For international students who want to combine graduate education with professional experience in the United States, choosing the right university involves more than finding a flexible academic schedule. The program must match your educational goals, meet F-1 requirements, and provide a legitimate opportunity for practical training.
Day 1 CPT universities are commonly discussed among F-1 students because certain graduate programs may allow eligible students to participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during their first academic term.
However, Day 1 CPT is not a separate immigration status or a guarantee of immediate employment authorization. Eligibility depends on the program's curriculum, the student's circumstances, and the university's designated school official (DSO).
In this updated 2026–2027 guide, we explain how CPT works, review five universities offering relevant graduate programs, compare current tuition information, and highlight important immigration developments.
A Day 1 CPT university is an informal term for a university with graduate programs in which eligible F-1 students may qualify for CPT during their first semester.
CPT is a form of practical training authorization for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to participate in internships, cooperative education, or other qualifying practical training directly related to their academic major.
Under the general F-1 rule, students usually must complete one full academic year before becoming eligible for CPT. An exception can apply to graduate programs that require students to participate in practical training immediately.
CPT is authorized by the university's DSO and recorded in SEVIS. Students must receive an updated Form I-20 showing the authorized employer and training dates before beginning CPT employment.
A university's acceptance letter alone does not authorize employment.
On August 12 and August 24, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued guidance emphasizing stricter requirements for CPT authorization.
Under the August guidance, CPT must be an integral and required part of an established academic curriculum. SEVP also stated that practical training must be required for all students participating in that curriculum, regardless of citizenship.
This means an optional internship course, taken solely to obtain employment authorization, may not satisfy the agency's interpretation of CPT requirements.
The guidance has created uncertainty for universities and international students. On October 5, 2026, several higher education organizations, including NAFSA and the Association of American Universities, filed a federal lawsuit challenging the government's new interpretation.
As of October 14, 2026, the legal challenge is ongoing. Students should consult their university's international student office before making employment decisions and should not assume that a program previously associated with Day 1 CPT continues to authorize it in the same way.
For official information, review the ICE Practical Training guidance and consult your university's DSO.
Several U.S. universities offer graduate programs that combine academic study with practical or experiential learning. The institutions below are worth researching, but students must verify CPT eligibility for their exact degree and curriculum.
| University | Location | Selected graduate programs | Published tuition or cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westcliff University | Irvine, California | MBA, Computer Science, IT, Engineering Management | $835–$875 per master's credit |
| New England College | Henniker, New Hampshire | Executive MBA, AI, Data Science, Cybersecurity, IT Project Management | Approximately $20,185–$22,590 for selected hybrid executive programs |
| Goldey-Beacom College | Wilmington, Delaware | MBA, Finance, Business Analytics, IT | $725 per graduate credit |
| Indiana Wesleyan University | Indiana and designated study centers | Selected management, technology and information systems programs | Approximately $19,802–$27,535 for master's programs |
| Monroe University | New York | MBA, Computer Science and other graduate programs | Varies; second-master's intake restriction applies |
Costs reflect published information available in October 2026. Tuition, fees, locations, start dates, program formats, and CPT availability may change.
Location: Irvine, California
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
Westcliff University offers business, technology and management graduate programs that may appeal to international students seeking applied academic experience.
Programs to explore include the Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Information Technology, and Master of Science in Engineering Management.
Westcliff also offers doctoral programs, including the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA).
For Fall 2026, Westcliff lists the following international graduate tuition rates:
A 36-credit professional master's program priced at $875 per credit would have tuition of approximately $31,500, excluding additional costs.
Students interested in CPT should confirm whether their specific degree requires practical training and whether their employment arrangement satisfies the university's current requirements.
The university may require an employer letter, a qualifying internship arrangement, enrollment in the relevant academic component, and DSO authorization.
Best for: Students exploring graduate-level technology, business and engineering management education in California.
Check Westcliff University's published international tuition information.
Location: Henniker, New Hampshire
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
New England College offers hybrid executive graduate programs combining academic coursework with scheduled in-person participation.
Its program portfolio has expanded beyond the degree names listed in older Day 1 CPT articles.
