10 Best CRNA Schools in Pennsylvania – 2025
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Would you like to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist in Pennsylvania? Be prepared to work hard. The curriculum taught in CRNA programs in Pennsylvania is among the hardest of all APRN curricula. Once you graduate, you’ll become an invaluable member of a surgical team charged with providing patients with pain relief and maintaining the patency of patient airways during surgical operations and other invasive procedures. In the Keystone State, CRNAs average salaries of $203,620 and are expected to see a jump of 13 percent in employment opportunities throughout the next decade. Interested in finding out more? Get started with the guide below to the 10 best CRNA schools in Pennsylvania for 2025.
RECOMMENDED ONLINE NURSE PRACTITIONER PROGRAMS
WHAT ARE THE BEST CRNA SCHOOLS IN PENNSYLVANIA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2025?
(Based on our
ranking methodology, the following are the 10 Best Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Programs in Pennsylvania (Online & Campus).)
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP
BSN-to-DNP Program Overview: University of Pittsburgh is one of the best CRNA schools in Pennsylvania that prepares students to succeed as nurse anesthetists and healthcare leaders. The school’s BSN to DNP program is meant for baccalaureate-prepared registered nurses who are seeking to become CRNAs.
The program comprises 84.5 credits and is offered as full-time coursework. Offered on-campus, the program takes three years to complete. In addition to didactic courses, the curriculum also includes more than 2500 hours of clinical training. While the national average to administer anesthetics is 600, here the CRNA students work on more than 800 cases.
The BSN to DNP-CRNA curriculum includes 42 core credits and 42.5 credits in nurse anesthesia-related courses. Some of the topics covered include applied statistics, pathophysiology, human genetics & clinical applications, ethics in healthcare, evidence-based practice, and the application of healthcare informatics in healthcare. In addition, the CRNA-related courses teach you the basic and advanced principles of anesthesia practice. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the CRNA certification exam.
MSN-to-DNP Program Overview: If you are a CRNA with a master’s degree, then this program is right for you. By enrolling in this MSN to DNP program, you’ll complete online courses to earn a terminal nursing degree. Because this certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Pennsylvania is offered 100% online, students can continue with their current CRNA practice.
The 36-credit program requires you to take classes in health informatics, human genetics, leadership development, database management, organizational & systems management, and ethics in healthcare. The full-time program, in addition to preparing you for leadership roles in anesthesia management, also includes a course in CRNA education. Besides, CRNA students also complete anesthesia clinical experiences and a DNP project.
Admission Requirements: To apply for the University of Pittsburgh’s BSN to DNP program, you must have an accredited BSN with an active RN license. On the other hand, if you are applying to the MSN to DNP program, you must have an active CRNA license and an MSN from an accredited university.
To complete the other admission requirements, regardless of the program you are applying to, you must submit your resume, recommendation letters, a personal goal statement, and all your official transcripts.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Pittsburgh CRNA Students
• The University of Pittsburgh CRNA students practice clinical skills in a variety of clinical settings. Some of these experiences are in unique settings to prepare students for anesthesia practice in any type of clinical environment.
• The University of Pittsburgh CRNA program has been leading simulation training for nurse anesthesia students not only in the state but also in the nation. The simulation lab is a state-of-art facility that provides students with the full scope of clinical practice.
• The University of Pittsburgh CRNA program ranks in the nation’s top 10 CRNA programs as per the U.S. News & World Report.
2. University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: DNP-NA
Program Overview: If you are keen on enrolling in one of the best CRNA schools in Pennsylvania, then the University of Pennsylvania is an excellent choice. Not only does the program offer a rigorous curriculum, but the clinical training it provides is extensive and unique.
