Best Summer Programs in Philadelphia – 2026

February 15, 2026

philadelphia summer programs upenn drexel philly

Home to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, Philadelphia–regarded as the birthplace of the United States–is steeped in American history. Fuel up with a cheesesteak before perusing the eighteenth-century homes and museum on Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest residential street in the country), the Betsy Ross House, or the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which possesses an incredible collection of American paintings, sculptures, and ceramics. Outdoor art more your thing? Philly’s got you covered with its iconic LOVE sculpture, Rocky, and We the Youth, a collaborative public mural. The city also houses the Academy of Natural Sciences, which is the oldest natural history museum in the US. Finally, sports fans rejoice–this city loves its teams, and summer wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Citizens Bank Park to cheer on the Phillies. Ready to beeline to one of the many Philadelphia summer programs? Scroll down for our top picks.

Want a full look at our searchable database of the best 2026 summer programs? Click below to sort summer programs by discipline and location, and view important data points such as tuition costs, deadlines, course listings, and more!

2026 Best Summer Programs

Best Summer Programs in Philadelphia

1) UPenn Summer Programs

Instructional Method: In-person (residential) or online
Program Length: 2, 3 or 6 weeks
Cost: $2,950-$20,000+
Eligibility: Most programs are geared toward rising juniors and seniors, although some accommodate rising sophomores
Application Deadline: Rolling (applications typically open in December)

Interested in a UPenn summer program? In addition to the Penn Pre-College Programs and Online Seminars, both of which introduce students to Ivy League academics, discipline-specific options abound. Firstly, three-week Arts & Sciences Summer Academies provide academic exploration as well as lab experience. Nine choices are available, and include the Neuroscience Research Academy, the Experimental Physics Research Academy, and the Global Culture and Media Academy. Each Academy has its own special features. For example, neuroscience students attend twice-daily lectures, numerous experiential learning activities, and field trips. Accordingly, one year each of biology and chemistry is required.

Likewise, Penn Engineering offers the highly selective, college credit-bearing Engineering Summer Academy. Here, students enroll in Artificial Intelligence, Biotechnology, Computer Graphics, Computer Science, Nanotechnology, or Robotics. Prerequisites vary–the Computer Science track is geared toward beginners while Robotics students should have a physics, math, and programming background. Additionally, UPenn summer program students live in residence halls and participate in on-campus social activities.

For the medically minded, there is the Penn Medicine Summer Program, a month-long offering modeled after first-year med school classes. While learning from doctors and faculty at Penn Medicine, students attend lectures and demonstrations (which may include live surgery). They also explore basic medical training.

Finally, aspiring business students should consider Wharton’s seven rigorous and selective summer offerings, including the Management & Technology Summer Institute (M&TSI) and Leadership in the Business World (LBW), to name a few. M&TSI provides college credit and an opportunity to create a prototype and market plan for a high-tech venture, culminating in a presentation evaluated by industry experts. Alternatively, LBW students spend three weeks participating in lectures, case competitions, research, and networking opportunities.

2) Drexel Summer Programs

Instructional Method: In-person (residential and commuter)
Program Length: 1, 2, or 4 weeks
Cost: $450-$4,000+
Eligibility: Varies (some accept rising sophomores, most only accept rising juniors and seniors)
Application Deadline: Varies (some have early April deadlines while others have rolling acceptances)

Drexel offers a tremendous range of Philadelphia summer programs that vary from one to two weeks. They’re offered in ten different areas of study: Arts and Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Business, Computing and Informatics, Design, Arts, and Media, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions, and Public Health.

Widely recognized for its business program, Drexel offers high schoolers several competitive options. Most notably, Camp Business teaches the fundamentals of accounting, marketing, finance, and management. Additionally, students build their leadership and collaboration skills. As such, it’s the perfect way for aspiring business majors to test the waters in an academically rigorous setting.

STEM students will also find myriad highly selective options at their fingertips. Namely, The Neuroscience Camp, run by Drexel’s College of Medicine, covers topics like sensory processing, neuropathology, and spinal cord anatomy. Additional highlights include hands-on laboratory experiences and a project that utilizes newfound lab techniques. These Drexel summer programs are quite competitive; serious applicants will have taken biology and chemistry.

Finally, students interested in the fine arts or humanities will be thrilled with Drexel’s diverse offerings. In particular, there are seven Design, Arts, and Media Summer Institutes in such varied subjects as dance, architecture, interior design, graphic design, industrial design, music industry, and fashion design. For example, architecture students spend two weeks building their sketching, drawing, and design skills, taking field trips, and engaging with Drexel faculty.

