If you’re a high school student interested in business, consider a program in the subject! Business programs are one of the most effective ways for you to prepare for future careers in management, entrepreneurship, and finance. They not only strengthen resumes and college applications but also help you develop real-world skills, such as financial literacy, strategic thinking, and leadership. For those interested in business, early exposure to areas such as marketing, economics, and venture capital can provide clarity about potential college majors and career paths.
Virginia offers a strong set of opportunities, especially if you’re based in the state. You can explore various formats, from university-led pre-college institutes to local academies and nonprofit initiatives. Choosing a local program can also be financially practical, allowing you to reduce travel and lodging costs while benefiting from instruction at respected institutions.
Our list highlights 11 business programs for high school students in Virginia, including selective residential institutes, online research opportunities, and year-round academies.
1. Bank of America Student Leaders® Program
Location: Varies by company at which you intern | The National Leadership Summit happens in Washington, DC
Cost/Stipend: Stipends are provided (Exact rates vary by host company)
Dates: 8 weeks | Exact dates of internships vary by host company
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders who are legally authorized to work in the USA
The program offers a paid summer internship with a local nonprofit for 8 weeks. You’ll work ~35 hours/week on impactful community projects and develop skills in leadership, problem-solving, communication, and civic engagement. In the program’s final week, you attend the fully funded national Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you meet peers, engage with nonprofit, business, and civic leaders, and explore how sectors collaborate to address societal challenges. All Summit travel, lodging, meals, and related expenses are covered by Bank of America. Students are only responsible for covering incidental personal costs.
2. Inspire Summer: McIntire Business Institute
Location: The University of Virginia (UVA), Fairfax, Virginia
Cost/Stipend: $4,000 (Financial aid available)
Dates: June 16 – 27 or July 7 – 18
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders
The McIntire Business Institute is a part of UVA Northern Virginia’s Inspire Summer offerings. During this particular intensive course for two weeks, you will become familiar with important business principles that can give you the confidence to start your very own business. You will complete projects that help you understand concepts such as strategy, marketing, accounting, and finance. Every Friday, you will take class field trips to local companies, allowing you to observe and learn how real businesses operate. Other skills that you can expect to gain through this program include teamwork, strategic thinking, presenting your ideas, and refining them with feedback.
3. Pamplin’s Inspiring Possibilities (PIP) Academy
Location: Pamplin College of Business, Blacksburg, Virginia
Cost/Stipend: Free
Dates: Ten-day residential program
Application Deadline: Typically April
Eligibility: High school seniors with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale
In this residential course, you will cover various business-related subjects, such as accounting and information systems, business information technology, finance, hospitality and tourism management, management and marketing, and real estate. In addition to being taught by the professors at Pamplin College of Business (PAM), you will also have the opportunity to meet with business leaders who will mentor you, too. As part of your coursework, you are also required to contribute to a team project and present deliverables. The PIP program can be especially rewarding if you plan to join PAM, as your schedule will include campus tours, presentations about admissions, and time to network with current PAM students. Because it’s hosted on Virginia Tech’s campus, the immersive environment also helps you experience life as a business student there.
4. Entrepreneurship & Business Academy
Location: Kempsville High School, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: Multi-year (grades 9 through 12)
Application Deadline: Typically October – January
Eligibility: Rising 9th and 10th graders
Designed for students like you who are considering a career in business, the Entrepreneurship & Business Academy offers three “strands”: entrepreneurship and innovation, business information technology, and corporate finance, and you can pick one of them. Each strand allows access to dual enrollment and advanced placement options, and students can accumulate credits at Tidewater Community College toward an associate degree in Business Administration during high school. Additionally, you can opt for other college-level courses, like Introduction to Entrepreneurship, Business and Information Technology, World Studies for Business, Principles of Microeconomics, and more. The academy also includes a makerspace, flexible learning rooms, and a professional “pitch” space where students can present ideas and collaborate with local business mentors.
5. Inspire Summer: Digital Marketing
Location: The University of Virginia (UVA), Fairfax, Virginia
Cost/Stipend: $1,500 (Financial aid available)
Dates: June 23 – 27 or July 7 – 11
Application Deadline: December 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th – 12th graders
Another program offered by the University of Virginia’s Inspire Summer is the Digital Marketing program, which can be particularly useful for those considering starting an online business. You will learn how to effectively promote your business online through social media, influencer partnerships, digital advertising, and email marketing. You will also contribute to projects and refer to case studies, allowing you to better understand your audience and identify the most impactful strategies that drive results for your potential business in the future. Ultimately, this one-week program helps you understand digital marketing trends and how to use them to your advantage.
