This report presents information about higher education in Arkansas. Arkansas is 49th in the United States in the number of citizens over the age of 25 with a baccalaureate or higher degree. Arkansas faces shortages of qualified teachers and nurses in regions of the state at a time when the number of graduates in these professions is declining though the higher education system. The first part of the report describes the institutions in the Arkansas system: 22 two-year colleges, 10 universities, 1 medical school with 7 statewide health education centers, and other public centers and schools devoted to particular aspects of education. In addition, there are 10 independent colleges and universities and 1 two-year independent college. The total public institutional headcount enrollment in fall 2002 was 114,339, and the total public full-time equivalent enrollment for fall 2002 was 85,792. The report contains the mission statement of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, a list of higher education institutions, and maps showing the location of public and private institutions of higher education. Other sections discuss trends in higher education in Arkansas, the structure and governance of the higher education system, and the financial aid programs administered by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. The regular reports prepared by the Department of Higher Education are listed, and a series of charts provides information about the funding of public institutions in Arkansas. (Contains 31 figures.) (SLD)