Nurse Anesthesia: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Nurse Anesthesia is an advanced clinical specialization that equips registered nurses with the expertise to deliver and manage anesthesia care across diverse surgical and medical settings. This rigorous program prepares professionals to lead in high-acuity environments by integrating scientific knowledge with hands-on clinical decision-making.
- Biochemistry and physics of anesthesia: Explores the molecular and physical principles governing anesthetic agents, including gas laws, drug delivery systems, and metabolic pathways involved in anesthetic action.
- Advanced anatomy and physiology: Focuses on detailed structural and functional systems of the human body, with emphasis on cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological systems critical during anesthesia.
- Clinical pharmacology of anesthetics and adjunctive drugs: Examines the mechanisms, dosing, interactions, and side effects of anesthetic and supportive medications used in perioperative care.
- Pain management: Covers both acute and chronic pain assessment, multimodal treatment strategies, and the role of anesthesia in long-term pain control.
- Acute care and operating room practice: Develops proficiency in managing complex patient conditions within dynamic surgical environments, emphasizing real-time clinical judgment and coordination.
- Clinical technology and procedures: Involves mastery of advanced monitoring equipment, anesthesia delivery systems, and invasive techniques essential for safe and effective care.
- Emergency intervention: Trains students in rapid response to critical events such as cardiac arrest, airway compromise, and severe hemodynamic instability.
- Patient assessment and education: Emphasizes comprehensive pre-anesthesia evaluation, risk stratification, and informed consent processes to optimize patient outcomes.
- Legal and ethical issues in anesthesia practice: Addresses regulatory standards, professional accountability, informed consent, and the legal responsibilities inherent in anesthesia care delivery.
Nurse Anesthesia Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Nurse Anesthesia Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Nurse Anesthesia degrees, including Nurse Anesthetists and Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 124,600 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Anesthetists 29-1151 | $223,210 | $137,230 - $239,200 | 50,350 | $107.31 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1072 | $79,940 | $47,950 - $130,040 | 74,250 | N/A |
Nurse Anesthesia Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $75,420 in Idaho to $170,645 in New Jersey—a 126% difference. The highest-paying states include New Jersey, Oregon, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 124,600 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Nurse Anesthesia by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 73 institutions offering Nurse Anesthesia programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Nurse Anesthesia is found at Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) (100 graduates), Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc (MTSA) (91 graduates), Texas Christian University (TCU) (85 graduates), Missouri State University, Springfield (57 graduates), and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) (56 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,960 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
100 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | txwes.edu |
| Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc (MTSA) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
91 | Madison, Tennessee | Private | mtsa.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional)
|
85 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
57 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
56 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| Professional University Dr. Carlos J. Borrero Rios (UPCJBR) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
53 | Hato Rey, Puerto Rico | Private | upcjbr.university |
| Midwestern University (MWU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Professional)
|
46 | Glendale, Arizona | Private | midwestern.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
41 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
37 | North Chicago, Illinois | Private | rosalindfranklin.edu |
| Mount Marty University (MMU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
34 | Yankton, South Dakota | Private | mountmarty.edu |
| Baylor University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
34 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
33 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
33 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Samford University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
31 | Birmingham, Alabama | Private | samford.edu |
| Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
31 | Cleveland, Ohio | Private | case.edu |
| Saint Vincent College |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
31 | Latrobe, Pennsylvania | Private | stvincent.edu |
| Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | web.musc.edu |
| AdventHealth University (AHU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
30 | Orlando, Florida | Private | ahu.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
30 | Flint, Michigan | Public | umflint.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
28 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Marian University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
28 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | marian.edu |
| Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science |
Doctorate (Other)
|
28 | Rochester, Minnesota | Private | college.mayo.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
28 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| University of Tulsa (TU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
28 | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Private | utulsa.edu |
| Union University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
28 | Jackson, Tennessee | Private | uu.edu |
| Samuel Merritt University (SMU) |
Master's
|
27 | Oakland, California | Private | samuelmerritt.edu |
| Northeastern University (NU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
27 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
| Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Houston, Texas | Private | bcm.edu |
| Arkansas State University (A-State) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
26 | Jonesboro, Arkansas | Public | astate.edu |
| Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | ccsu.edu |
| Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University (FranU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
26 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Private | franu.edu |
| Albany Medical College (AMC) |
Master's
|