6. Economics for Leaders
Location: Various locations, including the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Cost/Stipend: $2,300 (Need-based scholarship available) | A non-refundable application fee of $35
Dates: June 16 – 22
Application Deadline: Applications are open year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis
Eligibility: Rising 10th through rising 12th graders
Throughout this residential program, you will explore various concepts related to economics, including economic growth and scarcity, open markets, opportunity costs, inflation and more. You’ll engage in simulations, case analyses, and guided discussions to apply economic reasoning to real-world issues. Because the program emphasizes both conceptual rigor and leadership insight, it’s a good choice for students aiming to think and act like future business or policy leaders. The ultimate goal of this program is to ensure that, as a potential businessperson, you can make important decisions while considering crucial economic factors.
7. Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital: From Idea to Investment
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $1,595
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary by cohort | Applications typically close a week before classes begin
Eligibility: Students who are at least 13 years old
This class is a pre-college program that will provide you with an in-depth understanding of venture capital investing. You will simultaneously learn how, as an entrepreneur, you can come up with a pitch that drives investments. Given that there is no rigid schedule to follow, you can cover the syllabus, which consists of multimedia, stimulations and assignments, at your own pace. There are 20 to 30 hours’ worth of material. Whenever you have a doubt or difficulty understanding a concept, there is a mentor to guide you through it. At the end of the program, you need to submit your final project, which includes a pitch deck or presentation, to a potential investor to receive your Certificate of Completion from William & Mary.
8. Summer Courses at Shenandoah
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $495 per three-credit course
Dates: June 2 – July 12 for the Summer 1 session | July 14 – August 23 for the Summer 2 session
Application Deadline: Registrations open until the first day of the course
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
One of the most effective ways to prepare for college is to take undergraduate-level classes during your summer break. As someone who is interested in starting a business or earning a business-related degree, Shenandoah University offers various courses that can benefit you. You can consider attending courses such as Personal Money Skills, Principles of Financial Accounting, and Introduction to Finance. Some sections are synchronous (with fixed meeting times), while others are asynchronous. Please check the course listings for the format. Since these are actual college courses, credits may be transferable to your future institutions, depending on their credit transfer policies.
9. Georgetown University Precollege Online Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: $3,995 for college credit courses | $1,895 for enrichment courses (Need-based scholarship available)
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Applications are open year-round
Eligibility: Students who are at least 13 years old
If you wish to study a subject in depth, this online program offers numerous courses, including those related to business, such as finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and investing. When enrolled, you get access to the course materials, which include lecture recordings by professors that you can watch anytime and anywhere. You can take as many courses as you want, as long as you can handle the workload. You can choose between college credit courses, which offer nearly 130 hours of course material and provide college credits upon completion, or enrichment courses, which consist of 20 to 30 hours of course material without any college credits. Regardless of your choice, you will receive support from the university’s faculty and are required to complete a final project.
10. Accelerated Business Program
Location: Terry College of Business, Athens, Georgia | Remote options available
Cost/Stipend: $295 for the on-campus program | Free for the online program
Dates: One week (early June)
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders
This pre-college program allows you to explore different tracks within the business industry. It primarily focuses on areas with higher career prospects, allowing you to choose your college and career paths accordingly. Although this is an on-campus program taking place in Georgia, the online version offers similar exposure to business fields and case studies delivered virtually. You will also have the opportunity to listen to business professionals from reputable companies, like PwC, Charles Aris, and more. At the end of the program, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Terry College of Business.
11. P.A.T.H. to SUCCESS Youth Entrepreneur Program
Location: Online (hosted by Virginia Diverse Chamber of Commerce)
Cost/Stipend: Pricing upon inquiry (not publicly listed)
Dates: All year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 13 years old
This virtual program from the Virginia Diverse Chamber equips aspiring young entrepreneurs with foundational skills in business modeling, marketing strategies, networking, and pitching. You’ll access seminars, workshops, mentorship, and real-world case studies online. You also hear from industry leaders and chamber affiliates who share practical advice on starting and scaling ventures in Virginia or beyond. The flexible schedule allows you to engage at your own pace. Because it’s offered locally (by a Virginia organization), P.A.T.H. to SUCCESS can serve as a more accessible entrepreneurial introduction for Virginia high schoolers.
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 – Georgetown University