Actuarial Science
What this major studies in college, how to prepare in high school where a source says so, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
An actuary is a business professional who uses mathematical skills to define, analyze and solve complex business and social problems. [1]
The actuarial science major stresses applying mathematical and statistical ideas to measuring life, health, pensions and other contingencies, while giving students a broad understanding of business. [1]
Typical college courses
The requirements for its Associate (ASA) designation include Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) in mathematical statistics, economics, and accounting and finance, for which a candidate must show that the subject has been sufficiently covered. [2]
The actuarial science B.S. requires, each with a grade of C or better, Introduction to Probability Theory, Introduction to Mathematical Statistics, Risk Management and Insurance, Financial Mathematics for Actuaries, Long Term Actuarial Mathematics (Fundamentals) and Short Term Actuarial Mathematics (Fundamentals), among other courses. [1]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the Penn State bachelor of science in actuarial science, 2026–2027 bulletin. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: Penn State bulletin) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Probability Theory | Required in this example program[1] | Introduction to Probability Theory (STAT 414, also listed as MATH 414) presents calculus-based probability, including probability spaces, discrete and continuous random variables, transformations and expectations. [3] | It comes after MATH 230, or with MATH 232, or after MATH 231 and RM 214. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Probability rules · Conditional probability and independence · Random variables and expected value · Binomial distributions · The normal model | |||
| Introduction to Mathematical Statistics | Required in this example program[1] | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics (STAT 415) is a theory course on statistical inference, covering sufficiency, estimation, testing and regression. [3] | It comes after MATH 414 or STAT 414. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Sampling distributions · The Central Limit Theorem · Confidence intervals for a mean · Significance and p-values · Errors and power | |||
| Financial Mathematics for Actuaries | Required in this example program[1] | Financial Mathematics for Actuaries (RM 410) covers interest theory, including compound interest, annuities, loans, bond prices and yields, and managing interest rate risk, and it helps students prepare for the actuarial exam in Financial Mathematics (FM). [4] | It comes after MATH 141 with a C or better. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Saving, inflation and compound interest · Credit basics and the cost of borrowing · Car loans, mortgages and big purchases · Investing basics: risk and return · Geometric sequences and series · Solving exponential and logarithmic equations | |||
| Long Term Actuarial Mathematics - Fundamentals | Required in this example program[1] | Long Term Actuarial Mathematics - Fundamentals (RM 411) studies the math of life contingencies, life insurance and annuities, and helps students prepare for the long-term part of the Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics (FAM) exam. [4] | It comes after RM 410 with a C or better and STAT 414 or MATH 414. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Probability rules · Random variables and expected value · Types of insurance · Saving for retirement · Geometric sequences and series | |||
| Short Term Actuarial Mathematics - Fundamentals | Required in this example program[1] | Short Term Actuarial Mathematics - Fundamentals (RM 421) covers the methods actuaries use to build loss models for property, casualty and health insurance, using real claims and pricing data to set rates. [4] | It comes after RM 410 with a C or better and STAT 415 or MATH 415. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Random variables and expected value · Binomial distributions · The normal model · Risk and insurance basics · Types of insurance | |||
| Risk Management and Insurance | Required in this example program[1] | Risk Management and Insurance (RM 320W) covers the goals and methods of risk management, commercial insurance and other ways to transfer risk, and how insurance markets and intermediaries work. [4] | It comes after FIN 301, MATH 110 or MATH 140, and STAT 200 or SCM 200. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Risk and insurance basics · Types of insurance · Investor behavior, protection and getting advice · Probability rules | |||
Typical high school preparation
We did not find an official source that gives high school course advice for this major, so none is listed. For the high school courses colleges ask for in general, see the College Preparation page.
Related majors
Each card opens that major’s page. Compare the courses before you choose, and confirm each college’s own list.
