Top 25 Best Actuarial Science Programs in the United States

Find your perfect value college

ValueColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

If anyone would know how to recognize a best value, it would be an actuary. They’re the ones who determine what constitutes a “good risk” and what makes for a smart investment – scientifically. That’s exactly what the Value Colleges Best Value ranking of the best Actuarial Science degree programs has been designed to do – find the smartest investments in an actuarial science degree, from the colleges and universities most likely to provide a return on investment.

Featured Programs

The actuary profession has long been recognized by publications like the Wall Street Journal as one of the best jobs in the US, in a lot of ways. It’s very well-paid (since not many people can do it); it’s extremely safe (no real physical dangers, except maybe carpal tunnel); it’s fairly low- stress; and it’s one of the most stable, in-demand jobs in business.

Sounds like an obvious career choice, right? There’s just one thing that holds people back: actuarial science is math.

A Simple Actuarial Science Definition

Originally, an actuary’s job was very clear and narrow – run statistics for insurance companies and analyze the data to determine probabilities. That would mean things like the likelihood of having to pay out life insurance, or of a natural disaster causing a large number of homeowner’s claim. But in the era of Big Data, actuarial analysts are more important than ever and have moved into all kind of fields – not just insurance, but banking, finance, Big Data technology, public health, and many other sectors. Actuaries are the experts in mathematics, statistics, probability, and risk, and in the 21st century, they’re as in-demand, if not more in-demand than programmers or tech analysts.

The high demand is due, at least in part, to the fact that it is not easy to become an actuarial science professional. It takes a tremendous amount of skill in math and statistics, and everybody isn’t cut out for that. But for those who have the math skills, actuarial science is a perfect use.

How Do You Become An Actuarial Analyst?

An actuarial science degree program may come from a mathematics department or a business school, and regardless of where the program is housed, actuarial science is almost always very interdisciplinary. To succeed as an actuary, students need top-notch skills in both mathematics and business, since they don’t just run the numbers, but analyze them and advise their clients or colleagues on how to make use of the data.

Besides just getting the degree, actuaries need to pass 5 preliminary actuarial exams offered by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), including exams in areas like Probability and Financial Mathematics. Graduates also need Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credits to be licensed as actuaries. The good news is, most quality actuarial science degree programs will provide all of the VEE credits necessary, and prepare students to pass at least one, and often all, of the actuarial exams before graduation.

The Value Colleges Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science Programs ranking features only colleges and universities that have a proven track record of getting graduates into actuary careers. These are programs with SOA and CAS designed curriculum, and many are SOA-recognized Centers of Actuarial Excellence. Just as importantly, they are programs that have proven their value by the Value Colleges methodology:

  • Reputation (from U.S. News & World Report)
  • ROI (from College Scorecard)
  • Cost (from IPEDS reporting)

Value Colleges points students to the very best higher education investments – the colleges and universities with the highest returns and lowest risk.

The kind of deal an actuary can appreciate.

1. University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania is, in many ways, the model American university. Founded by Benjamin Franklin before the American Revolution, UPenn is one of the nine Colonial Colleges and a founding Ivy League institution. It was also one of the first universities set up as a modern university, rooted in Enlightenment science and philosophy. Further, Penn pioneered business studies with the first academic business school – the Wharton School, founded in 1881. Still one of the world’s foremost business schools, the Wharton School is a hub of entrepreneurship and management in the heart of one of America’s premier cities.

The Wharton School offers UPenn’s Actuarial Science degree program through the Statistics Department, providing students with a BS in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Science. The Actuarial Science concentration is a four-course sequence consisting of three actuarial courses and one elective, including options like Business Insurance, Statistical Computing, Data Analytics, and Modern Data Mining. Students are fully prepared for the work of the modern actuarial profession, including SOA/CAS actuarial exams, or for entry into an MBA program for further business and management expertise. With the Penn reputation and the Wharton School’s deep connections throughout the business world, graduates can expect their Penn actuarial degrees to pay off quickly with actuary jobs in all sorts of fields.

school website

2. Brigham Young University

The largest private religious college in the US (by on-campus student body), Brigham Young University is the alma mater of the Church of Latter-Day Saints and one of the most respected Christian institutions in higher education. Founded by LDS leader Brigham Young in 1875, BYU is well known for its generous financial aid (particularly for Mormon students, who are supported by the church), and for their research and academic rigor. BYU is particularly recognized for business, including top rankings for undergraduate business, entrepreneurship, and accounting from sites like Forbes, Bloomberg Businessweek, and U.S. News & World Reports.

