Passionate about computer science? A summer program can be a rewarding way to grow your skills, whether you’re experienced or just starting out. Here’s a compiled list of sixteen summer programs in computer science for high school students. Costs, formats, and deadlines change year to year, so confirm the current details with each program.
Computer science programs
1. LaunchX
Description: LaunchX is a pre-college program that helps high schoolers bring their ideas to life. It blends computer science and business so you can build a product or company from scratch, with mentorship from people connected to MIT.
Cost: $4,750 – $9,970. Format: in-person or online. Application deadline: November, January, and April rounds.
2. Stanford AI4ALL
Description: Stanford AI4ALL works to increase diversity in artificial intelligence. Over three weeks, students explore AI through lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentoring. If you want to go beyond coding, it covers the fundamental concepts of AI.
Cost: around $6,500 (need-based aid may be available). Format: in-person. Application deadline: mid-February.
3. Carnegie Mellon’s Summer Academy for Math and Science (SAMS)
Description: SAMS Scholars work through a rigorous STEM curriculum taught by CMU faculty and staff, combining classroom instruction with hands-on projects and mentorship. Students also build relationships with peers from across the country.
Cost: free.
Eligibility: at least 16 by the program start date, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and a junior in high school at the time of application.
Application requirements: online application, unofficial transcript, standardized test scores (optional), two letters of recommendation (one from a current math instructor), and two essay prompts.
Format: in-person. Application deadline: around March 1.
4. iD Tech Camps
Description: iD Tech Camps are customizable summer programs covering technology, coding, game development, data science, robotics, and more.
Cost: varies by course. Format: in-person or online. Application deadline: varies by course.
5. Columbia University Pre-College Programs
Description: Columbia’s pre-college programs offer high schoolers college-level courses, including computer science and coding, taught by Columbia instructors with personalized support. (Note: Columbia’s former standalone coding boot camp has been discontinued, so check the current course catalog.)
Format: in-person or online, depending on the program. Cost and deadline: vary by program; confirm on the official site.
6. Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy
Description: the Berkeley Summer Computer Science Academy is a rigorous two-week experience for motivated students aged 16 to 17 who are interested in computer science and college-level student life. It’s open to all students, regardless of prior coding experience.
Eligibility: have completed 10th or 11th grade by the start of the program and plan to continue high school the following fall; have an overall B average (3.0); maintain your own health insurance; and live in residential housing (the program requires students to live on campus).
Cost: around $5,085. Format: in-person. Application deadline: mid-March.
7. California State Summer School for Mathematics and Sciences (COSMOS)
Description: COSMOS is an intensive four-week residential pre-college program for students who have shown an aptitude for STEM. Students completing grades 8-12 work with faculty, researchers, and scientists in advanced facilities, exploring STEM topics well beyond the usual high school curriculum through hands-on, lab-intensive work.
Cost: around $5,049. Format: in-person. Application deadline: early February.
8. Harvard Pre-College Program
Description: Harvard’s Pre-College Program offers a range of courses, including computer science and coding, taught by Harvard faculty.
Cost: around $5,625. Format: in-person. Application deadline: mid-February.
Bonus resource
Watch this video on the most prestigious summer programs, from Rishab Jain, who was accepted to RSI.
9. UC San Diego Academic Connections
Description: UC San Diego Academic Connections offers in-person and online programs, including Introduction to Python Programming and other computing and computational biology courses.
Cost: around $1,500 (online) to $5,700 (in-person). Application deadline: opens in winter.
10. Cornell Summer College
Description: Cornell Summer Session offers hundreds of regular Cornell courses taught by university faculty, open to high school students and others. Students learn from accomplished faculty, collaborate with peers, and gain hands-on experience in coding, software development, and other CS topics.
Cost: around $1,750. Format: in-person or online. Application deadline: January/February.
11. University of Washington Summer Session
Description: the University of Washington offers summer courses for high school students at one of the top computer science schools in the country, with strong facilities and faculty to help you build real skills.
Cost: around $4,000. Format: in-person or online. Application deadline: mid-April.
12. Georgia Tech CEISMC
Description: CEISMC Expanded Learning Programs run weekly in-person summer sessions in June and July, building STEAM knowledge through hands-on, experiential activities.
Cost: around $400 – $500. Format: in-person. Application deadline: around April 1.
13. Yale Young Global Scholars
Description: Yale Young Global Scholars offers several programs, and its Innovations in Science and Technology (IST) track introduces students to advances in computer science alongside physics, biology, chemistry, and more. It’s a great fit for students exploring different STEM paths.
Cost: around $6,500. Format: in-person. Application deadline: November/January.
14. Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (CTY)
Description: Johns Hopkins CTY is a well-known pre-college program. Its computer science courses are offered online and span every level, from beginner to experienced coder.
Cost: around $1,000. Format: online. Application deadline: early June.
15. UChicago Summer Session
Description: UChicago’s summer programs give you access to the same educational resources as the regular academic year, with classes taught by distinguished professors and lecturers in small settings that offer personal attention.
Cost: around $4,500. Format: online. Application deadline: mid-May.
16. Duke University Summer Session
Description: current 10th or 11th grade students can earn college credit through Duke’s six-week undergraduate courses across the arts and sciences in Summer Session Term 2. Participants must be 16 by the first day of the term, with no exceptions to this university policy.
Cost: around $2,840. Format: in-person or online. Application deadline: mid-June.
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