CRNA Schools in Ohio

Looking to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) in Ohio? Read on to learn about all the CRNA schools in Ohio, as well as their admission requirements, tuition, and more. 

How to Become a CRNA in Ohio

So, you want to become a CRNA in Ohio? Here is the full checklist:

• Earn your BSN/RN
• Work as an RN in critical care for at least one year
• Apply to an accredited CRNA program. (Your RN experience must be relevant to admission as well)
• Earn your DNP as a CRNA

To become a CRNA in Ohio, you must first become a registered nurse (RN). The easiest route for future CRNAs would be to enroll in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program because any RN who wants to become a CRNA will need a bachelor’s degree. RNs with associate degrees will need to earn their BSN before applying for a CRNA program.

After earning their BSN and successfully becoming registered nurses by passing the NCLEX, RNs must work a minimum of 1 year (and often 2-3 years) in a critical care unit to meet the admissions requirements to apply for CRNA school. 

Currently, CRNAs with a master’s or doctoral degree are allowed to work in Ohio. However, all graduating CRNAs nationwide must have a doctorate as of 2025, so all new CRNA students will need to apply to doctoral CRNA programs. All six of the accredited CRNA programs in Ohio are doctoral pathways. 

CRNA Schools in Ohio

Ohio offers six accredited programs, including a mixture of public and private institutions. The state is considered a desirable one for CRNA training because many areas in Ohio are attended by CRNAs as the sole providers, allowing students hands-on and dedicated learning. 

1. Cleveland Clinic School of Anesthesia

• Location: Cleveland, OH
• Program Cost: $2,133 per credit
• Degree offered: DNP
• School Type: Private

Cleveland Clinic is renowned worldwide for its top-notch medical care and research. This particular program works in partnership with Case Western Reserve University, so graduates of their doctoral CRNA program receive their DNP from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a nurse anesthesia certificate from the Cleveland Clinic. 

All students who are accepted into this program receive a grant that covers 20% of their tuition costs. 

2. Frances Payne Bolton – Case Western Reserve University

• Location: Cleveland, OH
• Program cost: $2,425 per credit
• Degree offered: DNP
• School type: Private

Case Western Reserve University also has its own CRNA program, where students work one-on-one with a CRNA preceptor. 

Unlike the Cleveland Clinic program, the Frances Payne Bolton program is university-based, but students in both share classroom and clinical spaces. The program accepts 15-20 students every year, with the program beginning in June. 

3. Lourdes University

• Location: Sylvania, OH
• Program Cost: $11,500 per semester
• Degree offered: DNP
• School Type: Private

The CRNA program at Lourdes encompasses nine semesters, including the summer, with an additional week of exams. The University switched to a DNP program in 2022, prior to which it boasted a 100% post-graduation employment rate. One cited goal of the program is to produce graduates who reflect Franciscan values and best practices within their scope as CRNAs. 

4. St. Elizabeth Health Center/Youngstown State University

• Location: Youngstown, OH
• Program cost: $51,437.94
• Degree offered: DNP
• School type: Private 

This 36-month DNP CRNA program is a co-op between Youngstown State University and St. Elizabeth Health Center School for Nurse Anesthetists, Inc. The St. Elizabeth Center for CRNAs was established in 1947, so it has a long-standing reputation for excellence. 

Students learn under currently practicing CRNAs at Bel Park. Annually, the program begins in May, and out of the 35-40 applicants offered interviews, 20 students are accepted every year, with five alternates. 

5. The University of Akron

• Location: Akron, OH
• Program Cost: $37,800-$51,240
• Degree offered: DNP
• School Type: Public

The University of Akron’s CRNA program is 36 months long with a 33-month clinical residency. The program combines in-person, online, and simulated learning. Applications must be completed by August 1st, with interviews taking place in October of the same year and the program beginning the following year. 

6. University of Cincinnati*

• Location: Cincinnati, OH
• Program cost: $128,052
• Degree offered: DNP
• School type: Public

The CRNA program at the University of Cincinnati is the fourth oldest CRNA program in the United States, so it offers a vast history of preparing CRNAs for clinical practice. There are multiple clinical sites for students, many within walking distance, and students are exposed to a wide variety of clinical experiences from OB to trauma to pediatrics. The program also accepts transfer credits in some situations. 

Admission Requirements for Ohio CRNA Programs

Program admission requirements vary by school, but generally, most programs require the following:

• Minimum of 2 years of critical care experience
• Minimum (undergraduate cumulative) GPA 3.0
• Official transcripts from ALL postsecondary schools
• Official GRE transcripts
• CRNA or anesthesiologist shadow experience
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of intent
• Official school application
• Official CV/resume
• Current RN license

Read our guide to CRNA school requirements to learn more about what it takes to get into a CRNA program.

How Hard is CRNA School in Ohio?

CRNA school is challenging, time-consuming, and stressful regardless of what program you attend. Completing a CRNA program requires a higher level of learning and processing than a BSN degree. 

How Long is CRNA School in Ohio?

CRNA programs in Ohio are 36 months (3 years) long and include full-time didactic and clinical coursework in both online and in-person formats. However, students complete clinicals and simulations in person. Because students must complete classes according to a specific progression, CRNA students follow a strict educational pathway.

What to Expect Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Ohio

CRNA Salary in Ohio

CRNAs earn a national average annual salary of $203,090 or $98.93 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Ohio CRNA salaries fall just below the national average, making $197,630 annually, or $95.01/hour.

Career Outlook

The BLS predicts a 38% growth in nurse anesthetist jobs over the next decade, faster than other occupations. Currently, there are 3,490 CRNAs employed in Ohio. From 2022 to 2023, there will be a need for 4,500 more nurse anesthetists nationwide.

CRNA Jobs in Ohio

Facilities with operating rooms, emergency rooms, and intensive care units need CRNAs. Some places nurse anesthetists can work in Ohio include the following:

• Medical and surgical hospitals
• Critical access hospitals
• Mobile surgery centers
• Pain clinics
• Outpatient care centers
• Offices of plastic surgeons, dentists, ophthalmologists, pain management specialists, and other medical professionals
• U.S. military medical facilities

Next Steps for Becoming a CRNA in Ohio

Becoming a CRNA, regardless of the state, is a serious commitment. Programs in Ohio are 36 months long with few breaks, which can be emotionally and physically stressful.

If you want to become a CRNA, consider speaking to an admissions counselor and shadowing a current CRNA. This will give you first-hand experience of the day-to-day responsibilities.

For more information on what it takes to be a nurse anesthetist, check out these helpful guides:

• CRNA Schools by State
• Top RN to CRNA Programs
• CRNA vs. Anesthesiologist
• What Does a Nurse Anesthetist Do?

FAQs

• How many CRNA programs are there in Ohio?
  
  • There are currently five accredited CRNA programs in Ohio. 
• How much do CRNA schools in Ohio cost?
  • CRNA programs range in price from roughly $$37,800 to over $128,000, depending on the program. 
• How long is CRNA school in Ohio? 
  • CRNA school is 36 months in Ohio. 
• How many CRNAs are in Ohio?
  • Currently, there are 3,490 CRNAs employed in Ohio.
• How much do CRNAs in Ohio make?
  • Ohio CRNA salaries fall just below the national average of $203,090, making $197,630 annually, or $95.01/hour.

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