10 University Data Science Courses for High School Students
What if you could experience university life and learn college-level academics while still in high school? University pre-college programs make this possible, giving you a chance to explore your favorite subjects in-depth and learn new skills through hands-on activities. Data science courses, in particular, offer the unique opportunity to explore topics like statistics, machine learning, and mathematical modeling — skills that are increasingly valuable across industries.
Additionally, attending such programs reflects your dedication to excellence in a tangible way — whether through certificates, project portfolios, or simply through gaining admission in a very selective program. These achievements showcase your caliber and enhance your profile in a way that will benefit you years down the line during the college application process.
In this blog, you will find 10 university data science courses for high school students, each providing a foundational experience in this rapidly growing field!
1. Harvard’s Data Science in Action Program
Application deadline: May 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school students who have a basic understanding of algebra. Students from low-income backgrounds are encouraged to apply
Program dates: June 22, 2025 – July 10, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: Harvard University, Boston, MA
Fee: Free; stipends available for low-income students
In this fully funded, 2-week day camp at Harvard University, students get to build a self-driving toy car by developing a neural network. This program is a great way to learn about machine learning and programming. You will learn Python, explore machine learning techniques, and delve into foundational statistics using a Raspberry Pi for real-world applications. This prestigious program offers high school students a glimpse into the rigorous data science landscape and provides a solid foundation for further studies in machine learning and AI.
2. University of Chicago’s Data Science Institute Summer Lab
Application deadline: January 12, 2025
Eligibility: High school students located in Chicago (familiarity with at least one programming language is preferred)
Program dates: June 16 – August 8, 2025
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Stipend: $4,800 or higher
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab at the University of Chicago combines data science with fields like social science, public policy, and biomedical research. During the program, you will be paired with a data science mentor and learn about science methodologies while also gaining lab experience. At the end of the program, you will present your findings through a final video at a symposium. Do keep in mind that this program does not offer housing for high school students.
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students aged 12-18
Program dates: Both available tracks are 52-hour programs that take place over two weeks, occurring sometime between June and August (on weekdays)
Location: Virtual
Fee: $2,795; limited scholarships available
A suitable option for students who are unable to move away from home, the Berkeley Coding Academy covers data science in combination with other computer science elements. As a participant, you will study Python, data analytics, machine learning, deep learning, and AI applications. The program takes place through live online lectures during which you will analyze data using pandas and build machine learning models using sklearn. You can expect to add a project or two to your portfolio after this program.
Application deadline: March 1, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors who are residents of New York
Program dates: June 3 – August 9, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Stipend: $750
ARISE is NYU’s summer research program where you can experience 2 weeks of foundational workshops with 5 weeks of extensive lab work. While applying, you must select your preference from the available laboratories, which includes the Responsible Data Science Lab that examines ethical issues in data science. As a participant, you will work on projects such as privacy-preserving synthetic data generation mechanisms or using data science to help determine election winners in cases where votes are incomplete or uncertain.
Aside from this option, you can also consider other labs that include the use of data science with other fields like electronics, robotics, transportation, and more. With only 80 students admitted annually, ARISE is highly selective, providing a prestigious addition to any student’s resume.
5. Wharton Global Youth’s Data Science Academy
Application deadline: April 2, 2025
Eligibility: 10th and 11th grade students with a strong background in math and coding. International students can apply as well (Accepted students generally have a minimum GPA of 3.3)
Program dates: July 13 – August 2, 2025
Location: Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Fee: $9,799; limited need-based scholarships are available
The Wharton Data Science Academy is a summer program that covers the fundamental concepts of data science and machine learning. You will explore the field of data science through real-world case studies, learning about data visualization, data wrangling, probabilities and statistics, machine learning methodologies, and the R programming language. You will also work on a final group project that reflects what you have learned and present it to your peers at the end of the program. In addition to coursework, students enjoy guest lectures, extracurriculars, and a collegiate experience on campus. However, you should consider that this selective program accepts about 75 students per cohort.
