Actuarial Science
Using math and statistics to quantify and manage financial risk.
Actuarial science applies probability, statistics, and financial theory to measure and manage risk, primarily in insurance and finance, answering questions like how likely an event is and what it should cost to insure against it. It's a specialized, exam-driven field.
The curriculum is closely tied to a series of professional actuarial exams, so coursework in probability, financial math, and statistics is often explicitly mapped to exam content, alongside general math and business coursework.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Calculus I, II, III
- ✓Probability Theory
- ✓Financial Mathematics
- ✓Statistics & Regression
- ✓Life Contingencies
- ✓Risk Theory
- ✓Economics
- ✓Actuarial Exam Preparation Seminar
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Calculus I, II, III
- +General education requirement
- ✓Probability Theory
- +General education requirement
- ✓Financial Mathematics
- +General education requirement
- ✓Statistics & Regression
- +Free elective
- ✓Life Contingencies
- +Free elective
- ✓Risk Theory
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Economics
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Actuarial Exam Preparation Seminar
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Very strong in math and enjoys precise, exam-style problem-solving
- ★Interested in finance, insurance, or quantitative risk
- ★Disciplined and comfortable with a structured, exam-driven path
- ★Enjoys applying abstract math to concrete financial questions
Common minors & double-major pairings
Finance · Statistics · Economics
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Actuarial Science major?
Using math and statistics to quantify and manage financial risk.
What courses do Actuarial Science majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Calculus I, II, III, Probability Theory, Financial Mathematics, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Actuarial Science program?
Actuarial Science coursework typically builds skills like Advanced probability and statistical modeling, Financial mathematics, Risk analysis and quantification, Precision and rigor in calculation.
Is Actuarial Science a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Very strong in math and enjoys precise, exam-style problem-solving" or "Interested in finance, insurance, or quantitative risk" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Actuarial Science degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Actuary. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Actuarial Science?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Finance, Statistics, Economics.
How is Actuarial Science different from Mathematics?
They're related but distinct. Actuarial Science: Using math and statistics to quantify and manage financial risk. Mathematics: The study of patterns, structures, and logical proof. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Actuarial Science degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/actuarial-science