South College vs The University of Tennessee Health Science Center CRNA program
A side-by-side comparison of two nurse anesthesia programs: cost, acceptance rate, NCE pass rate, attrition, clinical cases and admission requirements.
Key differences
- Higher NCE pass rate: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (87% vs 82%).
- Lower attrition: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (4% vs 13%).
- Lower total cost: The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, by about $62,065.
On our overall Everything CRNA Score, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center comes out ahead (52 vs 29). The best fit still depends on where you want to live, the format you prefer and the cost of living.
Everything CRNA Score (out of 100)
First-time NCE pass rate
Attrition
Total tuition and fees (in-state)
✓ marks the better figure where higher or lower is clearly better.
| South College | The University of Tennessee Health Science Center | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Knoxville, TN | Memphis, TN |
| Everything CRNA Score | 29 | 52 |
| Admission Odds Index | 57 | 52 |
| Degree | DNP | DNP |
| Format | Front-loaded | Front-loaded |
| Length | 36 months | 36 months |
| Next start | January 2028 | June 2027 |
| Deadline | Rolling | Priority: July 15, 2026; Final: August 15, 2026 |
| Total cost | $144,760 | $82,695 |
| Out-of-state total | - | $178,095 |
| Acceptance rate | - | 14% |
| Class size | - | 20 |
| NCE pass rate | 82% | 87% |
| Attrition | 13% | 4% |
| Employment (6 months) | 100% | 100% |
| Average clinical cases | - | 768 |
| Clinical sites | 19 | 11 |
| Minimum GPA | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| GRE | Not required | Not required |
| CCRN | Required | Required |
| Shadowing | 16 hrs | Not required |
| NICU accepted | - | Case by case |
| PICU accepted | - | Case by case |
| BSN required | Yes | Yes |
| NursingCAS | Yes | Yes |
| Application fee | $85 | $85 |
| US News rank (2024) | #135 | #33 |
Want to compare different programs? Use the comparison tool, or see all programs in Tennessee.
Data: Everything CRNA School Finder data (October 2026), compiled from program websites and admissions offices. "-" means not published.