Top 15 Free Computer Science Summer Programs for High School Students
Free computer science programs for high school students are a great way to explore technology and coding while developing valuable, in-demand skills. These programs provide hands-on experiences in coding, problem-solving, and project management, while also helping you build soft skills like communication, collaboration, and creativity.
You’ll engage in activities like coding challenges, real-world projects, and mentorship opportunities. Many programs also let you collaborate with industry professionals, visit tech companies, and present your work, offering insight into the tech world.
These free computer science programs for high school students are an affordable way to gain practical skills, explore career paths, and make meaningful connections—all at no cost.
Location: MIT campus, Cambridge, MA
Program Dates: The program starts in mid-June and runs for 6 weeks.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors who are citizens or permanent residents; the program particularly encourages applications from underrepresented and low-income backgrounds
Cost: None
The MITES Summer Program at MIT is a six-week residential opportunity for high school juniors to dive into STEM fields through advanced coursework and hands-on projects. You’ll explore subjects like computer science, often beyond the scope of standard high school curricula. The program includes lab tours, workshops, and discussions with industry professionals to help you learn about STEM careers.
You’ll also receive mentorship from MIT faculty and personalized evaluations to refine your college applications. With its blend of academic rigor and career guidance, the program equips you with skills and knowledge to pursue STEM opportunities confidently.
2. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June).
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility:
You must be currently enrolled in high school
Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4)
No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
Cost: Financial Aid Available
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous 12-week research program designed for high school students. It offers 1-on-1 mentorship with Ph.D. scholars to guide you through developing an independent research project.
You’ll have the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics, including psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, and more. By the end of the program, you’ll have completed an independent research paper.
This program provides an excellent way to deepen your knowledge in a subject of interest while gaining valuable research experience. Learn more about the application process here.
3. Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Programs
Location: Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Program Dates: June 21 – July 19
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: 10th and 11th-grade students who are at least 16 years old
Cost: Free (fully funded for accepted participants)
Carnegie Mellon’s Computer Science Scholars (CSS) program is a four-week summer experience for rising high school juniors with limited access to advanced STEM education. Hosted on Carnegie Mellon’s campus, you’ll learn core computer science topics such as Python programming, algorithm design, and problem-solving, guided by CMU faculty and graduate mentors.
The program also includes workshops on college applications and personal statements, along with field trips, guest lectures, and mentorship sessions to explore real-world computer science applications. As one of the free computer science programs for high school students, it is fully funded and covers tuition, room, board, and materials, making it accessible to students with financial need or limited resources in computer science.
4. NYU’s Cyber Security for Computer Science
Location: NYU)Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Dates: July 15 – August 9, tentatively. (2025 schedule TBA)
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in mid-April
Eligibility: NYC residents who are currently in the 9th, 10th, or 11th grade.
Cost: Free
Computer Science for Cyber Security (CS4CS) is a free, three-week summer program for high school students interested in cybersecurity. You’ll explore topics such as ethical hacking, cryptography, digital forensics, steganography, and data privacy.
Led by NYU faculty and cybersecurity experts, the program offers hands-on experience with tools to detect and counter cyber threats like phishing and malware. Fully funded, CS4CS provides an accessible introduction to cybersecurity for students considering careers in the field.
5. MIT’s Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Program Dates: June 22 - August 2
Application deadline: December 11
Eligibility: High School Juniors are eligible to apply.
Cost: None
The Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT is a free, six-week program for high school students interested in computer science and research. It begins with a week of advanced STEM classes taught by experienced professors, followed by a five-week research internship.
During the internship, you’ll work on computer science projects with guidance from expert researchers. The free computer science program for high school students concludes with the participants presenting their research through professional-style oral and written reports. Highly competitive, RSI has an acceptance rate below 5%.
6. UC San Diego Research Experience for High School Students (REHS)
Location: University of California San Diego, CA
Application deadline: March 15
Program dates: June 17 - August 9
Eligibility:
High school students in grades 10, 11, or 12 living in Southern California.
Students must be at least 16 years old before the start of the program.
Cost: None
The REHS program at the UC San Diego Supercomputer Center introduces high school students to computer science and its applications in various research fields. You can choose between non-research and research project options.
Non-research projects involve internships at the Supercomputer Center, providing hands-on experience and insight into real-world applications of computer science. Research projects pair you with a mentor, typically a faculty member, to support ongoing research. This option requires a $1,500 registration fee.
7. Academy for all with UT Computer Science
Location: University of Texas at Austin, TX
Application deadline: January 12
Program dates: July 6 to July 12
Eligibility: Rising high school students in grades 10, 11, and 12 can apply.
Cost: None
The Academy for All with UT Computer Science is a one-week residential program introducing high school students to the fundamentals of computer science, offering one of the many free computer science programs for high school students. Led by UT faculty, the program includes career exploration sessions, meetings with industry professionals, and college application preparation.
The program offers two cohorts in June and July. The Standard Edition focuses on coding in C++ and using the Arduino microcontroller to create an LED light display, while the Machine Learning Edition emphasizes coding in Python and developing a machine learning model.
UT-Austin also provides need-based scholarships of up to $500 for transportation costs to and from the university campus.
8. University of Washington Changemakers in Computing (CIC)
Location: University of Washington; Seattle, WA
Application deadline: April 2
Program dates: July 7 to August 1
Eligibility: All high school students can apply.
Cost: None
In the Changemakers in Computing program, you’ll explore the intersection of technology, society, and justice. You’ll receive mentorship from University of Washington undergraduate students and join a supportive community focused on intercultural communication and collective growth.
