If you’re a high school student looking to go beyond classroom economics, structured programs can help you build a more applied understanding of the subject. Economics programs for high school students offer opportunities to study how markets function, how policies influence outcomes, and how data is used to evaluate decisions.
If you are specifically looking for economics programs for high school students in Utah, some are short-term summer programs, while others are concurrent enrollment or online courses. Across formats, the focus is consistent: applying economic concepts such as supply and demand, trade, and policy analysis to real-world scenarios. In many economics programs for high school students in Utah, you’ll work with datasets, interpret economic trends, and develop structured arguments. Some programs also introduce quantitative tools or financial analysis, helping you build skills that are directly relevant to college-level coursework.
Below is a curated list of 15 economics programs for high school students in Utah. If you want to continue exploring similar opportunities, you can also check out our blogs on economics summer programs for high school students here and economics summer research programs and internships for high school students here.
Why should you choose a program in Utah?
Utah offers a mix of university-led programs, state-supported online learning, and concurrent enrollment options that make academic exploration more accessible. Programs like the Statewide Online Education Program allow students to take additional courses beyond their school curriculum, with flexible scheduling and standardized academic oversight. Many institutions in Utah also emphasize applied learning. Instead of focusing only on theory, programs often incorporate case studies, data interpretation, and real-world economic scenarios. In addition, several options are low-cost or publicly funded, making them more accessible compared to national summer programs.
1. WeberBiz Summer Camp (Weber State University)
Location: Weber State University, Ogden Campus
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 8–11
Deadline: April 24 (Applications open in March; selection in early May)
Eligibility: Ages 15–18, including graduating seniors
WeberBiz Summer Camp is a four-day residential business program hosted by the Goddard School of Business & Economics. You’ll work through structured activities such as market simulations, introductory game theory exercises, and financial decision-making tasks. The program features hands-on classes led by university faculty and industry professionals, where you’ll apply concepts through real-world challenges and team-based competitions. You’ll also interact with Utah business leaders to understand how economic principles operate within business contexts, along with off-campus activities guided by student leaders to experience applied business environments. By the end, you’ll develop practical business skills, enhance analytical thinking, and gain clarity on future academic and career paths in business.
2. ECON 041 – Economics (BYU Online High School)
Location: Online
Cost: $315–$415 per course (+ fees)
Program Dates: Flexible (self-paced)
Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students
ECON 041, offered through BYU Online High School, is a 0.50 credit course in high school economics. You’ll examine how societies structure economic systems and how policies affect national and individual outcomes. The course emphasizes foundational frameworks, including supply and demand, trade, and the role of government. You’ll build understanding of key economic terms and policy structures and apply economic reasoning to daily decisions and business scenarios. Assignments focus on interpreting economic decisions at both individual and policy levels, often requiring written or digital explanations of reasoning. By the end of the course, you’ll gain exposure to practical economic analysis, strengthen conceptual understanding, and enhance readiness for college-level economics study.
3. High School Economics Concurrent Enrollment Competition (Utah Valley University)
Location: Utah Valley University
Cost: $5 per credit hour (18 credit hours)
Program Dates: Year-round (term-based enrollment)
Deadline: Varies by term (registration opens each semester)
Eligibility: High school students with minimum 3.0 GPA (2.0 for CTE courses)
This concurrent enrollment program allows you to take college-level economics courses while in high school. You’ll examine economic theory through structured coursework aligned with university standards. The program emphasizes applying analytical and quantitative methods to real-world economic and business problems. You’ll build skills in data interpretation, critical thinking, and structured problem-solving. Courses are offered in multiple formats, including in-person, live virtual, livestream, and fully online. You’ll engage with university instructors and follow defined academic schedules and deadlines. The program maintains a focus on measurable academic performance and transcript-building. By the end of the program, you’ll gain early exposure to undergraduate academics and develop readiness for further study in economics.
4. Economics: Associate of Science (Salt Lake Community College)
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Cost: Varies (standard college tuition applies)
Program Duration: Year-round (semester-based)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school graduates or eligible high school students via Early Enrollment
This associate degree program provides a structured introduction to economics through college-level coursework. You’ll study microeconomics and macroeconomics alongside supporting subjects such as statistics and quantitative reasoning. The curriculum emphasizes analyzing how individuals, firms, and governments make decisions under constraints, using both theoretical models and empirical data. If you participate through Early Enrollment, you can take selected courses while still in high school and earn transferable college credit. Coursework focuses on interpreting economic data, applying models to real-world scenarios, and developing formal written analysis. The program is designed as a transfer pathway into a bachelor’s degree, with an emphasis on building foundational analytical and quantitative skills.
5. Statewide Online Education Program
Location: Online (Utah Statewide)
Cost: Free (funded by the state)
Program Dates: Year-round (Summer + Academic Year)
Application Deadline: Registration opens April 1 (varies by term)
Eligibility: Utah public and homeschool students (grades 6–12)
The Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP) allows you to enroll in individual online courses offered by approved providers across Utah. Instead of a single fixed curriculum, you select courses, potentially including economics or related subjects, from a statewide catalog. Courses are aligned with Utah Core Standards and taught by licensed educators, with enrollment managed through the SEATS platform. You’ll complete structured assignments, assessments, and deadlines similar to traditional coursework, but with greater scheduling flexibility. If you choose economics-related courses within SOEP, you’ll focus on foundational concepts such as markets, policy, and financial systems while working independently through online modules. The program is designed to supplement your existing school curriculum, making it useful for exploring subjects not offered locally.
