As a high school student curious about how markets work, why economies grow or shrink, or how policy decisions shape everyday life, economics can feel both intriguing and abstract. You might encounter the subject through graphs, formulas, or headlines about inflation and global trade. Economics blends analytical thinking, data interpretation, history, and real-world problem-solving, and one of the most accessible ways to explore it deeply is through an online economics program.

Imagine spending your summer or school year engaging in university-style learning from anywhere in the world. Picture analyzing real economic data, debating policy choices, or exploring topics like development economics, behavioral economics, and financial markets. Online programs make it possible to build strong foundations in economics while balancing school commitments and personal schedules.

How do you choose the right online economics programs for high school students?

With so many virtual options available, it can be difficult to tell which programs offer real academic value. Some may focus only on surface-level concepts, while others introduce rigorous university-level material without adequate support. That’s why careful selection matters, so you can choose the programs best for you.

Universities and educational organizations now offer online economics programs that combine flexibility with academic depth. You may explore microeconomics, macroeconomics, game theory, public policy, and data analysis through interactive lectures, problem sets, case studies, and guided discussions. Programs range from introductory courses to selective, research-oriented experiences that mirror college classrooms.

You’ll learn from experienced instructors, participate in live or recorded discussions, and collaborate with motivated peers from around the world. Along the way, you’ll strengthen your quantitative reasoning, improve your analytical writing, and gain a clearer sense of what studying economics at the university level is really like.

If you’re interested in economics, you can also have a look at economics summer camps for high school students.

To help you get started, we’ve curated a list of 15 Online Economics Programs for High School Students. They’ve been chosen for their academic rigor, flexibility, and ability to provide meaningful insight into the study of economics.

15 Online Economics Programs for High School Students

1. Financial Decision Making – Wharton Global Youth

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $4,099; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 15-26; July 6-17
Application Deadline: January 28th
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 with demonstrated interest in economics and finance; international students welcome

Wharton Global Youth’s Financial Decision Making is a selective, two-week online program that teaches you how individuals, businesses, and governments make real financial choices. You explore practical topics like budgeting, credit, investing, financial markets, banking, and monetary policy, using real-world examples that connect directly to everyday decisions.

The course is highly data-driven, with hands-on work in Excel to analyze risk, return, and long-term financial planning. Designed for students in grades 9–12, it builds a strong foundation in personal and corporate finance while sharpening quantitative reasoning and decision-making skills. Students who complete the program earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.

Why it stands out: You learn finance the Wharton way, using real data, Excel, and practical case studies rather than theory alone.

2. Immerse Education’s Economics Online Research Programme

Location: Fully remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through their bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1:1 tutoring
Dates: Flexible; multiple cohorts in a year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; multiple dates throughout the year
Eligibility: Students aged 13-18 (accredited options require age 14+); international students welcome

The Economics Online Research Programme by Immerse Education is one of the most research-focused online economics programs for high school students, designed for students aged 13–18 who want to explore economics through guided, university-level study. You’ll work closely with expert tutors to build core economic understanding and apply it to real-world issues while completing an independent research project.

The programme emphasizes academic writing, critical thinking, and structured argumentation, culminating in a final research paper. Students can choose between 1:1 personalised tutoring or small group sessions with peers from around the world. High-performing students may receive a certificate of achievement, potential publication support, and even a letter of recommendation.

Why it stands out: You complete a fully independent, university-style economics research paper with personalised mentorship.

3. Game Theory: A Course in Mathematical Economics

Location: Online option available
Cost/Stipend: $4,017; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small class sizes to support interactive learning
Dates: July 6-17
Application Deadline: April 2nd
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12 with a strong interest in mathematics; no prior economics coursework required; international students welcome

This course introduces game theory as a mathematical toolkit for understanding strategic decision-making under competition, cooperation, and uncertainty. You work with payoff matrices, probability sets, and equilibrium concepts to analyze how individuals and institutions make rational choices.