Statistics
Penn State's statistics major helps prepare students interested in mathematics, computation and the quantitative side of science for careers in industry and government as statistical analysts, or for graduate training in statistics. [5]
Mathematics
Penn State's bachelor of arts and bachelor of science in mathematics share a common core of mathematics courses, and both prepare students for graduate work in mathematics. [6]
Applied Mathematics
Much of applied mathematics is intimately tied to computing. [7]
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Actuaries
Actuaries use mathematics, statistics and financial theory to analyze the economic costs of risk and uncertainty. [8]
The median annual wage for actuaries was $130,000 in May 2025. [8]
Employment of actuaries is projected to grow 9 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [8]
Actuaries typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation and must pass a series of exams to become certified. [8]
Financial analysts
Financial analysts research and evaluate financial data, forecast future trends, and prepare reports containing recommendations for businesses and investors. [9]
The median annual wage for financial and investment analysts was $102,740 in May 2025. [9]
Overall employment of financial analysts is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [9]
Financial analysts typically need a bachelor's degree in finance or a related field such as business. [9]
Actuarial exams: the SOA and CAS paths
Overview only. For dates, registration, rules and scoring, see each test maker's own site.
Society of Actuaries (SOA)
To attain the ASA designation a candidate must complete requirements that include the Probability (P) Exam, the Financial Mathematics (FM) Exam, the Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics (FAM) Exam, the Statistics for Risk Modeling (SRM) Exam and the Predictive Analytics (PA) Exam, among others. [2]
The ASA requirements also include an Advanced Long-Term or Advanced Short-Term Actuarial Mathematics exam, the Advanced Topics in Predictive Analytics (ATPA) Assessment, two foundations modules, an e-Learning course and a professionalism course. [2]
Candidates have flexibility with regard to the order in which requirements are completed. [2]
Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS)
Actuarial candidates must complete a set of requirements, including passing a series of exams, and its exam path starts with Exam 1 (Probability) and Exam 2 (Financial Mathematics). [10]
The requirements for its Associate (ACAS) credential include Exam MAS-I, Exam MAS-II, Exam 5, Exam 6 and the Course on Professionalism. [10]
Starting in college
Students in its actuarial science major will be prepared to begin the series of professional exams leading to associateship and fellowship in either the Society of Actuaries or the Casualty Actuarial Society while enrolled in the program. [1]
Exam and credential names are trademarks of their owners. The SOA and CAS are not affiliated with and do not endorse UpOnly Learning.
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
How to become an actuary
Actuaries typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation and must pass a series of exams to become certified. [8]
To attain the ASA designation a candidate must complete requirements that include the Probability (P) Exam, the Financial Mathematics (FM) Exam, the Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics (FAM) Exam, the Statistics for Risk Modeling (SRM) Exam and the Predictive Analytics (PA) Exam, among others. [2]
What exams do you need to become an actuary?
To attain the ASA designation a candidate must complete requirements that include the Probability (P) Exam, the Financial Mathematics (FM) Exam, the Fundamentals of Actuarial Mathematics (FAM) Exam, the Statistics for Risk Modeling (SRM) Exam and the Predictive Analytics (PA) Exam, among others. [2]
The requirements for its Associate (ACAS) credential include Exam MAS-I, Exam MAS-II, Exam 5, Exam 6 and the Course on Professionalism. [10]
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Sources
- The Pennsylvania State University. Actuarial Science, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/smeal-business/actuarial-science-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- Society of Actuaries (SOA). Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA). https://www.soa.org/education/exam-req/edu-asa-req/. no edition stated (page footer © 2026). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Statistics (STAT) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/stat/. current University Bulletins (the BMB, BIOL and NUTR course pages show the 2026–27 edition). Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Risk Management (RM) course descriptions. https://bulletins.psu.edu/university-course-descriptions/undergraduate/rm/. University Bulletins, 2026–27 edition. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Statistics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/statistics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- The Pennsylvania State University. Mathematics, B.S.. https://bulletins.psu.edu/undergraduate/colleges/eberly-science/mathematics-bs/. 2026–2027 Undergraduate Bulletin. Checked .
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM). SIAM Education Committee Report on Undergraduate Degree Programs in Applied Mathematics. https://www.siam.org/media/uhxkshs4/undergraduate_degree_programs_math.pdf. May 2014. Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Actuaries. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/actuaries.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Financial Analysts. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/business-and-financial/financial-analysts.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Credential Requirements. https://www.casact.org/credential-requirements. no edition stated (page shows "Plan Your Exam Path 2025"; footer © 2026). Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.