If you are a high school student interested in business, joining a business program can give you the kind of exposure that your regular classes usually do not cover. These programs introduce you to areas like risk management, accounting, finance, market research, and entrepreneurship in a structured and practical way.
What makes them useful is that they are not just about reading theories. You often get to work on activities like creating a business plan, designing a product, analyzing a company’s performance, or presenting a pitch for your own idea. By taking part in these programs, you build skills that can help you both in college applications and in future business opportunities.
This blog has 15 of the most competitive programs for high school students in the country, and are hosted by national organizations and are often fully-funded!
15 Competitive Business Programs for High School Students
1. Young Founders Lab
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.
Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.
2. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Meta Headquarters, Menlo Park, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free. A stipend is provided, but the amount is not specified
Program dates: The program generally begins on the third Monday of June and goes on for 6 weeks
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores who have a minimum 2.0 GPA and reside in either East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City
The Meta Summer Academy gives high school students the chance to work in one of the biggest tech and social media companies in the world. As an intern, you will spend 30 hours per week at the Meta Headquarters learning about coding, VR, financial literacy, arts, and media. You will also hone your soft skills in areas like leadership, communication, teamwork, and networking. While the focus is on topics like software development, artificial intelligence, and data analysis, you will also understand the inner workings of a tech giant like Meta.
3. Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY): High School Entrepreneurship
Location: UC Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Generally goes above $6,000. Limited need-based scholarships are available.
Program dates: Session 1 from July 6-20, Session 2 from July 20 – August 3
Application deadline: February 29. But applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: All high school students
The Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY): High School Entrepreneurship is a two-week residential program at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business where high school students learn how to turn creative ideas into viable business ventures. You’ll work in teams to develop a startup concept and build a full business plan, guided by Haas faculty and MBA mentors. As you develop your business idea, you’ll explore key components like marketing strategy, financial planning, accounting basics, negotiation tactics, management principles, and corporate social responsibility. Past student projects have included sustainable building materials, wearable tech with emergency communication features, and self-heating winter apparel.
4. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Financial aid available.
Application Date: 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! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research. Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects. Apply here!
5. Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)
Location: Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Cost: $350
Program dates: June 14-26
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school juniors entering 12th grade from the U.S. or Puerto Rico
The Business Opportunities Summer Session is a two-week residential program that allows you to experience learning business at Penn State University. During the program, you will attend courses led by Penn State faculty and learn the fundamental concepts of the field, such as accounting, management, ethics, communication, business writing, and more. You will also have the chance to work in teams to develop a business, which you will present at the end of the program. Along with the hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, you will understand what it’s like to live on campus with your peers.
6. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,500. Need-based scholarships are available
Program dates: June 13-27
Application deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 who are US citizens/permanent residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week residential program for rising high school seniors who want to explore business through hands-on learning and real-world engagement. You’ll work with Michigan Ross faculty across key areas of business, including marketing, finance, strategy, operations, and entrepreneurship. Each day includes morning and afternoon classes or workshops, group project time, and field trips to local companies. You’ll meet industry professionals, attend guest lectures, and take part in business challenges that mirror real-world problem solving.
7. Wharton Essentials of Entrepreneurship
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $7,899
Program dates: Session 1 from June 7-21, Session 2 from June 21 – July 4, Session 3 from July 12-25, Session 4 from July 26 – August 8
Application deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11
The Wharton Essentials of Entrepreneurship is a two-week residential program where you learn how to build a startup from the ground up at the University of Pennsylvania. Designed for high school students in grades 9–11, the program introduces you to core entrepreneurial skills through interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and team-based collaboration. You’ll explore key areas like user research, market analysis, product design, branding, and scaling strategies. You’ll also learn how to identify real-world problems worth solving, conduct customer interviews, and design a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Throughout the program, you’ll work in teams to develop a startup idea, build a pitch deck, and present your concept in a final pitch competition.
8. Stanford Pre-College Summer Institutes’ Business Courses
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,080. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: Session 1 from June 16-27, Session 2 from July 7-18
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 8-11
Stanford University’s Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes allow high school students to take on advanced courses and learn from Stanford instructors. You can choose from over 70 online courses that span several STEM and humanities fields. There are several business courses as well, covering topics like business strategy, entrepreneurship, finance, product design, and strategic marketing. The lessons are held through live online classes, which will include interactive discussions and assignments. You can also expect hands-on activities such as designing a product, developing a marketing strategy, and presenting a company’s financial model.
