Day 1 CPT Universities: 7 Factors for the Right Choice

Students with different situations have different concerns regarding which Day 1 CPT programs and which Day 1 CPT universities to choose. These concerns include but are not limited to locations, on-site frequency, tuition, scholarships, payment frequency, application deadlines, etc. We help you apply for popular Day 1 CPT universities with components you care about the most. Use this article as a screening tool to figure out which Day 1 CPT program and Day 1 CPT school is the best one for you. If you still have a hard time making up your mind, call us, and our experts will explain the pros and cons of different choices to you in depth.

  1. Based on Locations
  2. Based on Your Occupation
  3. Tuition and Scholarships
  4. On-site Requirement
  5. For-Profit & Non-Profit
  6. Application Window
  7. Vocation Policy

Comparison Table

CPT School Type Location Tuition Onsite
Frequency
CPT Program Fields
Avila University Arizona Private
Non-Profit
Goodyear, AZ $18,288 (Master's)
1/Two Months
Analytics & Data & AI
Business Administration & Management
Bay Atlantic University Private
Non-Profit
Washington D.C. $45,360 (Master's)
1/Semester
Business Administration & Management
Analytics & Data & AI
IT & Computer Science
Benedictine University Private
Non-Profit
Lisle, IL
Mesa, AZ
$26,400 (Master's)
1/Semester
Analytics & Data & AI
Health Science
California Institute Of Advanced Management Private
Non-Profit
Alhambra, CA $27,036 (Master's)
1/Two Months
Business Administration & Management
Analytics & Data & AI
Concordia University Texas Private
Non-Profit
Austin, TX $22,400 (Master's)
1/Semester
Business Administration & Management
Analytics & Data & AI
IT & Computer Science
Curry College Private
Non-Profit
Milton, MA $30,960 (Master's)
1/Month
Business Administration & Management
Goldey-Beacom College Private
Non-Profit
Wilmington, DE $24,156 (Master's)
1/Two Months
Business Administration & Management
Analytics & Data & AI
Accounting & Finance
Health Science
Nursing
IT & Computer Science
Humanities & Social Science
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Private
Non-Profit
Harrisburg, PA $34,380 (Master's)
1/Two Months
Analytics & Data & AI
Health Science
Natural Science
Nursing
IT & Computer Science
Arts and Design
Engineering
Media & Communication
Business Administration & Management
Humanities & Social Science
Humphreys University Private
Non-Profit
Stockton, CA $24,492 (Master's)
1/Quarter
Business Administration & Management
IT & Computer Science
Indiana Wesleyan University Private
Non-Profit
Merrillville, IN
Forney, TX
$14,970 (Master's)
1/Semester
Analytics & Data & AI
IT & Computer Science
Business Administration & Management
LIM College Private
For-Profit
New York, NY $22,140 (Master's)
1/Month
Media & Communication
Arts and Design
McDaniel College Private
Non-Profit
Westminster, MD $21,000 (Master's)
1/Semester
Analytics & Data & AI
Monroe University Private
For-Profit
New Rochelle, NY $84,120 (Bachelor's)
$21,888 (Master's)
$12,852 (Certificates)
1/Month
Business Administration & Management
Accounting & Finance
Health Science
Nursing
IT & Computer Science
Analytics & Data & AI
Law & Policy
Humanities & Social Science
National Louis University Private
Non-Profit
Tampa, FL
Chicago, IL
$23,700 (Master's)
1/Term
Analytics & Data & AI
Business Administration & Management
New England College Private
Non-Profit
Henniker, NH $19,400 (Master's)
1/Semester
Business Administration & Management
Health Science
Nursing
IT & Computer Science
Analytics & Data & AI
North Carolina Wesleyan University Private
Non-Profit
Rocky Mount, NC $19,250 (Master's)
1/Quarter
Business Administration & Management
Analytics & Data & AI
Ottawa University Private
Non-Profit
Overland Park, KS
Surprise, AZ
Brookfield, WI
$32,214 (Master's)
1/Semester
Business Administration & Management
Analytics & Data & AI
Health Science
Nursing
IT & Computer Science
Salem University (CPT is not available at this moment) Private
For-Profit
Indianapolis, IN $19,500 (Master's)
1/Quarter
Analytics & Data & AI
Business Administration & Management
Sofia University Private
For-Profit
Palo Alto, CA
Costa Mesa, CA
$24,120 (Master's)
1/Month
Business Administration & Management
Analytics & Data & AI
IT & Computer Science
Texas Wesleyan University Private
Non-Profit
Fort Worth, TX $30,600 (Master's)
1/Semester
Business Administration & Management
Analytics & Data & AI
Health Science
Nursing
Westcliff University Private
For-Profit
Irvine, CA
Miami, FL
Orlando, FL
Santa Monica, CA
Dallas, TX
San Francisco, CA
Corona, CA
$92,040 (Bachelor's)
$29,484 (Master's)
1/Semester
Business Administration & Management
Accounting & Finance
Health Science
Nursing
IT & Computer Science
Engineering
Analytics & Data & AI
Education

