Updated January, 2026
CRNA Schools in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is home to CRNA programs at Cedar Crest College – Doctorate of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program, Drexel University, and Duquesne University DNP in Nurse Anesthesia Program. Pennsylvania has one of the largest concentrations of CRNA programs nationally, including public, private, and hospital-based models. Application timelines and degree formats vary widely, so applicants often apply to multiple programs within the state.
Quick Facts About CRNA Schools in Pennsylvania
- Number of CRNA programs: 16 accredited programs
- Degree level: All CRNA programs are delivered at the doctoral level (DNP or DNAP).
- Program length: Pennsylvania CRNA programs typically follow fixed program timelines of approximately 30–39 months.
- Typical admissions profile: Pennsylvania hosts a high number of programs, but admissions remain competitive. Applicants typically present strong ICU experience and solid academic preparation.
- Clinical training: Clinical training is completed through academic medical centers and large hospital systems across Pennsylvania, including programs tied to nationally recognized referral hospitals.
Duquesne University DNP in Nurse Anesthesia Program
Duquesne University’s DNP in Nurse Anesthesia is a rigorous, 36-month graduate program designed to prepare experienced nurses for advanced anesthesia practice through a combination of...
View SchoolIndependence Health System School of Anesthesia / Saint Vincent College
Independence Health System School of Anesthesia at Saint Vincent College offers a 36-month Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program with enrollment of approximately 30...
View SchoolSt. Luke’s University Health Network/DeSales University – Nurse Anesthesia program
The St. Luke’s University Health Network/DeSales University Nurse Anesthesia Program is a recently launched Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) pathway developed through a formal partnership...
View SchoolCedar Crest College – Doctorate of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program
Cedar Crest College’s Doctorate of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program is a 36-month, Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)–accredited pathway designed for...
View SchoolLa Salle University – Nurse Anesthesia
La Salle University’s Post-BSN to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Nurse Anesthesia Program in Philadelphia launched as a standalone program in early 2024 and is...
View SchoolWellSpan Health/York College of Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthesia Program
The WellSpan Health/York College of Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthesia Program is a 36-month, full-time Doctor of Nursing Practice track delivered through a long-standing partnership between York...
View SchoolVillanova University
The Villanova University Nurse Anesthesia Program is a 36-month, full-time Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) track housed within a nationally recognized private Catholic research university,...
View SchoolHamot Medical Center
The UPMC Hamot Medical Center School of Anesthesia is offered in partnership with Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and prepares students for advanced anesthesia practice...
View SchoolUniversity of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, doctoral-level track designed to prepare nurses for advanced anesthesia practice within one of the nation’s...
View SchoolUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, doctoral-level curriculum embedded within an Ivy League academic medical environment and closely integrated with Penn...
View SchoolThomas Jefferson University
The Thomas Jefferson University Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, doctoral-level track delivered in partnership with Jefferson Health that prepares nurses for advanced anesthesia practice...
View SchoolExcela Health School of Anesthesia
The Excela Health School of Anesthesia is a hospital-based nurse anesthesia program located in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and delivered in academic partnership with Saint Vincent College....
View SchoolDrexel University
The Drexel University Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, doctoral-level track offered through Drexel’s College of Nursing and Health Professions and delivered in partnership with...
View SchoolUniversity of Scranton
The University of Scranton Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, doctoral-level track offered through the Panuska College of Professional Studies in partnership with regional hospital-based...
View SchoolGeisinger Nurse Anesthesia Program
The Geisinger Nurse Anesthesia Program is a full-time, doctoral-level program embedded within Geisinger’s integrated, physician-led health system in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Students train within...
View SchoolLa Roche College
The La Roche University Nurse Anesthesia Program offers both an entry-level and a DNAP completion track accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia...
View SchoolCompare CRNA Programs in Pennsylvania
Tuition, timelines, and program-level differences that matter to applicants.
Cedar Crest College – Doctorate of Nursing Practice Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $95,000–$110,000
- Application deadline
- Varies by cycle
Cedar Crest places strong emphasis on admissions readiness, including CRNA observation documentation, multiple professional references, and a formal interview process. Applicants often view this program as highly structured and detail-oriented in evaluation.
