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Anesthesiologist assistant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an anesthesiologist assistant. Anesthesiologist assistants usually study nursing, medicine, or biology. 37% of anesthesiologist assistants hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 277 real anesthesiologist assistant resumes to see exactly what anesthesiologist assistant education sections show.

The most common colleges for anesthesiologist assistants are the New York University and the New York University.

There are also many online anesthesiologist assistant courses to help get the education required to be an anesthesiologist assistant.

There are certain anesthesiologist assistant certifications that you should consider. These anesthesiologist assistant certifications include Anesthesiology and Medical Assistant.

What education do you need to become an anesthesiologist assistant?

What degree do you need to be an anesthesiologist assistant?

The most common degree for anesthesiologist assistants is bachelor's degree, with 37% of anesthesiologist assistants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 17% and associate degree degree at 15%.
  • Bachelor's, 37%
  • Associate, 17%
  • Doctorate, 15%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Other Degrees, 20%

What should I major in to become an anesthesiologist assistant?

You should major in nursing to become an anesthesiologist assistant. 23% of anesthesiologist assistants major in nursing. Other common majors for an anesthesiologist assistant include medicine and biology.

Most common colleges for anesthesiologist assistants

Anesthesiologist assistants often get their degrees at New York University, Case Western Reserve University, and Nova Southeastern University. Here are the most common colleges for anesthesiologist assistants in the US based on their resumes.
Anesthesiologist assistant common collegePercentages
New York University8.33%
Case Western Reserve University8.33%
Nova Southeastern University8.33%
University of Dayton5.56%
Emory University5.56%

Best majors for anesthesiologist assistants

RankMajorPercentages
1Nursing22.5%
2Medicine20.0%
3Biology15.0%
4Medical Technician5.8%
5Education4.2%

Best colleges for anesthesiologist assistants

The best colleges for anesthesiologist assistants are Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

An anesthesiologist assistant with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for anesthesiologist assistants. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become anesthesiologist assistants.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

20 best online courses for anesthesiologist assistants

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1. Medical Emergencies: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation

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5. Medical Emergencies: CPR, Toxicology, and Wilderness

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6. Pain Management: Easing Pain in Palliative Care

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Top 10 most affordable universities for anesthesiologist assistants

The most affordable schools for anesthesiologist assistants are University of Florida, california state university - bakersfield, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for anesthesiologist assistants are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for anesthesiologist assistants.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

10. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for anesthesiologist assistants

The hardest universities for anesthesiologist assistants to get into are Stanford University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for anesthesiologist assistants are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for anesthesiologist assistants based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

8. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

9. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

10. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for anesthesiologist assistants

The easiest schools for anesthesiologist assistants to get into are Barry University, d'youville college, and oklahoma wesleyan university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an anesthesiologist assistant without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for anesthesiologist assistants.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

4. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

6. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

7. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

8. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

9. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

10. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

Average anesthesiologist assistant salary by education level

According to our data, anesthesiologist assistants with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $281,438 annually. Anesthesiologist assistants with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $265,513.
Anesthesiologist assistant education levelAnesthesiologist assistant salary
Master's Degree$281,438
Doctorate Degree$265,513

Anesthesiologist assistant education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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