 

 

Matching Day 1 CPT Universities with Popular Locations

Map ORG (1)
Arizona
California
Delaware
Florida
Illinois
Indiana
Kansas
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Texas
Washington D.C.
Wisconsin

Day 1 CPT Courses Fits Your Career

When choosing the Day 1 CPT program, or some people call it Day 1 CPT courses, you want to follow 3 main principles:

  • The Day 1 CPT Program you choose should be as different as it can be from your last degree
  • The Day 1 CPT Program you choose should be as close as to your JD
  • The Day 1 CPT Program you choose ideally should be one level up than your last degree
Accounting & Finance
Analytics & Data & AI
Arts and Design
Business Administration & Management
Education
Engineering
Health Science
Humanities & Social Science
IT & Computer Science
Law & Policy
Media & Communication
Natural Science
Nursing
CPT School Degree By Year By Semester/
By Quarter
By Credit Credits Required Total Cost Program Length
Avila University Arizona Master's $9,144 $3,048 $508 36 $18,288 24 months
Bay Atlantic University Master's $15,120 $5,040 $630 72 $45,360 36 months
Benedictine University Master's $13,200 $4,400 $800 33 $26,400 24 months
California Institute Of Advanced Management Master's $13,518 $4,506 $751 36 $27,036 24 months
Concordia University Texas Master's $13,440 $4,480 $700 32 $22,400 20 months
Curry College Master's $15,480 $2,580 $860 36 $30,960 24 months
Goldey-Beacom College Master's $12,078 $4,026 $671 36 $24,156 24 months
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Master's $17,190 $5,730 $955 36 $34,380 24 months
Humphreys University Master's $10,885 $2,721 $471 52 $24,492 27 months
Indiana Wesleyan University Master's $8,982 $2,994 $499 30 $14,970 20 months
LIM College Master's $13,284 $4,428 $738 30 $22,140 20 months
McDaniel College Master's $12,600 $4,200 $700 30 $21,000 20 months
Monroe University Bachelor's $21,030 $7,010 $701 120 $84,120 48 months
Master's $10,944 $3,648 $608 36 $21,888 24 months
Certificates $12,852 $4,284 $714 18 $12,852 12 months
National Louis University Master's $18,960 $4,740 $790 30 $23,700 15 months
New England College Master's $9,700 $3,233 $485 40 $19,400 24 months
North Carolina Wesleyan University Master's $11,550 $3,850 $550 35 $19,250 20 months
Ottawa University Master's $16,107 $5,369 $767 42 $32,214 24 months
Salem University (CPT is not available at this moment) Master's $15,600 $3,900 $650 30 $19,500 15 months
Sofia University Master's $16,080 $4,020 $670 36 $24,120 18 months
Texas Wesleyan University Master's $15,300 $5,100 $850 36 $30,600 24 months
Westcliff University Bachelor's $23,010 $7,670 $767 120 $92,040 48 months
Master's $14,742 $4,914 $819 36 $29,484 24 months

For more updated information, Contact us

Day 1 CPT Universities Scholarships

Westcliff University
  • Distinguished Scholarships — up to $10,000
    Awarded to a select number of students who demonstrate an aptitude for excellence, a grand vision for the future, and a keen sense of social responsibility to leave the world a better place when they are gone.
  • Scholarships for Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) — up to $5,000
    Established for high-performing students who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in pursuit of a master’s/doctorate degree at Westcliff.
  • Building Leaders for Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity (BLEND) Scholarships — up to $2,500
    Established for accomplished international students who are pursuing a degree at Westcliff in order to create a more inclusive world in their field of study.
  • Warrior Scholarships — $2,500
    Established to support students in overcoming financial barriers to pursuing academic success at Westcliff.
Monroe University
Sofia University
  • Sofia University Scholarship-$1,000-$3,000

*Sofia University provides multiple scholarships depending on students’ merits or financial needs. You may talk to our specialist about which one is suitable for you and how to apply for it. Click here, to schedule a free consultation.

