Schools of Nursing See Enrollment Increases Across Most Program Levels, Signaling Strong Interest in Nursing Careers

PhD Nursing Programs See 11th Year of Enrollment Declines

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 17, 2025 – New data released today by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) show increases in the student population across most undergraduate and graduate programs at U.S. nursing schools, reversing some recent downward trends. While enrollment increased from 2023 to 2024 in baccalaureate, master’s, and practice doctorates, fewer students entered research-focused doctoral programs (PhD) last year, further challenging efforts to prepare enough researchers, faculty, and leaders to meet workforce needs.

“Sustaining robust pathways into programs preparing professional nurses is critical to ensuring access to high-quality, patient-centered care,” said Dr. Deborah Trautman, AACN President and Chief Executive Officer. “Academic nursing leaders are pleased to see enrollment growth in baccalaureate and graduate programs last year, which illustrates significant interest in nursing careers among those entering the field and nurses looking to advance into specialty and leadership roles.”

Each year, AACN conducts a national survey of nursing schools offering baccalaureate and higher degrees to compile data on student enrollment and graduations, faculty and dean demographics, applications received, and qualified applications turned away, among many other key benchmarks. Conducted in Fall 2024, AACN’s latest annual survey, titled 2024-2025 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing, contains data reported by 964 schools of nursing, representing an 89.4% response rate.

Enrollment Changes by Program Level

Most individuals pursuing a career as a registered nurse (RN) in the U.S. enter the profession with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which is offered at 869 colleges and universities. Data from AACN’s 2024 survey show that enrollment in BSN programs increased by 4.9% or 12,434 students last year. This finding marks the second year of enrollment increases in these programs, following a small dip in 2022. Total enrollment in entry-level BSN programs is currently 267,889 students.

Also at the baccalaureate level, the number of students in RN to BSN degree-completion programs increased, following five consecutive years of decline. These bridge programs for nurses entering the workforce with an associate degree or diploma programs provide an important pathway for nurses looking to advance their education to better meet patient care needs and employer expectations. Last year, enrollment in RN to BSN programs increased by 1.6% or 1,409 students. Although this increase is welcome, the current population of 90,369 students remains considerably lower than the high point of 139,587 enrolled students in 2018.

At the graduate level, the student population in master’s programs increased by 4.8% or 6,308 students last year, the first enrollment increase since 2021. Master’s-level nursing programs prepare individuals for a variety of roles in administration, teaching, research, informatics, instruction, and direct patient care. Currently, 655 nursing schools nationwide offer master’s programs with 136,656 enrolled students. AACN continues to monitor master’s program enrollments to identify any factors that may be influencing student demand, including the steady increase in enrollment in the practice doctorate.

At the doctoral level, enrollment in PhD nursing programs declined for the eleventh consecutive year, with a slight 0.5% decrease (21 students) from 2023 to 2024. Since 2013, enrollment in PhD programs has decreased by 17.9%, from 5,145 to 4,223 students. This downward trend is of great concern to academic nursing leaders responsible for preparing future nurse scientists, educators, and leaders. AACN’s research and data team are examining survey findings to determine factors that may impact enrollment declines, including program characteristics and applications received.

Last year, the number of students in Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs grew by 2.0% or 936 students, marking 21 years of continuous enrollment expansion. DNP programs prepare nurses for practice at the highest level, including Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse midwives). Enrollment in DNP programs has grown steadily for more than two decades from 70 students in 2003 to 42,767 students last year. DNP programs are now offered at 439 schools of nursing across the U.S.

Applications Received and Turned Away

In addition to enrollment and graduations, AACN tracks applications to schools of nursing to assess interest in nursing education among prospective students. Last year, the total number of applications to baccalaureate and higher degree programs reached 728,819, an increase of 46,272 applications since 2023. By program level, the number of applications increased in entry-level BSN (8.5%), master’s (4.5%), PhD (7.2%), and DNP (18.5%) programs. Only RN to BSN programs realized a slight drop in the number of applications received (-0.7%).

AACN also tracks qualified applications not offered admission to nursing programs. In 2024, a total of 80,162 qualified applications (not applicants) were not accepted at schools of nursing nationwide, though prospective students submitting applications may have been accepted and enrolled elsewhere. Within this total, applications turned away included 65,398 from entry-level baccalaureate, 1,530 from RN-to-BSN, 7,603 from master's, 5,366 from DNP, and 265 from PhD nursing programs. Given the persistent shortage of nurse faculty, AACN remains concerned that more than 13,000 applications were turned away from graduate programs, which limits the pool of potential nurse educators, given that most full-time teaching roles require a master’s or doctoral degree.

The primary barriers to accepting all qualified students at nursing schools continue to be insufficient clinical placement sites, faculty, preceptors, and classroom space, as well as budget cuts. For a graphic showing the number of qualified applications turned away from entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs over the last 20 years, click here.

“Alleviating the nursing shortage hinges on accommodating all qualified applicants in our nation’s schools of nursing and addressing limitations to full enrollment,” added Dr. Trautman. “AACN is working with our colleagues in education, practice, and regulation to advance strategies to boost the supply of entry-level and advanced nurses needed in all communities and in all settings where healthcare is delivered.”

To address this concern, AACN advocates for more federal funding for nursing education, including support for students interested in nursing careers and for schools to recruit/prepare faculty and expand the infrastructure needed to enroll more qualified applicants. AACN is also calling for full participation among nursing schools in NursingCAS, the profession’s centralized application service for students seeking to enter nursing school to begin or advance their education. Through NursingCAS, applicants are alerted to open enrollment slots at schools of nursing, which will help to ensure that all available seats are filled, and fewer qualified applicants are turned away.

About the AACN Survey and Customized Data Reports

Now in its 44th year, AACN’s annual survey of baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs is conducted by the association’s Research and Data Services team. Information from the survey forms the basis for the nation's premier database on trends in enrollments and graduations, student and faculty demographics, and faculty and deans' salaries. These data are essential for policymaking at the local, state, and federal levels as well as for benchmarking by participating institutions.

The annual AACN survey is a collaborative effort, with data on nurse practitioner programs collected jointly with the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and data on clinical nurse specialist programs collected with the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Complete survey results are compiled in three separate reports, including:

• 2024-2025 Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing
• 2024-2025 Salaries of Instructional and Administrative Nursing Faculty in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing
• 2024-2025 Salaries of Deans in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in Nursing

To obtain copies, click here.

On request, AACN can prepare customized data reports to meet institutional benchmarking, research, market assessment, and related needs. Reports are available to compare a nursing school’s programs with institutions of similar size and type across geographic areas – nationally, state-wide, or locally. A variety of reports are available, including those comparing faculty and dean salaries and program enrollment and graduations across like institutions. Click here to find out more about AACN’s customized data reports, including sample reports and case studies, and to order a report.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) is the national voice for academic nursing representing more than 875 schools of nursing nationwide. AACN establishes quality standards for nursing education, influences the nursing profession to improve health care, and promotes public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research and practice.