Through problem sets and case-based discussions, you apply theory to real-world scenarios in economics, business strategy, negotiations, pricing, and political decision-making. The curriculum connects classic game theory models to modern applications, helping you translate abstract math into practical insights about incentives and outcomes.

Why it stands out: You learn to think strategically using rigorous mathematical models that directly explain real decisions, from market competition to negotiations and policy.

4. Globalization: Challenges in International Economics & Politics

Location: Online option available
Cost/Stipend: $4,017; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small class sizes to support interactive learning
Dates: July 6-17, July 20-31
Application Deadline: April 2nd
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12 with a strong interest in mathematics; no prior economics coursework required; international students welcome

This course examines how global economic integration interacts with national political interests in an era of rising populism, geopolitical rivalry, and financial uncertainty. You analyze real-world case studies to understand international trade, capital flows, sovereign debt, foreign aid, energy sustainability, and the role of global institutions such as the IMF and World Bank.

The curriculum also explores how domestic political economies shape foreign policy, using examples like income inequality, public debt, social welfare systems, and national security. Through lectures, research, group projects, policy debates, and peer critique, you develop the ability to connect economic theory with real political outcomes. 

Why it stands out: It directly links international economics with political decision-making, helping you understand how global forces and domestic policies shape today’s most pressing geopolitical and economic challenges.

5. Introduction to Business, Finance, and Economics – Columbia University Pre-College Program

Location: Online option available
Cost/Stipend: $4,017; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small class sizes to support interactive learning
Dates: July 6-17, July 20-31
Application Deadline: April 2nd
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12 with a strong interest in mathematics; no prior economics coursework required; international students welcome

This course introduces you to how firms make financial and economic decisions, from identifying worthwhile investments to raising capital and managing risk. You explore core concepts such as stocks, bonds, valuation models, accounting statements, and the structure and history of financial markets.

Using microeconomic frameworks, you analyze how firms behave in competitive markets and how investors and markets assess value. The program emphasizes analytical thinking and helps you understand how theory connects to real-world business and finance decisions.

Why it stands out: It grounds business and finance concepts in rigorous economic models, giving you a strong analytical foundation similar to an undergraduate economics course.

6. Economics, Finance, and Public Policy – Harvard Secondary School Program 

Location: Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (residential, commuter, and online options)
Cost/Stipend: Online program costs: $4,180 (4-credits) to $8,160 (8-credits). Cost depends upon the number of credits taken. $75 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Dates: June 20th – August 8th
Application Deadline: February 11th
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12; Are at least 16 years old by June 20th and will not turn 19 years old before July 31st; international students welcome

Harvard’s Secondary School Program places you in a rigorous, seven-week college-level academic environment where you study economics, finance, or public policy alongside motivated peers. You choose two courses, such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, econometrics, public finance, or financial accounting, allowing you to tailor your summer to your interests or test a potential college major.

Coursework is demanding and analytical, emphasizing data analysis, quantitative reasoning, and evidence-based arguments to examine real policy and financial questions. Classes mirror undergraduate expectations, helping you build academic discipline and clarity of thought. Successful students earn official Harvard Summer School credit and a transcript.

Why it stands out: You take two credit-bearing Harvard courses in one summer, gaining authentic undergraduate-level experience and an official Harvard transcript.

7. The Business of Economics – Rice University Precollege Program

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $1,795; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies based on the program dates
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up; international students welcome

Rice University’s Business of Economics online course helps you understand how economic principles shape real-world business decisions and government policy. Through faculty-designed video lessons and interactive assignments, you’ll study topics like inflation, interest rates, labor markets, energy supply, and market fluctuations.

The course connects theory to practice by showing how businesses respond to policy changes, economic uncertainty, and production challenges. You’ll finish with a capstone project that applies economic thinking to a real business scenario, earning a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.

