Top 10 Economics Internships for High School Students in 2025–2026

Are you curious about how economic systems work in the real world? Economics internships for high school students give you hands-on experience, letting you explore finance, research, and decision-making before college.

In this guide, you will find the top 10 internships for 2025–2026, including programs that offer mentorship, real-world projects, and professional networking. You will learn what each internship provides, how to apply, and how to use these opportunities to build valuable skills and strengthen your college applications.

• What Are the Best Economics Internships for High School Students?
• Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)
• Ladder Internships
• Bank of America Student Leaders Program
• Fidelity Investments — High School Summer Internship (Asset-Management / Finance-Economics)
• Economics for Leaders (EFL) by the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)
• Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)
• U.S. Department of the Treasury – Student Internship Program
• Young Founders Lab
• Chicago Summer Business Institute
• Oxford Scholastica Online Business, Economics & Finance Internship
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Economics Internships for High School Students?

Economics internships give high school students a chance to develop practical skills in data analysis, financial reasoning, and teamwork while gaining insight into potential career paths. Below is an overview of 10 of the best economics internships for high school students, including program details, locations, and key dates for easy comparison:

Let’s discuss each program one by one.

1. Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS)

• Dates: Summer Session 1: June 21 – July 3, 2026; Summer Session 2: July 5 – July 17, 2026; Summer Session 3: July 19 – July 31, 2026
• Location: Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
• Benefits: College-level lectures, small-group seminars, global peer network, and mentorship

Yale Young Global Scholars gives you the chance to study economics, policy, and global systems through its Politics of Law and Economics session. You spend two weeks on Yale’s campus learning how economic theories shape public policy, market behavior, and decision-making in different countries. 

You work through lectures taught by Yale faculty on topics such as development economics, market regulation, game theory, and governance. You also join daily seminars to evaluate issues such as inequality, political polarization, and sustainable growth through economic and legal frameworks.

The program is fully residential. You collaborate with students from more than 150 countries on case studies and discussions that deepen your understanding of how economic systems function.

You can apply if you are a current sophomore or junior, between 16 and 18 years old by July 19, 2026, and fluent in English. Tuition is $7,000 for the two-week session, and need-based financial aid is available to students from all regions.

If you want to see how students gain global networking and hands-on economics experience, check out our blog on Yale Young Global Scholars.

2. Ladder Internships

• Dates: January 5, 2026
• Location: Fully virtual
• Benefits: Startup project experience, mentorship from top CEOs, networking, certificate of completion

Ladder Internships allows you to work directly with high-growth startups on projects in finance, business strategy, and market analysis, making it a top option among economics internships for high school students. 

The program runs for 8 weeks, with a 5–10-hour weekly commitment, and you complete concrete deliverables under the guidance of a company coach or CEO. Some participants can extend the program with a 15-week mentored research component to produce a college-level research paper.

You apply through an online form and interview. The program is selective: the summer 2023 cohort had 700 applicants for 70 spots. Full financial aid is available, and the internship is fully remote. By the end, you gain practical experience, mentorship from industry leaders, and a certificate that validates your work.

3. Bank of America Student Leaders Program

• Dates: Summer 2026
• Location: Local nonprofit placement in your community; Summit in Washington, D.C.
• Benefits: Paid internship, leadership training, civic engagement, and national networking

The Bank of America Student Leaders Program places high school juniors and seniors in eight-week paid internships at local nonprofits, where you work 35 hours per week on projects that address real community needs. You gain skills in financial management, business operations, and leadership.

You also participate in the week-long Student Leaders Summit in Washington, D.C., where you meet peers nationwide and collaborate with nonprofit, government, and business leaders on community-focused initiatives.

You are eligible if you are a current junior or senior, legally authorized to work in the U.S., and a student in good standing from an eligible location. Previous participants and Bank of America employees or their immediate family members cannot apply.

If you want to learn how students combine leadership, mentorship, and community impact, check out our blog on the Bank of America Student Leaders Program.

4. Fidelity Investments — High School Summer Internship (Asset-Management / Finance-Economics)

• Dates: Summer 2026 (Exact dates announced February 2026)
• Location: Boston, MA; Merrimack, NH
• Benefits: Hands-on experience in financial services, mentorship, and career exposure

The Fidelity Investments High School Summer Internship gives female high school students a 5-week program to explore careers in financial services and asset management. You will work on meaningful projects and gain insight into professional roles at Fidelity.

The program provides mentorship and exposure to career pathways in finance. You learn about the industry, develop teamwork and professional skills, and observe the day-to-day operations of financial professionals. To apply, you must be a female high school student. 

5. Economics for Leaders (EFL) by the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)

• Dates: Summer 2025
• Location: Multiple U.S. campuses
• Benefits: Leadership skills, economic analysis, and optional college credit

Economics for Leaders (EFL) by the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) lets you develop leadership skills while learning to apply economic reasoning to real-world public policy challenges. The program covers core concepts such as:

• Economic Growth and Scarcity 
• Opportunity Cost 
• Open Markets 
• Markets in Action 
• Labor Markets 
• Incentives, Innovation and the Role of Institutions 
• Property Rights 
• Government 
• Money & Inflation
• International Markets

The program is fully residential and runs for 1 week on multiple U.S. campuses. You participate in lectures, simulations, team-based projects, and discussions on national and international issues. You also analyze case studies and practice decision-making as a student leader, with mentorship from instructors and hands-on exercises.

To apply, you must be a sophomore or junior in high school and plan to attend the program during the summer before entering your junior or senior year. Freshmen and seniors are not eligible. 

Admission is competitive, with about 25–40 students per site. You can optionally earn 3 semester hours of undergraduate credit from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs by completing online modules, a post-test, and participation requirements.

6. Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP)

• Dates: Summer 2025
• Location: University campuses including Brown, Yale, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Stanford, UCSB, and the University of New South Wales
• Benefits: Entrepreneurship skills, mentorship, venture development, and exposure to university campuses

The Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP) is one of the standout economics internships for high school students that also focuses on entrepreneurship. You learn how to spot opportunities, conduct market research, design business models, manage costs, and communicate your vision.

Each week includes a two-hour instruction session followed by hands-on work on your own venture. Mentors and guest speakers provide guidance, feedback, and real-world insights.

The program lasts 5–7 weeks and ends with Pitch Night, where you present your venture to judges and receive an evaluation. To apply, you must be a high school student from an under-resourced school with a strong interest in entrepreneurship. 

7. U.S. Department of the Treasury – Student Internship Program

• Dates: Spring, Summer, and Fall 2026
• Location: Washington, D.C. (Headquarters)
• Benefits: Hands-on public policy experience, analytical and leadership skills, professional networking, and exposure to federal careers

The Treasury Student Internship Program allows high school students to support the Department’s work in economic and financial policy. You will assist with research, data analysis, drafting reports, attending meetings, and contributing to management initiatives.

You can work in offices focused on economic growth, financial stability, national security, or government operations, such as the Office of Domestic Finance, the Office of Economic Policy, and the Office of International Affairs. 

You gain practical skills in financial analysis, policy research, and professional communication while building relationships with Treasury staff and other federal agencies. To apply, you must be a U.S. citizen and enrolled in an accredited high school. Internships are unpaid.

8. Young Founders Lab

• Dates: Summer I: May 18 – June 6, 2026; Summer II: June 8 – June 27, 2026; Summer III: July 6 – July 25, 2026
• Location: Online and select global campuses
• Benefits: Launch your own venture, mentorship, entrepreneurship skills, and teamwork

Young Founders Lab is a startup incubator for high school students who want to build businesses or non-profits. You work with mentors from Harvard, Stanford, and Oxford to develop your idea from concept to launch. The program teaches market research, business model development, fundraising, and pitching.

You can join a 3-week Summer Group Program with daily team workshops or a 12-week Individual Program with one-on-one mentorship. You gain financial literacy, project management skills, and experience collaborating with peers as you build a minimum viable product and prepare a pitch for investors and judges.

Eligibility is open to students in grades 9 through 12. The application process includes an interview for shortlisted candidates, and selected students may need to submit a refundable $200 deposit.

9. Chicago Summer Business Institute

• Dates: Summer 2026: July 6 – August 14, 2026
• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Benefits: Paid internship, mentorship, professional experience, networking, and workplace skills

The Chicago Summer Business Institute is one of the top economics internships for high school students, offering a six-week paid experience in finance and business. You work on projects at firms, government offices, or financial institutions, gaining skills in data analysis, accounting, economic research, and business communication. Mentors provide guidance on career development, workplace expectations, and professional growth.

To apply, you must be a Chicago resident, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and come from a household with an income under $80,000; applications require a transcript, resume, essay, two letters of recommendation, and proof of household income.

10. Oxford Scholastica Online Business, Economics & Finance Internship

• Dates: November 8, 15, 22, 29, 2025; July 2026; August 2026
• Location: Online via Zoom
• Benefits: Mentorship from Oxford and Cambridge academics, co-author a research paper for publication, a certificate of achievement, and a letter of recommendation

The Oxford Scholastica Online Business, Economics & Finance Internship gives high school students aged 15–18 the chance to explore economics and finance through hands-on research. You work in small groups with an expert mentor to develop a research question, conduct analysis, and produce a paper for publication.

Sessions focus on global economic governance, fintech innovations, and emerging trends in finance. Group size is limited to 15 interns per session for personalized guidance. Tuition is £995, and successful interns receive a certificate of achievement and a letter of recommendation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is considered the most prestigious economics internship?

Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is highly prestigious, offering Yale faculty-led lectures, small-group seminars, and a global peer network. Among economics internships for high school students, Ladder Internships and Oxford Scholastica are also well-regarded, especially for research or entrepreneurship experience.

2. Do these programs require previous economics knowledge?

Most internships, including Economics for Leaders (EFL) and Young Entrepreneurs Program (YEP), do not require prior coursework. Curiosity about finance, markets, or problem-solving is usually sufficient.

3. Are there virtual options available in 2025-2026?

Yes, several economics internships for high school students, including Ladder Internships, Young Founders Lab, and Oxford Scholastica, offer fully online programs with live sessions, mentorship, and hands-on projects.

4. How competitive are high school economics internships?

Competition is strong. For example, Ladder Internships selects 70 out of 700 applicants, and Bank of America Student Leaders admits around 300 nationwide.

5. Can economics internships improve my college application?

Yes, programs like Fidelity Investments, Chicago Summer Business Institute, and Oxford Scholastica provide mentorship and allow you to work on research that strengthens your resume and personal statement.

Takeaways

• Economics internships like Ladder, Fidelity, and Young Founders Lab give you hands-on experience working on projects and developing skills valuable for college and careers.
• Virtual internships such as Oxford Scholastica and Ladder let you collaborate with international peers and mentors without leaving home.
• Yale Young Global Scholars and Bank of America Student Leaders combine academics, networking, and leadership to show how economics impacts real-world decisions.
• Shorter programs like Economics for Leaders and the Young Entrepreneurs Program provide focused training in leadership, problem-solving, and financial literacy, giving you tangible achievements to add to your resume.
• Getting advice from a college admissions expert can help you pick economics internships that match your goals, highlight your strengths, and make your college applications stand out.