In a sense yes, but modern universities are also dependent on contributions from outsiders, so if a professor wants to become "successful" he/she may become bound to the political wishes of their donors. Economics is an area where this is very clear.

Moreover professors have their own agenda. Just looks at the reproducibility problems in many fields. There's very little information out there that doesn't have some kind of hidden bias. At least when you know there is a bias you can systematically take that into account.