Why it stands out: It directly bridges economics and business decision-making, ending with a practical capstone designed by Rice faculty.

8. Brown University Pre-College: Principles of Economics

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $8,973; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 15th – July 31st
Application Deadline: May 8th
Eligibility: Rising or recently graduated high school seniors; international students welcome; international students welcome

This seven-week online course is among the most academically structured online economics programs for high school students, giving you a broad introduction to economics that covers both micro- and macroeconomic foundations. You study supply and demand, price theory, market structures, labor markets, inflation, and GDP, while learning how economists use models to analyze real-world issues.

The course emphasizes economic reasoning through data interpretation, graphs, and applied policy examples. You’ll work with formal tools like marginal analysis, equilibrium models, and comparative statics that mirror undergraduate-level expectations. It’s well-suited if you want a solid, all-around understanding of economics without committing to advanced specialization.

Why it stands out: It balances theoretical rigor with real-world policy applications, making it an ideal first economics course for students considering research or policy-focused paths.

9. Wharton Global Youth Program – Moneyball: Training Camp

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $2,299 + $100 application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22-26, July 13-17
Application Deadline: Priority deadline: January 28th, rolling afterwards
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12 with strong math skills and an interest in sports; international students welcome; international students welcome

Moneyball: Training Camp is a one-week online program that introduces you to sports analytics using statistics, economics, and data-driven reasoning. You learn the fundamentals of statistical analysis and gain hands-on experience with the R programming language while working with real sports datasets. Led by Wharton faculty and guest lecturers, the program combines live instruction, discussions, and an individual sports analysis project.

Along the way, you build transferable skills in quantitative reasoning, coding, and data interpretation that apply to fields like economics, finance, and research. Students who complete the program earn a Wharton Global Youth Certificate of Completion.

Why it stands out: It teaches core statistics and data analysis through sports, making complex concepts intuitive while giving you early exposure to tools used by professional analysts.

10. Introduction to Behavioral Economics – Wharton Pre-Baccalaureate Program

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $4,230 per course; other fees are also applicable
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: Spring: January 20th – March, Summer: May 26th – July 1st, and July 2nd – August 7th
Application Deadline: Spring: December 10th, Summer: April 15th for the 1st session, and May 27th for the 2nd
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors with a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA, strong academics, and English proficiency for international students

Introduction to Behavioral Economics is a for-credit Wharton course and one of the most rigorous online economics programs for high school students, examining how psychological biases and bounded rationality shape economic decision-making. You study core topics such as welfare economics, market power, externalities versus internalities, asymmetric information, taxation, and policy design through a behavioral lens.

The course focuses heavily on behavioral public finance, analyzing when and how governments should intervene to address market failures, inequality, and revenue generation. You also explore how firms price products, motivate workers, and respond to consumer biases in real markets. Learning takes place through live synchronous classes, problem sets, active discussion, and a final exam, mirroring undergraduate-level rigor. By the end, you gain a strong foundation in applying behavioral models to policy-relevant and market-based questions.

Why it stands out: It offers a rare, policy-focused introduction to behavioral economics through a for-credit Wharton course with true undergraduate expectations.

11. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program

Location: Online and in-person option available
Cost/Stipend: $1299 plus $25 application fee; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive admissions
Dates: June 18th – August 12th
Application Deadline: February 15th
Eligibility: Interns for remote internships must be 15 years or older; international students welcome

ASSIP is a competitive summer research program where high school students work closely with a George Mason faculty mentor on an original research project. The program explicitly includes STEM-related business, finance, entrepreneurship, and economics, allowing you to explore areas such as fintech, market structure, or the economics of AI.

You gain hands-on experience with advanced research tools, strengthen scientific writing and communication skills, and engage with researchers through forums and mentoring sessions. The program emphasizes creativity, problem-solving, and real research output, with opportunities to present or publish your work. Participants earn three college credits from George Mason University.

