced
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Application Deadline: Rolling Basis
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source: Johns Hopkins University
