Actuarial Science: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries

Salaries for Actuarial Science graduates vary by role and location. Actuaries earn a median of $125,770 annually, while Financial Risk Specialists earn around $106,000. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $125,163 compared to $68,133 in Arkansas. Approximately 274,260 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.

Currently 123 accredited institutions offer Actuarial Science degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCLA), Los Angeles (89 graduates), Purdue University (PU), Main Campus (71 graduates), and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) (70 graduates).

Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.

Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,034 in 2010 to a peak of 2,099 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,363 in 2023-24. This represents a 32% increase overall from 2010.

The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.

This degree prepares you for roles such as Actuaries, Financial Risk Specialists, and Business Teachers, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 274,260 professionals nationwide.

Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.