Undergraduate Actuarial Science

Actuarial Science

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As an actuary, you will find ways to manage risk and its financial consequences through strong analytical skills and knowledge in economics, finance, mathematics and statistics. The actuarial science major at Nebraska prepares you to be a key player in companies dealing with risk, including insurance companies, hospitals, banks and more. This major is offered in the College of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Nebraska Difference

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Selected as a Center for Actuarial Excellence and University-Earned Credit Program by the Society of Actuaries

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Prepare to achieve professional designations from the Society of Actuaries or Casualty Actuarial Society

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Experience a strong community-based program with high student and employer engagement

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Free 1-to-1 tutoring, academic advising and career coaching

Two Pathways For Actuarial Science

You can major or minor in actuarial science in the College of Arts and Sciences or College of Business. Each pathway prepares you for an actuarial career and offers the same required courses of calculus, statistics and finance. When choosing a college, think about your other interests, the general requirements of the college and available scholarships. View the four-year plans or meet with an academic advisor to see which option is best for you.
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Program Features

Center for Actuarial Excellence and University-Earned Credit Program

Recognized as one of the best programs for actuarial science by the Society of Actuaries, we offer high-quality education at a great value. The UEC Program enables you to earn credit for select SOA professional exams by attaining required scores in your coursework. 

Financial Help for Professional Exams

Not only does our program prepare you to pass your professional exams through VEE-approved coursework, but you will also be reimbursed for every exam you pass as a student. Thanks to our industry partners, there are several actuarial science scholarships available. 

Project-Based Learning 

Work through several “Problem Lab” courses integrating content from the Society of Actuaries exams. Tackle a project for an employer in your capstone course as you examine pricing for insurance, annuities and pension plans.  

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Notable Courses

Principles of Individual and Corporate Risk Management (FINA 338)

Examine personal insurance policies and identify risk at the individual and corporate levels. Apply methods and tools for risk management.

Actuarial Applications of Applied Statistics (ACTS 430)

Apply forecasting methods to actuarial variables. Utilize the programming language R and other statistical tools to apply analytics in actuarial science.

Interest Theory (ACTS 440)

Learn about interest rates and the value of money in business, investments and personal finance. Provides background for all future finance and actuarial science courses.

Life Contingencies I (ACTS 470)

Combine finance and statistics to value future cash flows contingent on life events, including premature death, poor health, retirement or an auto accident.

Introduction to Property /Casualty Actuarial Science (ACTS 474)

Explore ratemaking and reserving of property and casualty insurance products. Apply concepts of risk theory, credibility, reinsurance and other special issues and applications.

Actuarial Applications in Practice (ACTS 475)

Connect theory from completed coursework to the real world by working on case studies with local employers from various practice areas and considering professionalism issues.

Huskers Do Big Things

Career coaches in the College of Business and College of Arts and Sciences support your career development, including help with resumes, applications and interviewing. This major is also a STEM-designated program. This designation supports international students in obtaining a two-year OPT extension that allows you more time to gain work experience in the U.S.

Internships

  • Risk management intern, Maybank
  • Financial analyst intern, Gallup
  • Quantitative modeling intern, Pacific Life
  • Property and casualty intern, Allstate
  • Actuarial intern, Markel
  • Actuarial intern, Willis Towers Watson

Careers

  • Senior actuarial assistant, Mutual of Omaha
  • Actuarial analyst, Milliman
  • Data governance analyst, Ameritas
  • Sales and trading analyst, Citigroup
  • Operational risk associate, Wells Fargo

Graduate Schools

  • Master of Science in Business Analytics, Pepperdine University
  • Master of Finance, Peking University
  • Master of Professional Studies in Analytics, Northeastern University
  • Ph. D., Mathematics, Kansas State University
  • Master of Business Analytics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Master of Business Administration, Columbia University

Outside the Classroom

Get the most out of your collegiate experience by taking advantage of opportunities to get involved. Challenge yourself and make meaningful connections along the way.

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Academics & Experiential Learning

  • Do the work of an actuary through real-world examples and data. Establish prices of life insurance so families can grieve without financial interruption or analyze funding for government programs.
  • Tackle a project for an employer in your capstone course, where you’ll examine pricing for insurance, annuities and pension plans.
  • Develop a solution to a problem with teammates during case competitions.
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Career Preparedness

  • Actuarial science majors regularly engage in industry internships locally and nationally, and many study abroad in locations like Brazil, China, England and Italy.
  • As one of the 20 Centers of Actuarial Excellence in the U.S., our faculty are well connected to many employers, including Allstate, Ameritas and Mutual of Omaha.
  • Take actuarial science courses that have been approved for the actuarial profession’s Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) program, including topics such as economics, corporate finance and applied statistics.
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Community

  • Connect with an upper-class mentor in your first year as an actuarial science major.
  • The Actuarial Science Club is an active student organization that helps coordinate the annual Actuarial Science Career Fair.
  • Volunteer as a math tutor in local low-income schools.

Have Questions? We're Here to Help

If you have questions about the Actuarial Science major or navigating the application process, contact us.

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Kendra Ritchie
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College of Business
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Nicholas Gordon
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College of Arts and Sciences
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