Top 20 Easiest CRNA Schools To Get Into Near You 2024

Published July 14, 2023 · · Updated May 8, 2024 · 15 minutes · by Kamerpower ·

Top 20 Easiest CRNA Schools To Get Into Near You 2024

Top 20 Easiest CRNA Schools To Get Into Near You. Getting into CRNA school can be difficult and competitive. Are you looking to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), but you are unsure what are the easiest CRNA schools to get into? This article will give you the Easiest CRNA Schools. 

The average CRNA acceptance rate from all nursing anesthesia schools in the US is 26%. These nursing anesthesia schools are considered less competitive in terms of acceptance rate, but are by no means does that mean it’s easy to be admitted.

Universities With easiest CRNA programs to get into.

• WVU CRNA program.
• State University of New York CRNA
• Arkansas State University.
• Missouri State University CRNA.
• Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes
• LSU CRNA Program
• Mayo Clinic CRNA. 
• University of Southern Mississippi.
• Youngstown State University.
• University of Cincinnati CRNA.
• Uniformed Services
• Antillean Adventist University
• Army Graduate CRNA .
• Old Dominion CRNA .
• AdventHealth
• Minneapolis School of Anesthesia.
• Gannon CRNA.
• Lincoln Memorial CRNA.
• Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia.
• Rosalind Franklin CRNA.

What is CRNA?

CRNA stands for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Their job is to support anesthesiologists in anesthetizing patients. CRNAs analyze the subject’s condition, current treatment, and allergies. They then decide which is the best way to anesthetize the patient.

A CRNA earns on average over $175.000 per year. Even a junior CRNA should be able to get 6 figures per year, though of course it depends on many factors.

How Long Are The Easiest CRNA Online Schools To Get Into?

Completing one of the easiest online CRNA schools to get into can vary from program to program. The average program length for most programs is around three years. Of course, this will depend on whether you attend full-time or part-time and how quickly you move through each course. For example, Samford University’s program is three years in length. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s easy to get into online CRNA program is also three years in length.

Top Easiest CRNA Schools to Get Into 2024

1. University of Pittsburgh

The competition in Pittsburgh is much higher.  Here are the requirements for getting into this university, assuming you are coming from a BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing):

• A personal essay in which you talk about your relationship with nursing, your expectations from the program, and future career goals.
• Three letters of recommendation, one of which from a current supervisor.
• Completion of the GRE exam, with outstanding score in Verbal & Quantitative section, as well as a score of above 3 in
• Analytical Writing.
• CV or resume.
• A GPA of at least 3.0
• At least 1 year of full-time ICU/critical care nursing experience.

2. University of North Carolina at Greensboro – Greensboro, NC

School Acceptance Rate is 88%. You will need to earn a minimum GPA of 3.2 to be considered for admission into the CRNA program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Applying for this easy to get into online CRNA program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro requires more than just the basics. While a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is required, you’ll also need to get your GRE or MAT scores rolling – which should be competitively above 50% – to stand out.

3. Case Western Reserve University

Case Western is a private research university located in Cleveland, Ohio. It’s quite hard to get into. Last year, the acceptance rate was only of 27%. The requirements to get into Case Western Reserve University are as follow:

• Three references from people who can attest to your ability of conducting doctoral work.
• Resume or CV.
• Graduation from an accredited college with a GPA of at least 3.0
• Official transcripts from the schools you attended.
• Two years of recent critical care experience, or one year of critical experience with specialty certification. The website specifies what constitutes “critical experience”, so I suggest checking the “Nurse Anesthesia DNP” page to find out more about this requirement.

4. University of North Dakota – Grand Forks, ND

Are you looking for the easiest online CRNA program to be accepted into? Then you should take a look at Westminster College. School Acceptance Rate is 87%. The 90-credit program takes place over three years. It combines coursework in evidence-based practice, leadership, healthcare economics, collaboration, informatics, knowledge of systems, and healthcare policy with specialized nurse anesthesia practice education. 

