Nursing school enrollment increases

The student population across most undergraduate and graduate programs at U.S. nursing schools is increasing, reversing recent downward trends, according to American Association of Colleges of Nursing data. Enrollment in baccalaureate programs increased by 4.9%, or 12,434 students in 2024, with enrollment in entry-level BSN programs at 267,889 students. Although enrollment increased from 2023 to 2024 in baccalaureate, master’s and practice doctorates, PhD enrollment fell for the eleventh straight year, challenging efforts to prepare enough researchers, faculty and leaders to meet workforce needs. PhD program enrollment declined by 21 students from 2023 to 2024 to 4,223 students. In 2013, PhD programs enrolled 5,145 students. More than 960 schools of nursing responded to the annual survey, representing an 89.4% response rate. (AACN news release, 6/17/25)