Wharton LBW vs NYU Stern Summer: Which Program Is Right for You?
The two most-searched East Coast business summer programs. LBW is Wharton's flagship — case-heavy, team-based, and the biggest brand name in the category; NYU Stern's program trades some of that prestige for Manhattan immersion and more direct exposure to finance and marketing coursework. Both are selective pay-to-attend programs, so judge them on fit and cost, not resume magic.
Below is a side-by-side comparison of Leadership in the Business World (LBW) and Future Makers: An NYU Stern Pre-College Institute. A blank row is a fact we do not hold — not a zero, and not a no.
| Wharton LBW | NYU Stern Summer | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $11,899 | $650 |
| Application deadline | Dates not announced — researched August 22, 2026 | Dates not announced — researched August 22, 2026 |
| Grade eligibility | Grade 11 | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | In person | In person |
| Location | Philadelphia, PA, United States | New York, NY, United States |
| Program dates | Not listed | June 28, 2026–July 18, 2026 |
| Application destination | globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu | stern.nyu.edu |
| Organizer | Wharton Global Youth Program | NYU Stern School of Business |
Leadership in the Business World (LBW)
Future Makers: An NYU Stern Pre-College Institute
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Wharton LBW or NYU Stern Summer?
Wharton LBW: $11,899. NYU Stern Summer: $650. Confirm each figure on the program's official page before budgeting.
Can I apply to both Wharton LBW and NYU Stern Summer?
The application destinations are evaluated independently. Wharton LBW: globalyouth.wharton.upenn.edu. NYU Stern Summer: stern.nyu.edu. Review each provider's current instructions before assuming either application is open or compatible with the other.
Which is better for college applications, Wharton LBW or NYU Stern Summer?
We do not rank enrichment programs by admissions value. Use the comparison to assess whether each program's documented constraints fit your situation, and check the details that decide it for you on each program's official page.
What grades can apply to Wharton LBW and NYU Stern Summer?
Wharton LBW: Grade 11. NYU Stern Summer: Grades 9–12. Eligibility can change between cycles, so confirm it on each program's official page before applying.
Related comparisons
Wharton LBW appears in 2 of 56 comparison pages. NYU Stern Summer appears in 1 of 56 comparison pages.
How we count
Our comparison list has 56 pairs covering 91 catalog programs. Those numbers count this list only. They are not a ranking or the size of the full catalog.
We don't rank programs or name one of them the best.
When we don't list a cost, it is unknown, not free. Check the official page.
Catalog-wide numbers, and what each was counted out of, are on Statistics.