CRNA Schools by State 2026

A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is an advanced practice nurse who administers anesthesia for medical procedures, surgery, and trauma stabilization. CRNAs have the option to specialize in types of medicine such as pediatric, plastic surgery, dental, neurological services, and cardiovascular. CRNAs are the highest-paid nurses in the United States. As of 2022, the average CRNA salary is $195,610 per year.

They work in ambulances, operating rooms, surgical centers, the military, and in specialists’ offices. In rural areas, CRNAs are the main anesthesia providers, in place of anesthesiologists. Their role is critical in the medical field. Their jobs involve everything from pre-operative to post-operative responsibilities. This includes pre-anesthesia assessments, connecting invasive and noninvasive monitors, pain management, and post-anesthesia recovery.

Becoming a CRNA requires at least one year of being a critical care nurse. Additionally, CRNAs will need to complete a graduate program approved by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Education Programs. These programs span anywhere from two to three and a half years and are heavily on clinical experience. After 2022, the Master’s level will no longer be available for students entering programs, as the profession is shifting from a master’s level to a doctoral level. Those who apply to CRNA programs should expect a very competitive and highly selective process. Applications require several references, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and a personal statement. Nursing experience and academic caliber are both scrutinized.

CRNA Accredited Programs

The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Education Programs initiated its accreditation program for CNRA programs in 1952. The Council’s scope of accreditation includes institutions and programs of nurse anesthesia at the post-Master’s certificate, Master’s, or Doctoral degree levels in the U.S.

Below are the accredited programs by state.

Alabama

• Samford University
• The University of Alabama at Birmingham
• University of Mobile

Arizona

• Midwestern University
• University of Arizona

Arkansas

• University of Arkansas
• Arkansas State University

California

• National University
• Loma Linda University
• University of Southern California (USC)
• Samuel Merritt University
• California State University Fullerton

Connecticut

• Fairfield University
• Quinnipiac University
• Central Connecticut State University
• Yale New Haven Hospital

District of Columbia

• Georgetown University

Florida

• University of Miami
• Florida Gulf Coast University
• Barry University
• University International University
• Keiser University
• AdventHealth University
• Florida State University (Panama City)
• University of South Florida
• University of North Florida

Georgia

• Emory University
• Augusta University

Illinois

• Rush University
• Millikin University
• Southern Illinois University
• NorthShore University
• Rosalind Franklin University

Indiana

• University of Evansville
• Marian University

Iowa

• Iowa University

Kansas

• University of Kansas
• Newman University

Kentucky

• Northern Kentucky University
• Murray State University

Louisiana

• Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University
• Louisiana State University (New Orleans)
• Northwestern State University

Maine

• University of New England

Maryland

• Johns Hopkins University
• University of Maryland (Baltimore)
• Uniformed Services University

Massachusetts

• Northeastern University
• Boston College

Michigan

• University of Detroit Mercy
• Wayne State University
• Michigan State University
• University of Michigan – Flint
• Oakland University (Beaumont)

Minnesota

• Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
• University of Minnesota
• Mayo School of Health Sciences
• Minneapolis School of Anesthesia

Mississippi

• University of Southern Mississippi

Missouri

• Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill School of Nurse Anesthesia
• Missouri State University
• Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barners-Jewish College
• Webster University

Nebraska

• Bryan College of Health Sciences
• Clarkson College

New Jersey

• Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program
• Rutgers School of Nursing

New York

• Albany Medical College
• State University of New York at Buffalo
• Hofstra-Northwell
• Columbia University

North Carolina

• Western Carolina University
• University of North Carolina- Charlotte
• Duke University
• University of North Carolina- Greensboro
• East Carolina University
• Wake Forest School of Medicine

North Dakota

• University of North Dakota

Ohio

• The University of Akron
• University of Cincinnati
• Case Western Reserve University
• Lourdes University
• Otterbein University
• St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc.
• Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Oklahoma

• University of Tulsa

Oregon

• Oregon Health and Science University

Pennsylvania

• Cedar Crest College
• Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pennsylvania
• Gannon University
• Excela Health School of Anesthesia
• Drexel University
• Thomas Jefferson University
• Allegheny School of Anesthesia
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Scranton
• Villanova University
• York College of Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

• InterAmerican University of Puerto Rico
• University of Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

• Rhode Island School of Nursing

South Carolina

• Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston)
• University of South Carolina

South Dakota

• Mount Marty College

Tennessee

• The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
• Lincoln Memorial University
• South College
• Union University
• University of Tennessee
• Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia
• University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Texas

• Texas Christian University
• Texas Wesleyan University
• Baylor College
• US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing (Northeastern University)

Utah

• Westminster College

Virginia

• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Old Dominion University

Washington

• Gonzaga University

West Virginia

• Charleston Area Medical Center School of Nurse Anesthesia

Wisconsin

• Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia
• Marquette University
• University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh