If you’re curious about why prices change, how policies affect people, or what drives decision-making at a large scale, studying economics in high school is a great place to start. Economics teaches you how to think clearly about trade-offs, incentives, and data, and how small choices can lead to big outcomes. Many programs go beyond theory, giving you hands-on experience with data analysis, basic statistics, and real-world case studies. Along the way, you’ll build strong problem-solving and analytical writing skills that are useful far beyond economics.
Why California is a great place to study economics
California offers an especially rich environment for exploring economics. With world-class universities, a tech-driven economy, and influential policy and research institutions, the state gives you access to programs that connect theory to real-world issues. You might study behavioral economics, finance, or public policy while learning from university faculty, graduate researchers, or industry professionals. Whether you’re interested in data, markets, or how decisions shape society, California provides plenty of meaningful ways to explore economics before college.
You can also check out our complete blog on economics programs for high school students here.
14 Economics Programs for High School Students in California
1. Research Mentorship Program – University of California
Cost/Stipend: $5,675 (commuter) or $13,274 (residential); some scholarships available
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Program Dates and Deadlines: June 16-August 1; applications open December 15 to March 17
Subject Areas and Focus: Interdisciplinary research, including economics, social sciences, and STEM; research design, academic reading, and basic data analysis
Who is Eligible: High school students in grades 10 or 11, or advanced 9th graders, with a minimum 3.80 GPA
The Research Mentorship Program gives high school students the chance to work closely with a faculty member, graduate student, or a postdoctoral researcher on an independent project tailored to their interests. This six-week in-person experience takes place at UC Santa Barbara, where you’ll spend between 35 to 50 hours per week on research, depending on your project. Your schedule will include lectures, seminars, and presentations that introduce research methods and professional skills, all designed to support your work. You will spend most of your time developing your research plan, completing project tasks, and preparing a final presentation that showcases what you have learnt. The program is interdisciplinary, allowing you to explore research across multiple fields, including economics.
2. UCLA Economics Summer Institute
Cost/Stipend: $1,916 (virtual) or $2,486 (commuter), plus additional fees
Location: Los Angeles, CA or virtual
Program Dates and Deadlines: Virtual: June 24-July 12; commuter: July 15-August 2; application deadline June 1
Subject Areas and Focus: Introductory microeconomics and macroeconomics; data-based problem-solving and basic policy analysis
Who is Eligible: Current 9th-12th graders who are at least 15 years old by the start date
The UCLA Economics Summer Institute is an opportunity for high school students to dive into core economic concepts through daily lessons, data exercises, and problem sets. The program blends lectures with hands-on activities that introduce you to the kinds of data analysis and policy evaluation tools used by economists in real environments. You’ll work with classmates on assignments and attend sessions that explore different areas of the field, such as Labor Markets, Trade Policy, and Consumer Behavior. The format gives you consistent practice with economic reasoning and introductory analytical methods, helping you see how economics plays a part in real-world decisions and challenges.
3. Stanford’s SHTEM Program
Cost/Stipend: No tuition; $50 application fee; need-based stipends available
Location: Virtual
Program Dates and Deadlines: June 17-August 9; application deadline March 1
Subject Areas and Focus: Interdisciplinary research across STEM and social sciences; project-based work that can combine economics with computing, data analysis, or engineering
Who is Eligible: High school juniors or seniors who are at least 14 years old by the start date
Stanford’s SHTEM Program assigns high school students to research groups based on their interests, and students interested in economics can pursue projects that link economics with fields such as technology and engineering. You’ll work with mentors from Stanford faculty, students, and staff, who guide your project design and help you stay on track throughout the program. The program’s structure gives you solid support, while still allowing room for independent exploration. You’ll meet regularly with your group to plan tasks, learn new methods, and prepare your final project materials.
4. Economic Science Institute
Cost/Stipend: Not specified; some experiments provide participant earnings depending on design
Location: Chapman University, Orange, CA
Program Dates and Deadlines: Not specified; experiments and activities are run throughout the year
Subject Areas and Focus: Experimental economics, behavioural economics, game theory, and decision-making in market and strategic environments
Who is Eligible: Details not provided; typically open to student participants as part of the research subject pool
The Economic Science Institute runs experimental economics programs for students in California that examine how people make decisions in structured market environments. You can take part in laboratory experiments that connect Economics with fields such as Psychology, Computer Science, and Finance. Most activities focus on participating in research sessions rather than following a structured summer curriculum. You may earn money depending on the experiment’s design and schedule.
