#  COACHE Faculty Retention and Exit Compendium Report 

 



##  What You’re Missing About Faculty Turnover — And How to Change the Story 

 



 ![Decorative Exit Compendium Report Cover](/sites/g/files/omnuum6791/files/2026-06/COACHE-2026-2630pxSQ-Promo-Faculty%20Retention.png)

 

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### **What truly drives faculty mobility, and how can universities retain top talent?**

Produced by the Collaborative on Academic Careers in Higher Education (COACHE) at Harvard University, together with University of Pennsylvania scholars specializing in higher education research, this report offers a rigorous analysis of the factors shaping faculty retention and departures.

Drawing on eight years of national survey data, it provides an empirically grounded perspective on academic hiring and career trajectories. Designed for academic leaders and scholars of higher education, the report translates complex patterns into actionable insights to help institutions move from intention to impact.

In this report, you will explore:

- The limitations of retention strategies that emphasize salary alone
- Systematic disparities in counteroffer outcomes across race, gender, and rank
- The central role of spousal and partner considerations in faculty decision-making
- Institutional approaches—such as preemptive retentions—that enhance faculty satisfaction, commitment, and long-term stability