The DNP-NA program mainly focuses on the DNP core, anesthesia core, anesthesia research, and anesthesia leadership. The program combines didactic and clinical courses and takes 36 months to complete. The coursework includes courses in pharmacology, advanced physiology & pathophysiology, patient safety & quality improvement, current issues in health & social policy, and research methods & design. Further, the program also covers topics such as basic and advanced principles of nurse anesthesia practice, data analysis, and healthcare informatics. In the final year of the program, you’ll complete a clinical residency and a DNP project.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for the University of Pennsylvania’s CRNA program, you must foremost have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Further, your RN license must be active and unencumbered in PA. This CRNA program in Pennsylvania also requires applicants to have at least one year of critical care experience. To complete your application, you must submit three letters of recommendation, your transcripts, a personal goal statement, and a professional resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Pennsylvania CRNA Students
• The University of Pennsylvania's CRNA program not only reports a low attrition rate but also boasts an almost 100% placement rate. This indicates that most students are satisfied with the learning experience, yielding a positive academic and professional outcome.
• The University of Pennsylvania CRNA program offers several financial aid opportunities, including scholarships, loans, and grants. Also, students coming from the military can avail of military benefits.
• University of Pennsylvania nursing school is known for its innovative research in the field of nursing. CRNA students have the advantage of working closely with faculty and peers on research projects. The research collaboration enhances critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills.
3. Villanova University - Villanova
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
Program Overview: Villanova University, a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education is another one of our featured best CRNA schools in Pennsylvania. The school’s superior quality education has produced competent CRNAs who serve the health needs of their communities.
The BSN to DNP-CRNA program comprises 73 credits and takes 36 months to complete. The curriculum covers topics such as nursing research, transformational leadership, advanced pharmacology, physical assessment, quality improvement, and ethics & law.
The coursework also includes advanced pathophysiology, evidence-based practice, healthcare finance, health policy, and epidemiology. Besides, you’ll complete practicum courses, DNP seminars, and a DNP project. Upon completion of this CRNA program in Pennsylvania, you’ll be eligible to take the CRNA certification exam.
Admission Requirements: Villanova University’s CRNA program is open to BSN-prepared registered nurses who have a GPA of at least 3.0. In addition, you must have a minimum of one year of experience in critical care. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must be prepared to submit your resume, official transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal goal statement.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Villanova University CRNA Students
• Villanova University’s CRNA program is offered in collaboration with Crozer-Chester Medical Center. The joint effort offers students interprofessional learning opportunities in an academic medical center.
• Villanova University CRNA’s students practice clinical skills under the close supervision of faculty. The student-to-faculty ratio of 2:1 ensures personalized attention under the mentorship of either a certified nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist.
• Villanova University’s CRNA students perform exceedingly well on the CRNA certification exam. Moreover, with almost a 100% placement rate, it is rather evident that students are well-groomed for academic as well as professional success.
4. Drexel University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: DNP-NA
Program Overview: Do you want to obtain your CRNA degree from one of the best CRNA schools in Pennsylvania? If so, Drexel University should certainly be on your list. The school produces clinical experts who play impactful roles in anesthesia care.
Drexel’s DNP-NA program is a 39-month program that starts with nine months of online didactic courses. The remaining 30 months are offered on-campus, blending didactic and clinical courses.
During the first year of the curriculum, the program teaches you various topics such as advanced pharmacology, advanced physiology, evidence-based practice, health policy, applied epidemiology, and advanced health assessment & diagnostic reasoning. The program also requires you to take courses in ethics & health law and research designs & methodologies. In the second year of the program, along with didactic courses, you’ll also start with your clinical training. The coursework also includes classes in health information technology and basic & advanced principles in nursing anesthesia.
The third year of the program entails completing your clinical residency. The wide range of clinical experiences that you complete prepare you for nursing anesthesia administration and management in a variety of healthcare settings. During the last three months of this CRNA program in Pennsylvania, you’ll complete an anesthesia practice review.
Admission Requirements: If you are interested in applying to Drexel’s CRNA program, then you must fulfill the eligibility criteria that include having a BSN and a valid RN license. Further, to qualify, the program requires you to have at least one year of experience in critical care. The program also needs you to submit documents including your transcripts, a personal statement, a current resume, and three references.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Drexel University CRNA Students
• Drexel University’s CRNA program provides clinical training at prominent clinical sites in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
• Drexel University’s CRNA program boasts of an excellent employment rate of 100%, having all graduates placed within six months of graduation.
