Actuarial Science

You're good with numbers and enjoy math. Why not put those skills to work in a field with growing demand? An actuarial science degree—along with a background in statistics and business—will prepare you to analyze the financial costs of risk and uncertainty. Most actuaries are employed by insurance companies; all need to pass a series of actuarial exams to become certified professionals. Northwestern excels at preparing students for those tests. On average, our actuarial science majors have passed two by the time they graduate—and Northwestern will reimburse you for the cost of each exam you pass.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Why NWC?

The strength of Northwestern's actuarial science major is recognized by the Society of Actuaries, which classifies NWC as a UCAP-AC school (Universities and Colleges with Actuarial Programs–Advanced Curriculum). Our curriculum covers everything on the first four professional actuarial exams, as well as some topics on the fifth of the seven exams. That means you'll be further along in the process of becoming a certified actuary—and you'll rise to the top with future employers. Your courses will include calculus, logic, statistics, algebra and actuarial modeling, as well as classes in accounting, finance, and economics. Related minors include accounting, business administration, computer programming, economics, mathematics, and statistics.

CONTACT

Dr. Timothy HuffmanProgram Director

TOP SCORES Average NWC actuarial exam pass rates of 75% to 95%

BEST VALUE NWC is ranked among the 30 best-value programs by College Values Online (and the only Christian college)

2+ EXAMS PASSED Majors take 2 or more professional actuarial exams while a student at NWC.

1 of 60 COLLEGES NWC is 1 of only 2 Christian colleges—and a total of 60 schools—with UCAP-AC classification.

Outcomes

The need for actuaries is high. In the decade leading up to 2030, employment of actuaries is projected to grow 24%. The median annual salary for actuaries is $111,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Join our standout alumni at:

EY (Ernst & Young)

Chicago, IL

The Principal Financial Group

Des Moines, IA

Optum

Eden Prairie, MN

UnitedHealthcare

Minnetonka, MN

Sammons Financial Group

Sioux Falls, SD

#RaidersStandOut

STUDENTS

**Isabel** Isabel chose Northwestern because of how it prepares actuarial science students to pass their professional exams—and because of its Christian community and smaller class sizes.

ALUMNI

**Matt** The education Matt received at Northwestern prepared him to pass four actuarial exams while still in college and set him up for a position as an actuarial analyst with Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.

FACULTY

**Timothy** Dr. Huffman is the entrepreneurial developer of two different test prep programs—one that prepares students to take and pass actuarial exams; the other to help students achieve high scores on the MCAT.

Experience

Northwestern's actuarial science major provides the education, support and opportunities to give you standout career preparation.

Actuarial science faculty

Compass Center for Career & Calling

Internships

Dr. Tim Huffman, the director of Northwestern's actuarial science program, is the entrepreneurial developer of ADAPT, which is used by the actuarial exam prep company Coaching Actuaries.