If you're an international student on OPT, or working professionals on L1L2, H1B are looking to pursue a hybrid professional program in the U.S. with Day 1 CPT eligibility, two strong contenders are Harrisburg University and Goldey-Beacom College. Both institutions offer professional programs with Day 1 CPT options, but they differ in terms of location convenience, tuition cost, program offerings, and CPT policies.
In this guide, we'll break down these differences to help you make the best decision for choosing the best university
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1. Location & Accessibility
Harrisburg University (Pennsylvania)
Located in downtown Harrisburg, PA, this campus is highly accessible via multiple public transit options:
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Rabbit Transit (Route 83N) connects York and Harrisburg, with stops near the university and Amtrak station.
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Capital Area Transit (CAT) buses serve the general Harrisburg region including downtown.
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Uber Voucher Program subsidizes rides for students commuting to school, internships, or appointments.
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Amtrak Station nearby allows easy travel to/from other cities in the region.
Goldey-Beacom College (Delaware)
Situated in Wilmington, DE, the college offers solid transit options from neighboring states:
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DART First State Route 18-R1 bus directly connects the campus and the Wilmington train station (around 35 minutes ride).
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Amtrak, Greyhound, and Peter Pan buses stop at the Wilmington hub.
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SEPTA regional rail connects to Philadelphia and surrounding cities.
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DART buses cost just $2 per ride and support mobile ticketing and accessibility needs.
2. Tuition Comparison
Harrisburg University
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$955 per credit hour
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~$5,730 per semester (6 credits)
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~$17,190 per year (3 semesters)
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Total Program Cost (2 years): $34,380
Goldey-Beacom College
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$610 per credit hour
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~$3,660 per semester (6 credits)
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~$10,980 per year (3 semesters)
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Total Program Cost (2 years): $21,960
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Offers payment plans to reduce financial pressure
3. Program Offerings
Harrisburg University
Known for its wide variety of graduate programs across STEM and business fields:
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MS Analytics (Healthcare, Pharma, Individualized)
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MS Biotechnology (Medical, Biomanufacturing, Business)
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MS Computer Information Sciences (Cyber Security, Software Engineering)
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MS Information Systems, Human-Centered Design, Project Management
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MS Techpreneurship
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MS Cybersecurity, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Learning Technologies
Strength: Broad academic options suited for professionals in tech, healthcare, engineering, or entrepreneurship.
Goldey-Beacom College
Focused primarily on business-oriented degrees:
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MBA Programs with multiple concentrations:
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Analytics(STEM), Finance, Marketing, IT, HR, Healthcare, Taxation
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MS Finance, MS Management, and MS Taxation
Strength: Best suited for students with business, finance, or management backgrounds.
4. CPT Policy
Both universities offer CPT from Day 1, which only needs to be renewed on a yearly basis.
Harrisburg University
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CPT is integral to all eligible programs.
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Authorized for 2 full years without gaps or breaks.
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Ideal for those who already have a job— If you don't have a job, book a consultation with us! We will figure out a way to help you enroll.
Goldey-Beacom College
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CPT is not mandatory—you can enroll even if you don’t have a job yet.
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CPT must be renewed annually, offering flexibility as your plans evolve.
5. Comparison Table
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Harrisburg University |
Goldey-Beacom College |
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Accreditation |
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Location |
Harrisburg, PA / Philadelphia, PA
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Wilmington, DE
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Tuition |
~$16,000/year
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~$11,000/year
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Payment plan |
N/A
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Yes
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Programs |
MS Analytics
MS Biotechnology
MS Computer Information Sciences
MS Cybersecurity Operations and Control Management
MS Healthcare Informatics
MS Human-Centered Interaction Design
MS Information Systems Engineering & Management
MS Learning Technologies & Media Systems
MS Pharmaceutical Sciences
MS Project Management
MS Techpreneurship
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MBA Programs with multiple concentrations:
MS Finance, MS Management, and MS Taxation
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On-site frequency |
2/semester
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2/semester
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CPT Renewal |
1/year
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1/year
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CPT Policy |
Mandatory
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Optional
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Accept Change of Status? |
Yes
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No
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6. Conclusion: Which School Should You Choose?
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Choose Harrisburg University if:
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You want a STEM program or healthcare/pharmaceutical track;
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You already have a job or want job-integrated learning;
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You're okay with slightly higher tuition for a broader program scope.
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Choose Goldey-Beacom College if:
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You have a background specifically in business or finance;
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Budget is a priority—lower tuition and payment plans are available;
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You want a low residency option;
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You're still looking for a job but want to start school now.
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