If you are considering studying economics or a related field, high school is a good time to start building a deeper understanding of the subject. Programs outside school can be a wise choice for that!
In an economics program, you might examine how markets function, how businesses make decisions, or how policies affect different groups. Many programs include discussions, simulations, and group-based work that help you apply what you learn.
Why should you choose a program in Michigan?
Michigan offers a range of programs through universities, business institutes, and academic centers. These programs are often designed to give high school students early exposure to college-level learning. These programs also add depth to your applications by showing that you have explored the subject seriously.
With that, here are 15 economics programs available to high school students in Michigan! If you’d like to learn more about economics programs, here are our guides to free+virtual and pre-college summer economics programs for high school students!
15 Economics Programs for High School Students in Michigan
1. The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Campus, MI
Cost: $5,500 | Need-based scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 70 students per cohort
Dates: Session 1: June 7 – 17 | Session 2: June 21 – July 1
Application Deadline: Typically Mid-January
Eligibility: Current rising high school seniors; Minimum GPA: 3.0 or higher | Preference for U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy allows high school students to explore the business world from up-close. You’ll understand how companies function, learn problem-solving through a leader’s lens, and experience life as a business student at Michigan. You’ll have the opportunity to explore future career paths in the field, participate in collaborative and hands-on activities, and learn through interactions with industry experts and faculty. You’ll attend classes, participate in workshops, and engage in college-level academic work. The program will allow you to participate in social activities and take field trips.
2. Dollars and Sense Camp
Location: Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Cost: $299
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 17 – 21
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Grade 8th-12th students
The Dollars and Sense Camp is a week-long summer program for high school students. You’ll work on developing a financial plan to fund post-secondary education, gain knowledge about cryptocurrencies and blockchain technologies, and explore career pathways. You’ll learn and practice a range of topics, including budgeting, investing, saving, insurance, risk management, real estate, and more. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in games on personal finance, interact with professionals and industry experts, and understand financial planning from high school to retirement.
3. Summer Entrepreneurship Institute | University of Michigan-Flint School of Management
Location: UM-Flint School of Management, Flint, MI
Cost: $50 | Need-based scholarships available
Dates: June 16 – 18
Application Deadline: April 30
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors can apply
The Summer Entrepreneurship Institute by the University of Michigan-Flint School of Management is a three-day summer learning opportunity for high school students. You’ll explore your interest in business and entrepreneurship, attend engaging sessions, and develop entrepreneurial thinking skills. You’ll gain knowledge about the process of starting new ventures and making them successful. You’ll learn about the skills and knowledge needed to become a good entrepreneur, learn to evaluate the success or failure potential associated with business ideas, and work on team projects and presentations. The program will allow you to attend faculty lectures, listen to guest speakers, and go on field trips.
4. Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp
Location: Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – 25
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Entrepreneur Leadership High School Camp is a no-cost program for high school students. You’ll learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, understand its relationship with different areas of business, and pitch your business ideas to the MSU community, including the staff, students, and industry leaders. The camp is organized by the Broad College of Business, Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and the Multicultural Business Programs. The program offers a great opportunity to build self-confidence and gain the skills and knowledge important for venture creation.
5. Summer Springboard’s Business & Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: Residential Tuition: $5,698 | Commuter Tuition: $2,998
Dates: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
Summer Springboard’s Business and Entrepreneurship is a two-week program for high school students. You’ll understand the working and relationship between marketing, sales, finance, and operations. You’ll gain knowledge about real-world challenges of growing a startup from entrepreneurial founders, prepare a business plan and present it to potential investors, and analyze financial statements. You’ll learn through a range of real-world challenges, including the development of marketing strategies, building financial projections, and exploring real startup environments through excursions. The program concludes in a final pitch where you’ll share your venture ideas with an investor panel and receive valuable feedback.
6. Economics for Leaders (EFL) – Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)
Location: Multiple locations, including the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $2,800
Dates: July 20 – 26
Application Deadline: Rolling basis (Mar 18: Priority)
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors
Economics for Leaders – Foundations for Teaching Economics offers a hands-on learning experience to high school students. You’ll participate in simulations, learn from expert economic instructors, and develop critical thinking skills. You’ll gain knowledge about ten topics in Economic Reasoning Propositions (ERPs), including money and inflation, economic growth and scarcity, open markets, markets in action, property rights, government, incentives, innovation and the role of institutions, opportunity cost, and labor markets. The program also allows you to learn about the leadership pyramid matrix, engage in thoughtful discussions, and understand the real-world impact of economic principles.
7. GM Student Corps
Location: General Motors Company, Detroit, MI
Cost: None. $15.00 per hour stipend is paid
Dates: June to August ( tentative, based on previous years)
Application Deadline: Typically early March
Eligibility: High school students from selected schools in Michigan; More information here
GM Student Corps is a paid internship opportunity for high school students. You’ll have the opportunity to engage in a range of activities, including professional development, mentoring, team building, and community service. You’ll be offered a range of program opportunities, including financial literacy and business etiquette. Through these opportunities, you’ll gain knowledge about financial planning and credit, investing, identity theft, budgeting, problem solving, goal setting, conflict resolution, and more. The program will allow you to develop project management skills, build a personal and professional network, and develop an understanding of social and professional behaviors.