Relevant 2026–2027 offerings include:
According to the college's published graduate tuition schedule:
These estimated totals include the school's published academic fees but may exclude books, travel, living expenses and future price increases.
Before enrolling, confirm which internship or practical training requirements apply to your specific program, when those requirements begin, and how often you must attend campus.
Students should also verify the next available intake directly with NEC instead of relying on an older statement that the college has only three general annual enrollment periods.
Best for: Students interested in hybrid executive programs in technology, analytics, cybersecurity or business.
Review New England College graduate tuition.
Location: Wilmington, Delaware
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Goldey-Beacom College offers graduate programs in business and related professional disciplines.
Programs to explore include the MBA, MS in Finance, MS in Business Analytics, MS in Information Technology and other graduate business degrees.
GBC publishes graduate tuition of $725 per credit for both domestic and international students.
For a 36-credit MBA, base tuition would be approximately $26,100, before additional applicable fees or expenses.
This is a more useful comparison than the older article's general annual tuition figure of $10,980, which does not accurately communicate the current cost of a full graduate degree.
The MBA Analytical Track is specifically designated as STEM-eligible.
Students should not assume every GBC MBA concentration or graduate degree has the same STEM designation.
Before applying, check the program's current Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code and confirm that it qualifies for any immigration benefit you may wish to pursue.
CPT eligibility must also be verified separately from STEM designation.
Best for: Students interested in business-oriented graduate education and a published per-credit tuition structure.
View GBC graduate costs and MBA Analytical Track details.
Locations: Indiana and designated hybrid education centers
Indiana Wesleyan University offers hybrid graduate programs for international F-1 students, including selected degrees in management, computer information systems and related technology fields.
Rather than focusing solely on the school's Merrillville location, prospective students should confirm the designated campus or education center for their chosen program.
IWU publishes the following master's program cost estimates:
These are academic program cost estimates. Living expenses and other personal costs should be budgeted separately.
IWU publishes multiple graduate start dates, including late 2026 and 2027 intakes.
Hybrid F-1 students must complete required in-person residencies at designated education centers. The specific location and academic schedule can depend on the program.
Prospective students should obtain confirmation of the program's required practical training, timing, CPT eligibility, attendance obligations and any employer documentation before making an enrollment decision.
Best for: Students seeking a structured hybrid graduate program with several potential enrollment dates.
Explore IWU's international hybrid programs, start dates and tuition.
Location: New York
Former name: Monroe College
Monroe University offers graduate degrees through its King Graduate School, including programs in business and technology.
The university has historically been discussed as an option for international students pursuing a second master's degree while gaining academic and professional experience.
However, there is an important 2026 admissions change.
Monroe University states that Fall 2026, beginning September 9, was the final opportunity to begin its Second Master's Degree Program.
As of October 2026, prospective students should not assume that a new second-master's intake will be available for a future semester.
Students pursuing their first master's degree or exploring other graduate offerings should contact Monroe directly to confirm availability, tuition, F-1 eligibility and any qualifying internship requirements.
The university's previous promotion of CPT-related graduate opportunities should not be interpreted as a guarantee of first-semester CPT authorization under current SEVP guidance.
Best for: Students evaluating available graduate programs in New York, subject to confirmation of admissions and CPT eligibility.
Read Monroe University's graduate program information.
The right university should support your academic development while helping you meet F-1 requirements.
Confirm that the institution has recognized accreditation and is certified to enroll F-1 students.
Use the official DHS School Search to check an institution's SEVP certification and consult the U.S. Department of Education for accreditation information.
Accreditation does not automatically establish CPT eligibility or eliminate the possibility of additional immigration scrutiny.
Select a degree that supports your educational background and long-term professional goals.
If you already hold a master's degree, be prepared to explain why an additional degree is academically valuable.
A second master's degree is not automatically prohibited, but the academic rationale and applicable work authorization rules deserve careful consideration.
This is particularly important following the August 2026 SEVP guidance.
Ask the university whether practical training is mandatory for degree completion, how it is documented in the curriculum, and whether students in your particular program can qualify during the first term.
Do not rely solely on a school's marketing description or the general term "Day 1 CPT."
Hybrid programs may require regular in-person classes, weekend residencies, academic workshops or other physical attendance.
