Attending a summer program is an excellent way to make the most of your school break, especially when exploring business summer programs in Massachusetts for high school students. In these programs, you dive deeper into advanced academic topics in an engaging and interactive way. Instead of simply reading theories in textbooks, you strengthen skills like leadership, finance, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving through hands-on projects and real-world examples.

These experiences also give you a clearer idea of what to expect from college-level coursework. You gain insight into how classes are structured, how projects are managed, and how expectations increase at the undergraduate level. As a result, the transition from high school to college feels less overwhelming. Early exposure also helps you decide whether a future in business or entrepreneurship truly aligns with your interests and goals.

Why should you consider Massachusetts for a business summer program?

If you want to find a business summer program that is both challenging and inspiring, Massachusetts offers many strong choices. The state is home to some of the most respected academic institutions in the country; you are sure to find programs that reflect real college-level learning. Classes don’t just include lectures but also engage you in discussions, case studies, and projects that encourage you to think like a business student. This environment helps you become more confident in your academic capabilities from an early stage.

Beyond academics, in Massachusetts, you can get access to real-world business exposure that’s hard to ignore. Cities like Boston are hubs for finance, startups, public policy, and innovation, ensuring that you are near industries that are shaping the global economy. Whether you apply for an internship, a pre-college program, a camp, a workshop, or any other summer program, most of them combine learning with practical experiences. You observe how the business concepts in the books play out in the real-world setting.

If you are someone who is searching for a business summer program in Massachusetts, here are 15 programs to help you make a decision. 

In addition to these, you can also explore business summer camps or online business programs.

15 Business Summer Programs in Massachusetts for High School Students

1. Immerse’s Boston Business Management Summer School

Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: An average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 15-18

This two-week business management experience is one of the most academically focused business summer programs in Massachusetts for high school students. It covers essential concepts such as marketing, corporate leadership, raising capital, and more, helping you understand what it truly takes to run a business.

In addition to learning the different concepts, you will work on a personal project, which you will be required to submit as an essay or a presentation. Note, the syllabus is quite intensive and challenging, and your teachers may ask you to do some preparatory reading prior to the program.

Why it stands out: The curriculum goes beyond theory and gives you a practical understanding of how actual businesses work these days.

2. Today’s Interns, Tomorrow’s Professionals (TIP) internship program

Location: Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Stipends provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the role
Dates: Training during the summer and internships are year-long
Application Deadline: Students need to apply for internships through the Boston Private Industry Council
Eligibility: High school students who completed 10th grade and are from the Greater Boston area

Offered by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, this program starts with career preparatory training and leads to an internship opportunity. If you are selected for the program, you will begin by attending workshops and coaching sessions that equip you with some much-needed job skills.

Following this, you can apply for an internship that will be a year-long or even up to three years. There are job offerings across fields like economic research, accounting, finance, human resources, and more. 

Why it stands out: Students gain experience working in a bank while simultaneously developing work-related skills and earning money. 

3. Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program (MSYEP)

Location: Varies by the internship role
Cost/Stipend: $15 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the internship role
Dates: July 7th – August 15th
Application Deadline: April 16th – May 9th
Eligibility: High school students and graduating seniors who are at least 14 years old by July 7, reside in Cambridge, and are authorized to work in the US. Priority will be given to students eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch and those from lower-income families.

The MSYEP is an initiative that allows Cambridge-based high school students like you to gain your first work experience. As an intern in this program, you will either be working in the public sector or for nonprofits.

You will be scheduled for 20 hours of work each week during the six-week internship program. Some students will have the opportunity to join the  Summer Work and Learning sites that give them access to resources that can shape their education and career. 

Why it stands out: Though it is primarily an internship program, it also organizes different extracurricular activities like field trips, financial literacy and job-readiness trainings, program events, and more.

4. Treasury Summer Internship Program

Location: Office of the Treasurer & Receiver General of Massachusetts, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Varies by the role.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the role.
Dates: First week of June – First week of August; internships typically run for 10 weeks, but students can extend them after discussing with the manager
Application Deadline: December 29th
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students from Massachusetts

The Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General invites high school students to intern with them during the summer period. The organization will post its job openings on its website, and you are sure to find some business-related ones. Given that each role will have a unique work description, you are recommended to read them thoroughly to understand your responsibilities.

Make sure that you have a resume and a cover letter, as you will need them for applying for the internships. You may also be asked to submit a recommendation letter and a writing sample. 

Why it stands out: This program gives you exposure to public service departments and gives you the opportunity to work across fields, like business, finance, economic empowerment, and more.

5. Tufts Pre-College Programs Business Essentials

Location: Tufts University, Medford, MA
Cost/Stipend: $4,225 for commuting students and $5,750 for residential students (Limited need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small class sizes
Dates: July 19-31
Application Deadline: Dec 1st – May 1st
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders plus graduating seniors from around the world

In this two-week pre-college program, you will study some principal business concepts. The program will focus on the impact that businesses have on today’s society. You will also explore the different roles and responsibilities you can take as someone interested in being part of the business industry.