BYU’s BS in Actuarial Science comes from the Department of Statistics in the Physical and Mathematical Sciences College. While the actuarial science degree is largely focused on mathematics, coming primarily from the statistics department, the Actuarial Science program is also steeped in economics, finance, and information science. This mixture of courses prepares students not only for the professional responsibilities of being an actuary, but for adjusting to different fields and the demands of modern business, particularly technology. And BYU’s reasonable tuition and financial aid make the BYU Actuarial Science degree a smart risk among actuarial science colleges.

school website

3. Baruch College

Baruch College is one of the senior colleges of the world-renowned City University of New York system, the foremost metropolitan university system in the world. Long considered one of the leading business educators in the world, Baruch College traces its history back to the Free Academy, founded in 1847 as the first free college in the world. When the Free Academy became the City College of New York, Baruch was established as the business school, eventually growing into its own senior college with three schools, including the Zicklin School of Business. Located in Manhattan, just blocks from Wall Street, Baruch is a world leader in business, including actuarial science degrees.

The Baruch College Actuarial Science major comes from the Department of Mathematics. Like other actuarial programs, the Actuarial Science major is rooted in mathematics and statistics, as well as economics and finance, with courses from the Zicklin School of Business rounding out students’ knowledge of applied actuarial skills. With Baruch’s deep connections to the business world of New York City, students have access to some of the most influential internships in the world, as well as a strong job market presence. Graduates can expect Baruch College’s affordable tuition, with New York’s many actuarial analyst jobs, to pay off many times over with an Actuarial Science degree.

school website

4. Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University, a highly-respected private Lutheran institution in Valparaiso, IN, dates back to the Methodist-founded Valparaiso Male and Female College, a pioneering coeducational school. Today, Valparaiso is part of the Lutheran University Association (having been saved from bankruptcy in WWI by the church) and is known throughout the Midwest for its educational excellence. U.S. News & World Report ranks Valparaiso in the top 5 regional colleges for the Midwest, and the best regional undergraduate educator. Meanwhile, Valparaiso has been named a best value by Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and Money magazine.

The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Valparaiso offers an Actuarial Science program concentrated in math, finance, economics, and statistics. The full expertise of the mathematics and technology disciplines prepares students for the challenges of modern actuary careers, or for further schooling. Valparaiso has a strong track record for placing graduates in graduate statistics or MBA programs for additional credentialing and career development past the Bachelor of Science. Valparaiso’s reputation for value and the demand for actuarial analysts promises graduates a strong return on their investment (including an actuarial analyst’s salary).

school website

5. University of Wisconsin

The University of Wisconsin is as old as the state of Wisconsin, founded in 1848 by the state constitution, and UW-Madison has been at the heart of culture and learning ever since. Named a land-grant institution in 1866, UW-Madison is dedicated to providing the best education for the people of Wisconsin at affordable prices, with ample student support and a job-market reputation. The UW School of Business, founded in 1900, is one of the nation’s oldest and remains central to business in Wisconsin. UW and the School of Business have developed deep ties to the business community of Madison and throughout Wisconsin, making it one of the top-ranked for business in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The School of Business offers 10 majors within the Bachelor of Business Administration, including the University of Wisconsin BBA in Actuarial Science. Recognized as a National Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) since 2009, the UW-Madison Actuarial Science program is built around the application of practical use. Students also take part in the Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Project, using technology to develop educational tools. UW’s reputation throughout the Midwest makes the Actuarial Science degree as close as it gets to a sure thing for future actuaries on the job market.

school website

6. Queens College (CUNY)

Part of the CUNY system, Queens College was founded in 1937 in Flushing, Queens, on the site of the former Jamaica Academy, a school where Walt Whitman briefly taught in 1840. QC is one of the nation’s most diverse colleges, in one of the nation’s most diverse communities, with less than a third of the student body identifying as white. Queens became a symbol of diversity in the 1970s, during the era of open admissions, attracting black and Latino students who had previously been underrepresented; today, the college has a large Asian population. Queens has regularly been ranked as a top regional educator, and the best value, by publishers like U.S. News & World Report and the Princeton Review.