Drexel University – Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 39 months
- Estimated tuition
- $140,000–$155,000
- Application deadline
- April / September
Drexel’s longer duration reflects extended doctoral sequencing and program structure. Applicants frequently consider it for academic depth paired with clinical exposure in a major metro region.
Duquesne University – DNP in Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $110,000–$125,000
- Application deadline
- Varies by cycle
Duquesne combines private-university academics with regional clinical training. Applicants often compare it to other Pittsburgh-area options based on clinical site mix and cohort structure.
Excela Health School of Anesthesia
- Degree
- DNAP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $95,000–$110,000
- Application deadline
- September
Excela is a hospital-based training model that appeals to applicants who want a clinical-immersion feel. Program comparisons often come down to case volume and regional clinical pathways.
Geisinger Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $100,000–$115,000
- Application deadline
- July / January
Geisinger’s integrated health system structure gives applicants a single-network training environment with consistent clinical policies, credentialing, and care models across affiliated sites.
Hamot Medical Center – Doctor of Nursing Practice - Anesthesia
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $90,000–$105,000
- Application deadline
- May
Hamot’s model is frequently evaluated by applicants who prefer hospital-centered CRNA training with strong regional clinical integration.
Independence Health System School of Anesthesia / Saint Vincent College
- Degree
- DNAP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $95,000–$110,000
- Application deadline
- Varies by cycle
This partnership structure blends academic coursework with a practice-forward anesthesia training environment, which appeals to applicants looking for a clinical-first program identity.
La Roche College – DNAP
- Degree
- DNAP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $100,000–$115,000
- Application deadline
- December
La Roche is often compared on cohort size and individualized faculty support. Applicants typically weigh this program’s private-college environment against hospital-based alternatives.
La Salle University – Nurse Anesthesia (DNP)
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 41 months
- Estimated tuition
- $125,000–$140,000
- Application deadline
- September 1
La Salle is one of the longer CRNA doctoral pathways in Pennsylvania. Applicants often consider it when they prefer a paced progression through didactic and clinical phases rather than an accelerated structure.
St. Luke’s University Health Network / DeSales University – Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $110,000–$125,000
- Application deadline
- Varies by cycle
This program is anchored in a large health network training model. International applicants should note English proficiency testing requirements (TOEFL/IELTS/CAE) where applicable, since missing score validity windows can delay eligibility.
Thomas Jefferson University – Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $135,000–$150,000
- Application deadline
- June
Jefferson’s academic medical center setting is a major draw for applicants seeking high-acuity clinical exposure in Philadelphia with broad subspecialty case access.
University of Pennsylvania – Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $160,000–$175,000
- Application deadline
- January / June
Penn is frequently selected by applicants seeking an Ivy League academic environment with strong leadership and doctoral scholarship expectations alongside complex clinical training.
University of Pittsburgh – Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $105,000–$120,000 (in-state)
- Application deadline
- January
Applicants often prioritize Pitt for its major academic health system exposure and the balance of public-university tuition against clinical depth in the Pittsburgh market.
University of Scranton – Nurse Anesthesia (DNP)
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $110,000–$125,000
- Application deadline
- October
Scranton’s program is often compared for its smaller-cohort feel and structured academic support. Applicants commonly weigh clinical site geography and travel expectations when evaluating fit.
Villanova University – Doctor of Nursing Practice (Nurse Anesthesia)
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $130,000–$145,000
- Application deadline
- Rolling admissions
Villanova’s rolling admissions can appeal to applicants who want flexibility in timing. Many compare this program based on its Philadelphia-area clinical network and private-university resources.
WellSpan Health / York College of Pennsylvania – Nurse Anesthesia Program
- Degree
- DNP
- Length
- 36 months
- Estimated tuition
- $95,000–$115,000
- Application deadline
- July
This program is closely tied to a regional health system model, which often provides consistent clinical placement structure and a clear practice-community pipeline. The “2 months” timeline seen online is a data error, not a CRNA program length.
Tuition estimates are approximate and sourced from the public information available on each programs website. Tuition does not include fees, books, or living expenses. Applicants should confirm current costs, timelines, and admissions policies directly with each program. If you would like to notify us of a discrepancy on the CRNA Schools in Pennsylvania page, please contact us. Applicants should verify current timelines and costs directly with each program.