Computer science is no longer limited to a single career path. It is used across fields like finance, healthcare, and engineering. If you want to start building this skill in high school, pre-college computer science programs for high school students are worth considering.
Pre-college computer science programs for high school students help you learn how to code, work through problems, and understand how systems are built. You might write programs, analyze data, or complete guided projects that reflect real-world use of technology. These programs are designed to give you a deeper and more structured introduction to the subject.
What do pre-college computer science programs for high school students include?
Pre-college computer science programs for high school students are offered by universities, which means you learn in an academic setting similar to college. You follow a structured schedule, attend lectures, and complete assignments under supervision.
The curriculum usually includes programming, algorithms, and project work, along with exposure to tools used in the field. Unlike local courses, these programs provide a closer look at university-level study and access to academic resources. This helps you understand expectations early and makes the shift from school to college more straightforward.
Without further ado, here are 15 pre-college computer science programs for high school students! If you’re looking for online computer science programs, check out our guide here.
15 Pre College Computer Science Programs for High School Students
1. Columbia University Summer Programs
Location: Virtual/Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $2,868–$12,838
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session A: June 22 – 26; Session A: June 29 – July 17; Session B: July 21 – August 7; Session C: August 3 – 7
Application Deadline: April 2
Eligibility: Rising high schoolers (15+ for the residential program)
Columbia’s pre-college programs give you access to a wide range of courses that span multiple subject areas, including computing and related fields. You can choose from over 70 options, allowing you to explore specific areas of interest or experiment with unfamiliar topics. Courses are taught by experienced instructors and are paired with co-curricular activities that extend learning beyond the classroom. Depending on your selection, you may complete coursework that results in a formal evaluation or certification. The structure varies across formats, with both short-term and multi-week options available.
2. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs: CS Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores (16+) with demonstrated financial need
This pre-college computer science program for high school students introduces you to core programming concepts through Python, including data structures, algorithms, and debugging techniques. The curriculum combines classroom instruction with collaborative group projects that focus on solving real-world problems. You also engage with faculty, researchers, and industry professionals, gaining exposure to current work in computing and related fields. In addition to technical learning, the program incorporates writing workshops and college preparation sessions. At the end, you’ll present your project at a final symposium.
3. Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: $5,197 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 – July 3
Application Deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students who have completed the 10th or 11th grade (16–17 years old) with a minimum B average
If you’re new to coding, this pre-college computer science program for high school students introduces you to foundational concepts through the CS10 Beauty and Joy of Computing curriculum. You work with Snap!, a visual programming language, to explore topics such as algorithms, recursion, abstraction, and Boolean logic. The program also includes an introduction to artificial intelligence, covering areas like machine learning and the ethics of AI. The experience concludes with a Code Celebration, where you present your work and receive feedback from instructors.
4. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
Location: Virtual
Cost: $3,200 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Session One: June 15 – 26; Session Two: July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students in grades 8–11 who are 14–18 years old
This program offers high school students the opportunity to focus on a single subject through an intensive, discussion-based online course. Within the broader selection, computer science topics such as artificial intelligence and related fields are explored in depth. Classes are conducted live in small groups, allowing you to participate in real-time discussions and interact directly with instructors. The curriculum emphasizes advanced material that goes beyond standard high school coursework. In addition to academic sessions, you can attend workshops and speaker events focused on higher education and interdisciplinary topics.
5. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $2000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who live and attend school in NYC
ARISE is a research-focused program where you spend an extended period developing both technical and academic skills through structured lab work. The initial phase introduces research methods, safety practices, and scientific writing, preparing you for hands-on work in active labs. You then collaborate with faculty and researchers on ongoing projects, contributing to real-world investigations across STEM fields, including computer science. Over the course of the program, you build experience in data analysis, communication, and research documentation. The program concludes with formal presentations, where you share your findings with a broader academic audience.
6. Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Programs: AI Scholars
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 20 – July 18
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors can apply
In this pre-college computer science program, you engage with foundational artificial intelligence concepts through a mix of coursework, research exposure, and collaborative projects. The curriculum begins with a preparatory Python course and progresses into college-level material taught by faculty, covering both computing and AI applications. You work in groups to apply these concepts to real-world problems, culminating in a final symposium presentation. Alongside technical learning, the program includes writing workshops focused on developing structured, well-articulated college essays.
7. Princeton AI4ALL
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 9 – 30
Application Deadline: April 9
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders who are low-income and live in the U.S.
Princeton AI4ALL introduces high school students to artificial intelligence through a combination of lectures, research projects, and discussions on societal impact. You explore core AI topics while also examining how these technologies intersect with public policy and ethics. A significant component of the program involves working in small groups on research projects led by graduate students, with a focus on real-world applications. The program also incorporates exposure to ongoing research initiatives within Princeton’s AI and policy-focused institutions. You conclude the experience by presenting your project, emphasizing both analytical and communication skills.