Queens College is widely known for its pre-professional programs, including the Queens BBA in Actuarial Studies. Unlike many actuarial science degree programs, which are in mathematics or statistics departments, the Queens Actuarial Studies program is tied to the Bachelor of Business Administration, making it a specially-focused business actuarial program. That means students get not only expertise in the mathematics, technology, and computing of actuarial science, but a strong grounding in business, management, and entrepreneurship to apply those skills. Queens has a long-standing reputation as a best value, according to Forbes and Washington Monthly, so graduates can expect a solid return on the actuarial science job market for their time and money.

school website

7. Binghamton University

Part of the State University of New York system, Binghamton University is widely recognized as one of the best colleges in the North. Binghamton was founded in 1946 as part of the higher education effort to meet the needs of veterans returning from WWII using their GI Bill to go to college and reintegrate into civilian life. With high demand, the Triple Cities College quickly grew into a full university, earning a reputation as the top public university in the state. Today, Binghamton is still ranked among the top national public universities by commentators like U.S. News and the Princeton Review and has been named a Public Ivy – a public university with the quality and reputation of the Ivy League.

Binghamton University’s Actuarial Science program, uniquely, offers two different degree pathways to an actuarial career. The BA in Actuarial Science requires six fewer credit hours than the BS program, though the Bachelor of Science is more in-depth and rigorous in mathematics and statistics, with more economics requirements. Both can lead to a successful career as an actuary, and both prepare students well for the SOA exams; the only difference is the level of commitment. Binghamton’s reputation throughout New York, the Northeast, and New England – the heart of finance and insurance – makes either degree a safe investment for future actuaries.

school website

8. Brooklyn College (CUNY)

Since its founding in 1930, Brooklyn College has been one of the city’s most accessible, welcoming institutions. Brooklyn College dates back to 1910, to an extension campus of the City College for Teachers, but in 1930, the City College (a men’s school) was combined with Hunter College (a women’s school) to create New York City’s first coed college. Today, Brooklyn College continues its tradition of providing an opportunity for the city’s underrepresented, minority, working-class, and first-generation college students, while also attracting an international student body. Brooklyn College is consistently ranked as one of the top public and top regional colleges by U.S. News, the Princeton Review, and more.

Brooklyn College is well known for preparing students for professional careers. That includes Brooklyn College’s BS in Actuarial Mathematics, a specialized program designed to give students the skills necessary for an actuarial career. With courses in science, mathematics, business, and economics, the Actuarial Mathematics BS shows students all sides of actuarial science, along with expertise in the computing and technology of actuarial mathematics. With Brooklyn College’s reputation throughout New York City and the North, students can expect job market advantages and career success, including a lucrative actuarial science salary, with a BS in Actuarial Mathematics.

school website

9. Western New England University

Western New England University began humbly in 1919, as an extension campus of Northeastern College (now Northeastern University) to educate adult students in the Springfield, MA area. Growth over the years – especially as WWII veterans returned to college – led to Western New England’s establishment as its own independent college in 1951, first specializing in Business Administration and Law. Today, WNEU is one of the region’s most trusted and acclaimed private colleges, taking on the university name in 2011. Ranked as a top regional university, WNEU is dedicated to research and professional education.

The Western New England University Actuarial Sciences major is designed by the Department of Mathematics to prepare students for careers as actuaries. Based on the recommendations of the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuary Society, the WNEU Actuarial Sciences program prepares students for the main actuary exams. In fact, students are encouraged to take their exams before graduation and are prepared to pass, as well as to qualify for certification. With courses in statistics and mathematics as well as accounting, finance, and economics, graduates are entirely ready to take advantage of WNEU’s strong job market reputation for entry into actuarial science jobs.

school website

10. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign was founded in 1867 as Illinois’ land-grant research institution under the Morrill Land Grant Act. In that capacity, U of I was intended to bring the citizens of the state the most current education in agriculture and applied science, with a grounding in the liberal arts. As Illinois’ leading public university and a Carnegie Classification top-tier research institution, the University of Illinois is central to professional education and leadership development for the state. That includes business disciplines like the Department of Accounting, ranked in the top 5 for Illinois, and actuarial science degrees, from the Department of Mathematics. In fact, Illinois is ranked one of the top 20 public universities by U.S. News & World Report.