Through meaningful projects, you’ll develop problem-solving skills to address real-world issues. The program also provides opportunities to explore career paths, network with changemakers from various fields, and gain advice on navigating college options and selecting potential fields of study.
9. MIT PRIMES
Location: Virtual with travel to campus at MIT, Cambridge, MA
Program dates: February 1 - January 15
Application deadline: November 30
Eligibility: All high school students living within the Greater Boston area can apply.
Cost: None
MIT PRIMES is a free, year-long computer science program for high school students to work on a math research project under expert mentorship. The program is divided into four phases, each building your skills and advancing your project.
In Phase I, you’ll start with advanced reading to prepare for research, then submit a brief report on what you’ve learned. If you’re on track, you’ll move on to Phase II, where you’ll begin active research with mentor guidance and present your work to MIT faculty.
Phase III is more independent, with email check-ins with your mentor, while in Phase IV, you’ll finalize your project, present it at the PRIMES conference, and write a final paper that could be submitted to science competitions or journals. You’ll spend about 10 hours per week on the project, with more flexibility during the summer.
10. Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University, New York, NY
Application deadline: Feb 21
Program Dates: June 2 – August 8
Eligibility: High school students living in New York City in grades 10 and 11 at the time of application can apply.
This 10-week summer program is for rising sophomores and juniors in New York City interested in STEM. You’ll gain hands-on experience in areas like Bio and Molecular Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Robotics, AI, Computer Science, and Machine Learning, making it one of the free computer science programs for high school students.
The program includes lessons on research methods, science techniques, writing, professional development, and ethics. The first six weeks are remote workshops, followed by four in-person weeks at NYU from 9 am to 4 pm.
With about 80 students accepted, this is a competitive program.
11. Harvard University’s Introduction to Computer Science
Location: Virtual
Application deadline: None
Program Dates: Self-paced
Eligibility: Anyone can join the program
CS50x is Harvard University's introductory computer science course, designed for both majors and non-majors with no prior programming experience. You’ll learn to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently.
Topics include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, security, software engineering, and web development, using languages like C, Python, SQL, JavaScript, CSS, and HTML. Problem sets cover real-world topics such as biology, cryptography, finance, forensics, and gaming.
The course is self-paced, and you can earn a certificate by completing the assignments and final project. The on-campus version, CS50, is Harvard's largest course.
12. GirlsWhoCode’s Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Applications open by mid-January
Program Dates: 2 weeks, typically, in July but may vary depending on the program.
Eligibility: All female and non-binary high school students are eligible.
Cost: None
Girls Who Code offers free computer science programs for high school students to bridge the gender gap in technology through hands-on experience and networking. Their summer options include a 2-week immersion program and a 6-week self-paced program.
The 2-week program is for beginners, covering basic computer science, design processes, UX principles, and an introduction to the tech industry. The 6-week self-paced program allows you to choose between web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) or intermediate Python, focusing on topics like cybersecurity or data science.
The programs are free, and U.S. students in need can apply for a $300 grant. About half of the participants come from underrepresented groups, including Black, LatinX, and low-income girls, women, and non-binary individuals.
13. University of Chicago Data & Computing Summer Lab
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Application Deadline: January 12
Program Dates: 10 weeks; June 16 – August 8
Eligibility: Current 9-12th graders and undergraduate students
Cost: None
The Data Science Institute Summer Lab program at the University of Chicago is an 8-week paid research opportunity where you’ll work with data science mentors in fields like computer science, social science, climate policy, public policy, materials science, and biomedical research.
You’ll team up with a mentor to improve your research skills, learn new methods, and experience teamwork in action. This program is open to high school students in the Chicago area, and no prior research experience is required to apply.
14. Johns Hopkins’ ASPIRE Program
Location: Johns Hopkins University Campus, Baltimore, MD
Application Deadline: February 15
Program Dates: Last week of June continues for 4-6 weeks
Eligibility:
High-school juniors and seniors residing in the Washington-Baltimore Metro area.
A minimum GPA of 2.8 is required.
Must be 15 years old
Only U.S. Citizens are eligible to apply.
Cost: None
The ASPIRE program at APL offers high school juniors and seniors the chance to explore STEM careers before choosing a college major. Interns work on projects alongside APL staff mentors, developing technical and interpersonal skills in a hands-on, professional environment.
The program is unpaid and focuses on providing a holistic learning experience rather than a job. Participants are expected to work independently, communicate effectively with mentors, and think creatively.
ASPIRE is one of the free computer science programs for high school students that aims to create an inclusive, supportive environment for all students, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or socio-economic background. It’s competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 15%-20%, but does not prioritize applicants based on GPA, prior STEM experience, or resumes.
Location: Meta HQ, Menlo Park, CA.
Application Deadline: Typically March.
Program Dates: The internship typically runs for six weeks from June to July.
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores are eligible to apply. Students must be full-year residents of either East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City.
Stipend: Interns receive a stipend upon completion of the program.
At the Meta Summer Academy (formerly Facebook Summer Academy), you’ll get a firsthand look at how a global social media platform operates. This is one of the free computer science programs for high school students that allows you to learn coding, explore different tech career paths, and develop important soft skills for the future.
It’s designed to provide you with the knowledge and experience needed to create career opportunities and financial stability in the tech industry.
If you’re looking to build unique projects in the field of AI/ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI was founded by Harvard graduate students, and through the programs, you get a chance to learn the fundamentals of AI and computer science while collaborating on real-world projects. You can also 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 data science and AI with us. You can apply here!
Image source: CMU logo