We don't publish a list of the "worst" CRNA schools, because no reliable data supports one. Instead, check every program for clear warning signs. These include accreditation problems, high attrition, low first-time pass rates, thin clinical training and poor communication.
All of these can be checked using public information. This guide shows you where to look and what to ask.
Red flag 1: Accreditation problems
The COA standards state that graduating from an accredited program is a prerequisite for national certification. Check every program on the COA's list of accredited programs and its review dates table.
What to look for
- Probation. The COA can put a program on probation for not meeting its standards. A program on probation may not admit new students. It must tell current and prospective students in writing within seven business days of a final probation decision. The COA list marks probation with a date.
- Closure or teach-out. Programs sometimes close voluntarily, with a teach-out plan for current students. In 2026, Otterbein/OhioHealth, Lourdes University and the Allegheny School of Anesthesia closed. The Tornetta School/La Salle program closes on December 31, 2026.
- Not yet accredited. Under COA standards, a new program must become accredited before it admits students. Check the COA's upcoming reviews page for programs still in review.
- Short review intervals. Established programs are reviewed at intervals of up to 10 years. A much shorter time to the next review can be worth asking about, though it is not always a bad sign.
No program on the COA's July 2026 list was shown on probation. Status can change, so check again before you apply and before you pay a deposit.
Red flag 2: High attrition
Attrition is the share of students who leave before finishing. The COA requires each program to publish it every year for the most recent graduating class.
- Compare several years, not just one class.
- In a small class, one or two students leaving can change the figure a lot.
- Ask why students left. Academic dismissals, clinical problems and personal reasons mean different things.
If a program does not post attrition, or posts it in a way you can't find, ask the program directly.
Red flag 3: Low first-time pass rates
The first-time pass rate on the National Certification Examination (NCE) shows how well a program prepares students. Nationally it was 90.5% in 2025, 89.3% in 2024 and 84.9% in 2023.
The COA sets an 80% pass rate requirement for programs. It is calculated using the most recent class, then the last three classes, then by counting some second attempts within 60 days of graduation.
- A program well below the national rate deserves questions.
- A single weak year can happen. A pattern is more concerning.
- Ask what support the program gives for board preparation.
Red flag 4: Weak clinical training
Your clinical years are where you learn to give anesthesia. Warning signs include:
- Few clinical sites or sites that change often.
- Students finding their own sites without program support.
- Long gaps in rotations while the program arranges placements.
- Limited case variety, such as little cardiac, obstetric, pediatric or regional experience.
- Students struggling to reach case minimums. The COA sets minimum hours and case counts that every student must meet.
- Unsafe hours. The COA limits students to 64 hours per week, averaged over four weeks. It also requires 10 hours of rest between shifts and caps patient care at 16 hours in a row.
Ask current students how close they are to their case numbers and whether rotations ever fall through.
Red flag 5: Poor communication
How a program treats you as an applicant is a preview of how it may treat you as a student. Watch for:
- Outcome data that is missing, out of date or hard to find
- Unclear or changing costs and fees
- Vague answers about clinical sites or travel
- Emails and calls that go unanswered for weeks
- Pressure to pay a large deposit before you have the facts
The COA requires "truth and accuracy" in program recruiting, admissions, catalogs and advertising. Programs must also have fair, timely processes for complaints and appeals.
How to check a program in 30 minutes
- Find it on the COA accredited programs list and review dates table.
- Open the program's published outcomes: attrition, employment and first-time pass rate.
- Compare the pass rate with the national figure for the same year.
- Read the curriculum and clinical site pages.
- Add up the full cost, including living and travel.
- Email two or three specific questions and see how fast and how clearly they reply.
- Ask to speak with a current student or recent graduate.
If you have concerns about a program
Start by raising the issue with the program, following its complaint process. If it is not resolved, the COA accepts complaints about accredited programs that relate to its standards. Check the COA website for the current process.
FAQ
Which CRNA schools have the lowest pass rates?
Programs publish their own first-time pass rates on their websites. Compare each program you are considering against the national rate for the same year.
Is a newly accredited program a red flag?
No. New programs meet the same standards. They have less outcome data, so ask more questions about clinical sites and faculty.
What happens to students if a program closes?
Programs closing voluntarily must have a COA-approved teach-out plan, so current students can finish. Ask any program how it would protect students in that case.
Where can I compare good programs?
See best CRNA schools and our full list of accredited programs.
Sources
- COA: List of accredited educational programs (July 8, 2026)
- COA: Accredited programs, next and last review dates
- COA: Accreditation decisions, nurse anesthesia educational programs
- COA: Program closures
- COA: Upcoming accreditation reviews
- COA Standards for Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Programs, Practice Doctorate (effective January 2026)
- COA Accreditation Policies and Procedures Manual (revised June 2026)
- NBCRNA: Annual NCE and SEE report 2025