8. UCLA Summer Pre-College Focus Series: Engineering Design: Internet of Things
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $2,734 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session A: June 22 – July 10; Session B: July 13 – 31
Application Deadline: June 12 (Session A), July 3 (Session B)
Eligibility: High school students
This pre-college computer science program for high school students focuses on the intersection of machine learning and Internet of Things (IoT) systems. You work directly with sensors and an IoT platform to design and test systems that respond to real-world inputs. The curriculum introduces machine learning concepts, including neural networks, alongside practical coding experience in C. Through guided labs and projects, you experiment with applications such as motion recognition and autonomous systems. The program ends with a final project, supported by a written report and presentation that documents your design process and results.
9. Harvard’s Pre-College Summer Program
Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Cost: $6,100 (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students/class
Dates: Session I: June 21 – July 2; Session II: July 5 – 17; Session III: July 19 – 31
Application Deadline: February 11
Eligibility: High school students
This pre-college computer science program allows you to explore computing topics through short, discussion-based courses designed for high school students. Within the available course options, you can study subjects such as Python programming, computational science, or logic in computing. Classes are structured around small-group discussions, encouraging active participation and engagement with course material. The program emphasizes learning for its own sake, with no formal grading or credit awarded.
10. Tufts University Pre-College: Coding for Gaming
Location: Tufts University, Medford/Somerville, MA
Cost: $2,750 (limited need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 22 – 26
Application Deadline: May 1
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders (including recent graduates)
If you’re interested in interactive design, this program centers on building a complete game from concept to execution. You work through the stages of game development, including ideation, storytelling, prototyping, and coding. The structure emphasizes iteration, where you test and refine your game based on feedback and performance. You also explore how different roles, such as developer, designer, and storyteller, contribute to the final product. The program concludes with a showcase where you present your game and explain the technical and design decisions behind it.
11. Stony Brook University Pre-College Summer Program: Engineering Problem-Solving with AI
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY
Cost: $2,375 (residential), $1,000–$1,250 (commuter)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: Session Two: July 5 – 10; Session Three: July 12 – 17; Session Four: July 19 – 24
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are 15–17 years old and U.S. citizens
This pre-college computer science program introduces high school students to engineering through a combination of coding, modeling, and AI-assisted problem-solving. You work with Python or MATLAB to build computational models that analyze systems across mechanics, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics. The course integrates generative AI tools into tasks such as debugging and problem formulation, showing how these tools can support technical workflows. You also explore machine learning methods like neural networks and decision trees within engineering contexts. The program concludes with a capstone project where you solve a real-world problem using the techniques you’ve learned.
12. MITES Summer
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 70-80 students
Dates: 6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: High school juniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
MITES Summer is an intensive program where you take multiple STEM-focused courses that reflect college-level expectations, including options connected to computing and data-driven fields. The curriculum combines mathematics, science, and humanities, with electives that explore applied areas such as machine learning. In addition to classes, the program includes lab visits and interactions with STEM professionals, providing insight into how concepts are applied in research and industry. Structured feedback from instructors helps you understand your academic strengths and areas for improvement.
13. Engineering Summer Academy at Penn (ESAP)
Location: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $9,250 (limited financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30–60 students
Dates: July 12 – 31
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising sophomores to seniors (15+) with a minimum 3.0 GPA
In this pre-college computer science program, you explore computing through specialized tracks such as artificial intelligence, computer graphics, or core computer science. Each course combines theoretical concepts like neural networks or algorithmic thinking with hands-on projects that apply these ideas in practical contexts. For example, in the AI track, you examine generative tools alongside foundational principles, while other tracks focus on areas like animation pipelines or data modeling. You work closely with faculty, engaging with material that reflects introductory college-level coursework.
14. Digital Scholars Program
Location: Harold Washington College, Chicago, IL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 30 students/course
Dates: June 22 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders and graduates
This pre-college computer science program for high school students offers multiple learning tracks, allowing you to focus on areas such as data science, app development, or foundational programming. Depending on your track, you may work with languages like Java, Kotlin, or Swift while building projects that involve data analysis, UI/UX design, or mobile applications. The curriculum includes hands-on coursework alongside workshops on topics like machine learning and entrepreneurship. You also engage with professionals through talks that provide context on how technical skills are used across different roles.
15. Carnegie Mellon National High School Game Academy
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Cost: $13,281 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size:
Dates: June 20 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors (16+)
This pre-college computer science program focuses on game development as a way to explore programming, design, and collaborative production. The first phase introduces you to multiple disciplines, including software development, game design, animation, and audio production, through lectures and workshops. You are then assigned to teams where you take on specific roles and contribute to building original game projects. Development takes place across multiple project cycles, allowing you to apply feedback and refine your approach. You also learn structured processes such as pitching ideas, managing projects, and presenting completed work.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like computer science, 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: Tufts University