The year 2025 is transforming U.S. nursing education. Universities, hospitals, and colleges across the country are launching and expanding degree programs to address the ongoing nursing shortage, diversify the workforce, and integrate new technologies into healthcare training.
From new BSN pathways to tuition-free accelerated programs, here’s a state-by-state look at 60 nursing programs opening, growing, or ending this year — and what they mean for the future of nursing education.
1. Newly Launched or Expanded Undergraduate Nursing Programs
1.University of South Florida St. Petersburg (FL) – Launching a four-year BSN program enrolling 85 students.
2. Mercer University (GA) – Expanding its nursing program to the Macon campus with an inaugural class of 26 students.
3. Grace College (IN) – Adding a BSN program in fall 2026.
4. Asbury University (KY) – Launching a BSN program in fall 2025.
5. Faulkner University (AL) – Opening a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
6. Southeastern Oklahoma State University (OK) – Starting a BSN program for local students.
7. McPherson College (KS) – Partnering with the University of Kansas to allow BSN completion at KU or online.
8. SUNY Brockport (NY) – Launched a new School of Nursing on July 1.
9. Bay Mills Community College (MI) – Beginning courses for licensed practical nursing.
10. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (NY) – Introducing associate and bachelor’s nursing degrees in fall 2025.
11. Mildred Elley (NY) – Opened a new location for LPN and clinical medical assistant programs.
12. Bay College (MI) – Ending its practical nurse program after the 2025–26 academic year (listed for closure).
2. Graduate & Advanced Nursing Degree Launches
13. University of Indianapolis (IN) – Launched an MSN in Adult-Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner.
14. Edgewood College (WI) – Opened a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in nurse anesthesia.
15. Rocky Vista University (CO) – Launched Colorado’s first Doctor of Anesthesia Practice program.
16. Boston College Connell School of Nursing (MA) – Added a Master of Science in Nurse-Midwifery.
17. UC Davis (CA) – Earned accreditation for its DNP – Nurse Anesthesia degree.
18. Vanderbilt University (TN) – Developing a nurse anesthesia program for 2026.
19. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (AR) – Expanding its CRNA program to Fayetteville.
20. University of Texas at Tyler (TX) – Unveiled a $35M renovated School of Nursing.
21. University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing (AL) – Partnered with DCH Health System to advance nursing education.
22. Medical University of South Carolina (SC) – Launching an acute care pediatric nurse practitioner program in 2026.
23. University of New Hampshire (NH) – Bringing all its programs under one unified School of Nursing.
3. New Partnerships Strengthening Clinical Training
24. Galen College of Nursing (CO) – Partnered with HCA Healthcare to open a new campus.
25. UT Medical Center (TN) – Expanded collaboration with University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Nursing.
26. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (MA) – Partnered with Northeastern University for oncology nurse training.
27. Francis Marion University (SC) – Received over $200,000 from McLeod Health for program growth.
28. Hartford HealthCare (CT) – Partnered with Quinnipiac University for a two-year, part-time nursing education program.
29. Cleveland Clinic & University Hospitals (OH) – Working with Ursuline College to train emergency and urgent care nurses.
30. VCU Health (VA) – Offering guaranteed RN-to-BSN admission pathways with Virginia Commonwealth University.
31. WVU Medicine (WV) – Opening a hospital-based associate degree nursing program.
32. Lakeshore College & UW–Green Bay (WI) – Created a joint study program for nursing and education students.
33. East Carolina University (NC) – Launched the nation’s first Medic-to-Nurse program for military medics.
34. Hampton University (VA) – Reopened its master’s degree program in nursing.
35. Pennsylvania College of Technology (PA) – Expanding its Workforce Development Practical Nursing program.
4. Major Grants, Gifts, & Investments in Nursing
36. University of South Carolina Beaufort (SC) – Received a $3.8M grant for scholarships, mentoring, and tutoring.
37. UCLA School of Nursing (CA) – Renamed UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing after a $30M donation.
38. UC Health (CO) – Received a $2.35M gift to incentivize neurology practice graduates.
39. MiraCosta College (CA) – Earned a $1.2M grant for LVN apprenticeships and enrollment expansion.
40. UTHealth Houston (TX) – Offering free in-state tuition for accelerated BSN students under $100K income.
41. McLeod Health (SC) – Supporting local colleges with over $200K in nursing education donations.
42. Delta State University (MS) – Completed 21,000 sq. ft. expansion of its School of Nursing.
43. University of Vermont (VT) – Launched a new Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA) course.
44. Grand View University (IA) – Partnered with NAMI to embed mental health certification in its nursing curriculum.
45. ChristianaCare (DE) – Honored its first graduates from the Nursing Research Fellowship in Robotics & Innovation.
5. Innovation, Technology & Diversity in Nursing
46. UTHealth Houston (TX) – Tuition-free accelerated BSN promoting accessibility.
47. Southern Connecticut State University (CT) – Partnered with New Haven High School for CNA training.
48. Valencia College (FL) – Building a nursing simulation center for hands-on training.
49. University of Akron (OH) – Introduced Early Assurance Pathway to Nurse Anesthesia for high schoolers.
50. Dakota Wesleyan University (SD) – Launching a two-year nursing program in Sioux Falls.
51. Arizona College of Nursing (AZ) – Opened a new Phoenix campus in January 2025.
52. Huron Regional Medical Center (SD) – Opened the first ESL RN apprenticeship program.
53. Springfield Technical Community College (MA) – Introduced an accelerated RN program for LPNs, medics, and paramedics.
54. Mount Prospect Nursing College (IL) – A new private nursing college opened for CNAs and phlebotomists.
55. University of Texas Health (TX) – Offering a fast-track BSN option to meet state demand.
56. University of Vermont (VT) – Expanding baccalaureate-level LNA programs for nontraditional students.
57. Minot State University (ND) – Partnered with Northland Community College (MN) for automatic BSN online transfer.
6. Programs Closing or Restructuring
58. Bay College (MI) – Closing its practical nurse program in 2025–26.
59. Smaller regional colleges – Consolidating LPN-to-BSN pathways to online formats.
60. Select programs nationwide – Being restructured into hybrid models to sustain faculty and resources.
Conclusion
With over 60 nursing programs opening or expanding in 2025, the U.S. is witnessing a new era of nursing education reform. From tuition-free accelerated degrees to simulation labs and hospital partnerships, schools are reshaping how future nurses learn, train, and lead.
These initiatives don’t just fill a staffing gap—they prepare a future-ready, tech-savvy, and compassionate nursing workforce for a rapidly changing healthcare system.
At 3B Healthcare, we continue to spotlight innovations in nursing education and celebrate the leaders shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.
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