• Drexel University is classified as an R1 research university. This distinction has been earned by a few private universities and Drexel is proudly one of them. CRNA students can explore plenty of opportunities to collaborate with faculty on various research projects.
5. University of Scranton - Scranton
Programs Offered: DNP
Program Overview: The University of Scranton is one of the best CRNA schools in Pennsylvania that produces high-quality nurse anesthetists. The school offers a doctorate of nursing practice in anesthesia. The first year of the CRNA program includes didactic courses that can be taken in person or online, depending on your preference. While the clinical training starts in the second year, the third year entirely focuses on clinical training in varied clinical settings.
The DNP-CRNA program comprising 83 credits, leads to the doctoral degree and CRNA certification exam. The curriculum builds on your BSN degree & RN experiences and includes DNP core courses, anesthesia-related courses, and clinical training. The program covers several topics including advanced pharmacology, research methodology, epidemiology & biostatistics, healthcare informatics, and pharmacology and pathophysiology. The program also teaches you the basic and advanced principles of nursing anesthesia. Toward the end of the program, you also need to complete the DNP project.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for this certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Pennsylvania, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. In addition, you need to possess an active RN license in Pennsylvania or New York. Besides, you must have active certifications in PALS, ACLS, and CCRN. To complete the application, you must be prepared to submit an essay, a resume, recommendation letters, and official transcripts.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Scranton CRNA Students
• The University of Scranton is nationally acclaimed, ranking among the U.S. News & World Report’s top schools in the nation.
• The University of Scranton is a Jesuit institution that offers faith-based education. As a CRNA student, here, you’ll be groomed for professional and personal success.
• University of Scranton CRNA program’s faculty is comprised of highly dedicated educators who have years of practice experience in their field of teaching.
• The University of Scranton CRNA program offers more rigorous clinical training than most other CRNA programs in the state. Students gain real-world experiences by working on more than 900 cases, more than the required number of 600.
• The University of Scranton CRNA program has clinical affiliations with several clinical sites across PA. The wide network of affiliates provides diverse experiences at sites including, the Garnet Health Medical Center, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Veteran Affairs Medical Center, and the St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, to name a few.
6. Bloomsburg University - Bloomsburg
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
Program Overview: If you are aspiring to become a CRNA in PA, then enrolling in one of the reputable CRNA schools in Pennsylvania such as Bloomsburg University will be an excellent idea. Whether you desire affordable tuition costs or a well-rounded education, at this school, you’ll gain top-quality education without burning your pocket.
Bloomsburg’s CRNA comprises 100 credits and requires three years of full-time study. The program includes training in rigorous didactic courses and completing diverse clinical experiences. To prepare you for your role as a certified nurse anesthetist, the program offers courses, covering topics such as community assessment & planning, healthcare informatics, pathophysiology, healthcare economics, and theoretical perspectives of teaching & learning. In addition, the program requires you to take classes in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, and epidemiology. Furthermore, you’ll learn about leadership in complex healthcare systems, biomedical ethics, and the theoretical foundations of anesthesia nursing. In the final year of the program, you’ll mainly complete your clinical training in various clinical settings and specialties.
Admission Requirements: To gain admission into Bloomsburg University’s BSN to DNP-CRNA program, you must have a baccalaureate degree in nursing with a minimum GPA of 3.2. The program also requires you to have an active RN license in PA. To fulfill the admission requirements, you must be prepared to submit three recommendation letters, your official transcripts, a resume, and a personal & professional goal statement. This certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Pennsylvania also requires you to have active certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS. Applicants must also have at least one year of work experience in critical care nursing.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Bloomsburg University CRNA Students
• Bloomsburg University CRNA program reports an excellent pass rate on the CRNA certification exam. In addition, the program also reports 100% employment indicating a successful outcome. Besides, the 0% attrition rate is a good indicator of a satisfactory educational experience.
