Insurance Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Insurance Studies equips students with the analytical and strategic expertise needed to assess, manage, and mitigate financial risk across diverse organizational contexts. This program prepares graduates to design and implement effective insurance solutions that safeguard individuals, corporations, and public institutions against potential losses.
- Casualty Insurance and General Liability: Focuses on policies that protect against third-party claims for bodily injury or property damage, essential for businesses operating in high-risk environments.
- Property Insurance: Covers damage to physical assets such as buildings, equipment, and inventory, with an emphasis on risk assessment and claims management.
- Employee Benefits: Explores the design and administration of retirement plans, health benefits, and other compensatory programs that support workforce stability and engagement.
- Social and Health Insurance: Examines public and private systems that provide financial protection against medical costs, disability, and long-term care needs.
- Loss Adjustment: Trains students in evaluating and settling insurance claims efficiently and fairly, balancing organizational interests with policyholder rights.
- Underwriting: Develops skills in assessing risk exposure and determining appropriate premiums and coverage terms for insurance policies.
- Risk Theory: Provides a foundational understanding of probability, uncertainty, and decision-making models used in predicting and managing potential losses.
- Pension Planning: Focuses on structured retirement savings strategies, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans, with an emphasis on long-term financial sustainability.
Insurance Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Insurance Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Insurance Studies degrees, including Compensation and Benefits Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary and Insurance Underwriters. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,094,330 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Compensation and Benefits Managers 11-3111 | $140,360 | $81,660 - $239,200 | 20,070 | $67.48 |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
Insurance Underwriters 13-2053 | $79,880 | $51,640 - $138,020 | 107,820 | $38.40 |
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists 13-1141 | $77,020 | $48,300 - $128,830 | 102,370 | $37.03 |
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators 13-1031 | $76,790 | $47,810 - $112,150 | 305,020 | $36.92 |
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage 13-1032 | $76,650 | $56,690 - $101,800 | 7,790 | $36.85 |
Insurance Sales Agents 41-3021 | $60,370 | $36,390 - $135,660 | 469,480 | $29.02 |
Insurance Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $65,835 in West Virginia to $107,020 in District of Columbia—a 63% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, New Jersey, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,094,330 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Insurance Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 75 institutions offering Insurance Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Insurance Studies is found at American College of Financial Services (644 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (265 graduates), University of Wisconsin-Madison (119 graduates), Florida State University (FSU) (114 graduates), and University of Missouri (Mizzou), Columbia (75 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,147 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
American College of Financial Services |
Other Award
|
644 | King of Prussia, Pennsylvania | Private | theamericancollege.edu |
University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
265 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
119 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
114 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Other Award
|
75 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
73 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
University of South Carolina (USC) |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Columbia, South Carolina | Public | sc.edu |
Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Other Award
|
45 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
42 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
Illinois State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
Saint Joseph's University (SJU) |
Bachelor's
|
36 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | sju.edu |
Butler University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | butler.edu |
St. John's University (SJU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
31 | Queens, New York | Private | stjohns.edu |
Pittsburg State University |
Other Award
|
29 | Pittsburg, Kansas | Public | pittstate.edu |
University of Houston (UHD) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Houston, Texas | Public | uhd.edu |
University of Kansas (KU) |
Other Award
|
25 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | University, Mississippi | Public | olemiss.edu |
University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
University of Louisiana (ULM) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | Monroe, Louisiana | Public | ulm.edu |
University of North Texas (UNT) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Denton, Texas | Public | unt.edu |
Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
19 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
University of Wisconsin (UWO) |
Other Award
|
19 | Oshkosh, Wisconsin | Public | uwosh.edu |
University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
|
17 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
The University of Olivet |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Olivet, Michigan | Private | uolivet.edu |
William Rainey Harper College |
Other Award
|
15 | Palatine, Illinois | Public | harpercollege.edu |
University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
Indiana State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Public | indstate.edu |
Gallaudet University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gallaudet.edu |
Ferris State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
9 | Big Rapids, Michigan | Public | ferris.edu |
Lorain County Community College (LCCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Elyria, Ohio | Public | lorainccc.edu |
Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
Solano Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
8 | Fairfield, California | Public | welcome.solano.edu |
Ivy Tech Community College (Ivy Tech) |
Other Award
|
8 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | ivytech.edu |
Rio Salado College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | rio.maricopa.edu |
Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
7 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
7 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
Baylor University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
Los Angeles Pierce College (LAPC) |
Other Award
|
6 | Woodland Hills, California | Public | lapc.edu |
Washburn University (WU) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
University of Southern Maine (USM) |
Other Award
|
6 | Portland, Maine | Public | usm.maine.edu |
Kent State University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Salem, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
Northwood University (NU) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Midland, Michigan | Private | northwood.edu |
University of Minnesota (UMD) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Duluth, Minnesota | Public | d.umn.edu |
Gannon University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | gannon.edu |
Georgia State University (GSU Perimeter) |
Other Award
|
5 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | perimeter.gsu.edu |
Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
4 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
Madison Area Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
Husson University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
4 | Bangor, Maine | Private | husson.edu |
Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
3 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
University of St Thomas |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
|
3 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
University of Central Missouri (UCM) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Warrensburg, Missouri | Public | ucmo.edu |
Saint Peter's University (SPU) |
Master's
|
3 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Private | saintpeters.edu |
State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
University of Mount Union |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Alliance, Ohio | Private | mountunion.edu |
Collin County Community College District (CCCCD) |
Other Award
|
3 | McKinney, Texas | Public | collin.edu |
University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
Wichita State University (WSU) |
Residency
|
2 | Wichita, Kansas | Public | wichita.edu |
University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
Franklin University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | franklin.edu |
Owens Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
2 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
Mercyhurst University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Erie, Pennsylvania | Private | mercyhurst.edu |
Community College of Philadelphia (CCP) |
Other Award
|
2 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | ccp.edu |
Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
North Arkansas College (Northark) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Harrison, Arkansas | Public | northark.edu |
University of Hartford (UHart) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | West Hartford, Connecticut | Private | hartford.edu |
North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Mason City, Iowa | Public | niacc.edu |
Ohio Dominican University (ODU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Columbus, Ohio | Private | ohiodominican.edu |
High Plains Technology Center (HPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Woodward, Oklahoma | Public | hptc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Insurance Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Insurance Studies degree?
Salaries for Insurance Studies graduates vary by role and location. Compensation and Benefits Managers earn a median of $140,360 annually, while Business Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $97,270. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $107,020 compared to $65,835 in West Virginia. Approximately 1,094,330 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Insurance Studies programs?
Currently 75 accredited institutions offer Insurance Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include American College of Financial Services (644 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (265 graduates), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (119 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Insurance Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 1,053 in 2010 to 2,147 in 2023-24. This represents a 104% 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.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Insurance Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Compensation and Benefits Managers, Business Teachers, Postsecondary, and Insurance Underwriters. Related occupations employ approximately 1,094,330 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.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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