More importantly, you will be assigned different business scenarios and encouraged to imagine yourself as a business leader so that you can gain practice in addressing different business situations. 

Why it stands out: Rather than building a business that solely focuses on profit, you learn to come up with business ideas that have a positive impact on your community. 

6. City of Boston’s Summer Learn and Earn Program

Location: Various colleges across Boston, MA
Stipend: $225/week stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~30%
Dates: July 8th – August 22nd
Application Deadline: March 1st – June 6th
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders who reside in Boston, have a minimum GPA of 2.0, and have met all course prerequisites per the policies of the participating campus; students who have earned a GED or high school diploma are not eligible to apply

This program is a nice opportunity to explore the college curriculum while earning money and college credits doing it. As someone who wants to become a business major or a businessperson, courses like the introduction to marketing and introduction to business will benefit you the most.

In addition to the academics, students also take part in sessions that help them to get ready for college. Classes are scheduled across different colleges in Boston, so check where yours will be taking place. 

Why it stands out: You will have the opportunity to network with some industry experts and also participate in a series of professional development workshops

7. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

Location: Multiple locations including various cities in Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the host company
Dates: Eight-week summer internship starting after the end of the school year; summit in Washington, DC takes place July 21-26
Application deadline: October 14th – January 15th
Eligibility: 11th and 12th graders with the legal authorization to work in the US

As a program that operates across different states in the USA, the Bank of America Student Leaders Program gives you the opportunity to intern at a nonprofit in your area. During this summer internship, you will learn about managing budgets, programs, and daily operations.

You will form a better understanding of how financial decisions support community services. Following the internship, students are mandatorily required to attend the Student Leaders Summit in Washington, DC, where they are taught about how government business and nonprofits interact on a larger scale.

Why it stands out: The program ensures that you are equipped with the skills that help you succeed in your career by providing you with leadership training and work experience.

8. Emma Bowen Foundation Fellows

Location: Various companies across Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: Stipends provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the companies hiring
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer months; internships start in May or June, depending on the company
Application Deadline: Accepted from September to April and are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis
Eligibility: 12th graders who plan to attend a four-year accredited U.S. college or university, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0, are at least 18 years old before the start date of the internship, and are legally authorized to work in the US without needing sponsorship 

For students who would like to gain some work experience while in high school, the Emma Bowden Foundation Fellows gives you the opportunity to do so in a number of disciplines. This includes opportunities for those like you who are interested in the business industry.

Interning during the summer months, your roles may typically include sales, public relations, marketing, human resources, and more. This is a rigorous internship program where you will be expected to work 35–40 hours per week during the eight weeks of your internship. 

Why it stands out: In addition to the on-the-job training you get, you will also build long-term connections with business professionals whom you can approach for career-related advice in the future.

9. Summer Entrepreneurship Program for High School Students

Location: Suffolk University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited space
Dates: July 7-24
Application Deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: Rising 12th graders with a GPA of  2.7 or higher and based in the metro-Boston area; rising 11th graders are also welcomed to apply based on space availability

In this program hosted by Suffolk University’s Sawyer Business School, you will explore how businesses are started and how entrepreneurs come up with ideas that support other existing organizations. During the three-week program, your schedule will include group projects and site visits that give you an insight into Boston’s entrepreneurial landscape.

As a participant, you will also discover what it is like to study at Suffolk University and have access to resources that help your college applications stand out. This is a three-credit course where students will present their own business concept at the end of the program. 

Why it stands out: You will have the opportunity to network with business executives and successful entrepreneurs, who will share valuable insights from their experiences.

10. Experiential Entrepreneurship

Location: Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: $7,095; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15-30 students per program
Dates: July 12-24
Application Deadline: The application opens in early December, with a priority deadline of January 15th, a regular deadline of February 27th, and a late deadline of March 15th.
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th graders from around the world

Part of Northeastern University’s Accelerate Pre-College Programs, Experiential Entrepreneurship is one of the more immersive business summer programs in Massachusetts for high school students, designed to teach entrepreneurship through direct experience and collaboration. You will collaborate with other participants to come up with an idea for a startup and pitch it to a group of well-established entrepreneurs.

The program will bring industry professionals to teach you some important topics, such as finding and growing an audience, business planning, product development, negotiation, pitch presentations, and more. Students also develop other essential skills, such as creative thinking, communication, systems thinking, and teamwork. 

Why it stands out: You learn how to think like an entrepreneur and view a business from the customer’s perspective, making it easier for you to build a profitable brand.

