If you are in high school and interested in business, a strong program can help you build practical experience before university. You might work on a consulting-style case, study finance and entrepreneurship in a university setting, or complete a project that gives you something concrete to discuss in future applications. 

Here are 8 business programs for high school students to help you get started.

1. UPenn x Delta Institute: Global Entrepreneurship, Innovation & AI for Young Leaders
   
   

   

This is a 3-week virtual program developed in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania for high school students interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, and AI. Students learn how to identify problems worth solving, develop entrepreneurial thinking, and use AI to move from an initial idea toward a real-world solution through live sessions and hands-on project work. The program is taught entirely by faculty from UPenn. 

Upon completion, students receive a University of Pennsylvania Certificate in Global Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and AI and create a portfolio project, which may take the form of an AI app, website, or pitch deck. This program is a good fit for students interested in practical, hands-on learning from industry and academic leaders from the University of Pennsylvania. 

Cost: $7,500
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: January 8 for cohort I; June 15 for cohort II. Students can apply here
Program Dates: Cohort I - January 23 to February 7, 2027; Cohort II - July 9 - July 24, 2027 

Eligibility: Open to high school students globally (selective cohorts with limited spots) 

2. Business & Leadership Academy at Georgetown University

   

This is a 3-week Georgetown academy program where you work through classes, workshops, simulations, group discussions, and business briefings focused on domestic and global issues, while learning how to identify opportunities, challenges, and solutions in business settings. 

By the end of the program, you will have stronger practical business skills, sharper critical thinking, and a better understanding of how leadership and decision-making work in real organizations. This is a strong fit if you want a business program that feels structured and discussion-driven rather than purely technical. 

Cost: Residential - $9,085; Commuter - $7,085. 

Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. 

Application Deadline: May 15 (tentatively, based on previous years)

Program Dates: July (tentatively, based on previous years) 

Eligibility: Open to high school applicants through Georgetown Summer Programs

3. Big 4 Virtual Work-Experience Program by Delta Careers

   

During this 4-week virtual work-experience, students get a chance to engage in live learning modules, networking sessions, Q&A sessions, and an industry relevant project. You work directly with mentors from BCG or EY to gain hands-on experience in the consulting industry and work on a real-world, hands-on project. 

Through the program, you build your skills in executive communication, market analysis, strategic thinking, and financial modeling. You pitch your project to industry experts from Delta’s partner company to receive a certificate of completion and a recommendation later to highlight on college applications. 

Cost: $4,900 

Location: Virtual 

Application Deadline: Upcoming deadline - October 23

Program Dates: January 9 - February 13, 2027 | June 19 - July 25, 2027

Eligibility: Open to high school applicants globally

4. Introduction to Venture Capital: Intersection Between Entrepreneurship and Finance at Columbia University
   
   

   

Introduction to Venture Capital by Columbia University runs for 3 weeks in the summer. It gives students an opportunity to understand how capital firms operate, how they evaluate startups, how fund economics works, and how investors and founders approach the funding process. 

As part of the program, you engage with a case-study and simulation experience that gives you context to capital raising as an entrepreneur as well as opportunity evaluation as an investor. This is a great fit for students who are interested in startups, finance, and understanding how venture-backed companies operate. 

Cost: Residential - $12,838; Commuter - $6,381

Location: Columbia University, New York, NY. 

Application Deadline: May 11 (tentatively, based on previous years)

Program Dates: July to August (tentatively, based on previous years)

Eligibility: Basic understanding of financial statements is required 

5. Deepen Mentorship Program by Delta Careers

Deepen is an 8-week one-on-one mentorship program designed for students looking to build advanced projects. You work directly with a dedicated mentor, follow a customized curriculum, and spend 20 hours on personalized mentorship and skill development while building a project tied to your own interests including business. 

By the end of the program, you have an industry-relevant project, real mentor feedback, hands-on experience solving a real-world challenge, and a strong recommendation letter tied to the work you completed. This program is a good fit for you if you want a business, finance, startup, or strategy project that is individualized and stands out on college applications. 

Cost: $6,500 

Location: Virtual

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program Dates: 8 weeks (year-round flexible start dates) 

Eligibility: Open to high school applicants globally

6. Wall Street Stock Market & Investment Experience by the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF)

Through a collaboration with Westcoast Connection, the New York Institute of Finance offers a 1 to 2 week summer program for students interested in financial markets and investments. You’ll learn the fundamentals of subjects like trading, wealth management, venture capital, private equity, cryptocurrency, and financial statement analysis through collaborative projects and engaging sessions led by NYIF faculty. 

Beyond the classroom, you’ll explore the Big Apple through activities, such as a guided tour of the Financial District, tasting the best eats in famous neighborhoods, and exploring Central Park. At the end of the program, you’ll receive a certificate of completion and a recommendation letter upon request, and you’ll have ongoing access to some of NYIF’s continuing education webinars.

Cost: 3,899–6,699 (for residential students) or 1,899–3,599 (for commuter students)
Location: New York City, New York
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: July 6 to July 17 (tentatively, based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9 to 12

7. Principles of Entrepreneurial Management at Wharton Pre-baccalaureate

This Wharton couse is offered online through the Pre-baccalaureate Program. You work through an undergraduate-level entrepreneurship and innovation curriculum with live class sessions, assignments, discussions, case studies, and a final exam, all centered on business planning, financing, marketing, management, and entrepreneurial decision-making. 

As part of the program, you build a strong foundation in evaluating business opportunities, startup financing, leadership, and scaling decisions. This program is a good fit if you’re looking to take a college-level course, earn credits, and engage with a rigorous academic curriculum. 

Cost: Tuition - $4,230; Online service fee - $81; Application fee - $100

Location: Virtual 

Application Deadline: May (tentatively, based on previous years)

Program Dates: July - August (tentatively, based on previous years) 

Eligibility: Minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA 

8. Introduction to Investments by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Every year, UCLA hosts over 800 Summer Sessions, covering a wide range of academic subjects. The Introduction to Investments Summer Session is a 3-week program designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in finance or investing. You’ll develop a foundation in financial literacy through lectures, discussion sessions, and case study analyses on topics like financial markets, stock ownership, global markets, and international investing.

This Summer Session is available in person at UCLA or virtually to make it more accessible to students around the world. A final exam will be held at the end of the program to assess your understanding of the key concepts covered throughout the course, and you’ll be granted a letter grade, though there is a pass or no pass option if you prefer.

Cost: Virtual - $2,330; Commuter - $3,156 

Location: Los Angeles, California, or virtual

Application Deadline: Rolling admissions

Program Dates: July (tentatively, based previous years)

Eligibility: High school students globally who are at least 15 years old by the start of the program with a GPA of 3.2 or higher