Last updated: June 2026 | Researched and reviewed by Daniel Etheridge, CRNA
Pennsylvania has 17 accredited CRNA programs — more than any other state in the country.
That number is changing, though.
Two programs are closing in 2026, which will bring Pennsylvania to 15 accredited Nurse Anesthesia programs heading into 2027.
This guide is a map of every program in the state — where each one is, what degree it awards, and when classes start — so you can quickly shortlist the schools worth a closer look.
Key Takeaways
- Programs in Pennsylvania: 17 COA-accredited nurse anesthesia programs (March 2026), dropping to 15 once two close in 2026.
- Where they are: heavily clustered in Philadelphia (4) and Pittsburgh (4), plus Erie, Scranton, Allentown, York, and several others.
- Degree: most award the DNP; a few award the DNAP. All are now doctoral, entry-level programs.
- Length: most run 36 months; a few run longer (Drexel 39, La Salle 41).
- Closing in 2026: Allegheny School of Anesthesia (Pittsburgh) and the Frank J. Tornetta School at Einstein Montgomery/La Salle (Norristown).
All CRNA programs in Pennsylvania
Every program below is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) as of its March 2026 list.
| School | City | Degree | Length | Class Starts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Crest College | Allentown | DNP | 36 mo | August |
| St. Luke’s University Health Network / DeSales University | Center Valley | DNP | 36 mo | August |
| Geisinger / Commonwealth University (Bloomsburg) | Danville | DNP | 36 mo | May |
| UPMC Hamot School of Anesthesia / Gannon University | Erie | DNP | 36 mo | May |
| Independence Health System / St. Vincent College | Latrobe | DNAP | 36 mo | January |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia | DNP | 39 mo | March |
| La Salle University | Philadelphia | DNP | 41 mo | January |
| Thomas Jefferson University | Philadelphia | DNP | 36 mo | September |
| University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | DNP | 36 mo | May |
| Duquesne University | Pittsburgh | DNP | 36 mo | August |
| La Roche University | Pittsburgh | DNAP | 36 mo | August |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | DNP | 36 mo | January |
| University of Scranton | Scranton | DNP | 36 mo | May |
| Villanova University | Villanova | DNP | 36 mo | January |
| York College of Pennsylvania / WellSpan Health | York | DNP | 36 mo | May |
Two Pennsylvania programs are closing in 2026
If you’re researching older lists, two long-running programs are winding down and no longer accepting new students.
- Allegheny School of Anesthesia (Pittsburgh) — voluntary closure August 31, 2026.
- Frank J. Tornetta School of Anesthesia at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery / La Salle University (Norristown) — voluntary closure December 31, 2026.
We list them here so you don’t waste an application cycle on a program that’s closing. Always confirm a program’s current status on the COA’s official CRNA School Search before applying.
How the programs are spread across the state
Pennsylvania’s programs cluster around its two biggest cities.
Philadelphia anchors the east with Drexel, La Salle, Thomas Jefferson, and the University of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh anchors the west with the University of Pittsburgh, Duquesne, and La Roche.
The rest are spread through mid-sized cities — Erie, Scranton, Allentown, Center Valley, Danville, Latrobe, York, and Villanova — which often means strong regional hospital ties and, in some cases, less application competition than the big-city names.
Pennsylvania CRNA salary & job outlook
Nurse anesthetists are the highest-paid advanced practice nurses in the country, with a national median around $212,650 per year (BLS, May 2023).
In Pennsylvania specifically, CRNAs earn an average of about $209,890 per year, with roughly 2,900 nurse anesthetists employed across the state (BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2023).
Pennsylvania is a deep, stable market with large hospital systems across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the central and northeast regions. With more accredited training programs than any other state, it also supplies a steady pipeline of new CRNAs — so building clinical relationships during school matters for landing the role you want.
Frequently asked questions
How many CRNA schools are in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania has 17 COA-accredited nurse anesthesia programs as of March 2026 — the most of any state. Two are closing in 2026, which will leave 15 going forward.
What degree do Pennsylvania CRNA programs award?
All Pennsylvania programs are now doctoral and entry-level. Most award the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); a few award the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP). Both qualify graduates to sit for national certification.
Which Pennsylvania CRNA schools are in Philadelphia?
Four: Drexel University, La Salle University, Thomas Jefferson University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Pittsburgh has four more, including the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne.
Are any Pennsylvania CRNA programs closing?
Yes. The Allegheny School of Anesthesia in Pittsburgh closes August 31, 2026, and the Frank J. Tornetta School at Einstein Montgomery/La Salle in Norristown closes December 31, 2026. Neither is accepting new students.
Related guides
Comparing nearby states? See our guides to CRNA schools in Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware, or browse them all on our CRNA schools by state hub. For national standards, see the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA).
Disclaimer: For educational purposes only; not affiliated with any listed program or the COA. Verify accreditation status, costs, and deadlines with each program before applying.