11. City of Somerville Mayor’s Jobs Programs

Location: Varies by the role
Cost/Stipend: $18.28 per hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by the role.
Dates: Most positions run from July 8th to August 16th
Application Deadline: April 1-30
Eligibility: High school students and graduating seniors who are at least 14 years old by May 4th, live or attend a high school in Somerville, and are authorized to work in the US

This is a six-week program that aims to prepare you for the career of your choice, and this includes options for those like you who are interested in business or related fields. By participating in the program, you will be able to explore the career through experience while simultaneously developing your interpersonal and workplace skills.

Students will typically work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. The program also has openings for students who would like to do an internship during the academic year.

Why it stands out: The program not only has job openings across various public departments, but it also exposes you to some opportunities in non-municipal, private businesses and non-profits in the city.

12. Babson Summer Study for High School Students

Location: Online or New England Innovation Academy (NEIA), Marlborough, MA
Cost/Stipend: A non-refundable application fee of $95; $6,295 for online participants; $9,295 for in-person day students; and $12,995 for in-person residential students (Limited need-based financial aid is available for those who choose the online format)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: July 8-28
Application Deadline: December 1st –  February 13th for in-person participants and March 13th for online participants
Eligibility: Rising 11th and 12th-graders worldwide who are at least 16 years old by the start of the program

If you are considering becoming an entrepreneur, this is one of the most recognised business summer programs in Massachusetts for high school students, especially for those serious about innovation and venture creation. As a participant in this summer study, you will learn about the Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® methodology and the United Nations Global Goals in detail.

The program’s syllabus will also cover the different challenges you could face as a business owner. In addition to the learning aspects, this program will also allow you to collaborate with like-minded future entrepreneurs from different parts of the world and gain some essential business skills. 

Why it stands out: The program creates an environment that encourages you to come up with new business ideas that either solve a real-world problem or have a positive impact on society. 

13. Be Your Own Boss Internship

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Cash stipends provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly available
Dates: January 20th – February 12th
Application Deadline: January 12th
Eligibility: Open to high school students from public and charter schools across the US

The Be Your Own Boss Internship program has its national cohort, which welcomes high school students from all over the world through its fully online opportunities. You will explore how startups operate and have the opportunity to interact with some professional entrepreneurs.

The program will also introduce you to the different careers you can choose with your interest in business. You will also spend some time in the program coming up with a business idea. This internship program is particularly catered to students from low-income households. 

Why it stands out: With the opportunity to network with business leaders and successful entrepreneurs, this is your chance to learn directly from experts. 

14. Boston University’s Summer Challenge Seminars

Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Cost/Stipend: A non-refundable application fee of $75, a tuition fee of $3,730, plus other fees, are included (check here for full details); scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small class size; between 10 and 30 students in each seminar.
Dates: Multiple sessions across June and July
Application Deadline: Applications are reviewed from Januar,y and typically fill up quickly
Eligibility: Rising 10th through 12th graders around the world

Boston University offers Summer Challenge Seminars across a wide range of fields, including business-focused options that position it among one of the more flexible business summer programs in Massachusetts for high school students. Students can attend two seminars, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Given that your interests lie in the business sector, you can enroll in the business seminars, where you will learn some important business concepts and their applications in the real world.

There are also finance and economics seminars that you can consider as a second option. Regardless of your choice, your curriculum will include lectures, discussions, solo and group projects, assignments, and more

Why it stands out: All the seminars are at an introductory level, allowing you to participate without requiring any prior knowledge in the subject

15. Innovation and Design for Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs

Location: Bentley University, Waltham, MA
Cost/Stipend: A non-refundable application fee of $75 plus $2,450 for commuter students and $3,380 for residential students (limited number of need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 17
Date: July 13-17
Application Deadline: Accepted on a space-available basis until June 1st
Eligibility: Female high school students around the world who are at least 16 years old and have not completed at least two years of high school 

Aimed at female high school students who see themselves as future business leaders, this one-week program gives you the knowledge to step into the field with confidence. As a participant, you will learn about the different aspects of business, leadership, and innovation.

The program will particularly focus on the importance of using creativity and strategy to manage a business. By the end of the program, you will use the skills you acquired to pitch a business idea and receive feedback for it. 

Why it stands out: In this program, you will study some top companies, thus making it easier to understand the different business challenges through their experience. 

From Summer Program to Career Direction

Choosing the right summer experience can shape how you see your future. Early exploration helps you gain clarity about your academic interests and long-term goals.

Through internships, pre-college courses, and leadership workshops, you build practical skills in finance, entrepreneurship, management, and public service. These experiences strengthen confidence and deepen real-world understanding.

Experiences like these 15 business summer programs in Massachusetts for high school students allow you to test potential pathways before committing to a university major. You begin recognising strengths and identifying possible career fits.

Ready to explore further? Visit our Career Exploration blogs for insights, essential skills, and study routes to plan confidently.