You will need is to show that your academic performance has been good and consistent by having a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applying to the online CRNA program at Westminster College? You will need to have a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited program, be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the U.S., have at least one year of critical care nursing experience, complete courses in Statistics and Organic/Biochemistry, submit a personal statement and three letters of recommendation. 

5. University of Arizona – Tucson, AZ

School Acceptance Rate is 85%. If you wish to enter this University, you will need to ensure that you have earned a 3.0 or higher GPA in your nursing courses. Additionally, you must have achieved a C or better and an overall 3.0 or higher GPA within 10 years of the application deadline in areas such as Chemistry, Biology, Human Anatomy & Physiology, and Statistics.

Pursuing the online CRNA program at the University of Arizona is an attractive prospect for many individuals. To be a part of this exciting program, one needs to fulfill certain criteria such as a BSN and R.N. license, along with submitting three references, official transcripts, and your CV. It’s also important to note that you must have completed a minimum of 1800 hours of ICU work in Cardiac, Burn, or Trauma units but does not include Neonatal ICU or Emergency Room.

6. Wake Forest School of Medicine

Wake’s CRNA program has an acceptance rate of 30%. In 2020, about 12.500 people applied and 3.700 were admitted. The minimum requirements aren’t actually that much higher compared to those of the other two universities. It’s just that there are way less available spots compared to how many people apply each year, making the program competitive. The requirements are as follows: 

• A GPA of at least 3.0
• Successful completion of undergraduate courses in:
  • Biostatistics or statistics. 
  • Chemistry. 
  • Health assessment. 
• Completed the GRE exam with a score of at least 300.
  At least 2.080 hours of experience in an ICU or coronary care unit. For the record, that’s 1 year of full-time employment.

7. Westminster College – Salt Lake City, UT

To be considered for admission into this CRNA program at Westminster College, you will need a 3.2 GPA. How to Get Into Westminster College CRNA School? The online CRNA Program at Westminster College has set standards you must meet to be accepted. For starters, there’s a $50 application fee, and enrollment requires an in-depth submission of all college transcripts showing a baccalaureate degree. Sure, it doesn’t have to be nursing, but it is strongly preferred.

8. Bloomsburg University – Bloomsburg, PA

Getting accepted into this easy to get into online CRNA program at Bloomsburg University is an incredible opportunity to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. To ensure you’re up to the challenge, you’ll need a 3.2 GPA or higher to be considered for admission. Applying to the easy to get into online CRNA program at Bloomsburg University will surely have you getting all your ducks in a row. With a list of specific requirements, you will need to ensure you have collected all of your important documents and prepare for the admission process. You’ll need an undergraduate degree in nursing from an accredited school and transcripts from all post-secondary schools attended, plus proof of your current nursing license.

9. Marquette University – Milwaukee, WI

School Acceptance Rate is 82%. Marquette University does not list a minimum GPA for its CRNA program. If you are unsure if your GPA will cut it, it is best to contact an admissions counselor. How to Get Into Marquette University CRNA School? Pursuing a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) requires dedication and determination – and meeting the admission requirements for the online CRNA program at Marquette University is an important first step! To ramp up your career, you’ll need to have earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree in nursing, obtained a current U.S. nursing license, and provide official transcripts demonstrating knowledge of health assessment, nursing research, and statistics (all within the last five years) as well as three letters of recommendation, three essay responses, and work experience in critical care – a minimum of one year (or its part-time equivalent).

10. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota – Winona, MN

If you are considering taking the plunge and applying to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s CRNA school, you better be sure you have a 2.75 cumulative overall GPA to qualify to be considered for admission. For those dreaming of pursuing a career in Nurse Anesthesia at Saint Mary’s University CRNA school, you will need to meet some admission requirements first. Prospective students will need to thrill the committee with their credentials: having obtained a baccalaureate degree, along with transcripts impeccably showing off a Science and Math GPA (3.0 or above).

