Read and admired throughout the world, Shakespeare's plays and poetry have been the guiding light of statesmen, of authors, and of artists. His writings are the indispensable foundation for understanding English literature, language, and rhetoric. Yet less than 8% of the nation's top universities require English majors to take even a single course that focuses on Shakespeare. "The Unkindest Cut: Shakespeare in Exile 2015" examines 52 of the national universities and liberal arts colleges ranked highest by "U.S. News & World Report." The report demonstrates how the study of Shakespeare has been marginalized at these schools and lists examples of the courses that stand in its place. The report also gives advice to trustees, administrators, alumni, and donors on how to reverse this trend. An appendix lists the Shakespeare requirement for English majors at the 52 universities and colleges examined in the study.