CRNA Schools in Florida | 2026

7 Min Read Published December 2, 2025
CRNA Schools in Florida | 2026
CRNA Schools in Florida | 2026

Deciding where to attend a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) school can be overwhelming, but Florida offers a variety of options to students, including a shortened CRNA program available to students with an MSN degree. Learn all about your Florida CRNA program options below!

Nurse.org's Top CRNA Schools in Florida

Our ranking criteria are based on factors such as tuition, acceptance rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and accreditation, and we use the latest and most robust U.S. government data sets, specifically the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the College Scorecard.

School Tuition Program Length Accreditation
AdventHealth University $105,000 total 36 months COA
Barry University $111,350 total 9 semesters COA
Florida Gulf Coast University $373 - $1,301 per credit 2 years COA
Florida International University $79,138 - $137,567 total 36 months COA
Florida State University $85,500 total 9 semesters COA
Keiser University $12,556 per semester 36 months COA
University of Miami $155,000 total 3 years COA
University of North Florida $602 - $1,175 per credit 9 semesters COA
University of South Florida $431 - $922 per credit 9 semesters COA

 

1. AdventHealth University - Orlando

Tuition
$105,000 total
Program Length
36 months
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
No

The CRNA school at AdventHealth University is an intense 36-month program with clinical sites located throughout central Florida. Of note, the program does not follow a traditional trimester pattern with the typical academic breaks. Instead, there are pre-scheduled breaks throughout the program. 

  • Application Deadline: June 1st
  • Contact Info:

2. Barry University - Orlando, Palm Beach, Ocala, South Florida

Tuition
$111,350 total
Program Length
9 semesters
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
Hybrid

A portion of Barry University's Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) curriculum is available via distance learning courses, making this a hybrid online CRNA program. Notably, this program isn't a Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) degree - students earn a DNP with a specialization in anesthesiology. Regardless of this difference, they are still eligible to sit for the national certification exam upon graduation.

Both BSN and MSN prepared nurses are eligible for this program, provided they meet all the admission criteria.

  • Application Deadline: November 1st
  • Contact Info:
Tuition
$373 - $1,301 per credit
Program Length
2 years
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
Hybrid

Florida Gulf Coast University's CRNA program is only available to applicants with an MSN. Because the program requires a graduate nursing education, it's one of the shortest and cheapest CRNA schools in Florida. The program incorporates online coursework with in-person labs, classes, and clinicals, providing a hands on CRNA education with some digital conveniences.

  • Tuition Breakdown:
    • Resident: $373.38 per credit hour
    • Nonresident: $1,300.66 per credit hour
  • Application Deadline: December 15th
  • Contact Info:

Tuition
$79,138 - $137,567 total
Program Length
36 months
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
Hybrid

The program at FIU is highly competitive, admitting only 45 students annually. Since its first graduating class in 2003, more than 400 CRNAs have graduated the program, with 100% finding employment within 4 months of graduation. Interestingly, the FIU Nurse Anesthetist program was inaugurated in 2001 as the first nurse anesthetist program in the State of Florida University System.

  • Tuition Breakdown:
    • Resident: $79,138 total
    • Nonresident: $137,567 total
  • Application Deadline: February 1st
  • Contact Info:
    • Phone Number: (305) 348-7747
    • Email Addresscrna@fiu.edu 

5. Florida State University - Panama City

Tuition
$85,500 total
Program Length
9 semesters
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
Hybrid

FSU offers a robus and immersive DNP program in Florida that blends distance learning with hands-on experiences and clinicals. Students in this program benefit from a diverse and well-rounded clinical education, with access to over 40 clinical sites in the state. Graduates also consistently achieve a 100% first-time board certification pass rate and 100% employment within six months of graduation.

  • Application Deadline: January 15th
  • Contact Info:
    • Phone Number: (850) 872-4750

6. Keiser University - Naples

Tuition
$12,556 per semester
Program Length
36 months
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
No

The anesthesia program at Keiser University is a 90-credit, 36-month program that includes a DNAP capstone course and clinical experience. Courses are 16 weeks in length, and students are scheduled for two to five courses at the same time. The final capstone project must include either a manuscript submitted for publication, a poster presented at a national meeting, a design of an innovative clinical practice model, or other effective means of dissemination.

7. University of Miami - Coral Gables

Tuition
$155,000 total
Program Length
3 years
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
No

100% of graduates of the 2022 CRNA class at the University of Miami passed the certification exam on the first attempt. Students start the 36-month program in January each year and complete clinicals at 13 different sites. All clinical sites are located in South Florida, so students must be local to the University. 

  • Application Deadline: February 1st
  • Contact Info:

8. University of North Florida - Jacksonville

Tuition
$602 - $1,175 per credit
Program Length
9 semesters
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
No

UNF is another solid choice for students interested in an accredited CRNA program. The program boasts outcomes for the 2022 class, including a graduation rate was 100%; an attrition rate was 4%; an employment rate was 96% within six months of graduation; and a first-time pass rate was 88%.