8. MSUFCU Internship Program
Location: East Lansing or Auburn Hills, MI
Cost: Free. A stipend is paid
Dates: Year-round availability
Application Deadline: Cohort-specific: Summer app due in Feb
Eligibility: High school students
MSUFCU Internship Program offers a paid internship opportunity to high school students. You’ll contribute to the credit union and community through your work, financial services, accounting, marketing, business development, and more. You’ll engage in the program for 13 weeks, work on a flexible schedule, and develop career readiness. The program will allow you to develop a range of competencies in critical thinking, leadership, teamwork, equity and inclusion, communication, and more. You’ll also build a meaningful alumni network.
9. NAF Academy of Finance
Location: Multiple locations, including Michigan
Cost: Free
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: Open in January
Eligibility: High school freshmen
NAF Academy of Finance offers a work-based learning opportunity to high school students. You’ll interact with industry experts, learn through career-focused curricula, and develop professional skills. The program curriculum covers authentic projects and courses in a range of areas, including finance, accounting, and entrepreneurship. You’ll engage in financial literacy programs, participate in internships and mentorships, and work on business design projects. You’ll gain knowledge about risk management, budgeting, investing, and more while gaining real-world exposure to the workforce.
10. NSLC’s Business & Entrepreneurship High School Program
Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI + Other locations
Cost: $4,195
Dates: July 8 – 16 | July 21 – 29
Application Deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: High school students ages 14-18
NSLC’s Business & Entrepreneurship is a nine-day learning opportunity for high school students. You’ll learn the fundamentals of building a business from the start, develop entrepreneurial skills, and gain real-world knowledge from industry leaders, including Inc.500 entrepreneurs. You will engage in hands-on learning through simulations, including industry analysis, developing a business pitch, presenting your brand on social media, and management simulations and decision-making related to finance, product research, marketing, and operations. You’ll listen to guest speakers and attend workshops on leadership skills such as communication, personality styles, resilience, empathy, and active listening.
11. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Principles of Macroeconomics Course
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,200
Dates: Session 1: June 15 – 26; Session 2: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Grade 9th-11th students; Must have completed an algebra course
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes: Principles of Macroeconomics is a 12-day virtual learning opportunity for high school students. You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of important concepts in Macroeconomics, including inflation, financial markets, GDP, labor markets, unemployment, and growth. You’ll develop analytical and critical thinking skills, learn to make informed financial decisions, and gain knowledge about the real-world economic perspectives and dynamics. You’ll participate in economic discussions, work on assignments, and also complete projects.
12. Understanding Your Money by The Wharton School
Location: Virtual
Cost: $329
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Open enrollment
Eligibility: High school students
Understanding Your Money by the Wharton School is a self-paced virtual program for high school students. You’ll be introduced to economics fundamentals, gain knowledge from experienced faculty, and understand smart financial decision-making. You’ll understand how financial issues affect people’s well-being, learn through four modules on a range of topics, including utility and cost, supply and demand, the role of banks, retirement planning, asset allocation, and many more. You’ll learn the real-world impact of money, identify skills in budgeting and earning, develop smart investing strategies, and earn a certificate of completion.
13. The Business of Economics – Rice University Precollege Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and above
The Business of Economics- Rice University Pre-College Program offers multi-length year-round courses for high school students. You’ll have the opportunity to understand the relationship between business and economics. You’ll learn the practical application of economic theories, understand the difference between economic and other business-related disciplines, and learn the impact of economic policy on business outcomes and decisions. You’ll gain knowledge about the real-world applications of economics, work on a capstone project presentation, and have the opportunity to earn a recognized certificate on program completion.
14. Economics, Finance, and Public Policy – Harvard Secondary School Program
Location: Courses offered in online and on-campus formats.
Cost: $4050 onwards; financial aid is available
Program Dates: June 21 – August 9 (7-week session).
Application Deadline: Not specified. Check the website for the latest information.
Eligibility: Open to high school students
The Economics, Finance, and Public Policy track within Harvard’s Secondary School Program (SSP) allows you to experience college-level coursework in economics, finance, and public policy. You can choose from courses such as Principles of Economics: Microeconomics, Principles of Economics: Macroeconomics, and Public Finance to explore key concepts and applications in these disciplines. Through lectures, assignments, and discussions, you develop critical thinking, financial literacy, and strategic decision-making skills. The program’s flexible course offerings include online and on-campus formats, enabling you to tailor your academic experience.
15. Summer@Brown Online – Economics Track
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,218 – $6,238
Application Deadline: Typically early May
Dates: Mid-June to Mid-July
Eligibility: Students completing grades 9 to 12, ages 14 to 18 by June 15
Summer@Brown Online – Economics Track lets you study applied economics using behavioral models and quantitative tools. In Behavioral Game Theory, you learn about strategic decision-making and how people sometimes act irrationally, using concepts like Nash equilibrium, dominance strategies, and behavioral heuristics. In Introduction to Accounting, you study financial information, including assets, liabilities, equity, and how income statements and balance sheets work. You practice analyzing data, building accounting models, and applying economic reasoning to real-world problems.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in economics, 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: University of Michigan