5 Best CRNA Schools in Illinois – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Are you an Illinois RN who loves challenges? Enrolling in one of the CRNA programs in Illinois may be the strategic career move you’ve been looking for. As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in the Peach State, you’ll work independently, assuming responsibility for the patients in your care before, during, and after surgeries. Your skills will be highly sought-after, and you’ll be very well paid: Employment opportunities for CRNAs are projected to increase by more than 6 percent within the next 10 years, and salaries average $238,440 annually. For more information, read this list of the 5 best CRNA schools in Illinois for 2025.



RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS

WHAT ARE THE BEST CRNA SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 5 Best Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Programs in Illinois (Online & Campus).)

1. Rush University - Chicago


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP


About the School: Rush University is counted among the best CRNA schools in Illinois and there are several reasons why this school stands out among the rest. Foremost, the school has more than 50 years of experience in training competent nurse anesthetists. Further, the environment that Rush provides, being a world-class medical center offers CRNA students plenty of opportunities for clinical training, service, and research. Aside from this, the school’s location is ideal for helping students build a professional network across several health disciplines. Also, committed to serving the underserved, the school strives to improve health outcomes at all levels.

BSN-to-DNP Program Overview: Rush University’s BSN-to-DNP program is a comprehensive CRNA curriculum that comprises a total of 89 credits. This CRNA program in Illinois consists of the graduate nursing core, advanced practice core, DNP core, nursing anesthesia core, and DNP project. The graduate core emphasizes organizational leadership, applied epidemiology, research for evidence-based practice, and health promotion. The advanced practice nursing core requires you to complete courses in advanced pharmacology, physiology, pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment. The DNP core makes you adept in topics such as healthcare leadership, healthcare economics, policy & finance, and project planning. The nursing anesthesia courses teach you about the chemistry & physics of anesthesia, neuroscience, and basic and advanced anesthesia principles.

Toward the end of the program, students complete a DNP project and immersion residency. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to take the CRNA certification exam.

MSN-to-DNP Program Overview: Rush University’s MSN-to-DNP program is designed for certified CRNAs who aspire to gain doctoral-level knowledge. The doctoral courses make you a leader by teaching you concepts in healthcare leadership, healthcare economics, policy & finance, program evaluation, and project planning. The program also requires you to complete a DNP project and immersion residency. To graduate, you must complete 30 credits.

Admission Requirements: Rush University’s MSN to DNP-CRNA program accepts applications from MSN-prepared certified nurse anesthetists, whereas the BSN to DNP-CRNA program is open to BSN-prepared registered nurses. Further, regardless of the program, the school requires you to complete your application by submitting your transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Rush University CRNA Students

• Rush University’s CRNA program is ranked among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Rush University’s CRNA program takes pride in the 95% first-time pass rate of its graduates, consistently over the past 30 years.
• Rush University’s CRNA program not only reports a 0% attrition rate but also takes pride in the 100% employment rate of its CRNA graduates. This data is a good indicator of the excellent performance of the CRNA program.
• Rush University’s CRNA students practice skills in its 20,000 sq ft simulation lab which is equipped with high-fidelity mannequins. Students are provided with simultaneous clinical training at this lab to allow for the immediate application of theoretical knowledge.
• Rush University’s CRNA students participate in a cadaveric workshop where they learn about regional anesthesia under the guidance of nurse anesthesia alumni.


2. NorthShore University HealthSystem - Evanston


Programs Offered: DNP


About the School: One of the top teaching hospitals in the nation, NorthShore University HealthSystem’s nurse anesthesia department not only offers excellent CRNA education but also provides exceptional anesthesia services to patients. The anesthesia department collaborates with various clinical specialties such as cardiovascular, orthopedics, oncology, and neurological to promote anesthesia care, education, and research. Being a Magnet-recognized hospital, earning your CRNA degree from NorthShore certainly has its perks, one, you’ll gain a well-rounded education, and two, post-graduation, you’ll be able to explore a variety of placement opportunities within a world-class health system.