6. Financial Literacy (FINL 041)
Location: Online (BYU Online High School)
Cost: Paid (varies by enrollment)
Program Dates: Flexible (self-paced)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
This course focuses on financial decision-making using applied economic principles. You’ll study topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and risk management, with an emphasis on how individuals allocate limited resources over time. Assignments are scenario-based, requiring you to evaluate trade-offs, interpret financial information, and justify decisions using structured reasoning. It introduces core ideas such as opportunity cost and incentives through practical contexts. The curriculum follows a competency-based model, emphasizing clarity in decision-making and the ability to apply concepts to real-world financial situations rather than abstract economic modeling.
7. High School University Program (HSUP) – Economics Track, University of Utah
Location: University of Utah (in-person & select online courses)
Cost: $5 per credit hour (+ course-specific fees, ranging from $25-$525)
Program Dates: Year-round (Fall, Spring, Summer semesters)
Application Deadline: March 1 (Summer), July 1 (Fall), November 1 (Spring)
Eligibility: High school sophomores–seniors enrolled in Utah schools | GPA-based entry: 3.2 GPA or higher (seniors); 3.5 GPA or higher (juniors); 3.7 GPA or higher (sophomores)
The High School University Program (HSUP) at the University of Utah allows high school students to take real undergraduate economics courses alongside college students. Through courses like Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and Money & Banking, you’ll build a strong foundation in economic theory, quantitative analysis, and real-world financial systems. Unlike typical pre-college programs, HSUP is fully integrated into the university, meaning you earn official college credit and a transcript of your GPA while still in high school. Courses range from introductory to intermediate levels, with options in applied economics, statistics, and labor or health economics. The experience is academically rigorous and best suited for self-driven students balancing both high school and college workloads.
8. Governor’s Honors Academy (GHA)
Location: Cedar City, Utah, USA
Cost: $1500
Program Dates: June 18–26
Application Deadline: February 2 (Priority) | March 2 (Final)
Eligibility: High school students in Utah | Must be a U.S. citizen and attend a Utah high school | Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75
This is a selective nine-day residential academic program for high school students in Utah. The curriculum spans business, technology, humanities, economics, education, communication, and social science through lectures and workshops. It introduces economic thinking through sessions on markets, policy, technology, and societal change. You will examine how economic principles connect with business, governance, and global systems. Practical components include collaborative exercises, leadership roles, and discussions in both classroom and outdoor settings. You will gain exposure to diverse perspectives and develop teamwork and critical thinking skills. By the end of the program, you will have stronger academic curiosity, leadership experience, and a clearer understanding of interdisciplinary study.
9. BYU Independent Study Economics (ECON 041)
Location: Online
Cost: $215 (optional printed packet: $35)
Program Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
This is a self-paced online high school economics course covering core microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts. The curriculum introduces scarcity, tradeoffs, and economic systems, followed by a detailed study of supply, demand, and market behavior. The course emphasizes policy analysis through fiscal and monetary frameworks, financial institutions, and global trade. You will build analytical skills by applying economic models to real-world scenarios and business contexts. Practical components include interactive activities, applied exercises, and flexible assessments using digital media. The course also integrates communication skills and professional attributes through its KSA framework. By the end of the course, you will have a structured understanding of economic principles and their application in policy, markets, and global systems.
10. Economics for Leaders (FTE Student Programs)
Location: Online
Cost: $900 | Scholarships available
Program Dates: June 8–12 | June 29–July 3 | July 20–24 | August 3–7
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors demonstrating leadership experience and strong academic interest
This is a selective summer program focused on applying economic reasoning to leadership and decision-making. The curriculum introduces the economic way of thinking, covering how incentives, trade-offs, and resource allocation influence choices. The program emphasizes applying economic concepts to real-world decisions made by individuals, businesses, and governments. You will examine case studies, participate in interactive tasks, and engage in structured classroom activities. Practical components include simulations, group problem-solving, and applied discussions that connect economics to leadership contexts. You will build skills in analytical reasoning, decision-making, and interpreting economic behavior in organizational settings. By the end of the program, you will have a clearer framework for applying economic principles to leadership and everyday decisions.
11. WeberBiz Summer Camp
Location: Ogden Campus, Weber State University
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June 8–11
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Students aged 15–18 (including graduating seniors)
This is a four-day residential business camp introducing core concepts in business and economics through applied learning. The program covers foundational topics through faculty-led sessions and interactions with industry professionals. The curriculum emphasizes practical exposure to business decision-making, career pathways, and professional environments. You will engage in hands-on classes, collaborative challenges, and structured activities with peers. Practical components include team-based competitions, off-campus experiences, and direct interaction with business leaders. You will also experience campus life by staying in dormitories and participating in student-led activities. The program integrates academic content with experiential learning formats. By the end of the camp, you will have a clearer understanding of business disciplines and potential career directions.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you want to explore economics beyond structured coursework, 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: Weber State University