Top Day 1 CPT MBA Programs for 2024

Why is an MBA a Good Choice for International Students?

An MBA is a popular choice for students, with or without the Day 1 CPT option, because it offers a comprehensive education in business operations, management principles, and leadership. 

In the corporate world, an MBA is often a stepping stone to upper management roles, equipping individuals with essential skills in leadership, strategic planning, and financial management. Additionally, an MBA opens doors to a vast professional network and offers a deeper understanding of global business trends, making it a valuable investment for those looking to advance their careers or explore new opportunities.

MBA as a Second Master’s Degree

Why do we emphasize that an MBA is particularly beneficial as a second master’s degree?

If this is your second master’s, you likely have some experience as an intern or full-time employee in the industry you want to grow in. At this stage, pursuing an MBA for academic and career advancement makes sense, as it allows you to build on existing knowledge and skills. 

From the perspective of USCIS, this approach seems more logical compared to recent graduates who enter an MBA program immediately after earning a degree in a different field without much specialized experience. 

In the U.S., the average age of incoming MBA students is 28, with 16.4% starting their program at age 25. Entering an MBA program too early may not align with the typical profile of students who truly benefit from this degree.

MBA as a Day 1 CPT Program

Versatile Career Opportunities

An MBA is an incredibly versatile degree, which is why many Day 1 CPT universities offer MBA programs with multiple concentrations. One key advantage of pursuing an MBA when choosing Day 1 CPT program is the flexibility it provides in aligning your work with your academic program. To have your CPT work authorization approved, your job must closely relate to your field of study, and you must demonstrate this connection to USCIS. The broad applicability of an MBA makes it easier for international students, even those who previously earned a degree in fields like the arts, to find relevant jobs and secure CPT approval.

Extensive Location Options

Due to its popularity and high demand, the MBA is the most widely offered Day 1 CPT program across all Day 1 CPT universities. This broad availability means you'll have the opportunity to choose a Day 1 CPT university that is conveniently located near where you live.

As highlighted in our Day 1 CPT universities selection guide, proximity is a crucial factor when choosing a Day 1 CPT program, even though most of these programs only require on-site attendance once per semester. Choosing an in-state school with a major that closely matches your internship and job description can not only save you time and money on commuting but also significantly lower the likelihood of receiving an RFE (Request for Evidence) during your future H1B application process.

Flexibility on Program Duration

One of the most frequent questions we encounter is, "How long will it take to complete this program?" Some students prefer a shorter timeline, while others seek a more balanced pace, allowing them to effectively manage both their in-class learning and CPT work, especially in an MBA Day 1 CPT program.

When it comes to flexibility in program duration, few programs can match the MBA—perhaps only the DBA, which is essentially an advanced extension of the MBA. The flexibility stems from the fact that most MBA programs offer various concentrations. You can extend the duration by adding more concentrations or shorten it by taking additional credits each semester.

We've previously discussed the "proper length" for a program that ensures USCIS doesn't view it as an attempt to exploit academic opportunities for visa purposes. Typically, for a master’s degree, a duration of no less than one year and no more than 2.5 to 3 years is considered reasonable. If you want to maximize your MBA experience by adding concentrations, feel free to do so, but avoid overextending the program. If you truly enjoy the academic journey, consider advancing to a DBA.

MBA and  “Specialty Occupation”RFE

One of the main reasons H1B applications receive an RFE (Request for Evidence) is due to not meeting the "specialty occupation" requirement. This issue often arises for students in business or social science fields, as their degrees may not be viewed as "specialty degrees" by some USCIS officers. So, should you be concerned about this if you're pursuing an MBA in the U.S.? The answer depends on several factors: 

If This is Your Second Master’s Degree in the US

If you already have another master’s degree from a U.S. higher education institution, you can use that degree when filing your H1B application. When submitting your H1B application, you’ll need to disclose all of your educational degrees, but only one qualified degree needs to match your job description, and that’s the one you will use to "file."

If This is Your First Master’s Degree in the US

If you plan to enter the H1B lottery under the master's cap using your MBA degree, you must first ensure that the MBA is obtained from a non-profit school. Otherwise, you will only be eligible for the regular H1B lottery cap. If you're concerned that an MBA might not be considered a "specialty" degree, or if you're preparing for a future management role while your current position isn't heavily focused on management, you can use your MBA from a non-profit school to enter the master's cap lottery. Once selected, you can choose to use your undergraduate degree, which may be more specialized and closely aligned with your job description, when filing your H1B application. Consult your lawyer for this option to optimize your chance of getting selected and pass the application approval process. 

MBA and H1B RFE

If you do receive an RFE due to your MBA, you might need to work with your lawyer to show cause. In this situation, consider this questions: 

• What are the specific duties of this job?
• Besides the MBA, what other academic backgrounds do I have in specialized fields?
• How closely related are the job duties to my academic background?

These questions are crucial because, in the event of an RFE, your employer will need to respond to USCIS on your behalf. If these questions can be clearly answered, the chances of avoiding or successfully responding to an RFE will be much higher. As an international student, we recommend that you take the initiative to prepare for this. Many local employers may not have much experience sponsoring foreign workers, and even if they have in-house lawyers, they may not be fully versed in immigration policies.

Top 10 Universities Offering MBA Programs with Day 1 CPT

If you really want to have an MBA degree, consider getting one from Day 1 CPT universities. Because: 

• You can use CPT to work on Day 1 
• The average cost of an MBA degree in traditional school is $61,800, whereas you can get a MBA degree with the same accreditation for as low as under $20,000 at Day1 CPT universities
• Day 1 CPT MBA programs are more flexible, only requires you to go on-site for once per month or once per semester, you can focus more on practise what you’ve learned on a real job 

Day 1 CPT Universities provides MBA Day 1 CPT Programs:

Day 1 CPT MBA on the West Coast

Westcliff University (Irvine, CA; Santa Monica CA)

Humphreys University (Stockton, CA)

California Institute of Advanced Management (Alhambra, CA)

University of the Cumberlands (Seattle, WA)

Sofia University (Palo Alto, CA; Costa Mesa, CA)

Day 1 CPT MBA in Southern States

Westcliff University (Orlando,FL; Miami, FL)

DBU (Dallas, TX)

Tennessee Wesleyan University (Knoxville, TN)

University of the Cumberlands (Irving, TX )

Day 1 CPT MBA in Northeast

Monroe College (New Rochelle, NY)

New England College (Henniker, NH)

Day 1 CPT MBA in MidWest 

Ottawa University (Brookfield, WI; Overland Park, KS)

Day 1 CPT MBA Programs Compare