The University of Illinois Actuarial Science program comes from the Department of Mathematics and has been hailed as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the SOA. The Casualty Actuarial Society has also awarded Illinois’ actuarial science degree program, recognizing its excellence with the University Award. U of I’s actuarial science program combines math, business, statistics, and computer science for full preparation for actuarial exams, and an actuarial analyst career in a variety of fields. Plus, the University of Illinois’ reputation as a best value helps future actuaries recognize a good risk when they see one.

school website

11. University of Minnesota

The Twin Cities’ foremost university, the University of Minnesota has been central to life in Minneapolis-St. Paul for more than a century and a half. Founded in 1851, UMN is the state’s flagship public research university, contributing enormously to the economy of Minnesota and the Twin Cities, while playing a major role in educating its professional and leadership class. Well over 45,000 students call UMN home, and the university is named among the Public Ivies – the public institutions with the quality and reputation of the Ivy League. In particular, UMN is the source of Minnesota’s professionals, with nearly two-thirds of graduates staying in Minnesota as managers, health professionals, teachers, researchers, and leaders.

The University of Minnesota Actuarial Science degree program can come from either the College of Science and Engineering or the College of Liberal Arts, depending on whether the student wants a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts. In either case, the Actuarial Science programs prepare students for success in actuarial exams, and for satisfying careers in actuarial science jobs. Strong mentoring with real actuarial analysts, a grounding in mathematics and statistics, and real-world study helps make the University of Minnesota one of the best values among actuarial science colleges.

school website

12. Purdue University

Founded in 1869 as a land-grant university, Purdue University has been one of the nation’s foremost science and technology institutions ever since. Purdue was built on land donated by John Purdue, a local businessman, and its initial emphasis on agriculture and mechanics gave it a strong grounding for developing STEM disciplines. Today, Purdue is widely ranked as one of the top universities not just nationally, but worldwide, thanks to its groundbreaking research and top-quality science and professional degree programs. In particular, Purdue has been named one of the most innovative universities in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Purdue’s College of Science is one of the most renowned in the nation, and the Department of Mathematics is especially excellent. The Purdue University Actuarial Science degree program is the work of two departments, the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Statistics. Uniquely, students earn not one but two degrees and a minor: an actuarial science degree, a statistics degree, and a minor in management. This three-part, highly interdisciplinary program gives students excellent preparation for actuarial exams from the SOA and the CAS, as well as an adaptable foundation for work as an actuary in numerous industries.

school website

13. University at Albany

Located in New York’s capital city, the University at Albany is part of the SUNY system, a top-ranked regional institution dedicated to preparing New York’s professionals and leaders. Founded in 1844 as a normal school – the original 2-year teacher training program that was the precursor to 4-year bachelor’s degrees – SUNY Albany became the state’s first public bachelor’s college in 1905. Since those early days, SUNY Albany has grown into a comprehensive university focusing primarily on the fields that are most significant to urban and professional life, such as teaching, social work, criminal justice, and business. Along with many top-ranked degree programs, SUNY Albany has been named a best value by Kiplinger’s and others.

The SUNY Albany BS in Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences program comes from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The actuarial science degree is designed around SOA and CAS specifications, so students have confidence in approaching the demanding actuarial exams necessary to take on a career as an actuary in business, insurance, finance, or other fields. The Actuarial and Mathematical Sciences degree is also excellent preparation for graduate programs in the discipline. SUNY Albany, with access to the state government and the business center of the capital city, gives graduates a strong job market position for actuarial science jobs, making it a best value and a sound investment.

school website

14. Bradley University

One of the Midwest’s foremost professional-centered colleges, Bradley University began in 1897 as Bradley Polytechnic Institute. Founder Lydia Moss Bradley began with a watch-making school, expanding into more technical and career programs quickly with the goal of preparing Illinois’ working-class young people for the modern economy. Today, Bradley University continues that tradition, offering more than 180-degree programs, primarily in career and professional areas, especially technology and science. Bradley has been ranked one of the top 10 regional institutions in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.

