Universities do hire graduates from lesser-ranked institutions, although academic hiring networks exhibit a strong preference for institutional prestige.
The claim that universities hire graduates from lesser-ranked institutions is specific, empirical, and contestable, passing Step 0. The retrieved literature clearly demonstrates that while academic hiring networks are heavily skewed toward prestige and top-tier institutions, graduates from a wider range of institutions do obtain academic positions. Therefore, the supporting evidence confirms the claim while acknowledging the structural hierarchies.