Interest in nursing is rising in the US, but schools still cannot take everyone who qualifies. The latest American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) data show enrollment growth at most levels, alongside 93,176 qualified applications turned away.
Enrollment by program (2024 to 2025)
| Program | Change | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level BSN | +7.6% | 283,303 |
| RN to BSN | +2.0% | 92,447 |
| Master’s (MSN) | +6.8% | 146,718 |
| DNP | +5.9% | 44,976 |
| PhD | −3.05% | 4,077 |
Why qualified students are turned away
- Not enough clinical placement sites and preceptors.
- A persistent shortage of nurse faculty.
- Limited classroom space and budget cuts.
Of the 93,176 applications turned away, 75,255 were for entry-level BSN programs and nearly 17,000 were graduate applications. PhD enrollment, which supplies future faculty, is down 20.8% since 2013.
What it means for you
- Applying to a BSN? Apply to several schools, and consider ADN-to-BSN routes. See how to become an RN.
- Considering teaching? Faculty are in demand, and PhD funding exists. See PhD and DNP scholarships.
Source: AACN, enrollment release (7 May 2026).