Bradley University’s Actuarial Science programs come from two of the school’s strongest divisions. The AACSB-accredited Foster College of Business is one of the region’s best-ranked business schools, while the Mathematics Department is noted for quality. Either of the actuarial science degrees prepares students for the actuarial exams offered by the SOA, as well as providing a foundation for a successful career as an actuarial analyst, or entry into an actuarial science graduate program. In any case, Bradley’s reputation makes it one of the best, and most versatile, actuarial science colleges in the US.

school website

15. Ohio Northern University

Ohio Northern University, a private institution in Ada, OH, was founded in 1871 as a normal school by Henry Solomon Lehr, a Civil War veteran who recognized the need for higher education in the nation as the Industrial Revolution began stirring. The college was sold to the United Methodist Church in 1899 in order to help it survive Lehr’s death, and the school began a new focus on practical, professional education in areas like pharmacy and business. Today, ONU is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top regional colleges in the Midwest.

The ONU Actuarial Science degree program focuses on a broad, fully-rounded exploration of all aspects of the actuarial profession, from statistics and mathematics to computing and management. Actuarial science students are actively engaged in research related to actuarial science jobs, such as stock portfolio risk analysis, annuity valuation, and industry forecasting. From competitions to internships, ONU actuarial science students are prepared not just for actuarial exams, but for the professional responsibilities of an actuarial analyst career, including teamwork, research, and leadership.

school website

16. Florida State University

Founded in 1851 on the oldest campus in Florida, Florida State University is the state’s premier public research university, especially in STEM and professional fields. Florida had intended to open two colleges – one each for the western and eastern sections of the state – since its territorial days, but many years passed before the plan could be enacted. FSU really came into its own a century later, however, when the post-WWII science boom, and the space race, turned the university into a sea and space-grant institution. Today, Florida State is one of the nation’s premier research universities, with the highest Carnegie Foundation research classification and world-renowned programs in STEM disciplines.

Florida State’s Actuarial Science degree program is the first and most prestigious program in a Florida public college. Students can earn either a BA or a BS in actuarial science, depending on the kind of program they prefer; the BA requires foreign language courses, while the BS is heavier on mathematics. In either case, future actuarial analysts receive a strong grounding in math, statistics, business, and economics, in preparation for the actuarial exams necessary to earn career credentials. Plus, Florida State’s reasonable tuition rate – FSU has long been seen as a best value – gives graduates a strong return on their investment.

school website

17. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

A pioneering STEM university, Worcester Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1865 as one of the first schools in the US modeled on the polytechnic concept. Students learned science, technology, and engineering to prepare for the growing Industrial Revolution, combining classroom learning and hands-on work. This model set the stage for experiential learning and blazed a trail for future education in the sciences. Worcester further revolutionized STEM education with the project-based WPI Plan, which emphasizes undergraduate research, making WPI one of the top-ranked undergraduate educators in the nation.

Worcester Polytechnic’s BS in Actuarial Mathematics builds on WPI’s long history of excellence in mathematics and business. Students are trained not only in the mathematical and statistical concepts of actuarial science but in business and technology as well. Real research projects with actuarial professionals give students a taste of real actuarial science jobs while preparing them for actuarial exams. Students can also complete an MS in Financial Mathematics or Applied Statistics along with their BS in Actuarial Mathematics in just 5 years for added value.

school website

18. University of Northern Iowa

Originally a home for Civil War orphans, the University of Northern Iowa was founded in 1876 as the Iowa State Normal School when the children of the orphanage aged out. As a normal school, UNI’s original mission was preparing teachers for Iowa’s school system, growing from a 2-year hands-on program to a full 4-year baccalaureate college. Eventually, UNI grew into a significant regional college focused on bringing career and professional education to the people of Iowa, earning Princeton Review recognition as one of the Midwest’s best universities.

