15 Pre-College Business Summer Programs

Business is one of those subjects that’s almost impossible to actually learn from a textbook, which is a little ironic given how many high school classes try to teach it that way. You can memorize what supply and demand mean and still have no idea what it feels like to price a product wrong and watch nobody buy it. A pre-college business summer program is where that gap starts to close.

Imagine spending your summer building an actual business with a team, working through real case studies, and digging into investment strategy. You might build a marketing campaign from scratch, present your ideas to working entrepreneurs, or learn directly from professors who teach this subject for a living. All of that moves you well past theory and gives you a real look at the different paths a business degree can lead to.

What can you gain from a pre-college business summer program?

Most of these programs introduce entrepreneurship, finance, economics, leadership, marketing, and management through actual projects, workshops, and university-style instruction. Rather than memorizing definitions, you’re usually asked to solve real problems, explain your thinking clearly, and work through decisions the way business students actually do.

You’ll also walk away with a stronger sense of what university academics look like, more clarity on your own interests, and experiences that often shape future research, extracurriculars, or applications. Even if you decide business isn’t for you, you’ll still leave with a far better understanding of what the field is actually about.

To help you explore your options, we’ve compiled a list of 15 pre-college business summer programs!

Key takeaways

Wharton Global Youth’s Leadership in the Business World costs $11,899 and admits 120 students per session across three residential sessions at the University of Pennsylvania.
Immerse’s Business Summer School spans six locations, including Singapore, Toronto, and Oxford, with an average of seven students per class and access to a global alumni community of over 20,000.
The Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy costs £8,995 and combines Oxford college life with an entrepreneurship project pitched to industry experts over two weeks.
Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy offers free tuition and housing, requiring only a $695 fee for food and activities, restricted to students with a cumulative weighted GPA of 90 or above.
The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute at Indiana University is completely free and offers both in-person and virtual formats, focused specifically on empowering future women business leaders.
The Women Empowered through Business Institute at the University of Tennessee is free aside from a $20 seat reservation fee, with housing and transportation fully covered for rising female juniors.
Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy admits 70 students per cohort and costs $5,500, requiring a minimum 3.0 GPA and restricted to rising 12th graders.
Program costs for pre-college business programs range from free options like Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy to nearly $11,899 for Wharton Global Youth’s residential program.

15 Pre-College Business Summer Programs

1. Ivey’s John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program

Location: Ivey Business School, Western University, London, Ontario
Cost: $450 (limited financial assistance is available for students with demonstrated need)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; ~150 students
Dates: August 3-7
Application Deadline: Typically, mid-June
Eligibility: High school students currently in grades 9-11 worldwide

The John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program at Ivey Business School is a multi-day residential experience that introduces high school students to leadership, business, and entrepreneurship through Ivey’s case-based learning approach. You’ll work in teams to solve real business challenges, participate in interactive workshops led by faculty and industry professionals, and strengthen your communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.

Throughout the program, you’ll develop a capstone project in partnership with the Morrissette Institute for Entrepreneurship, taking an idea from problem identification to a practical solution before presenting it to Ivey alumni. Living on Western University’s campus, you’ll also take part in team-building activities while connecting with peers and student mentors.

Why it stands out: Combines Ivey’s renowned case-based learning with a real-world entrepreneurship capstone judged by Ivey alumni.

2. Immerse Education’s Business Management Summer School

Students attending a 'Career Insights' presentation at Immerse Education.

Location: Cambridge, Oxford, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school; open to international students

The Business Management Summer School Program offers students three ways to explore business management and an opportunity to take college-level education at universities around the world. Throughout the program, you will participate in lectures, hands-on workshops, 1-on-1 tutoring sessions with expert mentors, and gain professional experience.

You will develop professional skills, explore the key concepts of business like strategic management, marketing, and finance, and attend immersive activities. The program includes an independent study in business management led by expert mentors. By the end of the program, you will receive a certificate of achievement.

Why it stands out: You’ll learn from world-class tutors in classes of around seven students, follow a practical case-study curriculum, and live in a real university residence as part of a global community of 20,000+ alumni.

3. Wharton Global Youth: Leadership in the Business World (LBW)

Location: University of Pennsylvania campus (residential), Philadelphia, PA
Cost: $11,899 (need-based financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 120 students per session
Dates: Session 1: June 7-27; Session 2: June 28th – July 18th; Session 3: July 19th – August 8th
Application Deadline: January 28th (priority); March 18th (final)
Eligibility: Grade 11 students from around the world; 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher

Leadership in the Business World (LBW) is a three-week residential program at the Wharton School that introduces high school students to business strategy, leadership, and organizational decision-making. You’ll learn core business concepts through faculty lectures, case studies, simulations, debates, and collaborative team projects.

Throughout the program, you’ll analyze real companies using frameworks such as SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces, and value chain analysis to evaluate business strategy and performance. You’ll also strengthen your communication, teamwork, and analytical skills while working toward a capstone case competition focused on a publicly traded company. Upon successful completion, you’ll receive a certificate from Wharton Global Youth.

Why it stands out: Offers a rigorous Wharton business curriculum centered on real company analysis and a competitive capstone case challenge.

4. Mercy University – Summer Leadership Academy

Location: Westchester Campus, Dobbs Ferry, NY (US)
Cost: Free tuition and housing (a mandatory $695 fee covers food and activities)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 25-40 students per session
Dates: July 5-11; July 19-25; August 2-8
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school juniors worldwide with a cumulative, weighted GPA of 90 or above

The Summer Leadership Academy at Mercy University is a one-week immersive program that introduces high school students to leadership and business through hands-on learning and career exploration. You’ll learn from executive faculty with experience at leading global companies while participating in business simulations, team-building activities, and interactive challenges.

The program also includes visits to Fortune 500 companies in New York City, giving you firsthand exposure to professional workplaces and business careers. Throughout the week, you’ll strengthen your communication, teamwork, and leadership skills while gaining insight into university life. The experience is designed to help you better understand the skills and opportunities available in the business world.

Why it stands out: Combines executive-led business learning with visits to Fortune 500 companies and interactive leadership challenges.

5. Future Makers: NYU Stern Pre-College Institute

Location: NYU Stern School of Business, New York, NY (Nonresidential)
Cost: Tuition fee (contact NYU Stern High School Community for current pricing)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly reported
Dates: August 3-7
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to all students in grades 9-12; international students may apply

Future Makers is a five-day, in-person pre-college institute at NYU Stern that helps high school students think critically about the meaning of work and the skills needed to thrive in an AI-driven business world. You’ll work through interactive lectures, reflection exercises, and hands-on activities led by Stern faculty and staff, exploring core business disciplines like finance, marketing, and management alongside career readiness themes.

The program also draws on Stern’s connections in New York City, giving you a taste of the business ecosystem just outside the classroom. Unlike broader leadership conferences, this institute keeps you rooted in Stern’s own curriculum and campus for the full week.

Why it stands out: It’s run entirely by NYU Stern itself (not a licensed third-party provider), giving you an authentic faculty-led business curriculum inside one of the world’s top-ranked business schools.

6. B-BAY Summer Entrepreneurship Residency

Location: Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: In-state: $7,450, Out-of-state: $7,950 + $100 application fee; limited need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 50 students per cohort
Dates: July 5-18, July 19th – August 1st
Application Deadline: February 8th
Eligibility: Rising 10-12 grade students from all nationalities

The B-BAY Summer Entrepreneurship Residency is a two-week pre-college program at UC Berkeley that introduces high school students to entrepreneurship through hands-on business creation. You work in teams to develop a startup idea, conduct market research, create a business plan, and present your final pitch. Along the way, you learn from Berkeley Haas faculty, guest entrepreneurs, and interactive workshops covering product development, finance, communication, and business strategy.

The program also includes networking opportunities, college admissions sessions, and campus activities that provide a firsthand experience of student life at UC Berkeley. By the end of the residency, you gain practical entrepreneurial skills, stronger presentation abilities, and a deeper understanding of how innovative ideas become viable businesses.

Why it stands out: Students build and pitch a complete startup while learning directly from Berkeley Haas faculty and entrepreneurs in an immersive UC Berkeley campus environment.

7. Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI)

Location: Kelley School of Business, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, US (in-person); virtual options available
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; typically 40-50 students per session
Dates: In-person: June 12th & 26th, July 10th & 24th; Virtual: April 22nd & 29th
Application Deadline: March 20th
Eligibility: Sophomores to seniors (virtual), rising juniors and seniors (in-person), cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale; open to international applicants

The Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute (KWLI) at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business is a pre-college program that helps high school students explore business while building leadership and communication skills. Through faculty-led lectures, real-world business case projects, and interactive workshops, you’ll gain insight into different areas of business and how they apply in professional settings.

The program encourages collaboration with like-minded peers to strengthen teamwork and problem-solving abilities. You’ll also connect with Kelley students and learn about academic pathways and careers in business. Whether attending in person or virtually, you’ll develop a stronger understanding of leadership and the evolving role of women in business.

Why it stands out: Focuses on empowering future women business leaders through faculty-led case studies, mentorship, and leadership development.

8. Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy

A group of students sitting together on a table and studying

Location: Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, UK
Cost: £8,995 ($11,977)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small cohort sizes
Dates: July 18-31
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until full
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 (at least 15 years old and no older than 18 years and 11 months on 5th July) with at least B2 English proficiency; the program is fully available for international students

The Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy is a two-week residential program that helps high school students develop leadership, entrepreneurship, and communication skills in a University of Oxford setting. You’ll attend lectures by university tutors, alumni, and industry experts while exploring topics such as AI, entrepreneurship, leadership, public speaking, conflict resolution, and decision-making.