Program Overview: The NorthShore University HealthSystem’s DNP-CRNA program takes 36 months to complete. While the initial months mainly consist of didactic courses, the latter months require you to focus on clinical training. The 20-month clinical residency towards the latter part also includes a few didactic courses, a DNP project, seminars, clinical conferences, and professional meetings.

During the first year of this CRNA program in Illinois, you’ll learn about the theoretical foundations of nursing practice, informatics & technology applications, anatomy & physiology, finance, and culture ethics & policy analysis.

In the second year of the program, you’ll learn about the principles of anesthesia, anesthetic pharmacology, evidence-based practice research, and healthcare economics. The third and final year of the program entails completing courses in leadership & organizational behavior.

In the 20-month clinical residency which forms an integral part of your CRNA program, you’ll complete seven practicum courses. The practical experience is in several areas, some of which include surgical, orthopedic, obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, neurosurgery, open health, and office-based anesthesia, to name a few.

Admission Requirements: Entry into NorthShore University’s DNP-CRNA is highly competitive, with admission open to only 25 promising students. To qualify for admission, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Additionally, the school also requires you to have an active and unencumbered RN license in Illinois. Besides, you must have completed at least two years of nursing experience in critical care. The program also requires you to hold an active BCLS, ACLS, and PALS certification. It is also preferred that you have some anesthesia shadowing experience. Also, ensure you highlight your academic, personal, and professional accomplishments in your application.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential NorthShore University HealthSystem CRNA Students

• NorthShore University HealthSystem’s CRNA residency takes place at the school’s clinical affiliates, including community hospitals, and research institutions, offering exposure to ambulatory surgeries, and several in-office procedures.
• NorthShore University HealthSystem is not only one of the oldest nurse anesthesia schools in the nation but also one of the best CRNA schools in Illinois.
• NorthShore University HealthSystem boasts of an excellent pass rate on the CRNA certification exam.


3. Rosalind Franklin University - North Chicago


Programs Offered: DNP (Entry)


About the School: Rosalind Franklin University is one of the well-known CRNA schools in Illinois that offers rigorous training in an interprofessional learning environment. With a strong commitment to community service, the school provides CRNA students with ample service-learning opportunities. As a leader in innovative research, researchers, practitioners, and students collaborate to improve healthcare quality at all levels of the population.

DNP (Entry) Program Overview: The DNP entry CRNA program is designed for registered nurses who have a bachelor’s degree. The 36-month program is offered in combination with online and on-campus classes. While the first 18 months of the program entail completing didactic courses, the remaining 18 months require you to complete clinical experiences in all areas of nursing anesthesia.

In the first year of this certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Illinois, you’ll learn about various concepts in anesthesia, including, chemistry & physics, clinical correlations, health assessment, physiology & pharmacology, translational research, health policy, economics & finance, leadership, quality & outcomes management, and the foundations of interprofessional practice. During the second year, the coursework mainly covers advanced principles of anesthesia. The second year also entails completing a clinical seminar, and doctoral project planning.

In the third year, you’ll mainly complete a clinical seminar, a clinical residency, and a doctoral project. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to take the CRNA certification exam.

Admission Requirements: Admission into Rosalind Franklin University’s CRNA program is a competitive process. Offered in a cohort format, the program takes in a limited number of students each year. To be considered, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The school also requires you to submit your resume, a personal goal statement, transcripts, and a copy of your RN license. Additionally, applicants are also required to have at least one year of nursing experience in critical care.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Rosalind Franklin University CRNA Students

• Rosalind Franklin University CRNA’s program offers ample clinical experiences in its advanced simulation lab which is situated in the Northwestern Medicine Huntley Hospital.
• Rosalind Franklin University CRNA students are provided with interprofessional learning experiences outside the classroom. You’ll interact with students from over 30 health disciplines, practicing together as teams in service learning projects. Graduates leave this CRNA school, well-prepared to work in a variety of interprofessional healthcare settings.
• Rosalind Franklin University CRNA students are provided with a wide range of community service opportunities, where they provide anesthesia care to underserved populations in Chicago.
• Rosalind Franklin University’s CRNA program is offered in small-sized classes that enroll a diverse student population. The culture of diversity and inclusion helps in producing culturally competent nurse anesthetists who are equipped with the relevant skills to provide care to Chicago’s diverse patient population.


