📍 Best Day 1 CPT Schools in the Bay Area — Who’s Got Experience?

Day 1 CPT Universities
1

Hey everyone!

The Bay Area is a hotspot for tech jobs, networking, and Big Tech dreams — so it’s no surprise that many Day 1 CPT students want to base themselves here. But when it comes to schools, not all are created equal.

Let’s talk:
Which Day 1 CPT schools around the Bay are actually working well — offering solid programs and commutable on-site classes — and which ones should come with a warning label?

Here are a few names that come up a lot:

:white_check_mark: Sofia University – Offers psychology-blended MBA, MSCS and DBA programs. Hybrid setup seems smooth with roughly monthly attendance.

:white_check_mark: **Humphreys University In Stockton, with MBA-IT, MBA-Project Management, or MBA-Organizational Leadership

:white_check_mark: Westcliff University Now in San Francisco with their MBA, MSCS, MSIT and DBA. Top choice if you have enough budget and comes with

:pushpin: Things to share if you’re currently enrolled or recently graduated:

  • How’s the commute or campus access?
  • Is your DSO responsive and helpful?
  • Are classes actually happening as scheduled?
  • Any hiccups with SEVIS or visa interviews?

Let’s help each other out and get a clearer picture of what “Bay Area CPT” really looks like in 2025 :sparkles:

– Jill
(Edu consultant. CPT map maker. Coffee-powered forum mod lol.)

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I’m currently doing my MBA at Westcliff’s Irvine campus, and it’s been a solid experience so far. Classes run on schedule, instructors actually show up and teach (not just handing out slides), and the academic structure feels organized.

The campus is easy to access if you’re in OC, and the vibe is professional but flexible. Attendance is tracked seriously, which I personally see as a plus since it keeps everything compliant on the CPT side.

The DSO team is surprisingly responsive — I’ve emailed them multiple times about CPT questions and travel, and they’ve always gotten back quickly. I also went through a visa renewal recently and had no SEVIS issues at all.

It’s definitely not the cheapest program, but if you’re looking for something that’s stable, transparent, and won’t give you headaches with USCIS, Westcliff (Irvine at least) is worth considering.

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If we only look at the tuition fees, Sofia should be the cheapest.