Through project-based learning, team challenges, and entrepreneurship workshops, you’ll develop and pitch business ideas using design thinking. Beyond the classroom, you’ll experience Oxford college life through cultural activities and traditions while collaborating with students from around the world. The program concludes with a graduation ceremony and a University of Oxford certificate of completion.

Why it stands out: Combines Oxford college life with leadership training and an entrepreneurship project pitched to industry experts.

9. Penn State Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS)

Location: Penn State University Park Campus, PA
Cost: $350
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 14-26
Application Deadline: March 20th
Eligibility: Rising seniors from the U.S. and Puerto Rico

The Penn State Business Opportunities Summer Session (BOSS) is a two-week residential program that introduces rising high school seniors to college-level business education at Penn State’s University Park campus. You’ll take business fundamentals and college preparation courses taught by Penn State faculty while exploring key concepts in business and higher education.

Living in residence halls and dining on campus gives you an authentic college experience alongside academically motivated peers from diverse backgrounds. Throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your academic readiness, build new connections, and gain insight into studying business at the university level. The experience is designed to help you better understand both college life and future business pathways.

Why it stands out: Combines business-focused academics with an authentic residential college experience at Penn State.

10. Drexel University LeBow College of Business Camp

Location: Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Commuter Session: $950, Residential Blue Session: $2,000, Residential Gold Session: $2,000; No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Commuter Session: July 20-24, Residential Blue Session: July 13-17, Residential Gold Session: July 27-31
Application Deadline: May 1st
Eligibility: High school students worldwide entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year

Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business is a daytime summer program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of business through an engaging, college-style learning experience. You’ll explore major business disciplines such as accounting, finance, marketing, and management while developing practical skills in leadership, teamwork, professional etiquette, and business strategy.

The program also introduces essential business tools and concepts, including the stock market, financial documents, and technology used in modern organizations. Through interactive activities and collaborative learning, you’ll gain a well-rounded understanding of how businesses operate. Participants receive a certificate of completion at the end of the program.

Why it stands out: Provides a broad introduction to business fundamentals while emphasizing leadership, professionalism, and practical business skills.

11. Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy

Location: University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Cost: $5,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 70 students per cohort
Dates: June 7-17; June 21st – July 1st
Application Deadline: January 8th
Eligibility: Rising 12th-grade students with a minimum 3.0 GPA; international students are welcome to apply

The Michigan Ross Summer Business Academy is a two-week pre-college program that introduces high school students to business through Michigan Ross’s action-based learning approach. You’ll explore topics such as finance, marketing, leadership, strategy, market research, data analysis, and financial modeling while completing hands-on projects and collaborative activities.

The program also included a Data-Driven Decision Lab, which focuses on using data to solve business problems and make strategic decisions in real-world contexts. Throughout the program, you’ll learn from Michigan Ross faculty, participate in professional development sessions, and visit local companies to gain insight into different industries.

Why it stands out: Combines Michigan Ross’s action-based learning with real-world company visits and a specialized data-driven business track.

12. Bossgirls Summer Program

Location: The City College of New York (CCNY), New York
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: June 29th – July 30th
Application Deadline: February 28th
Eligibility: High school girls and non-binary students in grades 9 to 12 who are residents of the tri-state region and can commute to the CCNY campus during the summer

The Bossgirls Summer Program is a five-week entrepreneurship program for high school girls and nonbinary students that introduces business through hands-on, team-based learning. You’ll explore human-centered design by conducting market research, developing prototypes, and creating customer-focused business solutions.

Throughout the program, you’ll work with experienced mentors and entrepreneurs who guide innovation, problem-solving, and entrepreneurship as a career path. The experience concludes with a Shark Tank-style pitch presentation, where teams present their business ideas and receive feedback. By the end of the program, you’ll strengthen your communication, collaboration, and entrepreneurial thinking while building a network of like-minded peers.

Why it stands out: Students develop and pitch a startup idea using human-centered design while working closely with experienced entrepreneurs and mentors.

13. Women Empowered through Business (WEB) Institute

Location: Haslam College of Business, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Cost: Free (with a $20 seat reservation fee; housing and transportation are fully covered)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: July 12-17
Application Deadline: March 31th
Eligibility: Rising female high school juniors; participants must be able to travel to and live on the Knoxville campus

The Women Empowered Through Business (WEB) Institute is a six-day summer program that introduces rising high school juniors to the intersection of business, technology, and entrepreneurship. You’ll participate in workshops covering coding, business analytics, information management, personal branding, supply chain management, and professional development, all led by university faculty and staff.

