If you’re a high school student in New York City interested in computer science, summer programs in the city offer a super accessible way to dive into the field. These computer science summer programs cover topics like coding, data structures, AI, cybersecurity, and software development — often through project-based learning and real-world applications.
Hosted by NYC universities, tech incubators, and nonprofit organizations, many of the computer science summer programs below connect you with experienced instructors and expose you to the city’s thriving tech ecosystem. Whether you’re a beginner or already coding independently, you’ll build problem-solving skills and get a preview of what studying computer science in college might look like.
Here are 14 computer science summer programs for high school students in New York City that combine technical depth with practical experience.
1. Horizon Academic Research Program — CS Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $5,950 (financial aid is available)
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer, and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
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.
Horizon offers trimester-long research opportunities for high school students in a range of disciplines, including computer science. If you choose a computer science track, options include topics like “Algorithms, Data Structures, and Python,” where you’ll study core programming and algorithm design, and “Data Science Approaches to Internet Security,” which examines how data analysis can enhance cybersecurity.
You’ll select a research focus and be matched with a mentor , typically a professor or doctoral researcher , who will guide you through the process. Over the term, you’ll develop a 20-page research paper based on your chosen topic, gaining experience in both academic writing and independent investigation. Apply here!
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: AI Scholars: $2,290 | AI Fellowship: $5,400 | Both: $6,900 | Need-based aid available for AI Scholars
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines based on cohort
Program Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Eligibility: Open to high school students; AI Fellowship applicants should have completed the Scholars program or show prior experience with AI/Python.
Veritas AI offers two structured programs for high school students interested in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. The AI Scholars program is a 10-session course that introduces you to foundational topics such as supervised and unsupervised learning, neural networks, and real-world applications of AI. It includes hands-on coding exercises and small-group discussions to build practical understanding.
For students with prior experience or a strong interest in independent work, the AI Fellowship provides an opportunity to conduct an in-depth research project under the guidance of a mentor from a university. Projects are tailored to your interests and can explore areas like natural language processing, computer vision, or algorithmic bias.
The program also includes editorial support if you choose to submit your research to high school journals or competitions.
3. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) at NYU
Location: New York University Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; $1,000 stipend provided
Application Deadline: February 17
Program Dates: June 6 – August 8
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th-graders who live and attend school in NYC
ARISE is a competitive summer research apprenticeship that offers participants college-level education in STEM and computer science subjects. If accepted, you’ll start with two weeks of preparatory sessions that introduce research practices, data analysis techniques, and relevant software tools used in the field.
After this foundation, you’ll spend five weeks working in a university lab, contributing to ongoing research projects — these may include topics like machine learning, computational neuroscience, or data science. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work to faculty and other students. Participants receive a $1,000 stipend for completing the full seven weeks.
4. NYU’s Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS)
Location: New York University, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free; stipend provided
Application Deadline: April 15
Program Dates: July 14 – August 8
Eligibility: New York City residents who are current 10th or 11th graders
CS4CS is a no-cost summer program that introduces high school students to key topics in computer science with a focus on cybersecurity. Over the course of the program, you’ll explore areas such as ethical hacking, cryptographic systems, digital forensics, and data protection. The curriculum is designed to help you understand how security threats are identified, analyzed, and addressed using technical tools and coding skills.
You’ll also gain hands-on experience with software used to detect vulnerabilities, study how encryption and ciphers protect information, and learn the basics of secure coding practices. CS4CS also explores behavioral science to examine how social engineering tactics, such as phishing, are employed in real-world cyberattacks.
5. Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University
Location: Rockefeller University, New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; travel expenses are covered, and need-based stipends may be available
Application Deadline: January 3
Program Dates: June 23 – August 7
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (must be at least 16 at the start of the program)
The Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) at Rockefeller University gives high school students the opportunity to engage in biomedical and computational science research alongside experienced researchers. In the computational science track, you may work with tools like BLAST and Galaxy to analyze genetic data, such as RNA and DNA samples, and explore applications like identifying antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
The program features full-time lab work, elective science courses, and lectures delivered by leading scientists in the field. At the end of the program, you’ll present your research findings at a symposium, sharing your work with peers and faculty.
6. Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and the Science of Smart Cities (ieSoSC) — NYU Tandon School of Engineering
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Fully funded
Application Deadline: April 14
Program Dates: July 1 – August 2
Eligibility: NYC high school students who are at least 15 years old
The ieSoSC program at NYU Tandon introduces high school students to urban innovation, with a focus on computer science, engineering, and technology. Through project-based learning, you’ll apply your skills to address real-world problems, covering key concepts in STEM, entrepreneurship, and design thinking. In the second half of the program, you’ll work in teams to solve a smart city design challenge, using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
As a computer science student, this is an opportunity to deepen your understanding of IoT systems, coding, and the integration of hardware and software in urban settings. The program concludes with a public showcase of your work, judged by professionals in STEM, engineering, and urban planning. You’ll also receive public speaking training in collaboration with the Irondale Theater to help you present your project effectively.
7. CUNY’s STEM Research Academy
Location: Offered at ten CUNY campuses across four boroughs in New York. All locations here.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; Students who complete the campus-based research mentorship/internship project, participate in the weekly seminar and workshop, and the poster presentation may be eligible for a $1,575 stipend.
Application Deadline: January 16
Program Dates: Varies based on selected college.
Eligibility: New York City public high school students in 10th or 11th grade. Check here for additional qualification requirements.
STEM RA, part of CUNY’s K16 initiatives, is a two-semester program for high school students that includes a spring science course and a summer research experience. In the spring, you’ll enroll in a 45-hour course where you’ll learn about scientific research methods.
In the summer, 10 students will be selected for a five-week internship, working with a faculty mentor from CUNY or City College. As a computer science student, you may focus on research topics like data analysis, algorithms, or engineering. You’ll spend 4–5 days a week in a lab, developing your research project and presentation. At the end of the program, you’ll present your findings at the American Museum of Natural History and other venues.
8. Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: Free; optional $2,360.25 for housing and meals; stipend may be provided
Application Deadline: February 7
Program Dates: June 30 – August 8
Eligibility: High school juniors (aged 16+) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program gives high school juniors the opportunity to contribute to ongoing research at Stony Brook University. If you’re interested in computer science, you may work on projects involving machine learning, data analysis, or software development. Some research may also involve computational approaches in interdisciplinary fields such as biology or neuroscience.
Throughout the program, you’ll be matched with a faculty mentor and take part in lab meetings, coding tasks, and data-driven problem solving. The experience includes research seminars led by university faculty, and it concludes with a campus-wide symposium, where you’ll present your work to peers and researchers.
9. Pre-College NYC Residential Summer Program — Columbia University
Location: Morningside Campus, Columbia University, New York City, NY
Cost: $12,764 per 3-week session (includes tuition, housing, dining, health services, activities, and tech fees)
Application Deadline: March 2
Program Dates:
- Session A: June 30 – July 18
- Session B: July 22 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students aged 15+ (must turn 16 by December 31); open to both U.S. and international students
Columbia University’s NYC Residential Summer Program allows high school students to take college-level courses while living on campus in New York City. You can choose from a wide range of subjects, including several in computer science. Course options may include introductory programming with Python, cybersecurity topics such as cyber-threat analysis, and language-focused classes like Rust programming.
As a participant, you’ll attend classes on Columbia’s Morningside Heights campus, have access to university resources such as libraries and academic buildings, and take part in organized campus and city activities. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Participation and a written evaluation summarizing your performance in the course.
10. NYU Tandon SPARC (Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300 total (includes $2,800 tuition, $250 materials, $100 NYU events, $50 application fee, $100 NYU service fee); additional housing and meal plan fees for residential students
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: Multiple sessions in the summer. Session 1: June 16 – 27 | Session 2: July 7 – 18 | Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Eligibility: Students aged 15+ in grades 9–12 (rising or graduating); must have completed Algebra II and Trigonometry. Preference for students who have taken Pre-Calculus and are enrolled in AP Stats or Calculus.
