Wake Forest University School of Medicine vs Western Carolina University 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: Wake Forest University School of Medicine (91% vs 87%).
- Lower total cost: Western Carolina University, by about $106,996.
- Easier to get into (acceptance rate): Wake Forest University School of Medicine (16% vs 14%).
- More clinical cases: Western Carolina University (825 vs 800).
On our overall Everything CRNA Score, Western Carolina University comes out ahead (63 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.
| Wake Forest University School of Medicine | Western Carolina University | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Winston Salem, NC | Asheville, NC |
| Everything CRNA Score | 46 | 63 |
| Admission Odds Index | 42 | 46 |
| Degree | DNP | DNP |
| Format | Front-loaded | Integrated |
| Length | 36 months | 36 months |
| Next start | August 2027 | May 2027 |
| Deadline | Priority: March 31, 2026 Second: May 30, 2026; Final: September 1, 2026 | August 1, 2026 |
| Total cost | $181,389 | $74,393 |
| Out-of-state total | - | $122,629 |
| Acceptance rate | 16% | 14% |
| Class size | 24 | 21 |
| NCE pass rate | 91% | 87% |
| Attrition | 0% | 0% |
| Employment (6 months) | 97% | 100% |
| Average clinical cases | 800 | 825 |
| Clinical sites | 14 | 22 |
| Minimum GPA | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| GRE | Required | Required (min. 300) |
| CCRN | Required | Recommended |
| Shadowing | Recommended | Not required |
| NICU accepted | Case by case | Varies |
| PICU accepted | Case by case | Varies |
| BSN required | No | Yes |
| NursingCAS | No | No |
| Application fee | $100 | $65 |
| US News rank (2024) | #15 | #41 |
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.