Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science

Actuaries are professionals who help businesses to assess the risk of certain events occurring. About six out of ten actuaries are employed in the insurance industry. Actuaries assemble and analyze data to estimate the probability and likely cost of the occurrence of an event such as death, sickness, injury, disability or loss of property. It is consistently one of the most secure and highest-paying professions available, even during tough economic times. Annual starting salaries for graduates with a bachelor degree in actuarial science can be as high as $50,000.

Career Potential

Jobs Rated Almanac and Money Magazine have consistently rated “actuary” among top jobs based upon its satisfaction, salary and likelihood to remain in high demand for years to come. Of 200 professions recently studied, the job of actuary was rated No. 2 in a survey of the following factors: work environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands and stress.

• 1. Mathematician
• 2. Actuary
• 3. Statistician
• 4. Biologist
• 5. Software Engineer

Source: The Wall Street Journal, Jan. 26, 2009

Jobs in actuarial science include:

• Corporate and consulting services, especially management and public relations.
• Security/commodity brokers.
• Government programs like Social Security and Medicare.
• Insurance companies.

The University’s Career Center is an important resource for students pursuing their careers. Licensed counselors are available to provide strategies for mastering job interviews, writing professional cover letters and resumes, and connecting with campus recruiters, among other services.

Actuarial Science at UT Dallas

Students must take 120 hours to graduate: 42 hours from the University’s core curriculum and 66 hours in the major, plus elective requirements, where students can tailor their learning experience more closely to their interests.