Updated June 2026 · 9 min read

CRNA Programs in Kansas

Part of the CRNA Career Hub — browse every related guide in one place.

Kansas has two COA-accredited nurse anesthesia programs — the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City and Newman University in Wichita. Both are now 36-month doctorates, and Newman in particular reports standout completion and pass-rate numbers. With only two in-state seats, a smart regional strategy matters.

The Kansas Programs

University of Kansas Medical Center

KU Medical Center in Kansas City offers a 36-month Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice accredited both by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) and the Kansas State Board of Nursing. As the anesthesia program attached to a major academic medical center, KU gives students a deep, high-acuity clinical base and the resources of a large teaching hospital. It is the more research- and academic-medicine-oriented of the two Kansas options, which suits applicants who want that environment and can relocate to the Kansas City metro.

Newman University

Newman University in Wichita runs a 36-month Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice that has built a strong reputation for outcomes. The program admits roughly 20 to 25 students per cohort, no longer requires the GRE, and reports excellent results — 0% attrition across 2021–2023, a 100% employment rate within six months for 2023 graduates, and a 90% first-time certification pass rate in 2023. Recent total cost for tuition, fees, and books has run around $116,000 over the 36 months. Newman expects an unrestricted RN license and at least one year (two preferred) of ICU experience.

How to Choose

KU Medical Center offers the academic-medical-center experience in Kansas City; Newman offers a well-regarded Wichita program with strong published outcomes and a no-GRE application. Both are 36-month doctorates leading to the same NBCRNA certification exam, so weigh location, cost, clinical-site mix, and cohort size rather than prestige. Wichita versus Kansas City is itself a meaningful lifestyle and clinical-geography decision.

Application Strategy for Kansas

Two accredited in-state programs is a thin field, so apply to both KU and Newman if you reasonably fit, and consider adding programs in Missouri (including the Kansas City metro across the state line), Nebraska, or Oklahoma to widen your odds. Both Kansas programs expect a strong GPA and adult ICU experience, and most CRNA programs prefer or require the CCRN — address that early with the CCRN guide.

Bottom Line

Kansas has two accredited doctoral CRNA programs — KU Medical Center's DNAP in Kansas City and Newman University's DNAP in Wichita, the latter with notably strong published outcomes. Apply to both, hedge with neighboring states, and verify each program's current figures before applying. For the bigger picture, see CRNA acceptance rates and the CRNA job outlook.