UNI’s BA in Mathematics (Statistics/Actuarial Science concentration) prepares students for their actuarial science careers with in-depth, rigorous mathematics and statistics courses. In addition to required courses in mathematics and statistics, students also learn financial mathematics and the computing skills necessary to use the most current technology in actuarial analysis. This deep knowledge of mathematics and statistics prepares students for their professions in the actuarial field with adaptable skills that can be used in a variety of settings, from business and insurance to teaching. The University of Northern Iowa’s reasonable public college tuition rate helps make it a top-tier college value.

school website

19. Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University was founded in 1899 as Watauga Academy, a normal school intended to help improve teacher education in the Appalachian mountain region. Community support was so strong that within only a few years the academy earned funding from the state government, and by the 1960s the school had grown into a public university. Since its founding, Appalachian State has been at the heart of research and learning in the Appalachians, and is a central source of professional education in key fields for the public good – and a nearly $2 billion economic footprint.

The Appalachian State BS in Actuarial Science degree program is designed as a cross-disciplinary field incorporating mathematics, statistics, business, and finance. In addition, giving students a full grounding in the skills and theory of actuarial science, ASU’s program prepares students for all four actuarial exams and is recognized by the SOA as an Advanced Curriculum institution. Students take a senior seminar with an actuarial professional, giving students a realistic picture of actuarial science jobs and the demands of real corporate careers. Long named a best value, Appalachian State’s reasonable tuition makes it a top choice among actuarial science colleges.

school website

20. Auburn University

One of the South’s premier research institutions, Auburn University is a comprehensive land, sea, and space-grant university dedicated to the most current STEM and professional education. Originally a small, Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college founded in 1856, Auburn was handed over the state in a financial crisis to become Alabama’s land-grant university in 1871. Originally focused on agriculture and mechanical engineering, today Auburn is a world leader in engineering, health sciences, and business. Auburn is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 national public university.

The Auburn University BS in Mathematics Actuarial Science degree program is steeped in mathematical and statistical skills and knowledge, preparing students for a career as an actuarial analyst, or for further schooling in mathematics of actuarial science. The Actuarial Science Option includes courses not just in mathematics and statistics, but finance, computer science, and other areas. Auburn’s influence throughout Alabama and the South makes it one of the strongest programs out there for future actuaries, with deep connections to the state’s business and government sectors. With Auburn’s exceptional employment opportunities, it’s a value and an investment.

school website

21. Bentley University

Bentley University was founded in 1917 by a Boston University professor, Harry C. Bentley, as a small, private accounting school designed around his educational theories. Bentley grew steadily over the next decades, admitting women, becoming non-profit, and expanding to 4-year, then master’s degrees. In time, Bentley also earned a reputation for experiment and exploration, with programs like the Center for Business Ethics and the Trading Room, where students manage a portion of the university’s endowment on the stock market. Bentley is ranked #2 in the North among U.S. News & World Report’s regional universities.

With its background as an accounting and finance school, Bentley University’s Actuarial Science degree program is easily one of the best in the North. Offered by the Mathematical Sciences department, the Actuarial Science major prepares students for the four main actuarial exams, as well as full educational experience credit. In addition, all Actuarial Science majors must take a double major or minor in Business Studies to make the most of their actuarial science careers, whether in finance, insurance, or another field. Bentley’s reputation in the job market, including the actuarial science job market, makes it a solid choice for an educational return on investment.

school website

22. University of Iowa

Iowa’s flagship public research university, the University of Iowa was founded in the same year Iowa became a state, 1847. It quickly became the cultural and educational heart of Iowa, and began a long series of innovations: the first public college to admit men and women of all races, the first to open a law school west of the Mississippi, the first educational TV station, and the first LGBT organization. Iowa was a pioneer in actuarial science as well, beginning with its first actuarial science course in 1902; today, UI’s Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science is recognized as a SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence.