Why it stands out: It uniquely blends traditional STEM research with economics and finance pathways while offering mentored research and college credit.

12. Finance: Think Like an Investor – Northwestern University Pre-College

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $1,895; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions
Application Deadline: Varies based on the program dates
Eligibility: Students ages 13 and up; international students welcome 

This course introduces you to how investors evaluate companies and make informed financial decisions. You learn core concepts such as risk, return, time value of money, and how economic forces and consumer behavior influence markets.

A major emphasis is placed on financial statement analysis, where you work with balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements to assess a company’s performance and potential. You also explore investment strategies, asset classes, and basic risk management techniques. The course culminates in a capstone private equity case project, where you build projections and present an investment recommendation.

Why it stands out: It focuses heavily on practical investor-style analysis, helping you learn how professionals actually read financials and evaluate real companies rather than just studying theory.

13. Babson Summer Study

Location: Virtual (in-person options available)
Cost/Stipend: Online: $6,295 + $95 application fee; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: July 8-28
Application Deadline: March 13th
Eligibility: Rising high school junior or senior, and be at least 16 by the start date of the program; international students welcome

Babson Summer Study is a three-week, credit-bearing program for rising high school juniors and seniors that immerses you in entrepreneurship through Babson’s Entrepreneurial Thought & Action methodology. You take EPS 1110: Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience, earning 4 Babson College credits through live instruction, group projects, and collaborative problem-solving.

The course uses the United Nations Global Goals to frame real-world social, economic, and environmental challenges. You work closely with a global cohort, Babson faculty, and mentors while building skills in innovation, leadership, marketing, finance, and business communication. The program is offered both online and in person, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and applied learning.

Why it stands out: You earn real college credit while learning entrepreneurship in a highly experiential, impact-focused setting built around real global challenges.

14. Economics for Leaders Virtual

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $900; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: Multiple sessions between June and August
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school sophomore or junior; international students welcome 

Economics for Leaders Virtual is a live, interactive program that combines core economic reasoning with leadership development in a synchronous online format. Through engaging lectures, group activities, and real-world policy dilemmas, you learn to apply the “economic way of thinking” to complex public issues.

The program is taught by experienced economics professors and leadership instructors who guide you through decision-making, trade-offs, and strategic thinking. Alongside economics fundamentals, you build leadership skills through collaborative tasks and discussions with motivated peers. The experience is designed to help you think critically about global challenges while growing as a confident, thoughtful leader.

Why it stands out: It uniquely blends economics and leadership, showing you how analytical thinking directly informs effective public decision-making.

15. Understanding Your Money – Wharton Global Youth Program

Location: Online
Cost/Stipend: $329; None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open enrollment
Dates: Self-paced
Application Deadline: No deadline
Eligibility: High school students currently enrolled in grades 9-12; international students welcome

Understanding Your Money is a self-paced online course that introduces high school students to core concepts in economics, personal finance, and investing. You learn directly from Wharton faculty through short video lessons covering budgeting, saving, earning income, spending decisions, and the basics of investing.

Interactive quizzes, readings, and real-world scenarios help you apply concepts independently and build financial confidence. The flexible, on-demand format makes it easy to balance learning with school and other commitments, and you earn a Wharton Global Youth certificate upon completion.

Why it stands out: It combines Wharton-level instruction with a fully self-paced structure, making high-quality financial education accessible without fixed schedules.

Exploring Economics Through Ideas and Data

Economics becomes meaningful when you move beyond formulas and start questioning how ideas, incentives, and data explain real choices in society.

The online economics programs for high school students listed in this article allow you to test theories against evidence, analyse outcomes, and develop the analytical discipline that underpins serious academic economics.

Through structured learning, expert guidance, and data-driven discussions, you gain clarity on how economic thinking applies to markets, policy, and everyday decision-making.

To deepen this understanding further, explore our Economics Top Books Guide for essential reading that strengthens economic reasoning and supports confident academic exploration.