Actuarial Science Program
DePauw Actuarial Science Program
DePauw's Actuarial Science program is an established, credentialed business professional major with STEM certification. It equips students to apply mathematical and data-driven solutions to financial risk problems across diverse sectors including insurance, banking, finance, and investment. The comprehensive curriculum covers advanced quantitative skills, extensive knowledge of insurance and risk management, and essential business soft skills like communication and leadership.
What do Actuaries Do?
The future is uncertain and full of risk. Risk is the chance that an undesirable event will occur, but risk is also opportunity. That’s where we come in. Actuaries are the leading professionals in finding ways to manage risk. As holistic risk managers, actuaries employ a probabilistic perspective to navigate complex business challenges. They analyze uncertainty, risk, and probabilities to mitigate adverse financial impacts on individuals and organizations. Actuaries are experts in:
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Evaluating the likelihood of future events—using numbers, not crystal balls.
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Designing creative ways to reduce the likelihood of undesirable events.
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Decreasing the impact of undesirable events that do occur.
Want to know more about the actuarial journey? Watch the following videos:
Why Should You Study Actuarial Science?
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Master complex quantitative skills while enjoying a diverse, engaging curriculum that combines mathematics, statistics, finance, economics and data science.
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Actuaries significantly impact society or individual financial decisions by forecasting risks and managing uncertainties
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A highly respected career with excellent earning potential, including high starting salaries and generous benefits, consistently ranked among top professions for job satisfaction, work-life balance, and relatively low-stress levels.
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Achieve professional certification
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Leverage strong professional organization support for your career pathway
Career Outlook
The actuarial profession boasts a promising career outlook, with a projected 23% job growth from 2022 to 2032, significantly outpacing the average for all occupations. Risk is everywhere, and we always need actuaries to predict and manage it. The profession is ideal for individuals who enjoy challenges and problem-solving, offering numerous opportunities for growth and advancement. Employers typically award merit increases as actuaries gain experience and pass exams, often accompanied by cash bonuses, salary increases, and promotions for each professional designation achieved. The quantitative analysis skills actuaries acquire are highly valued, paving the way for substantial career advancement. Actuaries are always well compensated.
Employment Opportunities
Employment opportunities for actuarial students are diverse and abundant, given the high demand for professionals with expertise in risk management and financial analysis.
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Insurance Companies & Reinsurance Companies
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Consulting Firms
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Investment and Financial Services
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Data Analytics Firms:
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Government Agencies
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Healthcare Organizations
Use the navigation menu on the left to learn more about our program and its offerings. Quick Links include information about the Actuarial Coursework, Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credits, Actuarial Professional Exams and Financial Support, Jobs and Internships, Professional Organizations, Conference Attendance, and Student Organizations.
Contact Information: For more information about the Actuarial Science Program, please contact Zhixin Wu, Ph.D, ASA & MAAA, Professor of Business Analytics and Mathematical Sciences, zhixinwu@depauw.edu