Otterbein University CRNA School

Last updated: April 19, 2026  |  Published: April 18, 2026  |  By Daniel Etheridge, CRNASchool.com

Otterbein University CRNA School: Final Class 2026 & What Comes Next

Last Updated: April 2026

🚨 Important Notice: The Otterbein University–OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program is undergoing a voluntary program closure effective June 1, 2026, confirmed by the Council on Accreditation (COA). The Class of 2026 is the final cohort, graduating in May 2026, and no new applications are being accepted. If you’re planning a CRNA career in Ohio, see our CRNA Schools in Ohio guide for all 8 currently enrolling programs.

The End of an Era in Central Ohio CRNA Education

For decades, the Otterbein University–OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program was one of the best-kept secrets in Ohio CRNA education. A perfect 10-year COA accreditation. A five-year attrition rate of 0%. First-time board pass rates routinely at or above the national average. And a 100% employment-within-six-months track record year after year.

Now, that chapter is closing.

Otterbein announced the program’s voluntary closure, with the final class graduating in May 2026 and the program formally winding down on June 1, 2026. For prospective CRNAs who had Otterbein on their shortlist, it’s a tough pivot. For current students, it’s business as usual — the program continues to deliver the same rigorous training that built its reputation.

This page preserves the program’s legacy, walks through what made it special, and — most importantly — points you to the Ohio CRNA schools that are still actively admitting students.

Otterbein University campus in Westerville, Ohio with autumn trees and the iconic Towers Hall — home of the Otterbein CRNA program closing June 2026
Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio — home of the closing Nurse Anesthesia DNP program. [IMAGE PLACEHOLDER 1 — HERO]

Program Information at a Glance (Historical)

Program DetailInformation
Official Program NameOtterbein University–OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program
Degree OfferedDoctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Program Length36 months (9 semesters)
Total Credits101
Class SizeUp to 24 students (Columbus + Dayton cohorts)
Historical Tuition~$104,350 (Otterbein) / $89,000 (COA listing)
Average GPA of Admitted Students3.4 – 4.0
Critical Care ExperienceMinimum 1 year (average 2–6 years)
Certifications RequiredACLS + CCRN (at application)
First-Time NCE Pass Rate96% (Class of 2025); 95% five-year average
Attrition Rate0% (5-year average)
Employment within 6 months100% (5 years running)
AccreditationContinued (COA); perfect 10-year award
Program StatusCLOSING — Final class May 2026 • Voluntary closure 6/1/2026
Location1 S. Grove St., Westerville, OH 43081
Clinical HomeOhioHealth Grant Medical Center, Columbus, OH
Program DirectorBrian Garrett, DNP, MSN, CRNA

What Made the Otterbein–OhioHealth Grant CRNA Program Special

Not every CRNA program earns a perfect 10-year accreditation from the Council on Accreditation. Otterbein did — and for good reason. Three things consistently set this program apart.

A True University–Hospital Partnership

Most CRNA programs are housed entirely within a college of nursing, with clinical rotations scattered across affiliated hospitals. Otterbein did it differently. The program was a genuine joint venture between Otterbein University (a small liberal-arts institution in Westerville) and OhioHealth Grant Medical Center (a Level 1 Trauma Center in downtown Columbus). Students didn’t commute to a hospital for rotations — they lived at the hospital. Didactic classes were delivered inside OhioHealth Grant’s Education Center. Program offices were on the hospital campus. The director had an open-door policy, a few steps from the OR.

That structural intimacy between classroom and clinical site is hard to replicate.

The Columbus + Dayton Dual-Cohort Model

Few CRNA programs run two geographic cohorts simultaneously. Otterbein did. Students were based in either Columbus or Dayton, with Dayton students connecting to the Columbus classroom virtually while completing clinicals at Miami Valley Hospital, Soin Medical Center, Grandview, and Southview. That geographic flexibility opened the door to students who couldn’t relocate to central Ohio — a rarity in nurse anesthesia education.

The “5 Pillars for Success” Philosophy

Otterbein’s admissions process didn’t just screen for GPA and ICU experience. Faculty explicitly looked for character traits — composure under pressure, collaboration, communication, ethical grounding, and resilience — packaged as the program’s “5 Pillars for Success.” Graduates repeatedly described interview day as less of an interrogation and more of a real conversation about who they were as future clinicians.

That emphasis on the human side of anesthesia likely contributed to the program’s remarkable 0% attrition rate.

OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in downtown Columbus Ohio — Level 1 Trauma Center and clinical home of the Otterbein Nurse Anesthesia Program
OhioHealth Grant Medical Center — the clinical heart of the Otterbein CRNA program. [IMAGE PLACEHOLDER 2 — PARTNERSHIP]

Historical Admission Statistics

For the students who got in — and many more who didn’t — here’s what the pool looked like:

  • Applicants per year: 100+
  • Interviews offered: 50–60
  • Seats: Up to 24 (split between Columbus and Dayton)
  • Average GPA of admitted students: 3.4 – 4.0
  • Average ICU experience of admitted students: 2 – 6 years
  • GRE: Encouraged (not required) for applicants with GPA below 3.5
  • CCRN: Required by the application deadline
  • ACLS: Required
  • Stats course: B or higher (B- not accepted)
  • Shadowing: Optional Verification of Observation form

The historical acceptance rate hovered somewhere in the 20–25% range — competitive, but not as brutal as a Cleveland Clinic or Ohio State, and that made Otterbein an attractive “realistic reach” for many Midwest applicants.

