In recent years, higher education in the United States has faced unprecedented challenges stemming from a wave of state-level legislation targeting academic freedom, diversity initiatives, and research priorities. A landmark survey released in April 2026 by Ithaka S+R has brought these issues into sharp focus, revealing that faculty members in so-called "red states"—predominantly Republican-led states—are actively seeking employment opportunities beyond their borders. This phenomenon, often described as a faculty exodus, underscores deep concerns over restrictive policies that are reshaping the landscape of American universities and colleges.

The survey, titled "The Impact of State and Federal Policies on Academic Researchers," polled over 4,000 faculty members at four-year institutions nationwide. It provides concrete data confirming long-standing anecdotes of professors packing up their labs and lecture notes to relocate to more welcoming environments. As universities grapple with recruitment and retention, this migration threatens to exacerbate talent shortages, stifle innovation, and alter the competitive balance among institutions.

🌍 The Rise of Restrictive Legislation in Red States

Red states, characterized by conservative governance, have enacted a series of laws since 2022 aimed at curbing what lawmakers describe as indoctrination in classrooms and research agendas. These include bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs—commonly known as anti-DEI measures—as well as restrictions on teaching "divisive concepts" related to race, gender, and history. Additional policies target tenure protections, syllabus transparency, and even international hiring through visa limitations.

Twenty-one states now fall into this category: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Florida's Stop WOKE Act, for instance, prohibits discussions of certain theories in public colleges, while Texas Senate Bill 17 dismantled DEI offices across its university system. These laws, proponents argue, promote viewpoint diversity and fiscal responsibility, but critics contend they chill free inquiry essential to higher education.

The cumulative effect is a perceived erosion of academic freedom, defined by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) as the liberty to pursue teaching and research without undue interference. Faculty report altering syllabi, avoiding grant applications on sensitive topics, and second-guessing publications to evade scrutiny.

📊 Unpacking the Ithaka S+R Survey Data

Conducted from September to November 2025, the Ithaka S+R survey offers robust insights with a sample of 4,003 responses from instructors and administrators at bachelor's-degree-granting institutions. Key statistics paint a troubling picture:

• 10% of faculty in the 21 restrictive states are actively seeking out-of-state academic positions.
• 6% are attempting to exit academia entirely.
• 4% pursued jobs abroad in 2025 due to policy constraints.
• 29% in affected states avoided specific research topics because of state laws.
• 48% reported that policies limit their creative activity or research freedom, rising to 66% at public institutions.

Self-censorship is rampant, particularly in fields like education, nursing, and allied health, where odds of altering research agendas are significantly higher. Federal policies compounded the issue, with 8% experiencing grant cancellations and 40% noting funding declines—over 50% in agriculture, engineering, and medicine.

These figures validate earlier studies, such as the AAUP's 2023 poll of over 4,250 professors in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, where one-third were job-hunting elsewhere and two-thirds deemed their states undesirable workplaces. The full Ithaka report highlights how these trends imperil U.S. research leadership.

🔍 Spotlight on High-Impact States: Florida and Texas

Florida exemplifies the trend, with nearly one-third of surveyed professors eyeing exits in 2023 AAUP data, a figure echoed in 2025 reports. The University of Florida (UF) and New College of Florida have seen high-profile departures amid curriculum overhauls and board interventions. Faculty cite fears of reprisal for discussing topics like systemic racism or LGBTQ+ issues.

In Texas, a 2025 survey by the Texas Tribune revealed that 25% of over 1,100 respondents had applied for out-of-state jobs in the prior two years, with another 25% planning to do so. Public universities like the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) report morale collapses, with 75% of liberal arts faculty considering departure post-Senate Bill 17. "We live in fear of using the wrong word," one anonymous professor shared. Governing boards, now dominant under Governor Greg Abbott's appointees, have dissolved faculty senates, amplifying tensions.

Other hotspots include Georgia, where 25% plan moves, and Tennessee, facing tenure reforms allowing post-tenure reviews for ideological alignment.

Photo by Harati Project on Unsplash

📖 Real-World Case Studies and Faculty Voices

Personal narratives humanize the data. At UT Austin, a history professor relocated to the University of California, Berkeley, after her grant on reproductive rights was scrutinized. In Florida, a nursing educator at the University of South Florida switched to a Massachusetts community college, citing inability to address health disparities openly.

Open-ended survey responses reveal anguish: "The collective institutional research capacity of the United States is in free fall," wrote one. Another: "I have no confidence that my administration will support faculty if academic freedom is under assault." Early retirements are surging, with tenured faculty forgoing pensions to escape.

International migration is nascent but growing; Canadian universities report spikes in U.S. applications from southern states, drawn by stable funding and protections.

🏫 Recruitment Woes for Red State Universities

Institutions in restrictive states face acute hiring hurdles. Job postings linger unfilled as candidates demand assurances on academic freedom. A 2026 Chronicle of Higher Education analysis notes doubled search committee times in Florida and Texas, with acceptance rates plummeting 15-20%.

Budget strains from enrollment dips—tied to politicized campuses—worsen matters. Public universities, reliant on state funds, navigate board mandates prioritizing vocational programs over humanities. Inside Higher Ed reports that department chairs are more trusted than presidents, who often prioritize compliance.

Fields like STEM suffer too, with federal grant volatility deterring stars. "Blue states aren't expanding women's studies en masse," notes Dominique Baker of the University of Delaware, but they offer stability.

🗺️ Blue States as Emerging Destinations

While general population trends favor red states for affordability, faculty buck the pattern. California, New York, and Massachusetts—home to UC Berkeley, Columbia, and Harvard—see targeted influxes. University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin report 30% rises in applications from southern colleagues.

These hubs boast robust DEI frameworks, higher research funding, and union protections. However, challenges persist: high living costs and their own budget cuts in humanities. Still, for academics prioritizing intellectual liberty, they shine.

⚖️ Stakeholder Perspectives: A Divided Landscape

Faculty unions like AAUP decry a "fast and steep deterioration" in U.S. academic freedom, ranking the nation poorly globally. Administrators are split: some defend policies as balancing viewpoints, others quietly advocate.

Legislators argue reforms counter liberal bias, citing surveys showing conservative underrepresentation. Students, per FIRE's 2026 rankings, report mixed free speech experiences. Economists warn of innovation losses, as restricted research hampers advancements in health and climate.

Photo by Danique Godwin on Unsplash

🔮 Future Outlook and Pathways Forward

Projections suggest deepening divides: red states risk brain drain, elevating blue counterparts in rankings. Federal shifts under Trump-era policies amplify risks, with H-1B curbs hitting international talent.

Solutions include legal challenges—court battles rage in Florida and Indiana—enhanced advocacy, and hybrid models blending remote work. Universities might emphasize apolitical excellence in hiring. For job-seekers, platforms listing blue-state openings proliferate.

Texas Tribune insights urge dialogue to preserve higher ed's mission. Ultimately, safeguarding academic freedom benefits all, fostering the inquiry driving societal progress.

As this migration accelerates, higher education leaders must confront whether short-term politics undermines long-term excellence.