The University of Iowa’s BS in Actuarial Science degree program comes from the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, one of the nation’s foremost actuarial science programs. This SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence program prepares students not only for the demands of actuarial science mathematical and statistical skills, but for the business and legal aspects of the actuarial science profession. With Iowa’s history of excellence in the field, actuarial science graduates can feel confident that their UI degrees will have an impact on the actuarial science job market.

school website

23. University of Missouri

The first public university west of the mighty Mississippi, the University of Missouri – Mizzou to its friends – is one of the most prominent top-tier research institutions in the Midwest and the US. With more than 33,000 students, Mizzou is Missouri’s most comprehensive university, continuing its land-grant mission to provide the best, most valuable higher education to the people of Missouri and beyond. The University of Missouri, then, is Missouri’s most essential institution for professional and technical education, from STEM and healthcare to business and law.

The University of Missouri BS in Actuarial Science degree program comes from the Mathematics Department. Technically, the BS in Mathematics degree offers a concentration in Actuarial and Financial Mathematics, giving students expertise in the skills of actuarial science analysis with an emphasis on practical use in the finance sector. Mizzou’s actuarial science program puts a premium on cooperation, teamwork, and collaboration, and prepares students not only for actuarial exams, but for the real-life work of an actuarial science job. The University of Missouri is also known for its value, making the Actuarial Science degree a low-risk investment.

school website

24. University of Nebraska

Founded in 1869 as a land-grant research university, the University of Nebraska was originally focused on agriculture and mechanical science, like other land-grant institutions. However, as Nebraska’s flagship, top-tier research university, NU developed into a multi-faceted institution, as acclaimed in the humanities and arts as in the sciences and professional studies. From its pioneering work in ecology, to the Prairie Schooner and University of Nebraska Press, NU has been a force for learning and culture in the Midwest. It’s also an acknowledged best value, recognized by the Princeton Review, Kiplinger’s, and the Fiske Guide for its combination of quality and ROI.

The University of Nebraska College of Business is the state’s premier business school, and a U.S. News & World Report top 10 undergraduate educator. The University of Nebraska Actuarial Science degree program comes from the College of Business’ Finance Department, giving students an actuarial science education defined for work in insurance, banking, and finance. Students are prepared for all SOA actuarial exams, and are offered opportunities for internship, professional development, and job placement. All this from one of the nation’s best values makes the actuarial science program at Nebraska a top choice for future actuarial analysts.

school website

25. Drake University

One of the most prominent private colleges in the Midwest, Drake University was founded in 1881 by Francis Marion Drake (its namesake) as a college focused on professional life. Drake is home to one of the nation’s oldest law schools and a host of top-tier professional and pre-professional programs in health science, business, and public policy. Drake puts leadership, interdisciplinary study, and service-learning at the center of its curriculum, focusing on turning students into leaders. Currently, Drake is ranked one of the top 5 regional colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report.

Drake University’s Actuarial Science degree program has been recognized by the SOA as a Center of Actuarial Excellence, promising students the highest quality of actuarial science education. At Drake, students are not only prepared for success in the actuarial exams, but for career success as actuaries as well. Drake’s connections to the business sector give students access to internships and employment, and Iowa’s status as a center of the insurance industry makes Drake a particularly promising choice.

school website

Related Rankings:

Featured Programs


Aya Andrews

Editor-in-Chief

Aya Andrews is a passionate educator and mother of two, with a diverse background that has shaped her approach to teaching and learning. Born in Metro Manila, she now calls San Diego home and is proud to be a Filipino-American. Aya earned her Masters degree in Education from San Diego State University, where she focused on developing innovative teaching methods to engage and inspire students.

Prior to her work in education, Aya spent several years as a continuing education consultant for KPMG, where she honed her skills in project management and client relations. She brings this same level of professionalism and expertise to her work as an educator, where she is committed to helping each of her students achieve their full potential.

In addition to her work as an educator, Aya is a devoted mother who is passionate about creating a nurturing and supportive home environment for her children. She is an active member of her community, volunteering her time and resources to support local schools and organizations. Aya is also an avid traveler, and loves to explore new cultures and cuisines with her family.

With a deep commitment to education and a passion for helping others succeed, Aya is a true inspiration to those around her. Her dedication to her craft, her community, and her family is a testament to her unwavering commitment to excellence in all aspects of her life.

Find your perfect value college

ValueColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Enter a search word or phrase