• Bloomsburg University CRNA program offers affordable tuition costs. The program also offers several financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Further, to help fund your education, the program offers graduate assistantships that you may want to apply to.
• Bloomsburg University CRNA program is delivered at the Geisinger Medical School. The interprofessional environment of the medical school allows CRNA students to collaborate with students from other healthcare fields and helps develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills.
7. Thomas Jefferson University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: DNP-NA
Program Overview: Thomas Jefferson University’s CRNA training prepares you for the full scope of nurse anesthesia practice. Through its DNP-NA program, the school produces leaders who positively impact anesthesia care. The 92-credit curriculum spans 36 months of full-time study.
During the first year of the program, you’ll learn about courses in advanced pharmacotherapeutics, research for advanced practice, chemistry & physics, organizational change in healthcare systems, pharmacokinetics & dynamics, quality measurement & outcomes analysis in healthcare, clinical prevention & population health and basic and advanced nurse anesthesia principles.
The second year of the program also includes clinical training. You’ll also be trained in leadership & interprofessional collaboration. In the third year of the program, you’ll focus on clinical training and also complete didactic courses in crisis management. The third year also includes training in advanced topics in health information. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to take the CRNA certification exam.
Admission Requirements: To apply for Thomas Jefferson’s CRNA program you must fulfill the admission requirements. The program follows a holistic process, reviewing all aspects of your application. To qualify, you must first have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Also, your RN license must be valid and unencumbered in PA. The program also requires you to have active certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS. Additionally, this certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Pennsylvania reviews your official transcripts, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and resume.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Thomas Jefferson University CRNA Students
• One of the well-known CRNA schools in Pennsylvania, Thomas Jefferson University’s CRNA program is taught by faculty members who are nationally recognized and have years of practice experience in the field of nursing anesthesia.
• Thomas Jefferson University CRNA students practice clinical skills in some of the most reputable healthcare systems in the nation.
• Thomas Jefferson University’s program boasts of a 100% employment rate.
8. La Salle University - Philadelphia
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
Program Overview: If you are seeking to enter one of the high-quality CRNA schools in Pennsylvania, then La Salle University is an excellent option. The school’s BSN to DNP program is a comprehensive curriculum that spans 41 months of full-time study. With more than 29 months of clinical training, the program provides diverse clinical experiences to prepare you for the complex challenges of the anesthesia field. While the first 12 months of the program are offered online, the remaining portion of the program is offered on campus.
The 85-credit CRNA program builds on your BSN education and experience as a registered nurse. The program covers several topics such as healthcare economics, health advancement, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, epidemiology, and public policy initiatives. Some of the other classes include professional ethics, statistics & biostatistics, patient safety & health care outcomes, nursing research, and the basic and advanced principles of anesthesia practice. Also, you’ll take complete a course in crisis management and leadership & interprofessional collaboration. Additionally, students complete practicum courses and a DNP project.
Admission Requirements: If you are keen on applying to La Salle University’s CRNA program, then you must be prepared to submit a completed application. Foremost, you must be a BSN-prepared registered nurse with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Further, to complete your application, you must submit your resume, four letters of recommendation, and all your previous transcripts. To qualify, you must also have one year of critical care experience.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential La Salle University CRNA Students
• La Salle University ranks in the U.S. News & World Report in several categories. From great value to quality, to diversity to veteran-friendly, there are several reasons why this school stands out among other CRNA schools in Pennsylvania.
• La Salle University CRNA program not only offers competitive tuition costs but also provides several financial aid opportunities to further cut tuition costs.
• La Salle University’s CRNA program offers personalized attention in small-sized classes where faculty members are invested in your academic and professional success.
9. Gannon University - Erie
Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP
Program Overview: Gannon University offers one of the most sought-after CRNA programs in Pennsylvania. The reason its CRNA program stands out is that it is a hospital-based program offering unparalleled clinical experiences. Designed for BSN graduates, here, CRNA students are trained at the doctoral level.
