Economics summer programs range from one-week leadership camps to three-week college-credit courses. This guide compares well-known options by format, length, and eligibility, then explains how to pick one. Summer 2027 details are still being released, so confirm dates and deadlines on each program's site.
The programs at a glance
UCLA Economics Precollege Focus Series (UCLA Department of Economics). In-person and virtual courses such as Principles of Economics, Introduction to Investments, and Python for Economics and Finance. Three weeks. Grades 9 to 12, age 15+ in the 2026 cycle. College credit for listed courses.
Economics Policy Academy (Georgetown University). In person, combining economics and political science. About one week. Open to high school students; see the site for details.
Foundation for Teaching Economics programs. Residential programs on college campuses plus live online options. One week. For current sophomores and juniors in the 2026 cycle.
Wharton Global Youth online summer programs. Online courses in finance, economics, and investing. Length varies. Grades 9 to 12.
Wharton Pre-Baccalaureate Program. Enrollment in Wharton courses for college credit. For exceptional juniors and seniors.
Program notes
UCLA Economics Precollege Focus Series. Courses are taught by UCLA economics faculty. In 2026, Introduction to Investments covered financial markets, the Federal Reserve, and venture capital, with no prior economics required. A good fit for students who want college-level coursework and credit.
Georgetown Economics Policy Academy. Mixes economics with political science, covering topics such as development economics and behavioural economics in public policy. Best for students interested in policy as much as markets. Georgetown says applications open in late fall.
Foundation for Teaching Economics. Week-long programs that pair economics with leadership development, held on college campuses and online. The advanced option requires a completed economics course. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Wharton Global Youth Program. Online summer programs for grades 9 to 12 in business, finance, and investing, plus a Pre-Baccalaureate route for juniors and seniors to take Wharton courses for credit.
Coursework vs research: choose the format first
Most summer programs teach economics. They do not usually produce an original piece of work. Decide which you need.
To test interest in economics: a one-week program.
For college-level content and credit: a multi-week precollege course.
For a finished, individually authored research report: a research program with mentor feedback on drafts.
For policy and politics alongside economics: an interdisciplinary academy.
How to choose
Match the format to the goal. Exploration, credit, and research are different products.
Check who teaches. Faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates are all common.
Ask what the student finishes with. A certificate, a grade, a group project, or an individual report.
Check prerequisites. Some advanced options require a completed economics course.
Note deadlines early. Many programs open applications in late fall or winter.
Common mistakes
Choosing on brand name alone without checking the format.
Assuming a program on a university campus is run by that university's department. Check who operates it.
Missing early or scholarship deadlines.
Paying for a long program before the student knows they enjoy the subject.
When do economics summer program applications open?
Timing varies. Several open in late fall or winter for the following summer, and some review on a rolling basis. Check each program's site in November and again in January.
Are there free economics summer programs?
Some programs offer scholarships or need-based aid, and a few regional programs are free. Check each program's financial aid page.
Checklist for families
Goal decided: exploration, credit, or research
Format and length fit the student's summer
Instructors and operator confirmed
Final output known
Deadlines and aid options noted
Want a finished finance research report rather than a course? GRF's Research Desk is a six-week, finance-only cohort of five Fellows, each writing an individually authored report with written mentor feedback on every draft. Compare the Research Desk or, for 1:1 support, see Private Mentorship.
Related posts: How Much Do High School Research Programs Cost in 2026? · Best Finance Programs for High School Students (2026) · Lumiere Education Alternatives (2026)