Additional Reading: Sofia University

University of the Potomac
  • Multiple Family Member University of the Potomac Scholarship
    families with more than one member attending UOTP concurrently can get a scholarship equal to a 20% reduction in the credit hour tuition rate in effect at that time.
  • Good Hope Scholarship
    Recipients will receive $1,000 per year for their studies at UOTP toward costs not covered by other financial aids and the expected family contribution.
  • International Students Tuition Scholarship Program
    This scholarship covers up to 35% of tuition for new full-time international students; it is renewable annually based on academic performance.
  • Alumni Graduate Student Scholarship:
    Current graduate students who already completed an undergraduate or graduate program at UOTP are eligible for this $2,000 scholarship, which requires a 3.0 GPA.
  • Alumni Doctoral Student Scholarship
    Current doctoral students who already completed a graduate program at UOTP are eligible for this $2,000 scholarship, which requires a 3.0 GPA.

Day 1 CPT Universities On-Site Requirements

With the ease of the pandemic, Day 1 CPT universities resumed their on-site sections. Although it might seem “inconvenient” to some, it indeed is to your own benefit to choose Day 1 CPT universities that have on-site sections and fulfill the on-site requirement. By not complying with the on-site requirements, you may lose your F1 status.

This is a factor you’d like to take into consideration if your employers are less flexible. The renewal process itself is very simple and takes little time and effort. However, if your HR is not flexible on this, we recommend you choose a Day 1 CPT university that only requires you to renew your CTP once per year to avoid the nuisance.
 
CPT School On-Site Requirement On-Site / Year
Avila University Arizona 1 / Two Months 6 / year
Bay Atlantic University 1 / Term 3 / year
Benedictine University 1 / Term 3 / year
California Institute Of Advanced Management 1 / Two Months 6 / year
Concordia University Texas 1 / Term 3 / year
Curry College 1 / Month 12 / year
Goldey-Beacom College 1 / Two Months 6 / year
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 1 / Two Months 6 / year
Humphreys University 1 / Term 4 / year
Indiana Wesleyan University 1 / Term 3 / year
LIM College 1 / Month 12 / year
McDaniel College 1 / Term 3 / year
Monroe University 1 / Month 12 / year
National Louis University 1 / Term 4 / year
New England College 1 / Term 3 / year
North Carolina Wesleyan University 1 / Term 3 / year
Ottawa University 1 / Term 3 / year
Salem University (CPT is not available at this moment) 1 / Term 4 / year
Sofia University 1 / Month 12 / year
Texas Wesleyan University 1 / Term 3 / year
Westcliff University 1 / Term 3 / year

 

 

For-Profit vs Non-Profit

If this is your first master’s degree, we recommend you choose a non-profit Day 1 CPT university. If your master’s degree came from a for-profit university, you will not be eligible for the master cap when joining the H1B lottery.
 

 

 

Day 1 CPT Academic Calendar 2025 - 2026

  • Transfer Students: at least 1 month before the semester starting date
  • Initial F1 Students: at least 2 months before the semester starting date
  • Emergency Transfer: Contact us. We will connect you directly with the admission officer to expedite the process. An offer letter can be obtained as fast as 2 working days
CPT School Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Avila University Arizona 03/16 05/11 06/29 10/20
Bay Atlantic University 05/22 08/25
Benedictine University 03/10 10/15
California Institute Of Advanced Management 02/28 05/02 06/27 08/29 10/24
Concordia University Texas 05/04 08/25
Curry College 03/16 05/18 07/06 08/31 10/26
Goldey-Beacom College 03/16 05/11 06/29 08/25 10/20
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology 03/14 05/09 07/11 08/23 11/01
Humphreys University 04/06 07/07 10/06
Indiana Wesleyan University 02/02 03/02 05/04 06/01 08/24 09/21 10/29
LIM College 05/18 08/31
McDaniel College 05/26 08/15
Monroe University 02/28 04/29 06/20 09/05 10/25
National Louis University 04/13 05/04 07/06 08/24 09/21
New England College 03/16 05/04 07/13 08/31 11/09
North Carolina Wesleyan University 05/11 08/10
Ottawa University 03/09 05/04 06/29 08/24 10/19
Salem University (CPT is not available at this moment) 03/02 05/04 07/06 08/31 10/26
Sofia University 04/06 07/06 09/28
Texas Wesleyan University 03/23 05/25 07/06 08/19 10/14
UCSB Professional and Continuing Education 04/25 07/25 10/19
Westcliff University 03/02 05/04 06/29 09/01 10/27

