6 Best CRNA Schools in Ohio – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

As a graduate of one of the CRNA programs in Ohio, you’ll earn an average salary of $197,630 a year. Your services will also be in high demand since, in many rural areas throughout the Buckeye State, nurse anesthetists are the primary providers of anesthesia. Employment opportunities for nurse anesthetists are projected to increase by 8 percent in Ohio within the next ten years. CRNAs work in medical centers, ambulatory care clinics, endoscopy units, and plastic surgeons’ practices, and often they’re involved in preoperative and postoperative care as well as surgery. Check out our list of the 6 best CRNA schools in Ohio for 2025.



RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS

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

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 6 Best Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Programs in Ohio (Online & Campus).)

1. University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati


Programs Offered: BSN to DNP and MSN to DNP


About the School: Are you scouting for the best CRNA schools in Ohio that boast of an impressive pass rate on the certification exam? Well then, you are in the right place as the University of Cincinnati’s CRNA program not only takes pride in its graduates excelling at the certification exam but also in all of them securing promising placements soon after graduation.

The college provides diverse clinical experiences at a variety of clinical sites close to the college campus. You will hone professional skills at a Level 1 trauma center, hospitals, and outpatient surgery centers. What’s more, the school’s faculty comprises leaders in the nursing anesthesia field, some of whom are active speakers at the national level. One of the other reasons why this school is among the popular CRNA schools in Ohio is the affordable tuition costs, in addition to the several financial aid opportunities and scholarships that it offers.

BSN to DNP Program Overview: This BSN to DNP program is designed for BSN-prepared registered nurses who are keen on obtaining anesthesia nursing knowledge at the highest possible level. Most students finish this CRNA program in Ohio within three years of full-time study. The program requires completion of 106 to 110 credits, with clinical training beginning in the third semester.

MSN to DNP Program Overview: If you are keen on enrolling in an online CRNA program in Ohio, then this MSN to DNP program can be completed from the comfort of your home. The program is offered full-time for four semesters or part-time for six semesters. You will learn about advanced physiology & pathophysiology, anesthesia machine & equipment, theoretical basis, and quality improvement & patient safety. Other anesthesia-specific courses that you take, educate you on regional anesthesia, obstetric and pediatric anesthesia, and the professional role development in nurse anesthesia. To graduate, you must complete 38 to 39 credits.

Admission Requirements: Similar to other CRNA schools in Ohio, to apply to either of these two CRNA programs, you must have a current RN licensure. You must have worked as an RN in an ICU for at least one year. The college also requires you to have a current CCRN certification. Also, to be eligible to apply, your GPA must be at least 3.4, regardless of whether you enter after a BSN or an MSN.


2. Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland


Programs Offered: MSN and DNP


About the School: Nurse anesthetists form an integral part of the patient care team. If you are a registered nurse aspiring to join the CRNA workforce, then you must learn about Case Western Reserve University’s CRNA program. Counted among the reputable CRNA schools in Ohio, this school prepares advanced practice nurses who are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills to administer anesthesia for various types of surgeries. The college’s alumni have proudly gone ahead to hold significant positions not only in the field of anesthesia but also in the field of nursing. Furthermore, the affordability that this CRNA school offers allows students to complete their nurse anesthesia training without breaking the bank.

MSN Program Overview: If you are an RN prepared with an MSN, then this MSN-CRNA program may be what you are looking for. The coursework trains you in important topics such as the principles of anesthesia, advanced pathophysiology, ethical issues in advanced nursing practice, and leadership quality healthcare within organizations and systems. To graduate, you require completing 40 credits, after which you will be eligible to take the CRNA certification exam.

DNP Program Overview: This nurse anesthesia program in Ohio is a collaborative offering of the Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic. By enrolling in this DNP-CRNA program, you benefit from the expertise of the faculty of two schools and also you enjoy access to vast educational resources. The entire coursework comprises 71 credits and requires three years of study.

Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission into either of these CRNA programs in Ohio, you must foremost have an active RN licensure. To enter the MSN track, you must have a BSN, whereas, for the DNP program, you must be holding a master's in nursing degree. Also, both these programs require that you possess a CCRN certification and have at least two years of critical care experience. Besides, you must have earned a GPA of at least 3.0 in your nursing and science courses.


3. Otterbein University - Westerville


Programs Offered: BSN to DNP


About the School: Do you see yourself as a well-rounded and strong team member of the anesthesia team? If yes, then enrolling in one of the best CRNA schools in Ohio that prepares you for the pressures and challenges of nursing anesthesia practice will be a good idea. Otterbein University is one such CRNA school that builds your character to practice as a competent nurse anesthetic. Here, in addition to gaining clinical proficiency, you will graduate as a responsible, knowledgeable, and multi-literate CRNA.

The college offers didactic training mainly at the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center and complements it with clinical experiences at various sites throughout central and rural Ohio. With the excellent training that they obtain, graduates not only excel on the certification exam but also get suitably placed soon upon graduation.

Program Overview: This BSN to DNP program is a 101-credit coursework that requires nine semesters of full-time study. Like most other CRNA programs in Ohio, the program also incorporates clinical training that gradually begins in the first year and continues throughout the program.

During the first year, you will be trained in advanced pathophysiology, evidence-based, physiology, pharmacology, biostatistics, and the basic principles of anesthesia. You will also take courses in advanced health assessment and leadership for DNPs. In the second and third years, you will build on the foundational concepts of the first year, strengthening your knowledge in advanced practice anesthesia in nursing.

