3 Best CRNA Schools in Wisconsin – 2025


Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org

Could becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist be the next step in your Wisconsin nursing career? Graduates of CRNA programs in Wisconsin make $230,270 a year on average, and demand for their services is projected to go up by 8 percent in the next 10 years. CRNAs work semi-autonomously as members of the surgical team responsible for ensuring patients stay stable and pain-free during operations. Wisconsin’s CRNA programs have a reputation for being tough, but you’ll graduate with skills that will place you among the most well-respected nursing professionals in the Badger State. More information can be found in this list of the 3 best CRNA schools in Wisconsin for 2025.



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

(Based on our ranking methodology, the following are the 3 Best Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Programs in Wisconsin (Online & Campus).)

1. Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia - La Crosse


Programs Offered: DNP


About the School: Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia is located within the Mayo Clinic Health System, one of the most respected health systems in the nation. The School Anesthesia is not only one of the oldest but also among the best CRNA schools in Wisconsin.

Program Overview: Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia’s CRNA program comprises 81 credits. This CRNA program in Wisconsin is a collaborative effort of the Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) Biology Department, and the Viterbo University School of Nursing. Upon completion of the program, you’ll earn a Master of Science in Biology from UWL, a certificate in nursing anesthesia from the School of Anesthesia, and a DNP from Viterbo University.

The certificate of anesthesia curriculum, comprising 29 credits and 2,528 clinical hours, teaches you concepts in physical assessment, anesthesia basic & advanced concepts, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. The 30-credit master’s coursework includes courses in anatomy, chemistry, electrocardiography, endocrinology, physiology, and pathophysiology. In addition, the 74-credit DNP curriculum entails taking classes in ethics, epidemiology, organizational leadership, and management & quality improvement. The DNP curriculum also requires you to complete a DNP seminar, clinical practicum, and DNP practice project.


Admission Requirements: To qualify for Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia’s DNP-CRNA program, you must be a registered nurse with an accredited BSN. The school also requires you to have nursing experience in critical care. In addition, you’ll require submitting your official transcripts, a resume, a personal goal statement, and letters of recommendation.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia CRNA Students

• Because the Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia is housed within the Mayo Clinic, CRNA students benefit from plenty of interprofessional learning experiences with the students and faculty of other health disciplines.
• Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia CRNA students practice clinical skills in general surgery and specialized procedures. Some of the clinical sites where students gain real-world experience include Gundersen Health System, Winona Health, and Vernin Memorial Hospital.
• Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia’s CRNA program boast of a 0% attrition rate, and an impressive 100% pass rate on the certification exam. The program also records a 100% placement of its graduates.


2. Marquette University - Milwaukee


Programs Offered: Post BSN-to-DNP


About the School: If you are looking for CRNA schools in Wisconsin that offer excellent clinical training, then you must learn about Marquette University. The school not only provides ample simulation training but also offers diverse clinical experiences at its partner clinical sites. The school continues to tie up with several other clinical affiliates to enhance clinical training. Here, through the BSN to DNP program, you’ll gain clinical skills at the highest possible level.

Program Overview: Marquette University’s DNP-CRNA program confers upon you a doctoral degree and makes you eligible to take the CRNA certification exam. The program requires the completion of 91 credits over three years. The cohort model of the program admits 14 students each year. In addition to didactic courses, the program includes clinical rotations at sites within Wisconsin.

In the first year, you’ll complete courses that teach you pharmacology, advanced health assessment, healthcare informatics, nurse anesthesia physiology, and research & evidence. The program also includes courses in nurse anesthesia neurobiology and basic anesthesia principles. Further, you’ll also learn about ethics, and policy & healthcare advocacy.

During the second year, the program includes courses in quality & patient safety, epidemiology, and applied statistics. The second year also entails completing a course in systems leadership.

The third year of this certified registered nurse anesthetist program in Wisconsin mainly consists of a nursing anesthesia residency and nurse anesthesia immersion.

This program provides simulation training starting from the first year itself. Simulation training allows for the simultaneous application of theoretical concepts to practice.


Admission Requirements: As a potential applicant for Marquette University’s CRNA program, you must have a BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0. Further, the program requires you to possess an active and unencumbered RN license in WI. You must also be prepared to submit your official transcripts, three recommendation letters, and a personal goal statement.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential Marquette University CRNA Students

• Marquette University’s DNP-CRNA program is ranked among the best in the nation as per the U.S. News & World Report.
• Marquette University’s DNP-CRNA program offers several financial aid opportunities to make your nurse anesthesia education affordable. You can apply for federal loans, merit-based aid, assistantships, or scholarships.
• Marquette University has more than 100 years of experience in excellent graduate education. In all these years, the school has transformed the lives of several students who come from all across the country.


3. University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh - Oshkosh


Programs Offered: BSN-to-DNP


About the School: University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh is one of the well-known CRNA schools in Wisconsin. Part of the University of Wisconsin System, the school offers CRNA students a huge pool of resources throughout the state. Besides, ensuring excellent quality education, the school offers personalized support in its small-sized classes.

Program Overview: UW Oshkosh’s DNP-CRNA program is a 90-credit curriculum that spans 36 months of full-time study. The program equips you with the highest level of clinical skills. You’ll learn about evidence-based courses, informatics, leadership, and health policy.

The first two semesters of this CRNA program in Wisconsin consist of didactic courses that form a foundation for advanced topics. Initially, you’ll learn about anatomy, advanced human physiology, advanced health assessment, pharmacotherapeutics, and advanced pathophysiology. From the third semester onwards, you’ll also engage in clinical practice.

In the second year, the clinical courses are integrated with didactic courses. The didactic courses mainly include the basic & advanced principles of nursing anesthesia.

The third year comprises didactic courses in healthcare systems, policy & advocacy, healthcare informatics, and organizational leadership & health policy. The third and final year also requires you to complete your clinical practicum, DNP scholarly project, and final oral & written comprehensive exams.


Admission Requirements: If you are planning to apply for UW Oshkosh’s DNP-CRNA program, then you must foremost have a BSN with a GPA of at least 3.0. Further, your RN license must be current and unencumbered in WI. The school also requires you to possess active certifications in BLS and ACLS. To complete your application, you must submit three professional references, your official transcripts, a resume, and a personal goal statement.


Must-Know Highlights For Potential University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh CRNA Students

• The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh CRNA students practice clinical skills in its state-of-art simulation lab. The close-to real patient care environment safely provides ample hands-on training.
• Being a public university, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh charges a competitive tuition fee for its CRNA program. In-state students study at an affordable cost, however, for out-of-state students, the cost may be higher.
• University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh CRNA program is taught by an experienced faculty who are committed to your professional and personal goals.


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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


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

As per the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA), currently there are 3 accredited CRNA schools in Wisconsin that offer a total of 3 Nurse Anesthesia programs.

Program Type #
MSNA0
DNAP 3
Post-Master's Certificate 0
DNAP Completion 0
Total3



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