The BSN to DNP-CRNA program starts with two semesters of online didactic classes, after which you’ll continue to take on-campus didactic courses at the UPMC Hamot campus in Erie. The program is offered as a 36-month continuous coursework, leading to a doctorate and CRNA certification.
The coursework educates you on various topics such as the foundation of research, chemistry & physics for anesthesia, epidemiology, healthcare informatics, advanced physical assessment, advanced physical assessment, leadership & health policy, evidence-based practice, principles in nursing anesthesia, and also learning about the issues in anesthesia practice. In addition, this CRNA program in Pennsylvania also entails competing clinical experiences and a DNP project.
Admission Requirements: For admission into Gannon’s CRNA, you must apply to the UPMC Hamot School of Anesthesia. To qualify, you must be a BSN with at least a GPA of 3.0. The program also requires you to have an RN license in PA. Also, you must possess active certifications in PALS, ACLS, and BCLS. Besides, the program requires you to provide your transcripts, four letters of recommendation, a resume, and an essay.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential Gannon University CRNA Students
• Gannon University’s CRNA program is one of the faith-based CRNA programs in Pennsylvania that prepares graduates for holistic anesthesia care.
• Gannon University’s CRNA program is offered in small-sized classes of not more than 20 students, where personalized attention and individualized mentoring are allowed. Aside from this, students also practice clinical skills under the close supervision of faculty.
• Gannon University CRNA students complete more than 1000 anesthesia cases, more than what students in other CRNA schools do. Also, in the hospital environment, CRNA students do not share space with other healthcare students, thereby allowing for ample rigorous clinical practice.
• Gannon University CRNA students gain real-world training from the diverse clinical experiences at five clinical sites, besides the primary site of UPMC Hamot.
10. York College of Pennsylvania - York
Programs Offered: DNP
Program Overview: York College of Pennsylvania can be a great starting point for a successful career in nursing anesthesia. The school’s passionate faculty and student-centric learning environment prepare compassionate CRNAs who are expert leaders and clinicians.
Its DNP program, leading to the CRNA certification is a 36-month program. The coursework, comprising 102 credits, combines online didactic courses with on-campus lectures and clinical training.
During the first year of the program, you’ll learn topics such as physical assessment, anatomy & physiology, ethics, foundations of anesthesia practice and organizational behavior and systems change. The first year also entails taking courses in nursing research, physical assessment, pharmacology, and principles of nursing anesthesia.
The second year of this CRNA program in Pennsylvania covers topics such as healthcare policy, principles of anesthesia, healthcare informatics, management for quality improvement, and portfolio project development & analysis. Whereas, the third year of the program mainly comprises clinical experiences in various areas of nursing anesthesia. In the final year, students also complete a DNP project and a DNP seminar.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for York College of Pennsylvania’s CRNA program, you must have a BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Further, an active and unencumbered RN license in the U.S. is required. To complete your application, you must be prepared to submit your official transcripts, resume, and three recommendation letters. Further, applicants must also have active certifications in BLS, ACLS, and PALS. Also, at least one year of critical care experience in nursing is required.
Must-Know Highlights For Potential York College of Pennsylvania CRNA Students
• York College of Pennsylvania CRNA program takes pride in having all graduates find suitable placements within 60 days of graduation.
• York College of Pennsylvania CRNA program’s small student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1 allows one-on-one attention and close interaction with students and faculty.
• York College of Pennsylvania CRNA students practice clinical skills in the Kinsley Foundation Medical Simulation Center at WellSpan York Hospital. The state-of-art simulation center offers ample practice in several areas such as basic and advanced anesthesia techniques, epidural training, and nerve block training.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the Total Number of Accredited CRNA Schools in Pennsylvania?
As per the
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), currently there are 14 accredited CRNA schools in Pennsylvania that offer a total of 17 Nurse Anesthesia programs.
Program Type | # |
MSNA | 0 |
DNAP | 14 |
Post-Master's Certificate | 0 |
DNAP Completion | 3 |
Total | 17 |
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