10 Computer Science Internships for High School Students in 2025
“Why should I even do a computer science internship? I am just a high school student ?”
The above is a question that many students ask, and if you're a student asking this question, you're not alone. Why should high schoolers take time out of their lives to do free work for big companies/organizations?
The answer is straightforward, and even more logical
Think about it this way: high schoolers are often made to do housework by their parents, not because their parents want free labor but because they want to teach and instill in them skills that will help them in their own lives when they become adults.
Internships offer a similar experience, although in a more professional setting, for the same purpose: the purpose of teaching students valuable skills that will greatly help them in their careers.
This professional development is a reason why internships are so coveted by college admissions officers; these admissions officers love to see students who have taken the initiative of developing their careers, especially at such a young age.
Computer Science internships, more specifically, allow students to get real-world experience early, giving them an incredible head start. Whether they are coding a simple app or working on AI models, internships not only teach professional skills but also give students exposure and confidence, and arguably most importantly, a competitive edge for high school students.
In this blog, we have handpicked 10 standout computer science internship opportunities for high schoolers in 2025. These options range to hit most of the niches of computer science, so don’t feel disappointed if you can’t find something that interests you within the first couple options. Read until the end for a bonus tip that will also save your college application, and it even applies to those who don’t plan on going into computer science
Selection Criteria
All the internships listed here:
- Accept High School students (Grades 9-12)
- Focus on computer science, coding, AI, or data science
- Are scheduled for summer 2025 or accept rolling applications
- Include hands-on experience, mentorship, or project work
- All programs can be easily found on the internet, visit their website to learn more about them and whether they are a good fit for you.
NASA High School Internship Program
Location: Various NASA Centers (U.S.)
Overview: A prestigious and highly respected paid opportunity to work alongside scientists at NASA. Interns contribute to real-world projects in aerospace, robotics, data science, and much more.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens in high school (age 16+), GPA 3.0+, recommendation required.
Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Virtual
Overview: A 3-week summer program designed for rising high school seniors, favoring underrepresented backgrounds, in computer science. The program aims to inspire, educate, and facilitate the careers of high school students looking to go into computer science.
Eligibility: Must be a Rising High School Senior.
Ladder Internships – Tech Track
Location: Remote
Overview: A startup-focused internship program that aligns high schoolers with real companies in the AI space. Students get the opportunity to work for startups on impactful projects with personalized mentorship.
Eligibility: High school students aged 14 - 18
NYU CS4CS (Computer Science for Cyber Security)
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York (in-person)
Overview: A free, three-week program that focuses on the world of cybersecurity and CS fundamentals.
Eligibility: High school students in NYC; priority for women and minority students.
Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Program
Location: Virtual
Overview: A two-week beginner-friendly virtual program for high school students that introduces them to the world of computer science and real computer science-related careers.
Eligibility: High school girls and non-binary students (ages 14–18)
NIST High School Internship Program
Location: Maryland, Colorado, and other NIST labs
Overview: Work on federal hands-on research projects in cybersecurity, AI, and software engineering.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens currently enrolled in high school; must be 16 years or older
Boston University RISE Program
Location: Boston, MA (in-person)
Overview: A six-week research internship program in which students work with university staff on active computer science-related research projects
Eligibility: Rising seniors (current juniors) with a strong academic background.
NYU ARISE (Applied Research Innovation in Science and Engineering)
Location: New York (Hybrid)
Overview: A 7-week program that pairs students with NYU graduates in AI, Machine Learning, and more.
Eligibility: NYC students currently in 10th or 11th grade; preference for underrepresented backgrounds.
AFRL Scholars Program (Air Force Research Laboratory)
Location: Multiple US Air Force Research Lab Locations
Overview: Paid full-time summer research internship that allows students to work in cybersecurity, software development, and aerospace computing, giving students tasks similar to those they would face in their career.
Eligibility: High school juniors/seniors who are U.S. citizens.
Palantir Meritocracy Fellowship
Location: Remote
Overview: A 4-month paid internship for students who skip college but have graduated with academic excellence, the internship offers progression opportunities for high achieving interns.
Eligibility: Recent grads (by summer 2025) with top SAT (≥1460) or ACT (≥33) scores.
Your very own “internship”
If these internships and some others feel out of reach, consider working on your own CS project. These projects demonstrate similar skills of career and workforce readiness while allowing you to build a project that tells your story, not work for a company with whom you may not be entirely connected to you.
Bonus Tip
Want to power up your college journey? Try Kollegio’s AI powered College Counselor.
Looking to make the most of your internships when applying to college. Kollegio’s collaborative AI can help you showcase your CS experience with its activity rewriter, helping you truly demonstrate the prowess of your achievements.
Unsure of what college you want to go to? Kollegio’s personalized college matcher allows you to find the perfect college for you, whether you want the prestige of a top university, the beauty of one located far from a city or the bustle of one located in a major city.
Ready to level up your college application?
Combine your experience with the powerful tools of Kollegio AI to make a strategic, stand-out application, without the expensive price tag of a counselor.
Empower your story, streamline your process, and make your CS journey shine.
By Gaurav Hemrajani