SPARC is a two-week summer program designed to introduce high school students to core topics in robotics, mechatronics, and programming. During the program, you’ll work with robotics kits to build and program functional devices, gaining hands-on experience with microcontrollers, sensors, and actuators.
Alongside project work, you will gain an understanding of core programming concepts and the basic principles of electrical and mechanical systems engineering. The program includes structured challenges that encourage you to apply what you’ve learned in practical settings.
11. Tech Scholars Programs — New-York Historical Society
Location: New-York Historical Society Museum, Manhattan, NYC
Cost: Free
Application Deadlines:
- Tech Scholars: Podcasting – May 19
- Tech Scholars: Web Design (Summer) – May 26
Program Dates:
- Tech Scholars: Podcasting (Cohort 1): July 7 – 11
- Tech Scholars: Podcasting (Cohort 2): August 18 – 22
- Tech Scholars: Web Design (Summer): July 21 – 25
Eligibility: Open to high school students in grades 9–12 who live in and attend school in the NYC metro area (including NYC’s five boroughs, as well as parts of NY, NJ, and CT)
The Tech Scholars program at the New-York Historical Society offers high school students the opportunity to work with digital tools in the humanities. Hosted in the museum’s Tech Commons, the program focuses on creating digital media projects that connect to art, history, and social justice.
As a participant, you’ll gain experience in areas like historical research while learning essential skills in coding (HTML/CSS), podcast production, and digital design. The program also includes opportunities to engage with museum professionals, offering insight into careers in both history and technology. For computer science students, this is an opportunity to apply coding and design skills in a cross-disciplinary context, blending technology with the humanities.
12. Columbia University’s SHAPE Program
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $5,875 (Commuter) | $10,705 (Residential)
Application Deadline: March 3. More information here.
Program Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 25 | Session 2: July 28 – August 15.
Eligibility: Applicants must be rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, or recent high school graduates.
The SHAPE program at Columbia University is a three-week academic experience designed for high school students and recent graduates. The program provides courses in computer science, robotics, autonomous driving, and data science, offering a practical introduction to essential fields in technology and engineering.
You will engage in projects that enhance your abilities in coding, problem-solving, and grasping emerging technologies. The program aims to provide you with insight into academic and career paths in technology, including those available at Columbia University.
13. Syracuse University Pre-College Programs
Location: Syracuse University Campus, Syracuse, NY, or Virtual
Cost: $2,020 – $10,430 (Residential) | $1,543 – $7,592 (Commuter). You can find the detailed breakdown based on your chosen session here (Note: These are for the on-campus programs; the virtual programs have a different cost breakdown).
Application Deadline: May 1
Program Dates: Multiple sessions from July to August
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 years or older by their move-in date are eligible to attend on campus.
Syracuse University provides summer courses lasting from 2 to 6 weeks, offered on campus, online, in a hybrid format, or at various campus locations. Computer science courses include topics such as cybersecurity, computer animation, and game design. Each course includes practical experience, such as a hackathon in the cybersecurity class, where you’ll work in teams to defend systems from simulated attacks by hackers.
For a more selective experience, they also offer a research-intensive program where you’ll assist faculty with college-level research projects. The regular summer course program allows you to experience university-level computer science classes while living on campus and experiencing student life.
14. NYU’s Summer Program for Machine Learning
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,050
Application Deadline: May 15
Program Dates: Session 1: June 16 – 27 | Session 2: July 7 – 18 | Session 3: July 28 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students age 15+, entering grades 10–12, and must have completed Algebra 2 or equivalent, and have some programming experience.
NYU’s 2-week summer program introduces you to the basics of computer science, data analysis, and mathematical techniques used in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). The program covers essential subjects, including video and image recognition, interactive voice control, autonomous vehicles, real-time monitoring, traffic management, and medical diagnostic technologies.
During the program, you’ll focus on core ML concepts like model development through cross-validation, linear regression, and neural networks. You’ll also be encouraged to think about how these skills can be applied to address social issues, with an emphasis on real-world applications of the concepts you learn.
Image source – NYU