4. Millikin University - Decatur


Programs Offered: DNP-NAP


About the School: Millikin University influences the future workforce of nurse anesthetists by offering one of the sought-after CRNA programs in Illinois. With an emphasis on real-world training, the school trains competent CRNAs who become leaders in the field of nursing anesthesia. In collaboration with the Decatur Memorial Hospital, the school prepares CRNAs who are prepared to face the complex challenges of anesthesia care.

Program Overview: Millikin University’s DNP-NAP program is designed for BSN graduates who are seeking the highest level of clinical training in nursing anesthesia. The practice-focused CRNA program leads to the CRNA certification exam. The 88-credit coursework spans three years of full-time study.

This certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Illinois includes 2400 hours in clinical practice and clinical residency. The program emphasizes clinical training and offers a total of 3069 clinical hours, including simulation training. The curriculum includes core DNP courses, core anesthesia courses, and clinical courses. Some of the topics covered include nursing research, evidence-based practice, health policy & systems, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced nursing practice. The clinical courses train you in various areas of anesthesia, including pediatrics, obstetrics, neurological, cardiothoracic, and pain management.

Admission Requirements: To be considered for admission into Millikin University’s DNP-NAP, you must foremost have a BSN from an accredited university. Also, your GPA must not be less than 3.0. The school also requires you to possess an RN license which is valid and current in Illinois. Additionally, you must have ACLS, BLS, PALS, and CCRN certifications. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit your resume, a personal goal statement, three recommendation letters, and official transcripts.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Millikin University CRNA Students

• Millikin University CRNA program has a record of an excellent pass rate, having 100% of graduates passing the CRNA certification exam on the first attempt.
• Millikin University CRNA students are in demand across regional employers, little surprise that all of the program graduates get placed within six months of graduation.
• Millikin University CRNA students study in small-sized classes where individualized attention is facilitated. Students benefit from close interaction with faculty and peers, building strong personal and professional connections.


5. Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville - Edwardsville


Programs Offered: DNP


About the School: Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville offers one of our other featured CRNA programs in Illinois. High-quality education along with affordability are some of the reasons this school is the preferred choice for CRNA students in Illinois. Over the years, the school has shaped the careers of its diverse student population coming from all parts of the nation.

Program Overview: Southern Illinois University’s DNP-CRNA program is an 80-credit curriculum that spans three years. This CRNA program in Illinois comprises rigorous didactic and clinical training to ensure students are well-prepared for any type of patient scenario.

During the first year of the program, you’ll learn about chemistry & physics, biostatistics, epidemiology, advanced human physiology, advanced human pathophysiology, and evidence-based knowledge. In the second year, the program takes you through concepts in the theoretical foundations of nurse anesthesia, and doctoral project design & management. The third year, which mainly comprises clinical training, requires you to complete practice experiences and a doctoral project.

Admission Requirements: Admission into Southern Illinois University’s DNP-CRNA program is open to BSN graduates who have a GPA of at least 3.0. The program also requires you to hold an active RN license. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must submit a resume, your transcripts, a personal goal statement, and three professional references. The program also requires you to have at least one year of critical care nursing experience.

Must-Know Highlights For Potential Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville CRNA Students

• Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville CRNA school is a military-friendly school that offers several benefits to students coming from a defense background.
• Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville CRNA program receives generous grants for its innovative research projects that are carried forward by its faculty members. CRNA students are provided with plenty of opportunities to get involved and gain valuable clinical insights.
• Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville CRNA program offers several financial aid and scholarship opportunities to make your CRNA education affordable.


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


What are the Total Number of Accredited CRNA Schools in Illinois?

As per the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), currently there are 5 accredited CRNA schools in Illinois that offer a total of 6 Nurse Anesthesia programs.

Program Type #
MSNA0
DNAP 5
Post-Master's Certificate 0
DNAP Completion 1
Total 6



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