9. Kansas State University’s College of Business Summer Institute
Location: Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Cost: $75
Program dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12
The College of Business Summer Institute at Kansas State University is a four-day residential program where high school students explore core areas of business, including marketing, management, finance, and accounting. You’ll take part in interactive classes, group projects, and field trips to local businesses that show how business concepts apply in real-world settings. Throughout the program, you’ll work in teams to develop and pitch an entrepreneurial idea as part of a final business challenge. This hands-on experience helps you build skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and communication.
10. Harvard Student Agencies Summer Business Academy
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $1,800. Need-based financial aid is available
Program dates: Multiple one-week options between June and August are available
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12
The Harvard Student Agencies Summer Business Academy is a week-long program where high school students explore core business concepts through lectures, field trips, and hands-on projects. Hosted by Harvard undergraduates, the academy offers two tracks that simulate real-world business roles. In the Entrepreneurship track, you’ll learn how to build a startup from scratch. You’ll study market research, SWOT analysis, product development, financial literacy, and business planning. Working in teams, you’ll create a business idea and pitch it to mock investors, practicing both elevator and full-format presentations. In the Management and Strategy track, you’ll step into the role of a business consultant. You’ll analyze company data, interpret financial statements, and tackle operational challenges using real case studies. The track emphasizes strategic thinking and problem-solving, culminating in a team presentation that proposes solutions to actual business issues.
11. University of Colorado’s Business Leadership Program
Location: University of Colorado, Boulder, CO
Cost: Free. This program is a competition that offers a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Colorado as a prize.
Program dates: June 21-27
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Current high school juniors who are Colorado residents or attend school in Colorado
The Business Leadership Program at the University of Colorado Boulder is a free, competitive opportunity for high school students to apply their business knowledge in a real-world setting. Over the course of the program, you’ll work in teams to create and implement a marketing campaign for a corporate partner: past sponsors have included EY, Deloitte, KeyBank, and other major firms. You’ll learn how to analyze business challenges, develop creative strategies, and present your campaign to a panel of judges. The experience includes mentorship from CU Boulder faculty and business professionals.
12. Ladders for Leaders Summer Internship Program
Location: Various placements in New York City
Cost: Free. Students will be paid at least $16.50/hour
Program dates: The internships take place over 6 weeks during the summer months. They can vary from 25-40 hours per week
Application deadline: February 3
Eligibility: High school and college students between the ages of 16-24 who are residents of one of the five boroughs of NYC, have prior work/volunteer experience, and are legally allowed to work in the US
The Ladders for Leaders Summer Internship Program is run by the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development. It connects high school and college students with paid summer internships at corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies. Before starting, you complete a pre-employment training that covers workplace readiness, business etiquette, and professional communication. Past placements have included the New York City Department of Design and Construction, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Lincoln Center, and The Economist Group. Through this program, you get direct experience in how organizations work and build skills in leadership, communication, and networking.
13. Georgetown University’s Entrepreneurship Academy
Location: Georgetown University, Washington, DC
Cost: $5,950 for residents, $4,145 for commuters
Program dates: June 15-27
Application deadline: April 15
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-12 who have a minimum GPA of 2.0
Georgetown University’s Entrepreneurship Academy is a week-long residential program that gives high school students a deep dive into the startup process, from idea generation to investor pitching. You’ll work in teams to develop a business plan, guided by faculty, mentors, and guest speakers who bring real-world experience into the classroom. The curriculum blends lectures, case studies, interactive discussions, and field trips to explore key topics like market research, prototype testing, business operations, risk management, ethics, and diversity in entrepreneurship. You’ll learn how to identify a problem worth solving, test your solution, and build a pitch that communicates your idea clearly and persuasively.
14. Drexel University’s Camp Business
Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $2,000 for residents, $950 for commuters
Program dates: Residential Blue Session from July 13-18, Commuter Session from July 20-25, Residential Gold Session from July 27 – August 1
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. International students can apply as well.
Drexel University’s Camp Business is a week-long program that introduces high school students to collegiate and corporate business education. As a participant, you will learn the basics of the field, such as accounting, management, finance, marketing, leadership, professional image, team building, and strategy. You will also dive into topics like technology, stock markets, and financial documents, which are essential components of running a business. At the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
15. Indiana University’s Business Is Global Program
Location: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Cost: $2,000
Program dates: June 22 – July 5
Application deadline: April 14
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Indiana University’s Business Is Global Program is a two-week residential experience that introduces high school students to international business through the lens of language and culture. Hosted by the Kelley School of Business, the program focuses on specific global regions such as the Middle East, Brazil, South Korea, and Estonia. You will explore how business practices vary across cultures while learning introductory vocabulary in multiple languages. The curriculum includes interactive sessions on marketing, management, and trade, alongside cultural activities like cooking demonstrations, music workshops, and etiquette lessons. You will also examine how political climates and current events influence global business decisions.
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 – Indiana University