This report presents data on Missouri's public system of higher education and, in some cases, for the combined public and independent colleges and universities. Missouri has 31 public two- and four-year college campuses, 25 independent institutions, 1 state-designated technical college, and more than 120 proprietary schools. The report is divided into five sections: (1) Preparation Measures; (2) Resource/Affordability Measures; (3) Participation/Completion Measures; (4) Learning Enhancement Measures; and (5) Quality/Performance Outcomes Measures. In almost all cases data from the 1996-1997 school year are used as the baseline to track progress. Missouri higher education has a rich tradition of using a single database with standardized definitions to make it possible to describe the system and monitor its progress in achieving state priorities. Three appendixes describe admissions selectivity guidelines, institutional missions, and access to postsecondary education and training opportunities in geographic regions. (Contains 50 graphs, 6 maps, and 7 endnotes.) (SLD)