Rounds with Leadership: Safeguarding the Future of PhD Education

Earlier this month, the Association of American Universities (AAU) released its latest data on admissions to PhD programs across disciplines, and the findings are alarming. Major universities across the country admitted 15% fewer students to research-focused doctoral programs in fall 2026, marking the second consecutive year of decline in the PhD student admissions. The new data also show a 12% decrease in overall applications to PhD programs, including a 21% drop in international students. Several reasons cited by AAU for these enrollment losses include financial uncertainties at universities, changes in federal funding for graduate students, and new immigration policy impacting international students. AAU leaders see these numbers as an early indicator that America’s research productivity may be in jeopardy, posing a threat to the STEM workforce, new breakthroughs, and innovation.

Closer to home, AACN can validate that nursing programs are experiencing a similar pattern, with admissions to our PhD programs declining for more than a decade. For the last 11 years, we have seen a near steady drop in student enrollment in research-focused doctorates, with the number of students decreasing from 5,290 to 4,077 (22.9%) from 2015 to 2025. Reasons often cited by schools experiencing PhD enrollment challenges include the rising cost of education; program length; insufficient resources and infrastructure to expand doctoral programs; limited financial support for students; comparable or higher salaries in the clinical setting for positions not requiring a PhD; and a lack of awareness about career opportunities for nurse researchers and scientists.

Prior to the current trend, AACN data show that PhD programs experienced a steady increase in the number of enrolled students, which included growing from 3,070 students in 2001 to 5,290 students in 2014. Interestingly, this enrollment surge persisted for 10 years after AACN endorsed the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree in 2004. More research is needed to determine what barriers exist to expanding pathways to the PhD for currently enrolled students and nurses in the workforce.

AACN has long been a strong advocate for PhD nursing education and will continue to rally support for this terminal degree. Our position statement on The Research-Focused Doctoral Program in Nursing: Pathways to Excellence is used by most PhD programs to guide quality instruction and student success. We have focused a key component of our data collection effort on broadcasting trends in PhD education and its implications to legislators, the media, students, and funders. AACN’s work with Jonas Philanthropies through Jonas Nursing to strengthen the population of doctoral-prepared faculty, leaders, and scientists has provided financial support to 898 PhD nursing students since this strategic collaboration was launched in 2006. AACN has also been intentional about focusing on elevating awareness about the PhD with the nearly 20,000 members of our Graduate Nursing Student Academy who will serve as future leaders of the profession.

In addition, advocating for federal funding for graduate nursing programs, elevating support for nursing research, and identifying the PhD as a professional degree are all critical components of AACN’s federal advocacy agenda. Our members have played an essential role in urging legislators on Capitol Hill and in their home states to support these vital initiatives.

Next up in the policy arena, AACN will be joining with our colleagues at the American Academy of Nursing to host a virtual listening session to help shape the future direction of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR). On August 18 from 11:30 am-12:45 pm (ET), we will host an interactive deans-only discussion titled Advancing Nursing Science Through Community Insight. Following welcome remarks from NINR's Director, Dr. Courtney Aklin, participants will share their insights on scientific priorities, health challenges, and nursing science's role in improving health and healthcare. Attendees will participate in breakout discussions with questions provided to attendees in advance. We encourage AACN deans and directors to register for this important dialogue by the August 14 deadline. Registration will be capped at 100 attendees.

Preserving the PhD in nursing will require a sustained investment in doctoral education and collaborative action among nurse educators, practice partners, students, policymakers, and the broader healthcare community. By working together, we can strengthen nursing science, ensure a robust pipeline of nurse faculty and researchers, and expand our nation's capacity to improve health through innovation and discovery.