Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center vs Wake Forest University School of Medicine 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: Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center (99% vs 91%).
- Lower attrition: Wake Forest University School of Medicine (0% vs 6%).
- Lower total cost: Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, by about $96,957.
- Easier to get into (acceptance rate): Wake Forest University School of Medicine (16% vs 15%).
- More clinical cases: Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center (860 vs 800).
On our overall Everything CRNA Score, Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center comes out ahead (65 vs 46). 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
Acceptance rate
Total tuition and fees (in-state)
Clinical cases
Seats per class
Completed applications
✓ marks the better figure where higher or lower is clearly better.
| Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center | Wake Forest University School of Medicine | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Charlotte, NC | Winston Salem, NC |
| Everything CRNA Score | 65 | 46 |
| Admission Odds Index | 35 | 42 |
| Degree | DNP | DNP |
| Format | Front-loaded | Front-loaded |
| Length | 36 months | 36 months |
| Next start | May 2027 | August 2027 |
| Deadline | Priority: June 10, 2026; Final: September 10, 2026 | Priority: March 31, 2026 Second: May 30, 2026; Final: September 1, 2026 |
| Total cost | $84,432 | $181,389 |
| Out-of-state total | $138,403 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 15% | 16% |
| Class size | 24 | 24 |
| NCE pass rate | 99% | 91% |
| Attrition | 6% | 0% |
| Employment (6 months) | 100% | 97% |
| Average clinical cases | 860 | 800 |
| Clinical sites | 6 | 14 |
| Minimum GPA | 3.30 | 3.00 |
| GRE | Required (min. 293) | Required |
| CCRN | Not required | Required |
| Shadowing | Not required | Recommended |
| NICU accepted | No | Case by case |
| PICU accepted | No | Case by case |
| BSN required | Yes | No |
| NursingCAS | No | No |
| Application fee | $135 | $100 |
| US News rank (2024) | #33 | #15 |
Want to compare different programs? Use the comparison tool, or see all programs in North Carolina.
Data: Everything CRNA School Finder data (October 2026), compiled from program websites and admissions offices. "-" means not published.