5. Academic Connections
Cost/Stipend: Details not provided
Location: La Jolla, CA
Program Dates and Deadlines: Program dates and application deadlines TBA
Subject Areas and Focus: UC San Diego–style academic courses across disciplines; economics and related subjects may be offered depending on the yearly catalog
Who is Eligible: High-achieving, college-bound high school students
The program offers subject-based courses that reflect UC San Diego’s academic strengths and are taught by university-affiliated instructors. You’ll take one course and follow a schedule that includes class sessions, assignments, and enrichment activities. Course options vary each year, and economics may be available depending on the summer catalog. You’ll study material at a pre-college level and collaborate with other students in a structured academic environment. The program is designed to introduce students to university-style coursework across a range of subjects.
6. UCI Summer Session
Cost/Stipend: Tuition varies by course
Location: Irvine, CA
Program Dates and Deadlines: Session 1: June 23-July 30; Session 2: August 4-September 10; application deadlines vary by session
Subject Areas and Focus: College-level coursework assignments across disciplines; economics offerings may include introductory theory, quantitative methods, and business-related topics
Who is Eligible: Current high school students, typically rising juniors and seniors
The UCI Summer Session allows high school students to enroll in regular UCI college courses during the summer alongside undergraduate students. Economics courses are often part of the catalog, depending on the session you choose. You’ll follow the same syllabus, assignments, and expectations as the undergraduate students, giving you a true college-level experience. Most classes involve lectures, assigned readings, and graded assessments. You may take one or more courses depending on your schedule. The program is designed to let high school students earn college credit in specific subjects, including economics, while experiencing the pace of university coursework.
7. Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)
Cost/Stipend: Online: $3,750; Residential: $8,950 (plus up to $100 for course readers or textbooks if required)
Location: Stanford, CA or online
Program Dates and Deadlines:
Online Session One: June 15-July 3
Online Session Two: July 6-24
Residential Session: June 21-July 17; applications open mid-December
Subject Areas and Focus: Advanced mathematics including number theory, abstract algebra, and related topics; strong emphasis on proofs and rigorous reasoning
Who is Eligible: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) introduces high school students to advanced math through lectures, problem-solving sessions, and guided research activities. The curriculum covers topics such as Abstract Algebra, Number Theory, and Algebraic Topology, all taught at a pace similar to a college-level math course. You’ll work through daily problem sets, meet with instructors for guidance, and collaborate with peers in structured sessions. While SUMaC isn’t an economics program, its focus on proofs, abstract reasoning, and higher-level math serves as preparation for quantitative economics and econometrics coursework later on.
8. Summer Session – Harvey Mudd College
Cost/Stipend: Details not provided
Location: Claremont, CA
Program Dates and Deadlines: Session I begins May 26; Session II begins June 15; Session III begins July 6, application deadlines not specified
Subject Areas and Focus: College-level courses in mathematics, computer science, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and arts; preparation for quantitative economics depends on specific course choice
Who is Eligible: High school students, including rising juniors
Summer Session at Harvey Mudd College lets high school students take real Harvey Mudd courses for academic credit in a fast-paced summer format. Many students interested in economics choose classes in Mathematics, Statistics, or Quantitative Social Science to strengthen their technical foundation. You’ll follow a structured schedule of lectures, problem sets, projects, and exams that reflects the pace of a STEM-focused college. Some credits may transfer, giving you both valuable skills and an official academic record. If you’re planning on doing serious quantitative economics later on, this program is a good starting point.
9. UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY)
Cost/Stipend: Details not provided
Location: Haas School of Business, Berkeley, CA
Program Dates and Deadlines: Program dates vary. High School Entrepreneurship applications open in January, and High School Academic Year applications open in March
Subject Areas and Focus: Business fundamentals, entrepreneurship, business planning, introductory finance, and applied problem solving
Who is Eligible: High school students for the High School Entrepreneurship and Academic Year programs
The UC Berkeley Business Academy for Youth (B-BAY) introduces high school students to core business topics through exploratory coursework and team-based projects led by Berkeley faculty and program mentors. You’ll dig into Business Planning, Research, and Idea Development, learning through a mix of structured lessons and collaborative work on real business concepts. Throughout the program, you’ll interact with peers who share an interest in business and complete assignments that strengthen your applied problem-solving skills. The focus is on entrepreneurship and early business education, so you’re learning how businesses actually function and make decisions in the real world.