Clinical Sites (Historical)

One of Otterbein’s quiet strengths was the sheer breadth of clinical exposure. Students rotated through 15+ sites including:

  • OhioHealth Grant Medical Center (primary)
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital (pediatrics)
  • Mount Carmel Grove City
  • OhioHealth Marion General Hospital
  • Knox Community Hospital
  • Adena Regional Medical Center
  • OhioHealth Berger Hospital
  • OhioHealth Doctor’s Hospital
  • OhioHealth O’Bleness Hospital (Athens)
  • OhioHealth Med Central Hospital
  • The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
  • Springfield Regional Medical Center
  • Dayton-area sites: Miami Valley Hospital, Soin Medical Center, Grandview Medical Center, Southview Medical Center

That mix — major metropolitan, pediatric specialty, Level 1 trauma, small rural community hospitals — gave Otterbein grads unusually well-rounded case logs heading into the NCE.

What the Otterbein Closure Means for You

Depending on where you are in your CRNA journey, the Otterbein closure hits differently.

If you’re a pre-CRNA RN who was planning to apply to Otterbein: You’ll need to pivot. The good news is Ohio still has eight actively enrolling CRNA programs, each with its own strengths (see below). Start evaluating them against your criteria — cost, location, GPA targets, program length, and clinical mix — and rebuild your shortlist.

If you’re a current Otterbein SRNA: The program remains fully accredited by COA, and your degree carries the same weight as every class before yours. Graduates from the Class of 2026 will be eligible to sit the NBCRNA National Certification Examination exactly as expected.

If you’re a hiring manager or anesthesia group: The last Otterbein-trained CRNAs enter the workforce in summer 2026. After that, Ohio-trained CRNAs will come from the remaining eight programs.

Ohio CRNA School Alternatives (Currently Enrolling)

Ohio has a surprisingly deep bench of nurse anesthesia programs. Here’s the quick roundup:

➡️ See all 8 CRNA Schools in Ohio — full comparison

Map of Ohio CRNA schools with 8 currently enrolling nurse anesthesia programs including Ohio State, Cleveland Clinic, University of Akron, University of Cincinnati, Ohio University, Ursuline, Lourdes, and Youngstown State
The 8 currently enrolling CRNA programs in Ohio. [IMAGE PLACEHOLDER 3 — OHIO MAP]

Where Should Former Otterbein Applicants Apply Instead?

The honest answer depends on what drew you to Otterbein in the first place.

  • If you wanted the OhioHealth Grant Medical Center clinical experience → Look at Ohio University’s OhioHealth-affiliated program. Same clinical network, different academic home.
  • If you wanted central Ohio / Columbus area → The Ohio State University has the most direct geographic overlap, though it’s brand new and fiercely competitive.
  • If you wanted a smaller private university feel → Ursuline College or Lourdes University most closely match Otterbein’s institutional size and culture.
  • If you wanted a Dayton-based option → This is the hardest replacement. You’d likely need to look outside Ohio to Indiana or Kentucky programs for the closest geographic fit.
  • If you wanted the best value → University of Akron has consistently been Ohio’s most affordable path.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Otterbein University’s CRNA program still open?

No. The Otterbein–OhioHealth Grant Medical Center Nurse Anesthesia Program is undergoing a voluntary program closure effective June 1, 2026, per the Council on Accreditation’s official record. The Class of 2026 is the final cohort. No new applications are being accepted.

Why did Otterbein’s CRNA program close?

The closure was voluntary. Otterbein University has not publicly detailed the full reasoning. Voluntary closures in CRNA education are typically tied to changes in university strategy, hospital partnerships, or resource allocation rather than accreditation issues — and that’s consistent with what COA’s record reflects here (the program’s accreditation status remained “Continued Accreditation” right up to the closure).

Will my Otterbein DNP still be valid?

Yes. The program was COA-accredited throughout its life, and graduates — including the final Class of 2026 — are fully eligible to sit the NBCRNA National Certification Examination and practice as CRNAs nationwide. Your degree carries the same weight as every class before it.

Where’s the closest CRNA school to Westerville now?

The Ohio State University (about 15 miles south in Columbus) and Ohio University’s OhioHealth-partnered program are the two closest options.

What if I was planning to apply to Otterbein for the Class of 2027?

You’ll need to apply elsewhere. All eight remaining Ohio CRNA programs are listed above, along with application deadlines and program-specific details on each school’s dedicated page.

Additional Resources

Disclaimer: Information is for educational purposes only. Program details verified against Otterbein University’s official program page and the Council on Accreditation (coacrna.org) as of April 2026. For the most current information, contact Otterbein University directly.

Last updated: April 2026.