  • Tuition Breakdown:
    • Resident: $601.70 per credit hour
    • Nonresident: $1,175.48 per credit hour
  • Application Deadline: February 1st
  • Contact Info:
Tuition
$431 - $922 per credit
Program Length
9 semesters
Accreditation
COA
Online Options Available?
Hybrid

The program at USF has one of the largest classes in Florida, accepting 60 students in each class. Students start each summer in this 9-semester program that is completed full-time both in-person and online. Accepted students are required to attend an in-person orientation held each spring as well as intensives at the beginning of the summer. 

  • Tuition Breakdown:
    • Resident: $431.43 per credit hour
    • Nonresident: $921.74 per credit hour
  • Application Deadline:
    • Priority: August 15th
    • Final: January 29th
  • Contact Info:

How to Become a CRNA in Florida

After graduating from an accredited CRNA program and passing the national certification exam, you must apply for state licensure in Florida. 

The Florida State Board of Nursing requires the following to apply for licensure: 

  • Valid RN license
  • Completion of an accredited CRNA program 
  • Proof of malpractice insurance or exemption
  • Proof of national advanced practice certification from an approved nursing specialty board
  • $110 application and licensure fee

CRNA Program Overview

Admission Requirements for Florida CRNA Programs

Requirements do vary depending on the program, but all Florida CRNA programs require the following, 

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree (BSN) from an accredited program
  • Active and unencumbered RN licensure 
  • Critical care experience (applicable areas include the emergency room, CVICU, SICU, CCU, MICU, NICU (Level IV only), and PICU as well as trauma and burn intensive care units)
  • Current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Certification (ACLS) Certification
  • Current Pediatric Advanced Life Support Certification (PALS) Certification
  • CCRN required
  • CRNA Shadow Experience 
  • Minimum required GPA
  • Application fee
  • Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) taken within the last five years
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé
  • Official transcripts
  • Letters of reference (professional)
  • Personal statement
  • Interview 

How Hard is CRNA School in Florida?

CRNA programs in Florida are extremely competitive, only accepting 24 to 60 students in each cohort. 

The courses are challenging, and clinicals are demanding, oftentimes leaving students little time for personal lives. 

CRNA programs are fast-paced, with an immense amount of information, including advanced pathophysiology and pharmacology. 

How Long is CRNA School in Florida?

CRNA programs in Florida are roughly 36 months long; however, the program at Florida Gulf Coast University is only 24 months long. 

This is the shortest program available to students in Florida. The reason this is 12 months shorter is that students must already have an MSN before applying to the program. This cuts out some of the generic classes. 

What to Expect Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Florida

CRNA Salary in Florida

CRNAs in Florida earn an average annual salary of $236,610 or $113.75 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nationwide, CRNAs earn an average salary of $223,210 per year, according to the BLS in May 2024.

Career Outlook

Currently, there are 6,140 CRNAs working in Florida. According to the BLS, the expected career growth for nurse anesthetists is 35% (much faster than average) over the next decade.

Where Can You Work? CRNA Jobs in Florida

CRNAs can work in a variety of locations, specifically ones that have operating rooms, emergency rooms, and intensive care units. These may include:

  • Medical and surgical hospitals
  • Critical access hospitals
  • Mobile surgery centers
  • 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 Florida

Becoming a CRNA in Florida requires a significant time and monetary commitment. Before applying, ensure you have all of the requirements, because if not, your application will not be considered. 

CRNAs work closely with other healthcare providers, and Florida offers a variety of public and private programs. 

Nurses Helping Nurses: Why You Can Trust Nurse.org

As the leading educational website for nurses by nurses, Nurse.org is committed to editorial integrity and data-driven analysis. We independently research schools and programs for nurses and strive to write recommendations that genuinely reflect our true opinion of the product or service. Where relevant, our recommendations may incorporate feedback from 500,000+ nurses in our social communities.

✔ Evaluated 1,100+ accredited nursing school programs using the latest U.S. government data sets. Learn more about our ranking methodology

✔ Content written by 80+ licensed, practicing nurses who are experts in their respective specialties. Learn more about our nurse contributors.

✔ Connected 1,500,000+ nurses to educational programs since 2020.

Kathleen Gaines
MSN, RN, BA, CBC
Kathleen Gaines
News and Education Editor

Kathleen Gaines (nee Colduvell) is a nationally published writer turned Pediatric ICU nurse from Philadelphia with over 13 years of ICU experience. She has an extensive ICU background having formerly worked in the CICU and NICU at several major hospitals in the Philadelphia region. After earning her MSN in Education from Loyola University of New Orleans, she currently also teaches for several prominent Universities making sure the next generation is ready for the bedside. As a certified breastfeeding counselor and trauma certified nurse, she is always ready for the next nursing challenge.

Education:
MSN Nursing Education - Loyola University New Orleans
BSN - Villanova University
BA- University  of Mary Washington

Expertise:
Pediatric Nursing, Neonatal Nursing, Nursing Education, Women’s Health, Intensive Care, Nurse Journalism, Cardiac Nursing 

Read More From Kathleen
Go to the top of page