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Academic tenure remains a pivotal aspect of the higher education landscape in 2026. This system grants college faculty the security of employment, making it exceedingly difficult to terminate their positions except under extraordinary circumstances.
The primary objective of tenure is to uphold academic freedom, allowing educators to engage in open discourse on contentious topics without fear of retribution. Over the years, tenure has empowered university faculty to explore challenging subjects with their students and the wider community.
Despite its significance, tenure faces criticism. Critics argue that the system is outdated and advocate for comprehensive reforms or even its elimination.
Moreover, the reliance on adjunct professors and non-tenure track instructors has intensified, leading to a decline in tenure-track positions—an alarming trend that many educators believe undermines the quality of higher education.
This prompted us at Zippia to investigate which U.S. institutions still prioritize tenure.
We focused our research on Massachusetts, home to some of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious colleges, including Harvard University, MIT, and Boston University. By utilizing data from the National Center for Education Statistics, we compiled a list of the top institutions in Massachusetts with a significant presence of tenured faculty.
Find the complete list below, but first, here’s a quick look at the top ten schools.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Roxbury Community College
- New England Law | Boston
- Cape Cod Community College
- Holyoke Community College
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Salem State University
- Middlesex Community College
- Wheaton College
- Mount Wachusett Community College
How We Conducted Our Research
We sourced our information from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) database, examining colleges in Massachusetts with documented tenure status for their faculty. This analysis included all types of postsecondary institutions, ranging from four-year public universities and private colleges to community colleges.
To determine the percentages, we analyzed the total number of faculty members at each university as of 2025, comparing these figures with the number of faculty who were either I) tenured, II) on tenure track, or III) classified as faculty without tenure track status.
Our final list emphasizes the percentage of faculty who hold tenure status. For those interested, our extended list below also includes percentages of faculty on and off tenure track.
Is your institution among the top ten? Continue reading for the full list.
Honorable Mention: Episcopal Divinity School
Location: Cambridge, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 100.00%
College Description: Episcopal Divinity School, located in Cambridge, MA, is a seminary with a strong commitment to social justice issues. Although the school recently closed its Cambridge campus to affiliate with the Union Theological Seminary in NYC, we maintain its position at the top of our list due to its 100% tenured faculty.
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Location: Cambridge, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 74.38%
College Description: Renowned for its academic rigor, MIT has a rich history dating back to 1861. With 87 Nobel Laureates among its alumni, MIT boasts the highest percentage of tenured faculty on our list at 74.38%.
2. Roxbury Community College
Location: Roxbury Crossing, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 73.81%
College Description: Roxbury Community College is dedicated to enhancing educational access for residents of the Boston area. With 73.81% of its faculty tenured, the college ensures its students benefit from a highly qualified teaching staff.
3. New England Law | Boston
Location: Boston, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 72.41%
College Description: Established in 1908 as a law school for women, New England Law | Boston has a storied legacy of civic engagement and contributions to the civil rights movement.
4. Cape Cod Community College
Location: West Barnstable, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 72.31%
College Description: Founded in 1961, Cape Cod Community College is the only comprehensive college on Cape Cod, offering a diverse array of majors. Its 72.31% tenured faculty demonstrates a commitment to student success.
5. Holyoke Community College
Location: Holyoke, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 72.09%
College Description: Holyoke Community College offers over a hundred degrees and certificate programs, focusing on flexible education tailored to students’ needs. With 72.09% of its faculty tenured, the college prioritizes high-quality instruction.
6. Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Location: Boston, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 71.56%
College Description: Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public art school committed to developing artists and educators, with 71.56% of its faculty holding tenure.
7. Salem State University
Location: Salem, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 71.51%
College Description: Salem State University, originally a women’s school, has evolved into a comprehensive public university, with 71.51% of its faculty achieving tenure.
8. Middlesex Community College
Location: Bedford, MA, and Lowell, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 71.20%
College Description: With campuses in Bedford and Lowell, Middlesex Community College has a strong commitment to accessible education, offering over 70 degree and certificate programs.
9. Wheaton College
Location: Norton, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 70.45%
College Description: Located near Boston and Providence, Wheaton College is a liberal arts institution with a strong academic reputation, bolstered by its 70.45% tenured faculty.
10. Mount Wachusett Community College
Location: Gardner, MA
Percentage of Faculty with Tenure Status: 70.27%
College Description: Mount Wachusett Community College offers associate degrees with a focus on community engagement and sustainable practices, supported by a faculty where over 70% hold tenure.
Conclusion
Explore the complete list below to see if your institution ranks among the top ten. As you consider your educational options, remember that tenure can significantly impact faculty quality and student experience.
