If you — or a student you know — are studying nursing, 2025’s policy shake-up from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has changed the rules in a big way. Under a new definition of “professional degree,” nursing programs have been removed from that category — a shift that could reshape how future nurses pay for school.
But what does this reclassification actually mean for nursing students — and does it change the value of a nursing degree? Here’s what families and prospective nurses need to know.
What Changed and Why
Historically, “professional degrees” like MD, JD, DDS, or PharmD referred to programs that prepare students for licensure and direct practice. Under the new federal rules tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, nursing has now been excluded from that list.
That doesn’t mean nursing is “downgraded,” says the ED. Their internal definition of “professional degree” has long excluded nursing; what’s changing now are the federal loan and borrowing limits associated with eligibility.
For graduate or post-baccalaureate nursing programs, such as a master’s or advanced practice nursing degree, the impact will be financial: Instead of qualifying under the higher borrowing cap for “professional” programs, nursing students will now face stricter limits under the standard graduate category.
Why It Matters
Until now, many nursing grad students relied on federal student loans, including programs like Grad PLUS, to cover tuition and other costs. With the reclassification, those safety nets shrink. Critics warn that this limits access to advanced degrees, especially for students from low-income backgrounds.
That matters especially because nursing education can be expensive. While bachelor’s level nursing (BSN) may still be manageable, advanced pathways, which often lead to better pay and more responsibility, could become less attainable for those who need loans.
Healthcare leaders fear this could worsen an already critical nursing shortage in the U.S.
It’s important to note: this change does not affect licensure requirements. Graduating with a BSN or advanced nursing degree still qualifies you — legally and professionally — to practice as a nurse, pending required exams and state licensing.
So the day-to-day value of a nursing degree remains intact. It’s still a pathway into a stable, in-demand career, with meaningful work and growth opportunities. What has changed is the financial support structure for advanced education.
Some nursing and healthcare groups argue that this reclassification ignores decades of progress toward treating nursing as equivalent to other licensed health professions.
To them, it’s not just a loan issue; it undercuts the value of nursing and could discourage new nurses from advancing into high-demand roles, said one nursing advocate to Newsweek.
What Students and Families Should Know
If you’re considering nursing, the BSN remains a viable path. Just be ready for a changed financing landscape for future grad school ambitions. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Plan early if you want advanced credentials. Understand the new loan caps and budget accordingly for master’s or advanced programs.
- Explore alternative funding: Scholarships, employer tuition assistance, and state-based programs may become more critical.
- Weigh the long-term return on investment. For many nurses, even a BSN offers strong earning potential, especially when you factor in demand, job stability, and growth over time.
- Advocacy matters: The change is controversial, and organizations like the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and American Nurses Association (ANA) are fighting to restore support for nursing education.
What This Means for Nursing Students Right Now
For a family weighing nursing as a college major, here’s the bottom line: Nursing remains a respected, vital, and credentialed profession. Licensure, patient care responsibilities, and career opportunities are unchanged. But if your path includes graduate school — for higher pay, specialization, or advanced practice roles — you’ll want to rethink how to finance it under the new rules.
The policy shift doesn’t devalue your degree, but it does make planning a bit trickier. For nursing students who suspected years ago that healthcare could be their calling, budgets, scholarships, and long-term goals now matter more than ever.
Road2College will continue to track this story, especially as federal loan policies evolve. For now, it’s a timely reminder: when navigating higher education, the route you take matters — and so does how you pay for it.
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