10 Online Economics Courses for High School Students
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Economics are everywhere! They influence trade, government, international relations, climate change responses, business practices, personal decision-making processes, and much more. School budget? Economics. Price of new and used cars? Economics. Tariffs? Economics.
In short, personal and global decision-making processes are guided largely by money and other resources. This is why studying economics early is so important. Not only will enrolling in online economics courses in high school give your college applications a competitive edge, but it will also help you gain a deeper understanding of how society functions.
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Why Take Economics in High School?
Economics courses foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and financial literacy. By learning how to analyze data, interpret trends, and evaluate outcomes, students are able to address real-world scenarios and gain a greater appreciation for how society functions in the process. In addition to these valuable lessons, economics courses complement other subjects as well, such as math, history, political science, and business.
Overall, engaging in an online economics course is a great way to enhance your resume while maintaining high grades and exploring a field that aligns with stable, high-earning careers. Also, due to the flexible nature of online courses, you can schedule them during school breaks! This makes them the perfect choice for busy high school students.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Economics Courses
It’s important to have a list of criteria for choosing the best online economic courses. After all, there are lots of options to choose from and you’ll need to be able to evaluate each course systemically. As you look into online economic class for high school students, keep the following 5 criteria in mind:
1. Accreditation and course credibility: There are lots of online courses out there, but which ones are legitimate? Look into the accreditation of the program. Does it have a good reputation? If you are unsure about how credible the program may be, reach out to your high school guidance counselor for a second opinion.
2. Level of content: Is the course introductory, intermediate, or advanced? While intermediate and advanced courses may have more interesting course descriptions, it’s important to have a solid foundation before you start enrolling in more specialized classes. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t get excited about advanced courses. It’s just a reminder to give yourself the best chance of success by mastering basic concepts first.
3. Interactive features: Some online courses offer recorded lectures and reading materials, while other courses offer more interactive features as well, like quizzes, forums, and live discussions. Classes with more interactive features tend to be more engaging, so if you struggle to remain focused during online courses, you may want to choose one that is more interactive.
4. Cost considerations: Cost may play a large role in your decision-making process. While many online economics classes are free, some can be a bit pricey. It’s also worth noting that many of the free courses do not offer course credit, so you’ll have to weigh pros and cons carefully.
5. Flexibility and time commitment: Is the course self-paced or are there scheduled sessions? If the class has a scheduled meeting time, does it work with your existing schedule? Approximately how many hours will it take to complete the course?
10 Best Online Economics Courses for High School Students
As previously discussed, there are lots of factors to consider when evaluating the credibility of an online economics course. To help speed up your research process, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the best online economics courses for high school students. All of these programs are credible and have good reputations. Now all you need to think about are the level of content, cost, time commitment, and whether the course has interactive components.
1. Entrepreneurship For All (Berkeley)
Entrepreneurship For All introduces aspiring entrepreneurs to the fundamental concepts and skills needed to start and grow a business, emphasizing practical tools and real-world applications through case studies and interactive activities.
Cost: Free without certificate and $199 with certificate (financial aid available)
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
Course Dates: Self-Paced
2. Economics for Everyone (Udemy)
Designed for beginners, Economics for Everyone simplifies economic principles and theories, making them accessible to a broad audience. It covers key concepts in an engaging manner, using everyday examples to illustrate how economics shapes our lives.
Cost: $13.99
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
Course Dates: Self-Paced
3. Principles of Economics (Stanford University)
Principles of Economics provides an in-depth overview of micro and macroeconomic principles, exploring how economies function and the impact of governmental policies on market activities and societal welfare.
Cost: Free without certificate and $50 with certificate
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
Course Dates: Self-Paced
4. Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience (Babson College)
Focusing on the entrepreneurial mindset, Babson College’s Introduction to the Entrepreneurial Experience offers insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, encouraging participants to develop their business ideas through collaborative learning and real-world application.
Cost: $6,295 (plus $95 application fee)
Eligibility: Rising high school Juniors and Seniors.
Application Deadline: March 14th, 2025
Course Dates: July 7th-28th, 2025
5. Planning Your Financial Future with Harvard Economics Professor Jeffrey Miron (Polygence)
Led by esteemed Harvard Professor Jeffrey Miron, Planning Your Financial Future equips students with essential financial planning skills, covering topics like budgeting, investing, and retirement planning to foster informed financial decision-making.
Cost: $695
Eligibility: Motivated middle school and high school students.
