If your OPT or STEM OPT is ending soon, choosing a Day 1 CPT university is not only about finding the right degree. You also need to compare the next available enrollment date, program fit, campus location, onsite requirements, tuition, accreditation, and the school’s CPT authorization process.
Start with your OPT expiration date. Then work backward from the next available Day 1 CPT university enrollment windows to determine which schools can realistically fit your timeline.
Important: CPT is not a separate immigration status. You remain in F-1 status, and you cannot begin CPT employment until your Designated School Official (DSO) authorizes the training in SEVIS and issues an updated Form I-20 showing the authorized employer and employment dates. ICE states that graduate students may be authorized for CPT during their first semester when the program requires immediate participation in practical training.
Use the five steps below to narrow your Day 1 CPT school and program options before applying.
Check Upcoming Enrollment Dates
Updated September 24, 2026: The DHS fixed-period admission rule that was scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026 has been temporarily blocked by a federal court. The existing Duration of Status (D/S) framework therefore remains in effect while the litigation continues.
Students should continue checking current DHS, SEVP, USCIS, and university guidance before making an enrollment or SEVIS-transfer decision because the legal situation may change.
If your OPT or STEM OPT is ending, write down the exact expiration date on your current employment authorization and compare it with upcoming Day 1 CPT university start dates and application deadlines.
Do not assume that you can continue working on OPT after transferring your SEVIS record. A school transfer ends OPT employment authorization, so the timing of your SEVIS transfer release date, new program start date, and CPT authorization matters.
At your new school, CPT employment may begin only after the DSO has approved CPT in SEVIS and issued an updated Form I-20 showing the authorized employer and CPT dates.
Compare Day 1 CPT Enrollment Windows
Many Day 1 CPT programs use hybrid formats that require students to attend classes or residency sessions in person. Onsite frequency can range from occasional campus visits to much more frequent attendance depending on the university and program.
If you are working full time, compare Day 1 CPT universities near your home or workplace before looking at schools across the country. Travel time, airfare, hotels, missed work, and mandatory onsite attendance can significantly change the real cost of a program.
When comparing locations, check:
Before applying, verify both the university and the specific academic program you plan to attend.
1. Verify institutional accreditation
Use the U.S. Department of Education's Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs rather than relying only on a university's marketing materials.
2. Verify SEVP certification
Use the official DHS Study in the States School Search to confirm that the school and relevant campus are authorized to enroll F-1 students.
3. Confirm the school's CPT policy
Being accredited or SEVP-certified does not automatically mean that every program permits CPT from the first semester. CPT eligibility depends on the curriculum, the student's academic program, the employment opportunity, and authorization from the school's DSO.
4. Choose a degree that makes academic and professional sense
Your CPT employment must be directly related to your major. Compare the curriculum with your current or intended job responsibilities and choose a program you can clearly explain as part of your academic and career progression.
For students who already have a graduate degree, also consider whether the next degree represents logical academic progression rather than choosing a program solely because CPT may be available.
Verify SEVP Certification - DHS Study in the States
The Department of Education provides the official accreditation database, while DHS's School Search identifies SEVP-certified schools.
Considering a higher degree? Students may generally qualify for up to 12 months of OPT at each higher educational level if they otherwise meet OPT requirements. However, students who accumulate 12 months or more of full-time CPT become ineligible for OPT at that educational level. Do not choose a doctoral program solely to obtain CPT or future OPT; the degree should make sense for your academic and professional goals.
ICE confirms both the education-level OPT rule and the 12-month full-time CPT limitation.
Tuition should not be compared in isolation. When evaluating affordable Day 1 CPT universities, calculate the full cost of attending each program.
Include:
A school with slightly higher tuition may cost less overall if its location or onsite schedule significantly reduces travel expenses.
Many Day 1 CPT universities offer scholarships to international students now. Check their official website for confirmation. Other than that, www.day1cpt.org also provides scholarships to eligible international students who are applying for:
Westcliff University -> $1000
Monroe University-> $600
Harrisburg University -> $600
Does Nonprofit vs. For-Profit Matter for the H-1B Master's Cap?
For the H-1B advanced-degree exemption, commonly called the U.S. master's cap, the qualifying master's or higher degree must come from a U.S. institution of higher education that meets the statutory definition. That definition generally requires the institution to be public or nonprofit.
If you already earned a qualifying U.S. master's or higher degree from an eligible institution, enrolling later at a for-profit university does not automatically erase the earlier qualifying degree. However, H-1B eligibility depends on the facts of the individual petition, so students with questions about their degree history should confirm their eligibility before relying on the advanced-degree exemption.
When comparing Day 1 CPT universities, consider school type together with accreditation, academic progression, location, program relevance, onsite requirements, and cost.
The underlying statute specifically ties the 20,000 advanced-degree exemption to a U.S. “institution of higher education,” and USCIS decisions have emphasized the public/nonprofit requirement.
| Non-Profit | For-Profit |
|---|---|
| Humphreys University | Westcliff University |
| Ottawa University | Monroe University |
| DBU | |
| University of the Cumberlands | |
| Harrisburg University | |
| McDaniel College | |
| NEC |
Still comparing schools? Use the Day 1 CPT university comparison tool to filter programs by location, major, tuition, onsite frequency, and enrollment window.