Looking to experience college life without committing to an expensive summer program?
Consider a college camp for high school students!
College camps for high school students offer an accessible way to experience university-level learning while developing advanced academic and technical skills. These short, intensive programs help you explore subjects such as computer science, data analysis, engineering, biology, and economics at the undergraduate level. You will learn through lectures, labs, and team-based projects, with mentorship from university faculty, gaining practical experience that deepens both subject knowledge and curiosity for research.
Unlike longer pre-college or research programs, college camps for high school students are designed to be brief and sharply focused on a specific discipline. This format allows you to gain an in-depth yet targeted understanding of complex topics, whether it’s designing a prototype, modeling a dataset, or analyzing a chemical process.
To help you find the right fit, below is a curated list of 14 college camps for high school students, hosted by top universities and research institutions.
1. Advanced Engineering Camp – Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Location: Dallas, Texas (on-campus)
Cost: $600 (includes meals, project materials, and camp merchandise)
Dates: Girls Camp: July 7–11 | Boys Camp: July 14–18 | Co-ed Camp: July 21–25
Application Deadline: Opens February 17 | Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th–10th grade students with prior exposure to engineering or STEM
Hosted by SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering, the Advanced Engineering Camp introduces students to fundamental and applied concepts across electrical, mechanical, civil, and computer engineering. You will engage in structured design challenges that follow the full engineering design process, integrating CAD modeling, circuitry, and basic coding. Mentored by SMU engineering students and DFW college mentors, participants develop technical problem-solving and collaboration skills while producing hands-on prototypes. With a capped cohort of 20 students per session, this camp offers an intensive, mentor-guided environment ideal for those seeking focused technical exposure. Its design-based approach makes it a skill-driven college camp for high school students exploring multidisciplinary engineering.
2. Engineering Design Experience – Southern Methodist University (SMU)
Location: Dallas, Texas (residential, on-campus)
Cost: $1,400 (includes housing, meals, materials, and campus access)
Dates: Female Camps – June 2–6 or June 16–20 | Male Camps – June 9–13 or June 23–27
Application Deadline: Opens February 17 | Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th grade students interested in engineering or STEM
The Engineering Design Experience at SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering provides a rigorous, residential learning environment for students preparing to major in STEM. You will explore fields such as civil, electrical, computer, and mechanical engineering, working in the Deason Innovation Gym, a university makerspace equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and fabrication tools. Throughout the week, campers design and prototype solutions to real-world problems, strengthening their technical, analytical, and presentation skills. The program emphasizes collaboration and design thinking, culminating in a final project showcase before faculty and families.
3. Summer Engineering Exploration (SEE) Camp – University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan (residential, on-campus)
Cost: Typically subsidized (includes housing, meals, and activity fees)
Dates: July 6 – 12
Application Deadline: Typically opens in January and closes early March
Eligibility: Rising 10th–11th grade students, with priority for those with limited access to STEM programs
The Summer Engineering Exploration (SEE) Camp, hosted by the Society of Women Engineers at the University of Michigan, is a week-long residential program that introduces students to various engineering disciplines. You will work in small teams on a week-long design challenge, applying the engineering design process to solve real problems using analytical and creative thinking. The camp also includes hands-on labs, campus tours, and student panels to help you understand academic pathways in STEM. Beyond classroom work, you will participate in collaborative activities such as kayaking, leadership challenges, and design workshops. SEE Camp combines exposure to diverse engineering fields with practical problem-solving experience, making it an immersive college camp for high school students seeking early insight into collegiate engineering.
4. Math Modeling Camp – IMA-MathCEP, University of Minnesota
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota (with limited virtual options)
Cost: Free
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: May 31
Eligibility: High school students who have completed single-variable calculus | Graduating seniors are eligible too
The Math Modeling Camp, organized by the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) and MathCEP, trains students to apply mathematics to complex, real-world systems through structured modeling and computational analysis. Working in small teams, you will develop models of physical, environmental, or economic phenomena—such as traffic optimization or climate impact simulations—using calculus, linear algebra, and statistics. The camp integrates computational tools, such as MATLAB and Python, for numerical simulation and model refinement. Emphasizing data interpretation and technical writing, this program offers a research-style introduction to mathematical modeling.
5. GirlsGetMath@CSU – Colorado State University
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Cost: Free
Dates: June 2 – 6
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Open to students entering grades 9–12 | All genders are welcome
The GirlsGetMath@CSU program introduces students to applied mathematics through problem-solving, data visualization, and coding projects that extend beyond traditional coursework. You will work in small groups to analyze real-world problems using computational modeling and quantitative reasoning. The curriculum integrates mathematical thinking with applications in science, engineering, and data analysis, while fostering teamwork and communication. Supported by faculty mentors and industry professionals, the camp emphasizes analytical precision and computational literacy.
6. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Location: Stanford, California | Online
Cost: Varies | Financial aid available
Dates: Online Session 1: June 16 – July 4 | Residential Session 1: June 22 – July 18 | Online Session 2: July 7 – 25
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors (grades 10–11)
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) provides a comprehensive, proof-based introduction to higher mathematics for students prepared to advance beyond high school-level concepts. You will study number theory, combinatorics, and abstract algebra, engaging in problem-solving workshops and guided research discussions. Emphasis is placed on constructing rigorous proofs and understanding mathematical structure, bridging pure theory with modern scientific contexts.
7. Rice ELITE Tech Camp – Rice University
Location: Houston, Texas
Cost: Residential – $3,899 | Commuter – $1,799
Dates: Various one-week sessions from June to July
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Rice ELITE Tech Camp is an advanced pre-college engineering program integrating technology, leadership, and innovation. You will explore key topics in machine learning, AI, data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) while applying the engineering design process to real-world problems. Instruction is led by Rice engineering faculty, with hands-on modules in 3D printing, prototyping, and data modeling. In addition to technical training, the program emphasizes project management and collaborative problem-solving in team-based environments.