The program also includes college readiness sessions focused on topics such as campus life, college applications, and ACT preparation. Through team-building activities and networking events, you’ll connect with women leaders in technology, business professionals, and current university students. By the end of the program, you’ll strengthen your leadership, professionalism, and understanding of technology-driven business careers.

Why it stands out: Combines business, technology, and college readiness while connecting students with women leaders and professionals in the field.

14. Business Institute at Wake Forest Summer Immersion

Location: Wake Forest University Reynolda Campus, Winston-Salem, NC
Cost: $3,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: June 7-12, June 14-19
Application Deadline: Application opens annually on November 1st
Eligibility: Current 9-12 grade students from around the globe

The Business Institute at Wake Forest Summer Immersion is a residential program that introduces high school students to the fundamentals of business through hands-on, collaborative learning. You’ll explore topics such as finance, management, marketing, operations, business analytics, strategy, innovation, and technology while working through interactive case studies and team projects.

Guided by Wake Forest faculty and industry professionals, you’ll strengthen your critical thinking, project management, and teamwork skills in a college-style environment. The program also includes networking opportunities and visits to local businesses, giving you insight into real-world business operations. The experience concludes with a team presentation where you pitch your ideas and earn a Wake Forest University Certificate of Completion.

Why it stands out: Combines business case studies, company visits, and a final team pitch in an immersive Wake Forest learning environment.

15. Rutgers Business School Summer Business Camp

Location: Rutgers Business School, Piscataway, NJ
Cost: $2,600 for the week, which includes room & board, meals, and all field trips
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Unspecified
Dates: July 5-11; July 12-18; July 19-25
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Domestic and international high school students

The Rutgers Business School Summer Business Camp is a one-week residential program that introduces high school students to business through an interactive, college-style learning experience. You’ll explore subjects such as business analytics, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, management, accounting, and supply chain while learning from Rutgers faculty.

The program emphasizes experiential learning through case studies, team projects, business proposal development, and a Shark Tank-style pitch competition. You’ll also participate in company visits, hear from industry guest speakers, and present your work to faculty, peers, and family members. Throughout the week, you’ll experience college life while strengthening your leadership, analytical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills.

Why it stands out: Blends hands-on business challenges with a Shark Tank-style competition and an immersive residential college experience.

Frequently asked questions: Pre-college business summer programs

Are pre-college business programs open to international students?

Most pre-college business programs welcome international students, including Ivey’s John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program, the Oxford Saïd Teen Leadership Summer Academy, and the Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute’s virtual track. Immerse’s Business Summer School is also explicitly open to international students across six locations. A few programs, like Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy and Bossgirls, restrict eligibility to specific US regions or residency requirements.

How much do pre-college business programs cost?

Costs vary enormously by prestige and format. Free options include Mercy University’s Summer Leadership Academy, the Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute, and the Women Empowered through Business Institute. Mid-range programs like Penn State’s BOSS cost $350, while premium residential options like Wharton’s Leadership in the Business World cost $11,899 and the Oxford Saïd Academy costs £8,995. Need-based financial aid is available for the majority of programs listed here.

What is the difference between a leadership-focused and an entrepreneurship-focused business program?

Leadership-focused programs, like Ivey’s John F. Wood Summer Leadership Program or the Kelley Women’s Leadership Institute, emphasize communication, teamwork, and decision-making skills applicable across business contexts. Entrepreneurship-focused programs, like B-BAY’s Summer Entrepreneurship Residency or Bossgirls, instead have you build and pitch an actual venture from problem identification through a final Shark Tank-style presentation. If you already have a startup idea, an entrepreneurship program offers more hands-on venture development; if you want broader business skills, a leadership program provides that foundation.

How selective are pre-college business programs?

Selectivity ranges considerably. Wharton’s Leadership in the Business World and B-BAY are both highly selective, admitting limited cohorts from large applicant pools. Other programs, like Rutgers Business School’s Summer Business Camp or Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business, are competitive but don’t publish extremely low acceptance rates. Regardless of selectivity, meeting GPA requirements, which range from 3.0 to a weighted 90, matters as much as application quality.

Do pre-college business programs award college credit?

None of the programs in this list explicitly advertise transferable college credit; most instead provide a certificate of completion, such as those offered by Wharton Global Youth, Wake Forest’s Business Institute, and Drexel LeBow’s Camp Business. If earning credit is a priority, confirm this directly with each program, since business-focused pre-college offerings tend to favor certificates and skill-building over formal academic credit.

Is Immerse Education a good option for exploring business before college?

Immerse’s Business Summer School is a strong choice if you want flexibility in location alongside a genuine university experience, spanning six cities including Singapore, Toronto, and Oxford. The program places you in classes averaging seven students, combining lectures, hands-on workshops, and 1-on-1 tutoring sessions with expert mentors while exploring strategic management, marketing, and finance. You’ll complete an independent study project and receive a certificate of achievement, joining a global alumni community of over 20,000 students.