While the DNP core courses are offered online, all the nurse anesthesia theoretical courses are offered on-campus. During this program, you must be prepared to commit 60 hours per week on average, so if you plan to work it is advisable to work part-time, mostly limiting it to the first year of the program.

Admission Requirements: To gain admission into this nurse anesthesia program in Ohio, you must foremost, have a BSN from an accredited college. Also, it is necessary that you hold an active RN licensure in the U.S. To be eligible, the college requires you to have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Additionally, you must have at least one year of full-time working experience in a critical care setting. Besides, you must prove your capability to become a successful nurse anesthetist.


4. University of Akron - Akron


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP


About the School: If you want to enroll in one of the online CRNA schools in Ohio that boasts of a rich history of producing excellent quality nurses, then your search may end with the University of Akron. A well-known CRNA school in the ‘Buckeye State’, here you will complete the didactic courses online and attend the campus only for simulation lab sessions. The college designs its training to meet the changing needs of its diverse student population who seek professional excellence along with the convenience of online classes. The college’s CRNA graduates are known to be in demand in the job market with almost 100% of graduates being placed within six months of graduation.

Program Overview: This 36-month CRNA program is designed for BSN-prepared registered nurses who seek the highest level of training in nursing anesthesia practice. Each year, this CRNA program in Ohio admits 36 to 40 students who report an average GPA of 3.75 in their application. Once, admitted into the program, it is advisable to refrain from working, however, if employed in a critical care unit, then you may continue working part-time only during the first two semesters.

The BSN-DNP program is an intensive 93-credit curriculum that requires completing core courses, nursing anesthesia courses, and DNP courses. In addition, you must complete a DNP internship experience of 540 clock hours. The core courses build your foundation in advanced physiology concepts, policy issues in nursing, and principles of evidence-based practice.

The program then progresses to anesthesia courses that train you in your professional roles as a nurse anesthetist. The DNP courses mainly focus on information management, advanced healthcare statistics, and leadership in healthcare. Out of the total 36 months of the program, 33 months comprise clinical practice.

Admission Requirements: To fulfill the admission requirements into this nurse anesthesia program in Ohio, you must have graduated from an accredited BSN program. You also need to have completed courses in chemistry, anatomy & physiology, and microbiology. You must submit all your transcripts along with a resume and three letters of reference. In addition, to have an active RN licensure, a current ACLS and CCRN certification is required.


5. Lourdes University - Sylvania


Programs Offered: DNP


About the School: Among the best CRNA schools in Ohio, Lourdes University’s nurse anesthesia training is grounded in Catholic and Franciscan values that prepare graduates to succeed both professionally and personally. With a decade of training CRNA students, the college takes pride in 100% of its graduates being suitably placed soon upon graduation. In fact, most of its graduates go on to work in the clinical sites where they have completed their clinical practicum.

Program Overview: This DNP-CRNA program is a 36-month full-time program that is offered on-campus. The program includes extensive clinical training that continues even during the scheduled university breaks. During the first four semesters of the program, you will mainly focus on didactic courses. You then progress to clinical experiences in the remaining five semesters with didactic courses also integrated into the coursework.

The program is intensive and requires completing 97 credits and 2760 clinical hours. The clinical sites that you must visit to complete the practicum requirements are located within a 65-mile radius, with the nearest site being as close as one mile.

The coursework includes courses in scientific foundations for anesthesia, principles for DNP anesthesia, regional anesthesia DNA pain management, translational research design, and synthesis of critical anesthesia concepts.

Admission Requirements: To be able to apply to this nurse anesthesia program in Ohio, you must submit your application online through the college’s web portal. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must have completed courses in anatomy & physiology and inorganic & organic chemistry. Also, the college requires you to have critical care experience and a shadowing experience either with a CRNA or anesthesiologist. Additionally, you must have a current CCRN certification and an active RN licensure.


6. St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc. - Youngstown


Programs Offered: DNP


About the School: St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc. is counted as one of the well-known CRNA schools in Ohio. Established in 1947, the school has ever since trained students under the guidance of an expert faculty who comprise certified nurse anesthetists.

Here, the training confirms to the combined philosophies of both, Mercy Health and Youngstown State University. This alliance enriches learning and creates an environment of excellence. As a graduate of this DNP program, you will earn your doctorate from Youngstown State University and an anesthesia certificate from St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Program Overview: This CRNA program spans 36 months or nine semesters. The coursework is a 97-credit curriculum that includes nine clinical practicums. While clinical experiences are well integrated throughout the program, the first year is mainly theory-focused. The curriculum is evidence-based and includes courses in pharmacology, healthcare biostatistics, principles of anesthesia, ultrasound & radiology, healthcare policy, ethics in advanced nursing practice, and healthcare finance & practice management. The clinical experiences take place at the college’s health center in Ohio and Boardman, and other clinical sites in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Admission Requirements: For admission into this CRNA program in Ohio, you must first apply to St. Elizabeth Health Center and after you are accepted, you must then apply to Youngstown State University. To be admitted, you must fulfill the admission requirements for both these schools. To be considered for admission, you must have a BSN from an accredited college. Also, you must have an active RN license in the U.S. The minimum required GPA is 3.0. Additionally, besides having at least one year of experience in critical care, the college requires you to have a CCRN certification.


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


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

As per the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), currently there are 6 accredited CRNA schools in Ohio that offer a total of 8 Nurse Anesthesia programs.

Program Type #
MSNA 1
DNAP 6
Post-Master's Certificate 0
DNAP Completion 1
Total 8



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