If you’re seeking an associate degree, discover the best junior colleges for employment outcomes.
Looking for more insightful articles? Check out our rankings of colleges in NC based on job placement success.
| Institution Name | % Of Tenured Faculty | % Of Faculty Not On Tenure Track |
|---|---|---|
| Episcopal Divinity School | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 74.38% | 0.79% |
| Roxbury Community College | 73.81% | 0.00% |
| New England Law-Boston | 72.41% | 20.69% |
| Cape Cod Community College | 72.31% | 0.00% |
| Holyoke Community College | 72.09% | 1.55% |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | 71.56% | 11.93% |
| Salem State University | 71.51% | 4.84% |
| Middlesex Community College | 71.20% | 0.00% |
| Wheaton College | 70.45% | 16.67% |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | 70.27% | 0.00% |
| Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | 67.78% | 6.67% |
| Smith College | 67.43% | 14.66% |
| Suffolk University | 67.07% | 16.77% |
| Greenfield Community College | 66.67% | 1.67% |
| Quinsigamond Community College | 66.43% | 0.00% |
| Massachusetts Bay Community College | 65.33% | 0.00% |
| Assumption College | 64.86% | 18.92% |
| Westfield State University | 64.68% | 8.51% |
| Springfield Technical Community College | 63.89% | 0.00% |
| Clark University | 63.55% | 18.23% |
| North Shore Community College | 62.99% | 1.57% |
| Worcester State University | 62.87% | 9.41% |
| Williams College | 62.37% | 20.68% |
| College of the Holy Cross | 62.28% | 21.11% |
| Fitchburg State University | 62.25% | 4.41% |
| Massachusetts Maritime Academy | 62.03% | 0.00% |
| Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary | 61.76% | 26.47% |
| Massasoit Community College | 61.42% | 0.00% |
| Bunker Hill Community College | 61.01% | 1.26% |
| Stonehill College | 60.63% | 28.13% |
| Bridgewater State University | 60.30% | 6.57% |
| Northern Essex Community College | 60.00% | 0.00% |
| Bristol Community College | 59.06% | 0.00% |
| Berkshire Community College | 58.93% | 0.00% |
| Brandeis University | 58.69% | 29.34% |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | 58.33% | 25.00% |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 57.08% | 20.44% |
| Gordon College | 57.00% | 23.00% |
| Babson College | 56.70% | 23.20% |
| Boston College | 56.65% | 25.47% |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | 56.41% | 23.33% |
| Springfield College | 56.32% | 27.89% |
| Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology | 55.56% | 44.44% |
| Mount Holyoke College | 55.00% | 32.08% |
| Bentley University | 54.70% | 30.66% |
| Western New England University | 54.59% | 23.58% |
| Amherst College | 52.47% | 23.77% |
| Framingham State University | 52.06% | 11.86% |
| Harvard University | 51.92% | 24.88% |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | 51.53% | 30.92% |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | 51.33% | 26.90% |
| Emerson College | 50.50% | 29.70% |
| Merrimack College | 50.30% | 16.36% |
| Wellesley College | 50.00% | 32.77% |
| Wheelock College | 48.00% | 38.67% |
| Pine Manor College | 47.83% | 34.78% |
| American International College | 46.58% | 19.18% |
| Emmanuel College | 46.24% | 33.33% |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | 45.35% | 29.04% |
| Northeastern University | 45.10% | 37.65% |
| Simmons College | 43.84% | 40.18% |
| Mount Ida College | 43.64% | 54.55% |
| Tufts University | 42.94% | 44.84% |
| Anna Maria College | 41.03% | 25.64% |
| New England College of Optometry | 31.91% | 51.06% |
| Eastern Nazarene College | 29.73% | 37.84% |
| Quincy College | 27.27% | 0.00% |
| Boston University | 26.53% | 65.38% |
| Hebrew College | 25.00% | 58.33% |
| Regis College | 23.16% | 60.00% |
| Nichols College | 22.92% | 66.67% |
| Andover Newton Theological School | 21.05% | 65.79% |
| University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester | 13.43% | 79.45% |
| Curry College | 0.94% | 99.06% |
| Bard College at Simon’s Rock | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Bay Path University | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Bay State College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Becker College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Berklee College of Music | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Cambridge College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Dean College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Endicott College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Fisher College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Hampshire College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Hult International Business School | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Laboure College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Lasell College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Lesley University | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| MCPHS University | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| MGH Institute of Health Professions | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Montserrat College of Art | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Newbury College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Pope St John XXIII National Seminary | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Saint John’s Seminary | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| The New England Conservatory of Music | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| The New England Institute of Art | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| William James College | 0.00% | 100.00% |
Author
Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.