25 | Albany, New York | Private | amc.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
24 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| Wayne State University (WSU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
24 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
| Westminster University |
Master's
|
24 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Private | westminstercollege.edu |
| Inter American University of Puerto Rico (UIPR) |
Master's
|
24 | Arecibo, Puerto Rico | Private | arecibo.inter.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
23 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| Webster University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
23 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
| Otterbein University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
23 | Westerville, Ohio | Private | otterbein.edu |
| Dewey University |
Master's
|
23 | Hato Rey, Puerto Rico | Private | dewey.edu |
| University of New England (UNE) |
Master's
|
22 | Biddeford, Maine | Private | une.edu |
| Bryan College of Health Sciences |
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Private | bryanhealthcollege.edu |
| La Salle University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
22 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | lasalle.edu |
| University of Scranton |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
22 | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Private | scranton.edu |
| Metropolitan State University |
Master's
|
21 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Public | metrostate.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
21 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Duke University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
21 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Master's
|
21 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Newman University |
Master's
|
20 | Wichita, Kansas | Private | newmanu.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHealth) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Houston, Texas | Public | uth.edu |
| Youngstown State University (YSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Youngstown, Ohio | Public | ysu.edu |
| National University (NU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
18 | San Diego, California | Private | nu.edu |
| Drexel University |
Master's
|
18 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Fairfield University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
16 | Fairfield, Connecticut | Private | fairfield.edu |
| University of Evansville (UE) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
16 | Evansville, Indiana | Private | evansville.edu |
| Loma Linda University (LLU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Loma Linda, California | Private | llu.edu |
| Emory University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
15 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
15 | Portland, Oregon | Public | ohsu.edu |
| Gonzaga University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
15 | Spokane, Washington | Private | gonzaga.edu |
| Millikin University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
14 | Decatur, Illinois | Private | millikin.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Master's
|
14 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Clarkson College |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
14 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | clarksoncollege.edu |
| Gannon University |
Master's
|
13 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | gannon.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) |
Master's
|
12 | Harrogate, Tennessee | Private | lmunet.edu |
| Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
11 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | barnesjewishcollege.edu |
| Lourdes University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
10 | Sylvania, Ohio | Private | lourdes.edu |
| Cedar Crest College |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
10 | Allentown, Pennsylvania | Private | cedarcrest.edu |
| Rhode Island College (RIC) |
Master's
|
10 | Providence, Rhode Island | Public | ric.edu |
| The University of Tennessee (UTC) |
Post-Master's
|
2 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | utc.edu |
| Keiser University |
Doctorate (Professional)
|
1 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Private | keiseruniversity.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Nurse Anesthesia programs
How much can I earn with a Nurse Anesthesia degree?
Salaries for Nurse Anesthesia graduates vary by role and location. Nurse Anesthetists earn a median of $223,210 annually, while Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $79,940. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Jersey average $170,645 compared to $75,420 in Idaho. Approximately 124,600 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Nurse Anesthesia programs?
Currently 73 accredited institutions offer Nurse Anesthesia degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Texas Wesleyan University (TXWES) (100 graduates), Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia Inc (MTSA) (91 graduates), and Texas Christian University (TCU) (85 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Nurse Anesthesia growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,728 in 2010 to 1,960 in 2023-24. This represents a 13% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Nurse Anesthesia degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Nurse Anesthetists, Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 124,600 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Health Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Health field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Healthcare Innovation
A program that prepares individuals to innovate solutions and lead change within a healthcare organization. Includes instruction in innovation management, medical device development,...
Healthcare Information Security
A program that prepares individuals for careers in designing, implementing, and administering comprehensive privacy and security protection programs in all types of healthcare...
Health and Medical Administration
Any instructional program in health and medical administrative services not listed above.
Medical Assistant
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians, to provide medical office administrative services and perform clinical duties including patient intake...
Clinical Laboratory Assistant
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of physicians or laboratory scientists or technologists, to perform waived testing procedures (Clinical Laboratory Improvement...
Occupational Therapy Assistant
A program that prepares individuals, under the supervision of occupational therapists, to direct patient participation in skill-enhancing, learning, and motivational tasks; correct or...