Data Spotlight: Regional Analysis of Qualified Application Denied Admission

For over a decade AACN has collected data on the number of qualified applications being denied admission to baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs. The top reasons for these denials are insufficient clinical sites, faculty, classroom space, clinical preceptors, budget/overall budget cuts, and enrollment capacity. Over the past 5 years, there has been a steady increase in the number of denied applications (Figure 1). The greatest increase is seen from the academic year 2020-2021 to 2021-2022. 

Table 1 provides a regional analysis of completed applications, qualified applications, qualified applications offered admission, and qualified applications denied for the academic year 2021-2022. At a national level there was a total of 91,938 applications denied across all programs. The West region has the largest number of applications denied (n=32,990), but they also have the largest faculty vacancy rate (9%) as compared to all other regions in the U.S. The Midwest has the lowest number of applications denied (n=10,538) as well as the lowest faculty vacancy rate (7%) in the country. 
 

Figure 1

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Table 1: Qualified Applications Denied: Regional Distribution