Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Insurance underwriter education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an insurance underwriter. Insurance underwriters usually study business, finance, or insurance. 67% of insurance underwriters hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 1,903 real insurance underwriter resumes to see exactly what insurance underwriter education sections show.
The most common colleges for insurance underwriters are the University of South Florida and the University of South Florida.
There are also many online insurance underwriter courses to help get the education required to be an insurance underwriter.
There are certain insurance underwriter certifications that you should consider. These insurance underwriter certifications include Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in General Insurance (AINS).
What education do you need to become an insurance underwriter?
What degree do you need to be an insurance underwriter?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Associate, 14%
- High School Diploma, 8%
- Master's, 5%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become an insurance underwriter?
- Business, 33%
- Finance, 7%
- Insurance, 6%
- Accounting, 5%
- Other Majors, 49%
Most common colleges for insurance underwriters
| Insurance underwriter common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of South Florida | 9.29% |
| University of Phoenix | 9.29% |
| University of Wisconsin Colleges | 9.29% |
| University of Connecticut | 5.71% |
| University of Nebraska - Kearney | 4.29% |
Best majors for insurance underwriters
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 33.2% |
| 2 | Finance | 7.4% |
| 3 | Insurance | 5.8% |
| 4 | Accounting | 5.3% |
| 5 | Psychology | 4.8% |
Best colleges for insurance underwriters
The best colleges for insurance underwriters are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Boston University.
An insurance underwriter with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for insurance underwriters. 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 insurance underwriters.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
3. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
7. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Enrollment
32,072
9. Butler University
Indianapolis, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$41,120
Enrollment
4,553
10. University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI • Private
In-state tuition
$10,555
Enrollment
30,360
20 best online courses for insurance underwriters
Advertising disclosure
1. Digital Transformation in Financial Services
This Specialization is intended for learners that have or wants to have a career in the digital financial industries.\n\nThe Specialization explores the evolving world of finance, focusing on the changing dynamics caused by the conversion of products and services into digital goods, new customer demands and changing regulation to govern the competetive landscape - the digital transformation of finance.\n\nYou’ll learn about concepts such as digital platforms and business ecosystems, be exposed...
2. Disaster Risk Management and Korean Policies
In the past, developing countries such as Korea lacked guidelines for exploring effective policies for disaster-resilient growth, resulting in unnecessary sacrifices in terms of time, resources, and human capital. Through the lessons learned by Korea, currently developing countries facing socio-economic development can build disaster resilience without sacrifices. Utilizing Korea's sound practices and institutional reforms, this course provides a valuable roadmap to prevent and mitigate the...
3. Fundamentals of Insurance - 2
Part 2...
4. Fundamentals of Insurance - 1
Part 1...
5. Excel Skills for Insurance Professionals
From Vlookups to Pivot Tables: Learn the Excel basics anyone working in the insurance industry needs to know!...
6. Multifamily Real Estate Underwriting Masterclass
Learn how you can start underwriting deals today!...
7. Blockchain applications in Food Safety, Healthcare & Pharma
Best course to learn about Blockchain Business Applications in Pharma, Food Safety, Healthcare and Insurance Industries...
8. Fundamentals of Financial Services
Understanding key elements and basic workings of the Financial Services Industry (useful for exams as well)...
9. Financial Statement Analysis - Ratio Analysis
Master the Art of Financial Statement Analysis: Unlocking Insights through Vertical, Horizontal, and Ratio Analysis...
10. Audit - Financial Statement
Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...
11. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing
Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...
12. Financial Statement Analysis
Learn how to make understanding financial statements your superpower!...
13. Operational Risks Management ORM
Operational Risks Management ORM Case Studies for Risk Management, Compliance, Audit, IS Security, Banking Professionals...
14. U.S. Residential Real Estate, Property & Mortgage Business
Property & Mortgage Underwriting Loan Processing Financial Analysis Mortgage Operations Origination...
15. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM
Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...
16. Value-Based Healthcare: An Introduction (Premium Edition)
Scaling Healthcare ROI – Leveraging Value, Quality, and Cost to Improve Healthcare Delivery and Results...
17. Applied ISO14971 Medical Device Risk Management
A concise guide to executing ISO 14971 requirements...
18. Medical coding for U.S. healthcare industry
Jump start your career in the fastest growing career choice in the healthcare industry...
19. 2017 Great Decisions: Foreign Policy Association
Learn about leading foreign policy challenges confronting U.S. policy makers and the American public...
20. Financial Statement Auditing Cycles
In this course, we learn how public accountants plan and execute an audit...
Top 10 most affordable universities for insurance underwriters
The most affordable schools for insurance underwriters are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and florida state university.
If the best universities for insurance underwriters 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 insurance underwriters.
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. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
4. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
5. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
9. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
10. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for insurance underwriters
The hardest universities for insurance underwriters to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and Boston University.
Some great schools for insurance underwriters 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 insurance underwriters 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. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
9. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
10. University of Rochester
Rochester, NY • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,422
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for insurance underwriters
The easiest schools for insurance underwriters to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and la roche college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an insurance underwriter 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 insurance underwriters.
1. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. La Roche College
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
99%
SAT average
1,008
4. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
5. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
6. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
7. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
8. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
9. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
10. University of North Texas at Dallas
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
992
Average insurance underwriter salary by education level
| Insurance underwriter education level | Insurance underwriter salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $94,229 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $49,314 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $74,688 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $51,335 |
Insurance underwriter education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.
Search for insurance underwriter jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025