11. Newman University – Wichita, KS

Applicants need an overall GPA of 3.0 or better or a 3.2 in the last 60 credit hours, and a minimum science/math GPA of 3.0 or higher is strongly recommended.Applying to the CRNA program at Newman University is an option for any nurse with an unrestricted nursing license. Whether you have a bachelor’s degree in nursing (the University’s preferred requirement) or another discipline, you are eligible to apply – plus, you’ll need to provide evidence of taking a statistics course using both parametric and nonparametric methods.

12. Gannon University – Erie, PA

School Acceptance Rate is 79%. The GPA requirements for this program are twofold. You will first need an overall cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of your undergraduate coursework. You will also need a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate math and science courses. To get into Gannon University CRNA School, you must have a BSN from an accredited program and full-time critical care experience for two years. Furthermore, you must provide official transcripts and scores from the Graduate Record Examination. Plus, three certifications: PALS, ACLS, and BCS — might sound intimidating, but they will help ensure that you provide safe and knowledgeable care when your patients need it most. 

13. Rhode Island College – Providence, RI

School Acceptance Rate is 81%. If Rhode Island College is one of the easy to get into online CRNA schools that you are considering applying to, ensure you have a 3.0 GPA in your undergraduate coursework. Rhode Island College also prefers that you have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in your science courses. To be considered for admission into this easy to get into online CRNA program, you’ll need a baccalaureate degree in nursing and transcripts to prove it, plus proof of completed courses such as a statistics course with a minimum grade of C and an organic chemistry course within the past 7 years. 

14. University of Alabama at Birmingham – Birmingham, AL

For students wanting to take advantage of the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Online CRNA program, you must have earned a 3.0-grade point average from your undergraduate career. Getting accepted into the online CRNA program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham isn’t something you can do immediately. Some prerequisites must be met first. You need a BSN and an unrestricted R.N. license in whatever state you plan on studying. A grade point average is important, too, with at least a 3.0 for the science prerequisite courses being expected, as well as a grade of a ‘C’ or higher for all other prerequisite courses.

15. Oakland University – Rochester, MI

You will need a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 to be considered for admission. Applying for the online CRNA program at Oakland University requires you to get your ducks in a row! As if having your BSN and a 3.0 undergraduate overall science GPA aren’t enough, you also need to have coursework that passes muster: Anatomy and Physiology (no less than 5 credits), Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or Organic Chemistry (3 credits each), plus a minimum of one year of work experience in an ICU setting.

16. University of Detroit Mercy – Detroit, MI

School Acceptance Rate is 79%. The minimum GPA requirement for the easy to get into CRNA program at the University of Detroit Mercy is a 3.0. This program relies heavily on their GPA requirement as a measure of how successful you will be in their program. To qualify for admission, applicants must have graduated from an accredited nursing program, have either a Baccalaureate or Master’s entry degree in Nursing, and have a valid nursing license. In addition, applicants must show at least one year of recent professional experience as a registered nurse in the United States working in critical care.

17. The University of Tennessee-Knoxville – Knoxville, TN.

School Acceptance Rate is 78%. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is needed to apply to this easy to get into CRNA program. To get into the University of Tennessee-Knoxville CRNA School, one must satisfy several conditions to fulfill the admission requirements for The University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s online CRNA program. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree or a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is mandatory.

It’s worth noting that those with a cumulative GPA beneath 3.3 must also take the Graduate Record Examination and attain what is quite optimistically described as “competitive” scores in both verbal and quantitative components – essentially, a combined total score of 297 or higher is expected.