Application Deadline: Program held periodically throughout the year.
Course Dates: 6 week sessions held periodically throughout the year.
6. Personal Finance (Indiana University)
Personal Finance teaches the principles of personal finance management, including savings, investments, debt management, and financial planning, aimed at helping students develop a sustainable financial future.
Cost: $597
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
Course Dates: Self-Paced
7. Understanding Your Money (UPenn)
Participants in Understanding Your Money explore financial literacy concepts crucial for managing personal finances effectively, including budgeting, credit, and investment strategies to promote financial independence.
Cost: $329
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
Course Dates: Self-Paced
8. Economics of Money and Banking (Columbia University)
Economics of Money and Banking examines the role of money in the economy, the functioning of banking systems, and the impact of monetary policy on financial markets, providing a robust understanding of financial mechanisms.
Cost: Free without certificate and $49 with certificate.
Eligibility: Everyone is eligible to enroll in this course.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
Course Dates: Self-Paced
9. Foundations of Modern Finance (MIT)
Foundations of Modern Finance is a rigorous course that delves into investment theories, asset pricing, and risk management, offering students analytical tools to understand and navigate the complexities of modern financial markets.
Cost: Free ($549 with certificate)
Eligibility: Most people are eligible to participate, with the exception of people residing in Iran, Cuba, and the Crimea region of Ukraine (due to licensing and US sanctions).
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission
Course Dates: Self-Paced
10. Economics for Leaders (Foundation for Teaching Economics)
Economics for Leaders focuses on economic decision-making processes and the role of economics in leadership, aiming to empower participants with economic literacy for effective leadership.
Cost: $900 (virtual – on-campus options also available)
Eligibility: Current sophomores and juniors in high school.
Application Deadline: April 9th, 2025
Course Dates: Various weeks throughout June and July (dependent on location).
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Why Choose an Online Economics Course?
Economics is everywhere — and understanding it can open doors to a wide range of career opportunities. Online economics courses offer a unique chance for high school students to build valuable skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and financial literacy, which can help them excel in future studies and professional careers. With online learning, you can easily fit these courses into your schedule, especially during school breaks when you have more flexibility.
Fit Economics Courses into Your Busy Schedule
One of the biggest advantages of online courses is their flexibility. Whether you're juggling a full academic schedule or participating in extracurricular activities, you can take online economics courses at your own pace. Many courses are self-paced or offer rolling admissions, allowing you to learn when it fits into your life. If you're already maintaining high grades, these courses provide a way to expand your knowledge and skill set during school breaks or even between semesters.
Enhance Your Resume for Future Success
In today’s competitive academic and job market, standing out is essential. Completing an online economics course shows colleges and potential employers that you're committed to developing practical, real-world skills. Economics courses also complement other subjects like math, history, political science, and business, broadening your academic portfolio and demonstrating your ability to tackle complex problems. By gaining a deeper understanding of how the world works, you will be better prepared for college, internships, and, eventually, a rewarding career in a field that aligns with high earning potential.
How to Make the Most Out of an Online Economics Course
In order to make the most out of your online economics course, you’ll need to stay organized by creating a study schedule. This is particularly important if you are taking a self-paced course. Set yourself up for success by engaging in coursework consistently throughout the week. After all, you don’t want to sign up for an online economics course only to procrastinate and have to cram weeks worth of work into a few stressful nights!
In addition to staying organized, you’ll need to set clear goals and objectives for learning. For example, are you hoping to get credit for the course? Are you using the course to enhance your resume or prepare for internship opportunities? Are you exploring economics as a potential career path?
Finally, make sure that you engage with all of the provided course materials, including videos, readings, quizzes, and discussions. The more actively you participate, the more you will learn! You’ll also want to utilize external resources as well — such as economic blogs, podcasts, and news articles — to further deepen your knowledge. And don’t forget to ask for help when you need it! This may mean reaching out directly to instructors or posing questions in course forums.
Conclusion: Start Your Economics Journey Today
Online economics courses provide a flexible and engaging way for high school students to explore a fascinating field while building skills that will serve them in college and beyond. Whether you’re interested in understanding the global economy, managing your personal finances, or learning investment strategies, there’s an online economics course that fits your needs. In short, online economics courses are a great investment in your future — both personally and professionally.
In addition to the online economics courses outlined in this article, you can also partner with Polygence through our Research Mentorship Program. During this program, students are paired with one of our expert research mentors to create an independent research project of their choosing. For more information, check out some past student projects here.