Are you a high school student looking for opportunities to deepen your computer science knowledge while getting paid? This blog covers 12 paid computer science programs that can accelerate your journey into tech.
These paid CS programs for high schoolers range from hands-on immersions and pre-college courses to internships and research mentorships in cutting-edge fields. By participating, students gain not only financial incentives but also an advanced skill set, such as coding, data analysis, or machine learning, along with real-world experience. Whether you’re hoping to dive into software development, explore artificial intelligence, or work on large-scale data projects, these opportunities will challenge you to apply your knowledge and collaborate with industry professionals.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as computer science, data science, machine learning, and more! It is one of the very few research programs for high school students that offers a choice between quantitative and qualitative research!
Once you select a particular subject track and type of research you’ll be paired with a professor or Ph.D. scholar (from a top university) who will mentor you throughout your research journey. You’ll work to create a 20-page, university-level research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student.
This program is a solid opportunity for you to pursue a research program in highly specialized fields, under the guidance of a top scholar. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student, as well as detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects and on college applications. Apply here!
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity, Machine Learning and Social Media, Data Science, Algorithms and Data Structures.
Location: Virtual.
Application Date: May for the summer cohort, September for the fall cohort, November 10, 2024 for the winter cohort, and February 9, 2025 for the spring cohort.
Program Dates:
- Summer seminar - June 24, 2024 - September 2, 2024.
- Fall seminar - October 23, 2024 - February 19, 2025.
- Lab dates are flexible, but you must apply 4 weeks in advance.
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! Only a couple of tracks require formal prerequisites, more details of which can be found here.
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab at the University of Chicago is an intensive 8-week paid research opportunity. Students are matched with experienced mentors across diverse research domains, including computer science, data science, materials science, biomedical research and more.
Through this program, you will develop expertise in research methodologies, teamwork, and data science practices. The program provides immersion in a research lab setting, allowing you to gain a comprehensive understanding of foundational data science concepts while receiving specialized training. Students are tasked with communicating their research outcomes throughout the program, culminating in the presentation of final research videos at a symposium.
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Data Science, Materials Science.
Location: John Crerar Library, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Stipend: $4800.
Application Deadline: Applications for summer 2025 will open on November 4, 2024 and close on January 12, 2025.
Program Dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025.
Eligibility: Chicago-area high school students are eligible to apply.
At the Meta Summer Academy (formerly Facebook Summer Academy), you will gain firsthand insight into the daily operations of a global social media platform by joining a dynamic and collaborative environment. The program offers the chance to learn coding, explore various tech career paths, and develop essential soft skills that are valuable for the future. The experience aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue economic stability and career mobility through early exposure to opportunities in the tech industry.
Subject Areas: Coding, Social Media.
Location: Meta HQ, Menlo Park, CA.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend upon completion of the program.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in December and close in March.
Program Dates: The internship typically runs for six weeks from June to July.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores are eligible to apply. Students must be full-year residents of either East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City.
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) program offers a seven-week experience designed for New York City high school students who have limited access to quality STEM education. ARISE begins with two weeks of workshops focused on essential topics such as scientific ethics, contemporary research issues, data analysis, lab safety, and the foundations of sound research practices.
Following the workshops, you will spend five weeks immersed in a participating NYU faculty lab, where you will be mentored by a graduate or postdoctoral student. Additionally, you will develop skills in public speaking and learn how to effectively present research findings. The program concludes with a colloquium.
Subject Areas: Computer and Data Science, Privacy and Security Automation, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, Visualization, Data Analysis and Imaging, Virtual Reality, Computer Graphics.
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY.
Stipend: $750.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for seven weeks from June to August.
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th grade New York City high school students with a demonstrated interest in STEM.
The Anson L. Clark Scholar Program is a highly selective and rigorous seven-week summer research opportunity for twelve high school juniors and seniors. During the program, you will engage closely with distinguished faculty members on the general academic campus and the Health Science Center, gaining hands-on experience in a research-focused environment. The program also features weekly seminars, group discussions, and educational field trips to enhance your learning experience.
Subject Areas: Virtual and Augmented Reality; Big Data Visualization and Visual Analytics; Human and Computer Interaction; Computer Animation; Statistical Data Analysis; Data-Intensive Computing; Parallel and Distributed Computing; High-Performance Computing; Cloud Computing; Computer Architectures; Systems Software.
Location: Texas Tech University, Honors College, Lubbock, TX.
Stipend: $750.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for seven weeks from June to August.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 17 years old at the start of the program are eligible to apply.
HighTech Bound is a paid summer internship that offers you practical experience in network technologies within a professional setting. You’ll work alongside dedicated mentors in a computer lab, collaborating with peers to develop solutions for assigned projects. Throughout the summer, you will engage with advanced software and hardware technologies used by major companies like Apple, Dell, and Cisco. The experience will help you develop real-world technical skills, working with emerging technologies such as smart car systems and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Additionally, you can earn 0.5 high school credit through Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS).
Subject Areas: Network Technology.
Location: University of New Hampshire InterOperability Laboratory, Durham, NH.