 

 

Schools allow you to take semesters off

Many Day 1 CPT universities offer options for breaks or leaves, a crucial consideration for students needing to extend their study period. Extending your study duration in the U.S. can open the door to 2-3 additional opportunities (potentially 4-5 times for doctoral degrees) in the H1B lottery, providing valuable chances for advancing your career and immigration prospects.

If you are interested in learning more, you can see details in our blog: Extending Study and H1B Lottery Opportunities at Day 1 CPT Universities

  • Summer Off: You can only apply for semester offs during summers. Some schools require you to apply for a summer off after 2 semesters of studying, while some schools do not have the restriction.
  • Semester Off: You can apply for 1 semester off after 3 consecutive semesters.

CPT School Semester Break Work Authorization During Break Policy Detail
Avila University Arizona N/A
Bay Atlantic University N/A
Benedictine University N/A
California Institute Of Advanced Management After completing three semesters, students may take a one‑semester leave of absence and remain eligible to apply for CPT during that time.
Concordia University Texas N/A
Curry College N/A
Goldey-Beacom College Due to the College’s definition of full-time enrollment, there is no leave policy for a student wanting to take a vacation while maintaining an F-1 status. Students can have their SEVIS record terminated for “Authorized Early Withdrawal,” and be re-activated within 5 months if they so choose and if they leave the country. There is no allowance for vacation from courses while remaining in the U.S. on an F-1 visa status.
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology N/A
Humphreys University The MBA programs are a 52-credit, 27-month program. It is a full-time hybrid program. Each quarter (11 weeks) you will take two 4-credit courses concurrently with a 2-week break between quarters. Both courses are delivered in a hybrid format with some mandatory face-to-face, in-person learning. Total 52 credits; 8 credits per quarter; 3 quarters per year (mandatory annual break given in your 4th and 8th quarters with CPT authorization).
Indiana Wesleyan University N/A
LIM College N/A
McDaniel College Students may take one semester break, typically during the summer term. Choosing this option will extend the total program duration to approximately 24 months.
Monroe University N/A
National Louis University N/A
New England College You may take a term off after a full year of studies at NEC (3 terms) if you want to remain in F-1 status and remain in the US. If you are willing to leave the US and temporarily lose F-1 status, you may take a term of Authorized Early Withdrawal (AEW) at any time. You will have 15 days to leave the US once AEW is authorized by your DSO. When you are ready to return to study you will work with your NEC DSO to reactivate your SEVIS record to Active.
North Carolina Wesleyan University N/A
Ottawa University N/A
Salem University (CPT is not available at this moment) The official break period is from May to September. During this time, students are permitted to continue using CPT. Students are not required to complete three academic terms before becoming eligible for this break.
Sofia University Students have the option to take a break for one quarter after finishing three consecutive quarters with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. During this break, they are also eligible to engage in full-time CPT employment.
Texas Wesleyan University N/A
Westcliff University Students can take a one-semester break after completing 18 credits consecutively (3 semesters).

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Find the school that matches you most in 30 seconds!

why day 1 cpt

🎯 Start now—no commitment, just clarity.

Looking for a Day 1 CPT program that fits your timeline, location, and major? Our smart school selection tool creates a personalized list of programs just for you—in under 30 seconds.

🎁 Plus, by using our tool, you’ll get access to exclusive benefits:

  • A detailed email with program and school info tailored to you
  • Application fee waivers for selected schools
  • Direct connection to admissions officers if needed
  • A free 1:1 consultation with our experienced advisors to help with your decision and application

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