Baruch College’s Actuarial Science Program Earns Two National Rankings
August 16, 2021
The Weissman School’s actuarial science program received high praise from two leading national organizations for its academic rigor and for its track record of successful career placements for graduates.
Baruch College’s academic excellence earned more national recognition with its actuarial science program receiving two high rankings for being among the best in the U.S. and for providing students with comprehensive training that fully prepares them for careers in the field.
- #6: College Values Online
- #11: College Choice
“These top rankings point to the exceptional quality of both the curriculum and expertise of the faculty for the program,” said Professor Warren B. Gordon, PhD, Chair of the Department of Mathematics, which houses the Bachelor of Arts in Actuarial Science at the Weissman School of Arts and Sciences.
College Values Online selected schools not only for the “the quality of their actuarial science program, but also for their graduate placements.”
In its “30 Best Value Actuarial Science Programs 2021” ranking, College Values Online’s profile of Baruch College mentions that students are “prepared to take and pass the first five examinations given by the Society of Actuaries. They learn to apply mathematical principles and techniques to solve problems in the insurance industry.” College Value Online says graduates learn to predict the likelihood of certain major life events, such as accidents, or disabilities, which is a critical skill in the profession.
College Choice’s “35 Best Actuarial Science Degrees” says Baruch students are trained in mathematical foundations and also in computational techniques, applied mathematics, and financial modeling. College Choice states that Baruch students interested in actuarial careers “benefit from a broad curriculum in a variety of mathematics disciplines. In addition to this strong foundation in mathematics, actuarial science students and financial mathematics majors can take courses at Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business, where they can gain exposure to auxiliary disciplines as well as applications of their degree.”
Major Step for a Career in the Industry
The study of actuarial science applies risk management and probability theory to various areas of property and casualty insurance, life and health insurance, pension plans, and varied employee benefit plans.
According to College Choice, “actuaries are in extremely high demand right now, and that demand is set to increase by 18 percent over the next several years, more than double the expectation of all other professions combined. And the median salary for actuaries is just shy of $100,000.”
“Companies are looking for highly skilled college graduates with this degree and Baruch College has a stellar reputation in the field,” said Professor Gordon. “We see our actuarial science graduates go on to become business and budget analysts, work in research or finance, and have successful careers in the public and private sector.”
Methodology
College Values Online evaluated its programs by looking at tuition, return on investment, and career options. Their sources included the National Center for Education Statistics, PayScale, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A full breakdown of the methodology is available here.
College Choice used four metrics to determine its ranking: academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings. The company utilizes College Scorecard and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data Systems to create its ranking. Learn more about their methodology.
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