10 Online University Courses for High School Students
Online university courses offer high school students advanced knowledge in various subjects and prepare them for the demands of college-level education. By enrolling, students can deepen their understanding of subjects they’re passionate about, develop new skills, and strengthen their college applications.
One major benefit is the flexibility—students can access lectures, complete assignments, and engage with course materials from home, balancing schoolwork and extracurriculars at their own pace. Many courses also include live sessions, enabling interaction with university professors and peers, building networks that reach beyond local communities.
Additionally, completing a course from a prestigious university adds credibility to a student's academic profile. Earning a certificate or credit further demonstrates commitment to learning and personal growth—qualities highly valued by college admissions officers. For high schoolers curious about a specific academic subject or seeking a head start, online university courses offer an ideal introduction to higher education.
1. Stanford University - Online High School
Cost: The cost ranges from $5,970 for a single course to $29,850 for four or more courses. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: January 9, 2025.
Program Dates: The program typically runs from August to June.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Stanford OHS offers a rigorous academic experience for high school and advanced middle school students. It follows a traditional August-to-June calendar, allowing students to enroll full-time, part-time, or for individual courses. The program features real-time online seminars with highly interactive, discussion-based classes modeled after a college-style schedule.
What sets Stanford OHS apart is its faculty, with 65% holding Ph.D.s, providing students access to scholars invested in their education. The curriculum spans core subjects, advanced post-AP courses, and university-level options, fostering critical thinking and intellectual growth through a flipped classroom model, where students prepare ahead for in-depth discussions.
2. Harvard University - 7-Week Secondary School Program Online
Cost: The cost ranges from $4,050 (4 credits) to $7,900 (8 credits). Some need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Applications for Summer 2025 open on December 2, 2024 and close on February 12, 2025.
Program Dates: June 21 – August 9, 2025.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Harvard’s SSP Online offers high school students worldwide an opportunity to participate in Harvard’s rigorous college-level courses. Students complete a minimum of 4 credit hours (up to 8 if desired), and courses appear on an official Harvard transcript. SSP Online courses are grouped into Career Pathways, allowing students to explore various academic and career interests. In addition to academics, virtual activities and events provide college-prep support and peer engagement. Resources such as tutoring and access to Harvard’s libraries are available, though SSP students do not receive physical campus access.
Cost: $4000. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for three weeks in July.
Eligibility: Current 9th-grade students are eligible to apply.
Credits Awarded: Certificate of completion.
Stanford AI4ALL is a prestigious three-week summer program focused on increasing diversity in the artificial intelligence field. Designed for high school students, especially those from underrepresented groups, the program includes engaging lectures, hands-on research projects, and mentorship from AI professionals. Students explore AI applications in areas like healthcare and disaster management, gaining insight into AI’s potential for societal impact. Participants need a computer with high-speed internet, a webcam, and a headset to engage fully in the live, interactive sessions.
4. Brown University - Introduction to Computational Mathematics and Big Data Visualization
Cost: $5,998. Some need-based financial aid is available.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: The program typically runs six weeks between June and July.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
This six-week, project-based course offers high school students an introduction to scientific computing and data analysis. The course covers STEM concepts such as numerical simulation, parallel computing, and big data visualization, equipping students with skills essential in engineering and energy design fields. The program provides an engaging and flexible learning environment, with optional live sessions for peer and instructor interaction. Students collaborate with like-minded individuals from around the world, exploring real-world problems in computational science without the pressure of grades or formal credits.
5. USC Pre-College Online Program - Analytics: The Power of Data for Businesses
Cost: $1,990 and a $35 application fee.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: The program is self-paced with various start dates.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 and older are eligible to apply.
Credits Awarded: Certificate of completion.
The USC Pre-College Online program, Analytics: The Power of Data for Businesses, prepares high school students with essential data analysis skills critical for business success. In this self-paced, two-to-four-week program, students explore how data drives decision-making and solves real-world business problems. The flexible structure includes recorded lectures, readings, and assignments, requiring 20-25 hours of engagement. Participants gain a foundational understanding of data analytics, learning how businesses use data to generate insights and strategies.
6. Wisconsin’s Early College Credit Program (ECCP)
Cost: $98.96 per credit.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Various deadlines depending on the cohort. February 1 for summer courses, March 1 for fall courses, and October 1 for spring courses.
Program Dates: 2025 program dates to be announced.
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-12 enrolled in a Wisconsin public or private school are eligible to apply.
Credits Awarded: High school credit, college credit, or both.
Wisconsin’s Early College Credit Program (ECCP) allows high school students to earn both high school and college credits by enrolling in courses through the University of Wisconsin Extension’s Independent Learning program. The program reduces tuition costs by sharing expenses between the institutions and families. Students can choose from a variety of subjects, such as Algebra for Calculus and Business Communication, while working at their own pace. The ECCP provides a cost-effective way for students to explore academic interests and prepare for college-level coursework.
7. Carnegie Mellon University - Introduction to Biology
Cost: Free!
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: There is no application deadline.
Program Dates: This is a self-paced program.
Eligibility: High school students are eligible to apply.
Carnegie Mellon’s Introduction to Biology offers an in-depth look at the fundamentals of biology, including energy use, growth, reproduction, and evolution. The self-paced course covers key biological themes, scientific inquiry methods, biological chemistry, and cell theory, making it accessible to anyone interested in deepening their understanding of the life sciences.
8. Cornell University - Introductory Macroeconomics
Cost: $5,520.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: December 2, 2024.
Program Dates: January 2 – 18, 2025.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply.
Credits Awarded: Students receive three credits on the official Cornell transcript.
Cornell’s Introductory Macroeconomics course provides an in-depth look at national economic factors like unemployment, inflation, and growth, and how they impact national income. Students explore key topics such as fiscal deficits, economic development, and the role of government policies like monetary and fiscal interventions. This flexible, asynchronous course helps students build a foundational understanding of national and global economies. Course credits are recorded on an official Cornell transcript, adding value for those pursuing further studies in economics.
9. Stanford University - Clinical Neuroscience Immersion Experience (CNI-X)
Cost: $1,495.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Dates: The program typically runs for two weeks in June.
Eligibility: High school students following their sophomore, junior, or senior year are eligible to apply.
Stanford’s two-week CNI-X program introduces high school students to advanced topics in neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology through interactive seminars and collaborative capstone projects. Led by Stanford faculty, the program combines theoretical learning with practical problem-solving, helping students develop innovative solutions to real-world issues. The experience also includes professional development and self-care strategies for young adults. The program concludes with students presenting their projects to faculty, peers, and families.
10. Cornell University - Global Business Strategy
Cost: $5,520.
Location: Virtual.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: January 2 – 18, 2025.
Final Exam/Project Due: Friday, January 17, 11:59 PM
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible to apply.
Credits Awarded: Students receive three credits on the official Cornell transcript.
Cornell’s AEM 3991 course provides students with the skills to navigate global business strategies and analyze how companies operate in the international marketplace. This asynchronous online course covers global business principles, case studies, and an internationalization project for a local company. By the end of the course, students gain practical insights into global strategic decision-making, preparing them for roles in multinational corporations.
Are you looking to start a project or research paper in the field of AI and ML? Consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is an AI program designed for high schoolers. It’s founded and run by Harvard graduate students. The program aims to allow students to create unique projects in the field of AI. Participants will get to learn more about AI from researchers and experts and work 1-on-1 with mentors from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, and more. In just the past year, we’ve had over a thousand students learn with us! You too can apply!
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