Day 1 CPT Universities: Complete List and Comparison
A comparison of the universities offering Curricular Practical Training from the first day of enrolment, covering tuition, programme format, location, and RFE risk — plus how a second master's on Day 1 CPT works as a backup when the H-1B lottery does not go your way.
Which university is right for you
Day 1 CPT programmes differ on cost, in-person attendance requirements, accreditation, and how heavily USCIS scrutinises their students. The right choice depends on your field, your budget, and how much RFE risk you can absorb.
Day 1 CPT application timeline
Admission, I-20 transfer, and CPT authorisation each take time, and the sequence matters — starting work before CPT authorisation is issued is an immediate status violation.
Day 1 CPT as an H-1B backup
Enrolling in a second master's with Day 1 CPT lets you keep working while remaining in F-1 status, which preserves your eligibility for future H-1B lottery cycles.
CPT compared with OPT
CPT is tied to a specific programme and employer and is authorised by your DSO; OPT is authorised by USCIS and is portable. Using twelve months or more of full-time CPT eliminates your OPT eligibility.