8. UTSA High School Summer Camps – University of Texas at San Antonio
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Cost: $250–$1,200, depending on camp duration and materials
Dates: June – August (specific programs vary)
Application Deadline: Varies by camp
Eligibility: High school students (some camps open to middle school and rising juniors/seniors)
The UTSA High School Summer Camps span a range of discipline-specific academic intensives across engineering, architecture, music, and criminal justice. Each camp introduces participants to university-level study through hands-on modules, including forensic casework, architectural modeling, biomechanical testing, and ensemble performance analysis. You will engage in project-based learning and present your final prototypes or research findings to faculty mentors. The curriculum emphasizes experimental design, quantitative reasoning, and technical communication.
9. Transportation & Civil Engineering Summer Camp – University of Hartford
Location: Hartford, Connecticut
Cost: Free
Dates: Session 1: July 7 – 11 | Session 2: July 14 – 18
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
The Transportation & Civil Engineering Summer Camp at the University of Hartford provides a focused introduction to structural and infrastructure engineering. You will explore key fields including transportation systems, geotechnical design, and environmental engineering, guided by faculty and practising engineers. Lab modules include materials testing, load and stress analysis, and concrete strength evaluation, complemented by software-based simulations of traffic and infrastructure design. You will also visit construction and transportation sites to observe engineering processes in real-world contexts. The program emphasizes applied problem-solving, quantitative data interpretation, and systems-level thinking.
10. Summer Residential Engineering Camp: Building the World We Live In – NC State University
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Cost: $1,500 (limited financial assistance available)
Dates: July 6 – 11
Application Deadline: March 28
Eligibility: Rising 11th–12th graders
Hosted by NC State’s Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, this residential camp immerses students in the scientific and analytical principles behind modern infrastructure. You will study transportation design, hydrology, and structural engineering, using tools such as hydrological modeling software, load-testing systems, and traffic simulators. Workshops emphasize sustainability and environmental impact assessment, linking civil engineering to long-term urban development. Small group mentorship (1:10 ratio) enables close collaboration with faculty and graduate researchers, and the week concludes with a student-led design presentation.
11. Creative Writing Camp – Rice University
Location: Houston, Texas
Cost: $525 per student (siblings discount available in some sessions)
Dates: Multiple summer sessions
Application Deadline: Rolling enrollment | Early registration recommended
Eligibility: Open to K–12 students interested in writing and storytelling
The Creative Writing Camp at Rice University provides a structured environment for students to develop narrative and analytical writing skills through guided workshops and composition exercises. You will study story structure, poetic form, and character development, working on projects such as world-building, dialogue design, and protagonist interviews. Instruction emphasizes vocabulary precision, syntactic variety, and figurative language, with measurable skill growth assessed through pre- and post-camp evaluations. Faculty-led sessions promote disciplined creativity and revision techniques, preparing students for academic and literary writing at the collegiate level.
12. Aggie STEM Camps – Texas A&M University
Location: College Station, Texas
Cost: $1,699 (high school camp) | $1,499 (middle school camp)
Dates: Week 1: May 31 – June 6 | Week 2: June 7 – 13 | Week 3: June 14 – 20 | Week 4: June 21 – 27 (includes Gaddis Girls Camp)
Application Deadline: April 25 (registration closes) | April 1 for roommate requests
Eligibility: Incoming 6th–12th graders for overnight programs | 2nd–5th graders for day camps
The Aggie STEM Camps at Texas A&M University offer one-week residential experiences that emphasise applied problem-solving and technical innovation. You will engage in engineering design challenges, coding modules, and mathematical modeling projects, guided by Texas A&M faculty and graduate mentors. Coursework integrates computational tools such as MATLAB, AutoCAD, and Python, alongside laboratory experimentation and data-driven projects. High school participants focus on interdisciplinary applications of physics, robotics, and environmental engineering, while building collaboration and communication skills through team-based work.
13. Digital Health Pioneers Summer Camp – University of North Texas
Location: Frisco Landing, Texas
Cost: $350 (exact amount may vary)
Dates: June 2 – 6
Application Deadline: Rolling | Refunds available until May 22
Eligibility: High school students interested in healthcare technology and innovation
The Digital Health Pioneers Summer Camp at the University of North Texas introduces students to the rapidly growing field of digital health through project-based exploration and technical workshops. You will study telemedicine systems, wearable health technologies, and data-driven healthcare analytics, guided by UNT faculty, including Dr Ana Cleveland. Projects emphasize data interpretation, digital design thinking, and applied health informatics, allowing you to understand how computing and biomedical sciences intersect.
14. Pharmacy Summer Camp – Notre Dame of Maryland University (NDMU)
Location: Baltimore, Maryland (commuter and residential options)
Cost: Approximately $450
Dates: June 23 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th grade high school students
The Pharmacy Summer Camp at Notre Dame of Maryland University introduces students to pharmaceutical sciences through a combination of laboratory experimentation and applied clinical study. You will learn to compound medications, analyze drug formulations, and explore precision medicine under the guidance of pharmacy faculty and graduate students. Coursework also covers medication therapy management, pharmacokinetics, and ethical considerations in patient care, providing both technical and professional insight into the field. You will gain hands-on experience in a university lab environment while learning about the academic pathways and competencies required for pharmacy school. Among college camps for high school students, NDMU’s program offers a focused bridge between chemistry, biology, and healthcare practice.
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 – Notre Dame of Maryland University