18. Augusta University – Augusta, GA

School Acceptance Rate is 83%. If you feel that Augusta University is the perfect match for you, then be sure that you meet their minimum requirement of a 3.0 overall GPA to be considered for admission. To be accepted into this University’s easy to get into online CRNA program, you should have earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or prelicensure Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Additionally, you must provide your official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a resume. If you’re lucky enough to possess an MSN/CNL overall GPA of 3.6 or higher OR if you graduated from a Pass/Fail university with a BSN degree, don’t worry about taking the GRE! But for everyone else, it is required – and you’ll need to score at least 300 on the GRE to qualify for admission.

19. West Virginia University – Morgantown, WV

School Acceptance Rate is 84%. To be accepted into the CRNA online program at West Virginia University, you must meet the minimum requirements of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for both nursing courses and all college courses attempted in the past. The online CRNA program at West Virginia University certainly doesn’t cut corners regarding admission requirements. You will need to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 3 credits in undergraduate statistics, 1-2 years of critical care experience, and a valid R.N. license.

20. Samford University – Birmingham, AL

School Acceptance Rate is 84%. Suppose you think the CRNA program at Samford University is a good fit for you. In that case, you will need a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be considered for admission into the program. This program has a straightforward admission process. For example, those wishing to apply must have an unencumbered RN licensure and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Along with a total score of 300 or higher on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the past five years and a minimum score of 153 in verbal, 144 in quantitative and analytical writing 4.

What CRNA program has the highest acceptance rate?

1. Antillean Adventist University CRNA Acceptance Rate is 63%.
2. Army Graduate CRNA Acceptance Rate is 62%.
3. Uniformed Services CRNA Acceptance Rate is 95%
4. Old Dominion CRNA Acceptance Rate is 50%
5. AdventHealth CRNA Acceptance Rate is 46%.
6. University of Southern Mississippi CRNA acceptance Rate is 40%.
7. Youngstown State University CRNA acceptance Rate is 40%
8. University of Cincinnati CRNA acceptance Rate is 40%.
9. Gannon CRNA acceptance Rate is 40%.
10. Minneapolis School of Anesthesia CRNA acceptance Rate is 44%.
11. WVU CRNA program acceptance Rate is 43%.
12. State University of New York CRNA acceptance Rate is 41%.
13. Arkansas State University CRNA acceptance Rate is 40%.
14. Lincoln Memorial CRNA acceptance Rate is 40%.
15. Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia acceptance rate is 39%.

Prerequisites before applying to the Easiest CRNA Schools

1. Graduate from Accredited BSN and MSN Programs

This is the first thing you must do before even considering applying to CRNA programs. You must have an accredited Bachelor of Nursing Science. While an ADN is typically enough for applying to most nursing programs, a BSN is the absolute minimum you’ll need for CRNA school.

2. Then Become a Register Nurse (RN)

Licensing requirements vary from state to state. However, most require the same exact thing. An MSN and a certain number of practice hours of combined theory and clinical practice. What varies between states is the number of hours.

3. Improve Your GPA

GPA requirements vary between schools, but CRNA schools are extremely competitive, so don’t even consider applying if your GPA isn’t over 3.0. Some people might be able to get in with a lower GPA, but these are outliers. They have outstanding applications in other areas, but having an outstanding GPA is easier.

4. Work on Your GRE Scores

Many schools will require proof of you taking the GRE exam. Few schools mention the minimum score they accept, but don’t expect anything below 300 to net you an admission. Having a high GRE score is crucial for nurses. Learning to communicate effectively with patients is important, since you will have to get them to tell you about their medical history and allergies.

5. Get a work Experience

1 year of experience working in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) is the absolute minimum, but 2 years are recommended. This is one of the things that will make you stand out compared to other students. Every single school requires you to have worked as a Registered Nurse for at least a year before applying. But you can improve your chances of being accepted into a CRNA school by adding more time to your real-world experience.

6. Get References

References are always a plus when it comes to getting accepted into school. It also combines nicely with the advice about getting relevant work experience. Get a reference from the nurse anesthetist you shadow; it’s going to give your application a huge boost in credibility.

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