Written By Jolene Latimer
Updated on January 31, 2025
Are you on the path to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)? This versatile career path can be a highly compensated specialty in outpatient clinics or surgical hospitals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for this profession is $214,200 as of the latest data in May 2023. But becoming a CRNA requires extensive training, including a doctorate degree, which is why many students want to know the cheapest CRNA schools they can attend.
Related: CRNA Salary: Is It Worth the Debt?
How much does CRNA school cost? As you'll see in the list below, it is highly dependent on whether you choose a public or private school.
Read more about your options below to better understand the total cost.
10 Cheapest CRNA public schools
When researching the cheapest CRNA schools, consider the cost of tuition, the time required for program completion and the cost of living where you intend to go to school. The cost of public CRNA programs varies widely, starting in the $40,000 range up to six-figures.
Here are the top 10 most inexpensive public schools for becoming a nurse in the United States, based on 2024-25 in-state tuition and fees.
10. University of North Dakota
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition and fees: $106,689
The University of North Dakota is one of the state’s most prominent universities, offering over 225 on-campus and online degrees. The DNP in nurse anesthesia program is a great option if you’re looking for a big CRNA school experience and a low cost of living. Tuition and fees are estimated to be around $35,563 per academic year. However, total credits vary per semester.
9. Rhode Island College – St. Joseph Hospital School of Nurse Anesthesia
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition and fees: $106,652
As the only nurse anesthesia school in the state, the Rhode Island College School of Nursing is focused on, “educating and empowering nurses to enrich the health and well-being of all people.” If you want to live on the East Coast and attend nursing school at a low cost, this school could be an excellent option for you.
8. Florida State University
Degree: Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP)
Total tuition and fees: $92,595
The Florida State University nurse anesthesia program admits 34 students once a year. This nine-semester program includes a scholarly inquiry project that is presented at the local or national level to a body of peers.
7. Carolinas Medical Center
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition and clinical fees: $88,929
Carolinas Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers a DNP with a certificate in nurse anesthesia. Spanning 36 months, this BSN to DNP program allows up to six transfer credit hours from coursework prior to enrollment.
6. The University of Akron
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition and fees: $61,388
One of the highest-ranked CRNA programs in Ohio is the University of Ohio’s BSN to DNP nurse anesthesia program. This degree is completed over 36 months — which includes a 33-month residency.
5. University of Puerto Rico
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Specialty in Anesthesia
Total tuition and fees: $50,800 (Puerto Rico resident), $68,200 (non-resident)
This school might not be appealing to those looking to study in the continental United States. However, the University of Puerto Rico’s DNP with specialty in anesthesia could be the perfect opportunity to get your credentials at a low cost — and improve your Spanish.
4. East Carolina University
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition and fees: $47,283
Named as one of the best nursing schools in the United States by U.S. News and World Report, East Carolina University is a reputable school with low-cost tuition. It offers a diverse range of nursing specialties, including a 36-month nurse anesthesia DNP program.
3. Arkansas State University
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition and fees: $45,000
Arkansas State University offers a relatively inexpensive 36-month nurse anesthesia program. Arkansas’ cost of living also makes this program appealing. According to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, it has the second-lowest regional price parity in the United States.
2. Florida Gulf Coast University
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition and fees: $41,819
Schools in Florida have made the list of cheapest CRNA programs a few times. Florida Gulf Coast University offers extensive scholarships and comparatively low tuition, making it worth the application cost. Its nurse anesthesiology program includes 36-month BSN to DNP and 24-month MSN to DNP tracks.
1. Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia California State University Fullerton
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition and fees: $41,366
Spanning nine semesters (or three years), the Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia emphasizes applying coursework to the real world. Located in Pasadena, California, the cost of living and program length may add to the total cost of your education. DNP students pay an estimated $8,788 per academic year in CSUF tuition and fees, plus $15,000 in Kaiser program fees.
Cheapest private CRNA school
Now that we’ve taken a look at the best public CRNA schools, let’s look at one of the more affordable private schools out there to become a CRNA.
Wake Forest Baptist Health
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition only: $124,085
Offering a BSN to DNP nurse anesthesia program, Wake Forest Baptist Health is a private university in North Carolina. Clinical training under this program includes approximately 800 cases, 2,500 clinical hours and over 50 clinical sites with all anesthesia care delivery models.
Most expensive private CRNA schools
It can be difficult to gauge how much you’re saving by going to a CRNA school that costs less. Let’s get a better idea by comparing the lowest cost of tuition with the highest. Here are some of the most expensive medical school nursing programs in the United States:
University of Pennsylvania
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total estimated cost: $265,978
The DNP-NA program at the University of Pennsylvania is a full-time, 36-month program for current BSN and MSN nurses. While the cost of attendance is high, Penn nursing has been a leader in the science and practice of nursing since 1886.
Cleveland Clinic School of Anesthesia for Nurses
Degree: Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse Anesthesia
Total tuition only: $172,175
Cleveland Clinic is a private university offering both master's and doctorate degrees in nursing. Its 36-month DNP-NA program includes a certificate of nurse anesthesia from the Cleveland Clinic and a DNP degree from Case Western Reserve University. All students are afforded a grant that covers up to 20% of tuition costs.
How do I choose the best CRNA school for me?
When choosing an institution to continue your nursing education, it’s a good idea to do your research. You’ll be able to compare the benefits, location and true value of different CRNA programs while also considering the cost of tuition.
Consider making a pro and con list of your top schools to better evaluate those that best suit your needs as a prospective student. The cheapest CRNA schools may not be the highest on your initial list, but they could be worth looking into.
Keep Reading: Student Loan Refinancing for CRNAs: How Much Would It Save You?
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