Application deadline: March 15, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Eligibility: Rising 11th graders from low-income backgrounds
Program dates: July 14 – August 3, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Fee: Free
Princeton AI4ALL is a selective, 3-week residential summer program in artificial intelligence. You will learn about the field through lectures given by Princeton professors and group mentoring sessions covering fundamental AI concepts such as machine learning, neural networks, and data science. The program's goal is to cultivate a diverse pipeline of future AI leaders who are both technically skilled and ethically informed.
A unique feature of Princeton AI4ALL is a two-day field trip to Washington, D.C., where students meet policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the intersection of AI, ethics, and policy. Each student group works closely with graduate mentors to develop research projects, which are presented at the end of the program. These collaborative projects are on socially impactful topics, such as healthcare, bias in AI, and environmental sustainability. You can also expect sessions on career and professional development.
7. Stanford University’s Pre-College: Introduction to Data Science
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March
Eligibility: All high school students in grades 9-11 who have some basic knowledge of computer programming and statistics
Program dates: Session 1 from June 17 – 28, 2025, Session 2 from July 8 – 19, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: Virtual
Fee: $3,050 (financial aid available)
The Introduction to Data Science course is one of Stanford University’s Pre-College Summer Institutes. The course combines live lessons, recorded lectures, readings, group work, and individual assignments. You will learn about computer algorithms, machine learning, and R programming, applying these skills to real-world datasets from the natural and social sciences. This program is structured to equip students with scientific analysis techniques, making it a great option for aspiring data scientists.
8. Carnegie Mellon University’s Statistics and Data Science Camp
Application deadline: Applications will open January 2025
Eligibility: High school students (preference is given to rising juniors and seniors) with a good understanding of algebra
Program dates: TBA for 2025 (the week-long camp generally takes place in the last week of June)
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Fee: Free (students also get a bus pass)
Carnegie Mellon’s Statistics and Data Science Camp is a free, week-long summer camp providing a foundational course in statistics and data science through hands-on demonstrations and computer labs. You will learn how to use the R programming language in lab settings, explore career paths in data science, and even visit a data science-focused company. If you’ve ever considered working in data science, this program aims to introduce students to essential data science concepts and offer professional insights into industry applications.
9. Columbia’s Pre-College Program - Data Science
Application deadline: Varies depending on the program format
Eligibility: All high school students (international students can apply as well)
Program dates: Flexible options based on program duration and format (summer or academic year.
Location: Online or Columbia University, New York, NY
Fee: Ranges from $2,700 – $12,154 depending on which format you choose (very limited need-based scholarships are available)
This pre-college program gives you the chance to step into the shoes of a college student and learn university-level material from the faculty of Columbia University. Columbia offers two Data Science and Machine Learning courses to give students a college-level introduction to data science. Both options can be found on the course list, with one option for beginners and another for more advanced students.
The beginner course covers the basics of the fields, while the advanced course includes sophisticated programming, different mathematical techniques, data science strategies, and more. You can expect hands-on experience in both courses!
10. Syracuse University’s Data Visualization and Analysis Course
Application deadline: Applications typically close in May
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Program dates: July 22 – 26, 2025 (tentative, based on the 2024 program)
Location: Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
Fee:
Commuter: $1,726
Residential: $2,195
Discounts and scholarships are available
Syracuse’s Data Visualization and Analysis Course focuses on taking raw data, turning it into meaningful visuals, and generating useful insights from it. In the process, you will learn how to use Microsoft Excel and Tableau while covering design principles, statistical concepts, and techniques for presenting data insights. This also includes basic statistics knowledge and learning how to present data to stakeholders. As a residential program, you will also get a taste of what it’s like to study and live on campus. After finishing the program, you will receive a certificate of completion.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
AI + Medicine
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. In the AI + Medicine program, students learn how AI is used in the healthcare and medical industry. Students get a chance to work on real-world projects using AI & ML models to diagnose diseases, sharpen medical scans, and explain their outcomes to aid doctors and patients. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
AI + Finance
Veritas AI is an AI program for ambitious high school students, founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the AI + Finance program, students gain a deeper understanding of AI applications in the financial field. They get a chance to engage in lectures, code walkthroughs, and real-world projects using AI & ML models to predict future financial patterns using past data, forecasting stock prices, and more. Here is the program brochure and the application form.
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