10. California Future Business Leaders of America (California FBLA)
Cost/Stipend: Vary by local chapter
Location: Statewide organization across California (school-based chapters)
Program Dates and Deadlines: Year-round programming; event dates and registration timelines set by regional and state leadership
Subject Areas and Focus: Business, economics, finance, management, entrepreneurship, and competitive academic events
Who is Eligible: High school students in California; chapter membership depends on school participation
California Future Business Leaders of America (California FBLA) is a statewide career technical student organization focused on business education, leadership development, and competitive events. If your school has a chapter, you can participate in conferences, leadership workshops, and competitions in Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, and Economic Decision-Making. Chapters meet during the school year and follow an annual calendar of events organized by regional and state leadership teams. You’ll work on projects, prepare for competitions, and take part in sectional and state conferences.
11. Junior Achievement of Southern California
Cost/Stipend: Details not provided
Location: Programs across Southern California, including Los Angeles, Costa Mesa, San Bernardino, and regional partner sites
Program Dates and Deadlines: Year-round programming; schedules and sign-ups managed through partner schools and community organisations
Subject Areas and Focus: Financial literacy, budgeting, work readiness, entrepreneurship, and applied economic decision making
Who is Eligible: Students ages 5–25; high school offerings available through participating schools and community partners
Junior Achievement of Southern California program gives high school students access to a range of classroom and workplace learning experiences focused on Financial Literacy, Work Readiness, and Entrepreneurship. You’ll get to practice economic decision-making through budgeting simulations and real-world scenarios, under the guidance of partner schools and volunteer mentors. You participate in workshops, mentor-led activities, and short-term events that strengthen your personal finance skills and support your career planning. Many of these programs align with California academic standards and are integrated directly into school curricula. The overall focus is on applied financial skills and career readiness rather than theoretical economics.
12. Economics for Leaders (EFL) – Foundation for Teaching Economics
Cost/Stipend: Residential programs: $2,800 (tuition, room, and board); virtual programs: $900; scholarship assistance available for qualifying students
Location: Multiple sites, including programs in California; headquarters in Davis, CA
Program Dates and Deadlines: Program dates not specified; Summer application opens in December
Subject Areas and Focus: Microeconomic concepts, policy applications, leadership exercises, and decision-making frameworks
Who is Eligible: Current high school sophomores and juniors; competitive admissions (roughly two applicants per available spot, about 25–40 students per site)
This is a selective, weeklong program that blends economics with leadership training and decision-making exercises. You’ll attend economics sessions that combine classroom teaching with case-based policy work and structured leadership activities, helping you apply economic reasoning to public policy challenges. The program pairs economic analysis with practical leadership skills, so you’re not just learning theory, but using it to think through real policy trade-offs and consequences. The program is competitive, but if you get in, you’ll be working with a small group of students who share your interest in economics and policy.
13. KP LAUNCH High School Program – Kaiser Permanente
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid at $23/hour
Location: Kaiser Permanente facilities in Northern California service areas
Program Dates and Deadlines: June 16-August 1; application deadline November 18
Subject Areas and Focus: Workplace learning in healthcare administration, operations, finance, and data-related projects
Who is Eligible: High school students ages 16–19 who live in a designated Northern California Kaiser Permanente service area
This program provided an opportunity for high school students to spend seven weeks working in an office or medical center department of Kaiser Permanente. Your daily tasks depend on your placement and may include administrative work, project support, and assignments connected to business operations; some roles may even involve finance, accounting, or data work. The schedule combines workplace duties with weekly career and skills workshops. You’ll meet regularly with a mentor, complete a service activity, and attend sessions that introduce you to different roles within Kaiser Permanente. If you’re interested in quantitative fields or want to see how economics fits into a real healthcare environment, this program can offer valuable experience.
14. Brown Pre-College Online – Brown University
Cost/Stipend: Details not provided
Location: Online
Program Dates and Deadlines: June 15-July 24 (exact dates vary by course); application deadlines not specified
Subject Areas and Focus: Wide range of subjects including business, economics, behavioural game theory, mathematical finance, and accounting; emphasis on college-style reading, discussion, and written analysis
Who is Eligible: Students completing grades 9-12, ages 14-18 by June 14
Brown Pre-College Online offers an opportunity for high school students to take an online course that’s structured like a real Brown undergraduate class. If you choose an economics-related course, you’ll explore topics such as Strategic Interaction, Markets, and Financial Models through readings, problem sets, and written assignments. As part of the course requirements, you’ll have to manage your weekly workloads independently and meet deadlines for discussions, quizzes, and projects. Occasional live or office-hour sessions let you ask questions, clarify ideas, and receive feedback from the instructor.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like economics, data analysis, or public policy, 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 – Brown University