Choose a university whose required campus location and schedule you can realistically manage.
Online coursework alone does not necessarily satisfy F-1 enrollment requirements.
Compare more than advertised tuition.
Ask about application fees, technology fees, books, required internship courses, transportation, living expenses and possible annual increases.
A per-credit tuition rate should not be compared directly with a different university's estimated total degree cost.
Students should ask their DSO which documents are required, whether an employer agreement is needed, how CPT relates to a mandatory course or degree component, and how authorization dates are determined.
Any changes to employer, internship responsibilities, dates or work arrangement may require further school review.
Never continue work outside the authorization shown on your Form I-20.
CPT, OPT and STEM OPT serve different purposes and have different eligibility requirements.
| Feature | CPT | Post-Completion OPT | STEM OPT Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Practical training integral to an academic program | Qualifying employment related to a completed degree | Extended qualifying employment for eligible STEM graduates |
| Timing | During an eligible academic program | Generally after program completion | After qualifying post-completion OPT |
| Authorization | DSO records authorization on Form I-20 | USCIS-approved EAD required | USCIS-approved STEM extension EAD required |
| Duration | Based on approved academic training | Generally up to 12 months | Up to an additional 24 months |
| Major eligibility consideration | Degree curriculum and specific employment | OPT eligibility and previous usage | Qualifying STEM degree, employer and training-plan requirements |
It can.
Under current federal guidance, students who complete 12 months or more of full-time CPT become ineligible for post-completion OPT at that educational level.
Part-time CPT does not trigger that same 12-month full-time CPT restriction.
Also, completing a second master's degree does not automatically provide a new period of OPT if the student has already used OPT at the master's level.
No.
Eligible students may receive up to 12 months of post-completion OPT and, if they satisfy the separate requirements, an additional 24-month STEM OPT extension.
The extension generally requires a qualifying STEM degree, an eligible E-Verify employer, a Form I-983 training plan and USCIS approval.
Always verify the specific program's STEM designation rather than assuming all technology or MBA degrees qualify.
Enrolling in a university with a CPT-integrated program does not guarantee H-1B selection or approval.
Certain qualifying U.S. advanced degrees can establish eligibility for the H-1B advanced-degree exemption, which provides a separate allocation of 20,000 visas annually.
However, simply enrolling in a nonprofit institution does not automatically improve an applicant's H-1B selection odds.
H-1B selection and eligibility rules can change. Students and employers should review the current USCIS registration requirements before relying on a specific immigration strategy.
Some graduate students may qualify when their program requires immediate participation in practical training and all other eligibility requirements are met. First-semester CPT is not automatically available to every F-1 student.
No. You must receive the proper CPT authorization from your DSO before beginning the training. The employment must match the authorized employer, dates and other applicable conditions.
No. STEM designation and CPT eligibility are separate matters. Verify the specific degree's CIP code and the university's published designation.
Possibly, depending on admission requirements, academic goals and applicable F-1 rules. A second degree does not automatically reset OPT eligibility, and schools may limit particular second-master's programs.
Not automatically. The work must meet current CPT rules, including its relationship to the academic program and the school's authorization requirements. A student should not enroll in a degree solely on the assumption that the program will permit continued employment.
Qualifying hybrid study arrangements may be available, but F-1 students must meet applicable in-person attendance, full-course-of-study and university requirements. Always verify the actual program delivery format.
Costs differ significantly by school and program. For the schools reviewed in this guide, some published master's program estimates are around $20,000–$30,000, while other programs may cost more. Compare total tuition and fees rather than relying on a single annual or per-credit figure.
Choosing a graduate university should begin with the academic program, its recognized status, realistic attendance requirements, and the legitimacy of any practical training component.
CPT may provide valuable experiential education for eligible students, but it should not be treated as an automatic employment benefit.
Explore the CPTDog university comparison directory to research programs by location and academic field.
CPTDog can help you compare universities, tuition, application requirements and enrollment options. For questions about individual CPT authorization, F-1 status or immigration consequences, consult your university's DSO and, when appropriate, a qualified immigration attorney.
Book a free consultation with CPTDog to explore graduate study options that match your academic background, budget and location preferences.