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 schools are located on the East and West coasts.
This article introduces 5 top Day 1 CPT universities in and around Texas and Florida, helping identify the most suitable school for your needs.
All Day 1 CPT Universities
5. North Carolina Wesleyan University
On-Site Campus: Miami, FL; Orlando, FL; Irvine, CA; Santa Monica, CA; San Francisco, CA; Corona, CA
On-Site Frequency: 1 per semester
Annual Tuition: $15,750- $23,910
Intakes: Jan | Mar | May | Jun | Aug | Sep | Oct
Day 1 CPT Programs: MBA (including STEM concentrations); MS CS (STEM); MS IT (STEM); MS Engineering Management (STEM); 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 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 the 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
Westcliff University vs. Texas Wesleyan University: Comparing Two Day 1 CPT Universities in Texas
On-Site Campus: Tampa, FL; Chicago, IL
On-Site Frequency: 1 per term
Annual Tuition: $14,976 - $18,960
Intakes: Jan | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep
Day 1 CPT Programs: MS Business Analytics (STEM); MS Organizational Leadership; DBA
National Louis University (NLU) is a well-known Day 1 CPT school in the Southern states. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. 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)
On-Site Campus: Fort Worth, TX
On-Site Frequency: 1 per semester
Annual Tuition: $15,300
Intakes: Jan | Mar | May | Jul | Aug | Oct
Day 1 CPT Programs: MBA (STEM)
Texas Wesleyan University is another Day 1 CPT school accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. It offers an MBA program suitable for students from a variety of career backgrounds.
Texas Wesleyan University requires students to attend on-site classes only once per semester, which is very convenient for Day 1 CPT students. If you live in Dallas, you only need to take a quick half-hour drive to campus.
As a non-profit, the university enables graduates to enter the H-1B master's cap.
Advantages: non-profit (H-1B master's cap); lower on-site frequency
On-Site Campus: Overland Park, KS; Surprise, AZ; Brookfield, WI
On-Site Frequency: 1-2 per semester
Annual Tuition: $13,806- $16,576
Intakes: Jan | Mar | May | Jun | Aug | Oct
Day 1 CPT Programs: EMBA; DBA; MS Nursing; MS CS
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 twice per semester, which is manageable for students from other states. It takes a quick 2-hour flight from Texas to either Overland Park, KS, or Surprise, AZ.
One advantage of Ottawa University is that this school is non-profit, which means you will qualify for the H-1B master’s cap, enhancing your chances of getting selected for an 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
On-Site Campus: Rocky Mount, NC
On-Site Frequency: 1 per quarter
Annual Tuition: $10,560 - $11,550
Intakes: Jan | May | Aug
Day 1 CPT Programs: EMBA; MS Strategic Leadership; MS IT Management (STEM)
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU), located in North Carolina, is a great option for students in Florida. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, this university offers three Day 1 CPT programs: MBA, MS Strategic Leadership, and MS IT Management. If you already hold a master's degree in information technology or computer science, this IT management program can be an ideal choice.
NCWU requires only one on-site visit per semester, providing great flexibility for students. It takes only 2 hours to fly from Florida to the campus.
As a non-profit university, NCWU qualifies students for the H-1B master's cap, making it attractive to those who don't yet have a master's degree.
Advantages: lower tuition cost ; non-profit (H-1B master's cap); nursing program; lower on-site frequency
Above are 5 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 the right school can help you reduce potential risks during your future immigration applications.