Best Actuarial Science Programs
Check out our ranking of the best schools for actuarial science. Consider programs that include classes in math, statistics, and business.
3,700+ Nonprofit, accredited colleges analyzed
6,000+ Users connected with programs every month
300+ College and university partners
40+ Expert reviewers
Learn more about our Editorial Policy and Standards and Advertising Disclosure.
With the help of a degree in actuarial science, you can earn a strong salary, see above average job growth, and employ your analytical and data science skills. If you’re looking to go into the finance or the insurance industries, you should consider applying to the best schools for actuarial science.
Actuaries use math and statistics to analyze the financial cost of risk and uncertainty and use financial theory to assess the risk of potential events. They then inform clients and companies of ways or policies they can implement to mitigate those risks.
You should look for actuarial science programs that offer classes in math, finance, statistics, data analytics, computer skills, and communication skills.
You should also consider seeking out supplemental professional development support — the best schools for actuarial science can include internships and professional networking services to prepare students.
Best Actuarial Science Programs
How We Rank Schools
New York University
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Semester
In State | $29,906
Out of State | $29,906
Credits to Graduate
128
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
A top-ranked private college located in Manhattan, NYU offers one of New York's best bachelor's in actuarial science programs. The school's BS in business with a concentration in actuarial science trains students to identify and assess risk. The curriculum prepares candidates to sit for several certification exams offered through the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society.
Prospective NYU students can submit their application through the Common App. The application also requires undergraduate grades and any previous undergraduate coursework. The school does not require SAT or ACT scores.
10%
$50,684
94%
$50,684
- Acceptance Rate
- 16%
- Students Enrolled
- 52,885
- Institution Type
- Private
Brigham Young University
- Provo, UT
- 4 year
- Campus
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $331 (Latter-day Saint), $662 (Non-Latter-day Saint)
Out of State | N/A
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
A private college affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU offers one of Utah's top bachelor's in actuarial science programs. Actuary students gain comprehensive skills in statistics and risk modeling, with common course offerings including actuarial problems and big data science. Candidates can also complete an actuarial internship in a professional environment.
Program applicants must hold a high school diploma. BYU does not require ACT or SAT scores through winter 2024. Applicants must also submit letters of recommendation, an ecclesiastical endorsement, and multiple admissions essays.
12%
$5,790
90%
$5,790
- Acceptance Rate
- 67%
- Students Enrolled
- 34,318
- Institution Type
- Private
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
- New York, NY
- 4 year
- Campus
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $305
Out of State | $620
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
A member of the City University of New York system, Baruch operates a main campus in Manhattan. The school's bachelor's in actuarial science explores mathematical and statistical concepts in relation to the insurance industry. Students complete courses such as theory of interest, short-term insurance math, and mathematics of inferential statistics.
The college's admissions department evaluates both high school GPA and curriculum rigor. Applicants can also submit a college essay and optional letters of recommendation. Baruch does not require SAT or ACT scores through spring 2023.
7%
$ 6,930
89%
$14,880
- Acceptance Rate
- 43%
- Students Enrolled
- 18,679
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Madison, WI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $498
Out of State | $1,691
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
Wisconsin's flagship public college, UW offers a top-ranked bachelor's in actuarial science program. This interdisciplinary degree combines knowledge from a variety of fields including economics, statistics, and computer science. Typical course topics include loss models, linear algebra, and data science programming.
Program applicants must apply to UW's School of Business before enrolling in the actuarial science program. Students must hold at least 24 UW credits (either completed or in-progress) with a minimum 2.75 GPA.
18%
$ 9,273
95%
$36,333
- Acceptance Rate
- 54%
- Students Enrolled
- 44,257
- Institution Type
- Public
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Santa Barbara, CA
- 4 year
- Campus
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Semester
In State | $3,976
Out of State | $15,347Â
Credits to Graduate
N/A
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
A top-ranked California public college, UC Santa Barbara hosts one of the state's best bachelor's in actuarial science programs. Degree candidates receive broad training in math and statistics, including preparation for industry-standard actuary certification exams.Â
Undergraduate applicants must hold a high school diploma with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The actuarial science program recommends students complete two years of algebra, plane geometry, and trigonometry while still in high school. UC Santa Barbara does not require SAT or ACT scores.
2%
$11,442
92%
$41,196
- Acceptance Rate
- 30%
- Students Enrolled
- 26,314
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $212
Out of State | $749
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
One of Florida's major public colleges, UCF offers a top-rated bachelor's in actuarial science program. Candidates gain a broad understanding of actuarial risk assessment. They complete courses including matrix and linear algebra, life contingencies, and introduction to derivative markets. The curriculum may also include internship or co-op experiences with departmental approval.
Undergraduate applicants must submit high school transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. While not required, UCF strongly encourages applicants to complete an optional admissions essay.
59%
$ 4,478
91%
$19,810
- Acceptance Rate
- 44%
- Students Enrolled
- 69,402
- Institution Type
- Public
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Champaign, IL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Year
In State | $12,474
Out of State | $30,446
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
One of Illinois' major public colleges, U of I offers a top bachelor's in actuarial science program. Students explore topics in statistics, mathematics, and economics. They can receive additional support through the school's Milliman mentorship program. Degree candidates choose from four concentration tracks: life and annuities, finance and investment, property and casualty, and predictive analytics.
Applicants must submit high school transcripts. Students can also submit optional SAT or ACT scores.
