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Top 10 Universities for Actuarial Science in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Direct answer

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is the best university for actuarial science, with Drake University at #2 and the University of Iowa at #3; all three have been Society of Actuaries Centers of Actuarial Excellence since the first group in 2009. Penn State, a CAE since 2011, runs the largest program.

At a glance

#PickSOA Center of Actuarial ExcellenceBest for
1University of Wisconsin–MadisonSince 2009 (first group)A big public research university with a business-school actuarial program
2Drake UniversitySince 2009 (first group)A private school with strong job placement in an insurance hub
3University of IowaSince 2009 (first group)One of the oldest actuarial programs in the country
4Pennsylvania State UniversitySince 2011The biggest actuarial program and alumni network
5Georgia State UniversitySince 2009 (first group)Actuarial science in a big Southern city
6University of ConnecticutSince 2009 (first group)Insurance-industry access in the Northeast
7Illinois State UniversitySince 2009 (first group)A value public option in the Midwest
8University of Nebraska–LincolnSince 2009 (first group)A Big Ten actuarial program
9Temple UniversitySince 2009 (first group)Actuarial science in Philadelphia
10St. John’s UniversitySince 2009 (first group)Actuarial science in New York City

Pick by what you want

Best overall
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Best job placement
Drake University
Most historic program
University of Iowa
Largest program
Pennsylvania State University
Best in New York City
St. John’s University

The ranking

1

University of Wisconsin–Madison

University of Wisconsin–Madison
Photo: Michael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe research powerhouse.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Madison, WisconsinFounded: 1848Programs: BBA in Actuarial Science, Capstone Certificate in Actuarial Science and a Ph.D.

Wisconsin–Madison, founded in 1848, has been a Center of Actuarial Excellence since the first group in 2009 and offers a BBA in Actuarial Science, a Capstone Certificate and a Ph.D.

Go ifA big public research university with a business-school actuarial program
Skip ifYou want a small private campus
Why #1 over #2: Its research university with a Ph.D. track goes beyond Drake’s private-school program.
2

Drake University

Drake University
Photo: Docccc / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe job-placement pick.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Des Moines, IowaType: Private universityOutcomes: 94.8% of domestic students employed at graduation (2005-2008 graduates)

Drake in Des Moines was in the first CAE group in 2009; 94.8% of its domestic students were employed at graduation (2005-2008 graduates).

Go ifA private school with strong job placement in an insurance hub
Skip ifYou want a large research university
Why #2 over #3: Its published 94.8% employment rate gives it the edge over Iowa.
3

University of Iowa

University of Iowa
Photo: w_lemay / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe historic program.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Iowa City, IowaFounded: 1847History: Second-oldest actuarial science program in the USA, with courses taught every year since 1913

The University of Iowa, founded in 1847, has the second-oldest actuarial science program in the USA, with courses every year since 1913, and has been a CAE since 2009.

Go ifOne of the oldest actuarial programs in the country
Skip ifYou want a business-school program
Why #3 over #4: Its 2009 CAE status predates Penn State’s 2011 designation.
4

Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania State University
Photo: George Chriss / CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe largest actuarial program.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2011Location: Pennsylvania (main campus at University Park)Founded: 1855Program: Running since 1973, with about 100 graduates a year; called the largest actuarial program in the United States

Penn State’s program has run since 1973 with about 100 graduates a year, and it has been a CAE since 2011.

Go ifThe biggest actuarial program and alumni network
Skip ifYou want small classes
Why #4 over #5: Its about 100 graduates a year is the largest output any school here publishes.
5

Georgia State University

Georgia State University
Photo: JJonahJackalope / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Southeast’s CAE.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Atlanta, GeorgiaFounded: 1913Type: Public research university in the University System of Georgia

Georgia State in Atlanta, founded in 1913, has been a CAE since the first group in 2009.

Go ifActuarial science in a big Southern city
Skip ifYou want a rural campus
Why #5 over #6: Its big-city setting edges UConn for students who want Atlanta.
6

University of Connecticut

University of Connecticut
Photo: Jerry Dougherty / CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictNew England’s actuarial leader.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Storrs, ConnecticutFounded: 1881Region: The only Center of Actuarial Excellence in New England when named

UConn, founded in 1881 in Storrs, has been a CAE since 2009 and was New England’s only CAE when named.

Go ifInsurance-industry access in the Northeast
Skip ifYou want a big-city campus
Why #6 over #7: Its New England position edges Illinois State.
7

Illinois State University

Illinois State University
Photo: Michaelkurek011 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Midwest value CAE.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Normal, IllinoisFounded: 1857Type: Oldest public university in Illinois

Illinois State in Normal, founded in 1857 as the oldest public university in Illinois, has been a CAE since 2009.

Go ifA value public option in the Midwest
Skip ifYou want an Ivy-style name
Why #7 over #8: It is a 2009 CAE like Nebraska–Lincoln, with an older founding (1857 vs. a charter in 1869).
8

University of Nebraska–Lincoln

University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Photo: David Keyzer / CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Plains’ actuarial program.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Lincoln, NebraskaFounded: Chartered 1869Type: Public land-grant research university

Nebraska–Lincoln, chartered in 1869, has been a CAE since 2009.

Go ifA Big Ten actuarial program
Skip ifYou want a coastal city
Why #8 over #9: Its land-grant research university edges Temple.
9

Temple University

Temple University
Photo: ImagineerJC / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictPhiladelphia’s CAE.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaFounded: 1884Type: Public state-related research university

Temple in Philadelphia, founded in 1884, has been a CAE since 2009.

Go ifActuarial science in Philadelphia
Skip ifYou want a quiet college town
Why #9 over #10: It is the public-university option against private St. John’s.
10

St. John’s University

St. John’s University
Photo: Tdorante10 / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictNew York City’s CAE.
SOA Center of Actuarial Excellence: Since 2009 (first group)Location: Queens, New York CityFounded: 1870School: Peter J. Tobin College of Business

St. John’s in Queens, founded in 1870, runs its actuarial program in the Peter J. Tobin College of Business and has been a CAE since 2009.

Go ifActuarial science in New York City
Skip ifYou want a public university

How we ranked these

We ranked each school on its Society of Actuaries Center of Actuarial Excellence status first, then on the program history, size and outcomes it publishes. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is a Center of Actuarial Excellence?

A designation from the Society of Actuaries for actuarial programs that meet its standards; the first 12 were named on December 16, 2009, and each designation lasts five years.

Which schools were the first Centers of Actuarial Excellence?

Drake, UConn, Georgia State, Illinois State, Iowa, Laval, Manitoba, Nebraska–Lincoln, St. John’s, Temple, Waterloo and Wisconsin–Madison.

What is the largest actuarial program in the US?

Penn State, running since 1973 with about 100 graduates a year, has called itself the largest actuarial program in the United States.

Is Drake University good for actuarial science?

Yes. Drake was in the first group of Centers of Actuarial Excellence in 2009, and 94.8% of its domestic students were employed at graduation (2005-2008 graduates).

Year the university was founded at a glance

University of Iowa1,847 year
University of Wisconsin–Madison1,848 year
Pennsylvania State University1,855 year
Illinois State University1,857 year
St. John’s University1,870 year
University of Connecticut1,881 year
Temple University1,884 year
Georgia State University1,913 year
Year the university was founded, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

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