3) MathILy at Bryn Mawr College

Instructional Method: In-person (residential)
Program Length: 5 weeks
Cost: $6,175
Eligibility: High school students
Application Deadline: Rolling (placement test is released in early spring)

Through interactive classes and individualized instruction, students engage in undergraduate- and graduate-level discrete mathematics. For seven hours per day, six days per week, students can expect to be in class. They’ll start with two weeks of Root Class (foundational concepts). That will be followed by a Week of Chaos (tons of short classes, TBD based on instructor/student interest). Finally, there are two weeks of advanced Branch Classes. Topics could include alternate geometries, combinatorial optimization, polytopes, and chip-firing games, and they are, in part, determined by the interests and skill levels of the class. Additionally, students develop skills in collaboration, thinking, problem-solving, and writing. Finally, they explore the gamut of mathematical sciences careers available.

These Philadelphia summer programs look for students who are mathematically talented. As such, as part of the application process, students must spend about four hours completing the Exam Assessing Readiness (EAR). In addition, students need to submit recommendations as well as a short essay and activities list.

4) Temple Summer Programs

Instructional Method: In-person (commuter)
Program Length: 2 or 4 weeks
Cost: $1,350-$3,900
Eligibility: Varies (most accept rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors, though Summer Academy only accepts rising juniors or seniors)
Application Deadline: March 1 (priority deadline) / May 1 (final deadline)

Temple offers several selective summer programs for high school students. During Pre-College Workshops, students spend two weeks taking one workshop in the morning and one in the afternoon, giving them the opportunity to explore several potential fields of interest. Nearly thirty options are available. Examples of past sessions have included Ecology and Biodiversity, Photo Storytelling, and Criminal Justice Reform. World Affairs, Business Design, and Secrets of Risk and Opportunity are just a few afternoon session choices. Moreover, all students take a Success Strategies Seminar in either College Readiness or Professional Development.

Alternatively, in Summer Institutes and Intensives, students spend two weeks focusing exclusively on one subject area. Current one-week intensives include ten options such as Careers in Sports Reporting and Broadcasting, Industrial Engineering and Supply Chains, and Rock the Vote: Navigating Politics and Media. Moreover, there are seven two-week intensives, including Songwriting, Performance, and Production and Robotics Institute.

Temple also offers Summer Academy, at which students choose one credit-bearing course and two workshops. For 2026, there are two course options to choose from: Disasters: Geology vs Hollywood, Why Care About College: Higher Education in American Life, and . Workshops vary by session but include have included such offerings as Forensic Accounting; DNA, Genes, and Medicine; and Sport Management. Courses are rigorous and involve both individual and small group work. Before applying, students will want to take a look at the offerings for each session and be sure that they can craft a schedule that aligns with their interests.

Finally, all programs include mentoring and activities. To apply to this program, students need to submit their transcripts, test scores, a recommendation, and a personal statement.

5) Villanova Pre-College Summer Academy

Instructional Method: In-person (residential or commuter)
Program Length: 4 weeks
Cost: $8,000 (residential) / $6,000 (commuter)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: April 6

During the on-campus Pre-College Summer Academy, students earn three college credits by taking one course taught by a Villanova faculty member. They’ll take the class alongside current undergrads; course options could include Survey of Communication Studies, Public Speaking, and Programming for All. In addition, all students take PCAC 1000: College Pathways, a one-credit college-preparatory course. Topic examples are Metacognition and the Science of Studying, Navigating the Financial Landscape of College, Academic Advising 101 and the Logic of Curriculum, and Finding Your Team on Campus. Moreover, all students craft an interdisciplinary final project.

Finally, those who opt to commute can still participate in on-campus programming with Villanova undergraduates. To apply, students must submit a personal statement, parent permission letter, letter of recommendation, and transcript.

Final Thoughts – Philadelphia Summer Programs

As the location of some of the best institutions of higher learning in the country, Philadelphia has much to offer. In particular, students interested in business and leadership or STEM will find robust options. Explore medicine at a UPenn summer program, business at the Drexel summer programs, or advanced mathematics at Bryn Mawr, all while taking advantage of the fantastic art, history, and cuisine Philly has to offer.

Looking for more summer program resources? Be sure to check out the following:

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Summer Programs

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).