CRNA programs that don't require the GRE
Only 29 of the 151 accredited programs in our directory require the GRE of every applicant. Another 12 require it only in some cases, usually below a GPA cutoff. 36 say outright that it isn't required, and 73 don't mention it in their admission requirements. Every figure comes from the program's own admissions page, checked September 2026. Policies change between cycles, so confirm before you plan around it.
The 29 programs that require the GRE of every applicant
Each of these says on its own admissions page that GRE scores are required. If you're trying to avoid the exam entirely, these are the programs to plan around.
12 programs that require it only in some cases
Each condition is the program's own, in plain language. Most turn on your GPA — if yours clears the bar, the GRE may not apply to you.
- Augusta University Nurse Anesthesia Program · GARequired if your prelicensure GPA is below 3.6 or your nursing degree is from a pass/fail school
- Georgetown University Nurse Anesthesia Practice · DCRequired if your undergraduate cumulative GPA is below 3.5
- Lincoln Memorial University Nurse Anesthesia · TNRequired if your cumulative GPA is below 3.4
- Medical University of South Carolina Nurse Anesthesia · SCRequired if your cumulative GPA is below 3.6; waived with a master's or higher degree
- Millikin University Decatur Memorial Nurse Anesthesia · ILScores requested if your undergraduate GPA is below 3.0 (the program's FAQ says the GRE isn't required)
- Missouri State University School of Anesthesia · MONot required; accepted in place of the CCRN if you don't yet have enough hours for it
- Northeastern University Nurse Anesthesia Program · MAWaived with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher
- UNC Greensboro Nurse Anesthesia Concentration · NCGRE or MAT required; may be waived for applicants with a master's degree
- Uniformed Services University Nurse Anesthesia · MDOptional with an overall and science GPA of 3.5 or higher
- University of South Carolina Nurse Anesthesia · SCMay be waived with an overall and basic science GPA of 3.5 or higher, or a science master's degree
- University of Tennessee Knoxville Nurse Anesthesia · TNRequired if your nursing GPA is below 3.3
- Villanova University Nurse Anesthesia Program · PARequired if your BSN cumulative GPA is below 3.4
73 more programs don't mention the GRE anywhere in their admission requirements. That usually means it isn't required, but because they don't say so, they aren't listed below — check the program's own page if one is on your list.
The 36 programs that say the GRE isn't required
- Barry University Nurse Anesthesiology Programs · FL
- Cedar Crest College Nurse Anesthesia Program · PA
- Columbia University Nurse Anesthesia Program · NY
- Duke University Nurse Anesthesia Program · NC
- Edgewood University Nurse Anesthesia Program · WI
- Endeavor Health DePaul University Nurse Anesthesia · IL
- Franciscan Healthcare School of Anesthesia La Crosse · WI
- Franciscan Missionaries Our Lady University Nurse Anesthesia · LA
- Goldfarb School of Nursing Barnes-Jewish Nurse Anesthesia · MO
- Hunter-Bellevue CUNY Nurse Anesthesia Program · NY
- Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia · MD
- Keiser University Nurse Anesthesia Program · FL
- Marian University Nurse Anesthesia Program · IN
- Michigan State University Nurse Anesthesiology · MI
- Minneapolis School of Anesthesia · MN
- New Mexico State University Nurse Anesthesiology · NM
- Newman University Nurse Anesthesia Program · KS
- Northern Kentucky University Nurse Anesthesia · KY
- Oregon Health and Science University Nurse Anesthesia · OR
- Rosalind Franklin University Nurse Anesthesia · IL
- Rush University Nurse Anesthesia Program · IL
- UC Davis Nurse Anesthesia Program · CA
- Union University Nurse Anesthesia Track · TN
- University of Detroit Mercy Nurse Anesthesia · MI
- University of Kansas Nurse Anesthesia Program · KS
- University of Maryland Nurse Anesthesia Program · MD
- University of Pittsburgh Nurse Anesthesia Program · PA
- University of Puerto Rico Nurse Anesthesia Program · PR
- University of Southern California Nurse Anesthesia · CA
- University of Tennessee Chattanooga Nurse Anesthesia · TN
- University of Texas at Tyler Nurse Anesthesia · TX
- University of Tulsa Nurse Anesthesia Program · OK
- US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing · TX
- Vanderbilt University Nurse Anesthesia Program · TN
- Virginia Commonwealth University Nurse Anesthesia · VA
- Webster University Nurse Anesthesia Program · MO
Get an honest 0–100 candidacy score against every program above — free, no card.
CRNA programs that don't require the GRE — FAQ
Most don't require it outright. Of the 151 accredited programs in our directory, 29 require the GRE of every applicant and 12 require it only in some cases, usually below a GPA cutoff. 36 say it isn't required, and 73 don't mention it in their admission requirements. Verify on the program's own admissions page — requirements change between cycles.
Only if a program you actually want requires it — including one that requires it below a GPA you don't meet — or if you need it to offset a low GPA at a program that accepts it as a counterweight. Otherwise the same study hours are better spent on the CCRN, a higher-acuity ICU assignment, or shadowing — all of which carry more weight in nurse anesthesia admissions.
Cumulative and science GPA, months and acuity of adult ICU experience, CCRN certification, shadowing, letters of recommendation, and the interview. Boost scores your profile against every program's stated bar so you can see which of those is actually holding you back.
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