RN Student Enrollment (2025–2026) Insights
Updated: Sep 7
According to the latest survey from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the nursing field is witnessing significant changes and growth.
Current Trends in RN Enrollment
This marks the third consecutive year of growth in entry-level BSN enrollment. The data indicates a robust interest in nursing careers, which is essential for meeting the healthcare demands of the future. For more insights, refer to the AACN.
Returning RN Students
For licensed RNs returning to school to earn a BSN:
92,447 nurses are currently enrolled in RN-to-BSN programs.
Enrollment increased 2.0% after several years of decline.
Although improving, enrollment is still below its 2018 peak of approximately 139,600 students. More details can be found in the AACN.
Nursing School Demand
Interest in becoming an RN remains extremely high.
Over 728,000 applications were submitted to nursing programs in 2024.
More than 80,000 qualified applications could not be accepted because schools lacked enough faculty, clinical sites, classroom space, and preceptors. For further information, visit the AACN.
Reasons for Turned Away Students
The primary reasons for students being turned away include:
Nursing faculty shortages
Limited clinical placement sites
Shortage of clinical preceptors
Limited classroom and simulation laboratory space
Budget constraints (AACN)
Employment Outlook for RNs
The outlook for RN graduates remains very strong.
The U.S. RN workforce is projected to grow from 3.1 million to 3.3 million nurses by 2032.
Approximately 193,100 RN job openings are expected each year due to retirements and workforce demand. More on this can be found at the AACN.
Key Takeaways
✅ Nursing school enrollment is increasing again.
✅ Returning RN (RN-to-BSN) enrollment has resumed growth.
✅ Demand for nursing education exceeds available training capacity.
✅ Graduates continue to have an excellent job market with strong long-term demand. For more details, see the AACN.
NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rates
The newest data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing shows:
| Year | First-Time U.S.-Educated Pass Rate |
|------|------------------------------------|
| 2022 | ~85% |
| 2023 | 88.6% |
| 2024 | 91.2% |
| 2025 | 86.7% |
Although the 2025 pass rate declined from the unusually high 2024 level, more than 8 out of every 10 first-time graduates still passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt. For more information, visit the NCSBN.
Graduation Rates
National averages vary by program type.
| Program Type | Typical Graduation Rate |
|--------------|-------------------------|
| BSN Programs | 70–85% |
| ADN Programs | 60–80% |
| Accelerated BSN | 85–95% |
Many well-established nursing schools report graduation rates above 90%.
Student Retention Rates
Retention measures the percentage of students who continue from one academic year to the next.
Typical RN program retention:
80–90% for BSN programs
75–85% for Associate Degree programs
The strongest predictors of retention are:
Faculty mentoring
Simulation laboratory experience
Early tutoring
Mental health support
Academic coaching
Attrition (Students Who Leave Before Graduation)
National nursing program attrition averages:
| Program Type | Average Attrition |
|--------------|-------------------|
| BSN | 15–20% |
| ADN | 20–30% |
| Accelerated BSN | 10–15% |
The most common reasons students leave include:
Difficulty with pharmacology
Medical-surgical nursing
Financial hardship
Family responsibilities
Mental health and stress
Work-school balance
NCLEX Success by Degree
Historically, BSN graduates outperform ADN graduates on first-time NCLEX testing.
| Degree | Typical First-Time Pass Rate |
|--------|------------------------------|
| BSN | 90–92% |
| ADN | 84–88% |
Employment After Graduation
The job market remains exceptionally strong.
95–98% of RN graduates obtain employment within 6 months.
Many students receive job offers before graduation.
Hospitals increasingly recruit students during their final semester. For more details, see National University.
Average Age of Nursing Students
| Degree | Average Age |
|--------------------|------------------|
| Traditional BSN | 21–24 years |
| Accelerated BSN | 28–35 years |
| RN-to-BSN | 33–45 years |
Nursing continues to attract many second-career professionals.
Gender Demographics
The nursing profession is becoming more diverse.
| Gender | Percentage |
|--------|------------|
| Female | ~88% |
| Male | ~12% |
Male enrollment has steadily increased over the past decade. For more information, visit the NCBI.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity (Students)
Approximate enrollment nationwide:
| Group | Percentage |
|---------------------|---------------|
| White | 50–55% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 18–20% |
| Black/African American | 11–12% |
| Asian | 10–12% |
| Other/Multiracial | 5–8% |
Student diversity continues to increase each year.
Faculty Shortage
One of the biggest challenges facing nursing education is the shortage of faculty. Recent national estimates indicate:
Thousands of qualified applicants are denied admission each year due to a lack of instructors.
More than 80,000 qualified applications were turned away in the latest admissions cycle.
The average age of nursing faculty is over 55 years, and many are nearing retirement. For further insights, visit the NCSBN.
RN Workforce Outlook Through 2032
The outlook remains very favorable.
Approximately 193,100 RN job openings are projected each year through 2032.
Demand is driven by:
- An aging U.S. population
- Retirement of experienced nurses
- Expanded outpatient care
- Growth in home health
- Increased chronic disease management
Summary of the Current Nursing Education Landscape
283,303 entry-level BSN students enrolled.
92,447 RNs are returning to school for BSN completion.
728,000+ applications were submitted to nursing schools.
80,000+ qualified applicants were denied admission due to capacity limits.
86.7% of first-time U.S.-educated NCLEX-RN candidates passed in 2025.
95–98% of graduates secure employment within six months.
The profession is expected to add roughly 193,100 RN openings annually through 2032. For more details, see the NCSBN.
Comments