Stipend: Interns receive a competitive hourly rate.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in January and close in February.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for four to six weeks in the June/August timeframe.
Eligibility: High school students entering their senior year are eligible to apply.
The TARGET program is a competitive, six-week summer internship for Illinois high school sophomores and juniors with a strong interest and proven skills in physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering. The program aims to inspire students to pursue higher education and careers in STEM fields.
TARGET specifically seeks to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the sciences and engineering. Each year, 15-25 interns join the program, engaging in a combination of work experience and hands-on learning. As a participant, you will collaborate with scientists and engineers at Fermilab, gaining practical exposure to STEM research and professional development.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Science, Machine Learning.
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend of $17.20 per hour.
Application Deadline: To be announced for the 2025 program.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for six weeks from June to July.
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors from Illinois are eligible to apply.
The California Academy of Sciences offers the Careers in Science (CiS) internship, a long-term opportunity for high school students to engage with scientists, researchers, and engineers across various STEM disciplines. As an intern, you’ll gain valuable skills while working alongside mentors, participating in practical projects, and collaborating with peers. The program provides hands-on experience within the Academy, combining educational training with real-world work exposure.
The internship emphasizes a broad range of STEM fields, including computer science, and features activities such as STEM conferences, festivals, college visits, and group projects. You will also have opportunities to present your work, enhancing both your knowledge and your professional communication skills.
Subject Areas: STEM, Computer Science.
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February and close in April.
Program Dates: The program typically runs after school in the summer and on Saturdays during the school year, starting from June till graduation.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9th or 10th enrolled in an SFUSD school are eligible to apply.
The San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) provides internship opportunities for high school students enrolled in its schools. If selected, you will work alongside industry professionals, gaining practical experience while developing new skills and building a strong professional network. The program also includes weekly work-based learning seminars guided by mentors, giving you a comprehensive understanding of your chosen field.
Internships cover a wide range of disciplines, including computer science, where you can explore areas such as data analysis, artificial intelligence, innovation, and software development. This experience allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios and discover new interests within your field.
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Game Design.
Location: San Francisco, CA.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: Applications will open on February 1, 2025 and close in March.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for six weeks between May and August.
Eligibility: High school students in their sophomore or junior year are eligible to apply.
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a selective and highly competitive summer initiative that places approximately 300 high school students annually at one of more than 38 Department of Navy laboratories across the United States. As a SEAP intern, you will engage in meaningful naval research, gaining hands-on experience with advanced technologies. Under the guidance of experienced scientists, engineers, and researchers, you’ll contribute to ongoing projects and develop expertise in fields such as cybersecurity, data analysis and optimization, programming, software development, and algorithm design.
Subject Areas: Cybersecurity, Data Analysis, Programming, Software Development, Algorithm Design.
Location: Location varies based on the Computer Science lab locations.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants).
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in November.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for 8 weeks from June to August.
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are at least 16 years old are eligible to apply.
Bonus Items!
Ladder Internships is a selective program for high school students to intern with high-growth startups across various industries, including computer science, AI, and machine learning. These startups have raised over a million dollars, with some founders being YCombinator alumni or former employees of companies like Microsoft and Google. During the 8-week virtual internship, you'll work closely with managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects, presenting your work to the company. The program also includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, plus group sessions with other interns.
Subject areas: Computer Science, Technology, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Some financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for 8 weeks with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks are eligible to apply. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap-year students!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by Harvard and Oxford researchers, allows high school students to work one-on-one with PhD mentors on an independent research project. You’ll get guidance to develop a college-level research paper, with additional support from writing coaches.
You can choose subjects like mathematics, biology, data science, economics, psychology, business, gender studies, linguistics, environmental studies, philosophy, astrophysics, and more. The program ends with a symposium where you can present your research, with the potential for publication.
Subject Areas: Computer Science, Data Science.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $2,990 (12 weeks) | $5,900 (16-20 weeks). Some financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Program Dates: The program has multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum 3.3 out of 4 GPA are eligible to apply.
3. Veritas AI
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduates, offers two programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence. The AI Scholars program focuses on collaborative learning in AI applications, while the AI Fellowship provides personalized mentorship from PhD experts for independent research projects.
In the AI Fellowship, you’ll examine AI’s influence on fields such as finance, medicine, and gaming, with opportunities to publish or present your work. Previous projects have explored AI in medicine, educational tools, and gaming algorithms. The program emphasizes technical skill-building and applying AI concepts to real-world challenges.
Subject Areas: Artificial Intelligence.
Location: Virtual.
Cost:
- $2,290 for the AI Scholars program (10-week bootcamp).
- $5,400 for the AI Fellowship (12–15 weeks, 1:1 mentorship).
- $6,900 for both AI Scholars + Fellowship.
- Need-based financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Program Dates: The program has multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply. Students applying to the AI Fellowship program must complete the AI Scholars program or provide evidence of previous experience in AI and Python.
David Wilkinson is a freelance writer for Horizon and currently resides in the United States.