CA · Day 1 CPT
Sofia University
Sofia University is a WSCUC-accredited private institution in Palo Alto and Costa Mesa, California. It offers small-class, career-focused graduate programs in business, technology and data analytics with flexible hybrid schedules and year-round enrollment.
Day 1 CPT institutionPalo Alto and Costa Mesa, California
Scholarship terms publish once the partnership is signed
- Northern and Southern California campus locations
- STEM-designated MBA in Data Analytics and MS in Computer Science
- Quarterly payment plans and multiple scholarship opportunities
Application fee
Pending verification
No figure published without a calculation basis.
Avg. annual tuition
$16,200
Basis: Average of published annual tuition across graduate programs.
Program duration
25 months
Basis: Program lengths range from 18 to 36 months across the graduate portfolio.
Avg. processing time
Pending verification
No figure published without a calculation basis.
CPT from overseas
CPT on change of status
Employment mandatory
01Overview
Sofia University is a WSCUC-accredited private institution in Palo Alto and Costa Mesa, California. It offers small-class, career-focused graduate programs in business, technology and data analytics with flexible hybrid schedules and year-round enrollment.
We link the accreditor's own directory rather than the school's claim, so you can verify accreditation without leaving the trail we used.
02Programs
| Program | Level | STEM | Credits | Per credit | Total cost | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Business Administration | Master's | No | 36 | $686 | $24,696 | None stated |
| Master of Business Administration - Data Analytics | Master's | Yes | 48 | $686 | $32,928 | None stated |
| MS Computer Science | Master's | Yes | 42 | $612 | $25,704 | None stated |
| Doctor of Business Administration | Doctoral | No | 54 | $965 | $52,110 | None stated |
Per-credit and total cost are computed from credits and total cost, never entered by hand. Programs that are not currently enrolling are removed from this table rather than listed as unavailable. Tuition conditions (for example, second-master's pricing) appear in the row they apply to.
03Terms and deadlines
| Term | Start date | F-1 transfer deadline | New F-1 deadline | Late transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | 2026-08-31 | 2026-08-24 | 2026-08-24 | - |
| Winter 2027 | 2027-01-11 | 2026-12-07 | 2026-12-07 | - |
| Spring 2027 | 2027-04-05 | 2027-03-15 | 2027-03-15 | - |
04Tuition, fees and scholarships
Additional fees
The full fee schedule (I-20 fee, recurring semester fees, CPT course fees) is not published yet. Beyond H1B sources every institution field from the school's admissions office, DSO or published catalog, so this section stays empty until it is verified and dated.
Scholarships
Scholarship amounts, fee waivers and processing times describe a commercial relationship. They publish only once the agreement with the institution is signed.
05Format and attendance
Annual travel burden: about 12 round trips a year, roughly $2,400 - $6,000 per year. Travel is often larger than the tuition gap between two schools, so we compute it rather than leaving you to.
06CPT policy
Current F-1 and OPT students, overseas applicants and change-of-status applicants may be authorized for CPT from day one. CPT is renewed every semester and is not required for graduation.
Integral CPT is only lawful when the employment is a required, credit-bearing part of your program of study, authorized on your I-20 by the DSO, and matched by continuous full-time enrollment. Twelve or more months of full-time CPT at one degree level removes OPT eligibility at that level.
07Admissions
- Transcript - Highest Transcript
- Resume
- Passport
- Financial Proof
- Statement of Purpose
Where Beyond H1B can advocate for an exception (for example an English-test waiver), we describe it as advocacy. The decision belongs to the institution.
08Institution FAQs
- Where are the campuses located?
- Sofia University has locations in Palo Alto, California (Northern California) and Costa Mesa, California (Southern California).
- What accreditations does Sofia University have?
- Sofia University is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
- How often are on-site attendance requirements?
- F-1 students attend one onsite course per month, typically three times per quarter, on Saturdays or Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. MS Computer Science students attend twice per month during their first semester.
- What is the academic calendar structure?
- Sofia uses a quarter-based calendar with three main starts per year: Fall, Winter and Spring. I-20 durations are based on scheduled summer breaks and curriculum arrangements, typically up to 4 years and 6 months for MBA, 4 years and 9 months for MS, and 3 years and 9 months for DBA programs.
- Are scholarships or financial aid available?
- Yes. New student scholarships range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, current student scholarships from $500 to $2,000 or more, and Beyond H1B Rewards range from $50 to $1,000 or more. Contact admissions or Beyond H1B to confirm eligibility.
09Comparable institutions
- Westcliff UniversityCalifornia, Florida and Texas
- California Institute of Advanced ManagementAlhambra, California
- Virscend UniversityFremont, California
Last verified: 2026-08-15 · Owner: Beyond H1B editorial · Review cadence: Every academic term
Partnership status: none. Fee waivers, processing times and scholarship amounts stay empty until an agreement is signed.
Beyond H1B is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Program details change; confirm accreditation, curriculum and CPT policy directly with the institution and a licensed immigration attorney.
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