If you are an international student who was not selected for H-1B, you can use Day 1 CPT to continue working legally in the United States. However, it is not easy to find suitable Day 1 CPT universities in Southern states like Texas, Florida, and Georgia, as most Day 1 CPT schools are located on the East and West coasts. This article introduces 4 top Day 1 CPT universities in and around Texas and Florida, helping identify the most suitable school for your needs.
All Day 1 CPT UniversitiesSelecting a Day 1 CPT School by Location
On-Site Campus: Miami, FL; Irvine, CA; Santa Monica, CA
On-Site Frequency: 1 per semester
Annual Tuition: $12,265-14,100
Intakes: Jan | Mar | May | Jun | Aug | Oct
Day 1 CPT Programs: MBA (including STEM concentrations); MS CS (STEM); MS IT (STEM); MS Engineering Management; MA TESOL; DBA; EdD
Westcliff University , with convenient locations in both Florida and Southern California, is an excellent choice for students in Texas and Florida. Accredited by the WSCUC, Westcliff University offers a diverse range of Day 1 CPT programs to meet the needs of students from various career backgrounds. With Day 1 CPT, you can maintain your legal stay and work in the U.S.
Westcliff University offers multiple intakes each year, allowing you to enroll in a semester at various points throughout the year. This flexibility is ideal for students whose OPT is about to expire or those who need an urgent transfer.
The on-site requirement at Westcliff University is once per semester, so you only need to attend one 3-day session every three to four months. The Miami campus is easily accessible for students living in Florida. For those in Texas, it is just a 2-3 hour flight to Miami campus in Florida or a 3-hour flight to the Irvine campus in California. Moreover, you can plan a Miami trip when going for on-site classes!
Please note that the Miami campus offers only MBA and DBA programs.
Advantages: location (multiple campuses); low on-site frequency (1 per semester); low RFE rate; diverse program choices
On-Site Campus: Tampa, Florida
On-Site Frequency: 1 per semester
Annual Tuition: $14,976 - 18,960/year
Intakes: Jan / May / Aug
Day 1 CPT Programs: MS Business Analytics (STEM); DBA
National Louis University (NLU) is a well-known Day 1 CPT school in the Southern states. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, NLU provides 2 Day 1 CPT programs: DBA and MS Business Analytics. NLU’s DBA program provides educational advancement for international students who have already obtained an MBA degree. Its longer duration also guarantees more opportunities to join H-1B visa lotteries.
Like Westcliff, NLU only requires students to attend one 3-day on-site session every semester, which is pretty manageable even for students living in Texas. It takes a 2.5-hour flight from Texas to the Tampa campus.
Another advantage of NLU is that its MS program in Business Analytics is a STEM program. If it is your first master’s degree, you will get a 3-year OPT, greatly enhancing your chance to get an H-1B in the future.
Advantages: lower on-site frequency (1 per semester); non-profit (H-1B master's cap)
Intakes: Jan / May / Aug
Annual Tuition: $22,878-25,738
On-Site Campus: Dallas, TX
On-Site Frequency: 1 per two weeks
Day 1 CPT Programs: MS IT Management (STEM), MBA (STEM), MS Management, MA Leadership, MA International Studies
Dallas Baptist University (DBU) is the only Day 1 CPT school located in Texas. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, DBU provides diverse Day 1 CPT programs in management and IT. These programs are ideal choices for students pursuing careers in business or technology.
It is important to note that in addition to its IT program, DBU’s MBA and MS IT Management programs are also STEM. This means that you can pursue a business degree while qualifying for a 3-year OPT after graduation.
One downside of DBU is that it requires students to attend on-site sessions once every two weeks. Thus, this university might only be suitable for those who live in Dallas. It takes only 15 minutes to drive from downtown Dallas to DBU. However, higher requirements for campus visits can be beneficial for your H-1B and green card applications, as you will have more sufficient materials to prove your on-site attendance.
Please note that only the MS program in IT Management provides Day 1 CPT for change of status students. Keep this in mind if you are changing your status to F-1.
Advantages: STEM programs; low student-to-faculty ratio
Intakes: Jan | Mar | May | Jun | Aug | Oct
Annual Tuition: $16,110-16,575
On-Site Campus: Ottawa, KS; Surprise, AZ; Brookfield, WI
On-Site Frequency: 2 per semester
Day 1 CPT Programs: EMBA; DBA; MS Nursing
Ottawa University, with campuses in Arizona and Kansas, is geographically convenient for students in Texas. Receiving the accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, Ottawa University is one of the most popular Day 1 CPT schools in the midwestern U.S. In addition to EMBA and DBA programs, this university features an MS Nursing program, which provides a pathway for those who want to work in healthcare.
Ottawa University requires on-site attendance of twice per semester, which is manageable for students from other states. It takes a quick 2-hour flight from Texas to either Ottawa, KS or Surprise, AZ.
One advantage of Ottawa University is that this school is non-profit, which means you will qualify for H-1B master’s cap, enhancing your chances to get selected for H-1B.
Note that Ottawa’s DBA and MS Nursing programs are only provided at the Kansas campus.
Advantages: multiple campuses in the midwestern area.; non-profit (H-1B master's cap); nursing program
Above are four Day 1 CPT universities suitable for international students living in Texas and Florida. When selecting a Day 1 CPT school, it is crucial to consider multiple factors, including location, tuition, enrollment window, program setting, and on-site frequency. Choosing a right school can help you reduce potential risks during your future immigration applications. If you have any questions about how to choose a Day 1 CPT school, book a free consultation with us. We will help find the most suitable school for you!