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Actuarial associate education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an actuarial associate. Actuarial associates usually study mathematics, management science, or statistics. 83% of actuarial associates hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 428 real actuarial associate resumes to see exactly what actuarial associate education sections show.
The most common colleges for actuarial associates are the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa.
There are also many online actuarial associate courses to help get the education required to be an actuarial associate.
There are certain actuarial associate certifications that you should consider. These actuarial associate certifications include Associate of the Society of Actuaries (ASA) and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA).
What education do you need to become an actuarial associate?
What degree do you need to be an actuarial associate?
- Bachelor's, 83%
- Master's, 13%
- Associate, 3%
- Doctorate, 1%
What should I major in to become an actuarial associate?
- Mathematics, 44%
- Management Science, 19%
- Statistics, 10%
- Business, 4%
- Other Majors, 23%
Most common colleges for actuarial associates
| Actuarial associate common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Iowa | 9.72% |
| University of Connecticut | 8.33% |
| New York University | 8.33% |
| Harvard University | 5.56% |
| University of California - Davis | 5.56% |
Best majors for actuarial associates
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathematics | 44.3% |
| 2 | Management Science | 18.7% |
| 3 | Statistics | 10.2% |
| 4 | Business | 4.3% |
| 5 | Finance | 3.9% |
Best colleges for actuarial associates
The best colleges for actuarial associates are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
An actuarial associate with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for actuarial associates. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become actuarial associates.
1. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$53,391
Enrollment
8,568
2. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
4. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,306
Enrollment
6,975
5. Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$12,424
Enrollment
15,201
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
8. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
9. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
20 best online courses for actuarial associates
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3. Company Valuation & Financial Modeling
Learn comprehensive financial modeling, forecasting and business valuation techniques for Finance professionals...
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How to create a startup or existing company financial model from scratch and carry out the DCF Valuation...
5. What does an actuary actually do?
The course that provides a practical overview of the day to day work of an actuary in an insurance environment...
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7. Build a DCF Valuation Model
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Complete package of excel, accounting, ratio analysis, financial modeling, forecasting and business valuation techniques...
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10. Beginner to Pro in Excel: Financial Modeling and Valuation
Financial Modeling in Excel that would allow you to walk into a job and be a rockstar from day one!...
11. Mathematical (Actuarial) Statistics:(Exam P/CT3/CS1)
By MJ the Fellow Actuary...
12. Financial Statement Analysis
Learn how to make understanding financial statements your superpower!...
13. Complete Financial Modeling for Project Finance in Excel
Learn Financial Modeling for Project Finance and Infrastructure Valuation ( DCF and IRR )...
14. Financial Statement Analysis - Ratio Analysis
Master the Art of Financial Statement Analysis: Unlocking Insights through Vertical, Horizontal, and Ratio Analysis...
15. Introduction to Finance, Accounting, Modeling and Valuation
Learn Finance & Accounting from Scratch by an Award Winning MBA Professor, Ivy Grad, worked @ Goldman & VC...
16. ACCA Financial Management (FM): Business Valuations
Learn why valuation of businesses are required and the appropriate models for valuation of shares...
17. Value Investing With Fundamental Analysis - DCF Valuation
Find the fair value of any stock with DCF Valuation - Value Investing with Fundamental and Financial Modeling with DCF...
18. Value Investing: The Complete Financial Statement Analysis
Value Investing Mastery - How to Perform Financial Statement Analysis & Financial Ratio Analysis to Find Great Stocks...
19. Mergers & Acquisitions - M & A, Valuation & Selling a Company
Mergers and Acquisitions - Step by Step M & A, Company Valuation, Negotiation Skills, Business Plans and Finance...
20. How to Read Financial Statements: Build Financial Literacy.
Read financial statements and speak the language of business without the drudgery of a traditional accounting course...
Top 10 most affordable universities for actuarial associates
The most affordable schools for actuarial associates are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for actuarial associates are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for actuarial associates.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
10. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for actuarial associates
The hardest universities for actuarial associates to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for actuarial associates are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for actuarial associates based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
5. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
6. University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN • Private
Admissions rate
18%
SAT average
1,502
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
9. Emory University
Atlanta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,449
10. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for actuarial associates
The easiest schools for actuarial associates to get into are Felician University, university of houston - downtown, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an actuarial associate without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for actuarial associates.
1. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
2. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
3. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
5. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
6. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
8. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
9. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
10. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
Average actuarial associate salary by education level
| Actuarial associate education level | Actuarial associate salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $100,587 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $88,635 |
Actuarial associate education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025