39%
$14,188
93%
$33,127
- Acceptance Rate
- 59%
- Students Enrolled
- 51,605
- Institution Type
- Public
Purdue University
- West Lafayette, IN
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $348
Out of State | $948
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
A public college based in Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue hosts one of the state's best bachelor's in actuarial science programs. Degree candidates gain a strong foundation in math and statistics. They can take courses in elementary linear algebra, financial management, and statistics for risk modeling. Most students pair the actuarial science major with a business management minor.
Purdue applicants must submit high school transcripts and an admissions essay. Applicants may also submit optional SAT or ACT scores.
22%
$ 9,208
91%
$28,010
- Acceptance Rate
- 60%
- Students Enrolled
- 45,500
- Institution Type
- Public
Ohio State University
- Columbus, OH
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $480
Out of State | $1,490
Credits to Graduate
121
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
A major public college based in Columbus, Ohio State offers a BA and BS in actuarial science. Students complete courses in topics including probability and statistics, linear algebra, and actuarial mathematics. Candidates can also complete an internship as part of the curriculum, gaining hands-on experience at a professional insurance company.
Bachelor's in actuarial science applicants must submit high school transcripts. SAT or ACT scores are optional through 2023. Applicants may also submit up to two letters of recommendation.
34%
$10,197
94%
$31,174
- Acceptance Rate
- 54%
- Students Enrolled
- 61,391
- Institution Type
- Public
CUNY Queens College
- Queens, NY
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- Accredited
On Campus | Scheduled Classes
Avg. Cost per Credit
In State | $305
Out of State | $620
Credits to Graduate
120
Program Information
Degree-Completion Program | No
Program Accreditation | N/A
A major New York public college based in Queens, QC offers a bachelor of business administration in actuarial studies. The program builds broad business knowledge and specialized actuarial skills. Typical courses include methods of math statistics, business law, and mathematics of finance. Candidates can also complete internships in the New York area.
Applicants to the bachelor's in actuarial science must submit high school transcripts. The school does not require SAT or ACT scores through spring 2023.
3%
$ 6,930
82%
$14,880
- Acceptance Rate
- 49%
- Students Enrolled
- 19,923
- Institution Type
- Public
Popular Coursework for a Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science Program
The typical entry-level education requirement to become an actuary is to obtain your bachelor’s degree. To earn your degree and become an actuary, you will need a strong background in math, statistics, and business. Keep in mind — you’ll likely also need to pass a series of exams to be certified as an actuary.
Classes may vary by college or university, but the best schools for actuarial science generally include the following.
Mathematics of Investment
This course will discuss topics such as debt instruments, mortgages, bonds, debt immunization, and yield rates on leasing. Students may look at case studies that exemplify these terms.
Theory of Interest
In this course, you will learn about the time value of money. This includes topics such as loans, interest rate term structure, compounding interest, annuity and bond valuation, and more.
Risk Analytics
Students will receive an introduction to methods for analyzing and modeling risks. Topics will include linear and nonlinear models of assessment, predictive models, and model selection. It will likely build on statistics and math courses.
Intro to Statistics
Most colleges and universities will require you to take an introduction to statistics course (often referred to as stats 101) in order to earn your degree in actuarial science. This foundational course will introduce concepts of probability, variables, and statistics.
Calculus
You will likely have to take certain math classes to fulfill the prerequisites for more advanced actuarial science classes. This can include calculus, which covers variables, functions, curves, and various theorems.
What Can You Do With a Degree in Actuarial Science?
Most actuaries work for insurance companies, or in an office setting. However, some actuaries work as consultants – traveling to meet their clients.
Actuaries can specialize in the following fields of insurance: health insurance, life insurance, or property and casualty insurance. Outside the insurance industry, some actuaries focus on enterprise risk management, pension and retirement benefits, and the public sector.
What industry you work in can determine your salary as an actuary. For example, if you were to become an actuary in the finance or insurance industry, the median annual wage for that occupation is $120,800. According to the BLS, that’s the highest-paying industry for actuaries as of May 2023.
The average median annual wage for actuaries is $120,000. The top-paying states in the U.S. for actuaries are New York, Connecticut, and Kansas. In New York, the annual mean wage is $160,770.
According to BLS data, the states with the highest employment levels of actuaries are New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, and Ohio.
| Job Title | Median Annual Salary (2023) | Projected Job Growth (2023-2033) |
|---|---|---|
| Accountants and Auditors | $79,888 | 6% |
| Actuaries | $120,000 | 22% |
| Cost Estimators | $74,740 | -4% |
| Financial Analysts | $99,890 | 9% |
| Financial Risk Specialists | $106,090 | 8% |
| Investment Analysts | $99,010 | 10% |
| Insurance Underwriters | $77,860 | -4% |
| Market Research Analysts | $74,680 | 8% |
| Operations Research Analysts | $83,640 | 23% |
| Personal Financial Advisors | $99,580 | 17% |
Frequently Asked Questions About Actuarial Science Programs
The actuary science job market is both in demand and growing. The BLS projects actuary careers to grow 22% from 2023-2033, which is much faster than the national average growth rate of 4%.
Explore More College Resources
Earn Your Accelerated Finance Degree Online
Want to earn a degree without spending the usual four years studying? Read about the best accelerated finance degrees available to you.
by Elin Johnson
Updated April 15, 2025
Requirements for a Career in Finance
Considering a career in finance? Discover everything you need to know about the education, experience, and certifications you need for a finance job.
Updated June 26, 2024
Other Business and management Resources
Business and Management
programs
careers