Bachelor of Business Administration - Actuarial Science

This degree at Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business is a professionally aligned and highly competitive program that blends mathematics, finance, analytics, and business strategy to prepare students for careers in risk management and insurance. Unlike programs housed solely in math departments, this degree benefits from Ivy’s comprehensive business core, offering graduates a strategic advantage in both technical and corporate environments.

Students are rigorously trained to pass up to five actuarial exams (SOA/CAS) and gain real-world skills through internships, networking events, and exposure to industry leaders. With a 100% job placement rate and strong industry ties especially with Des Moines, a global insurance hub—graduates are well-positioned for success in a fast-growing field.

Rankings & Accreditation:

• Ivy College of Business holds dual AACSB accreditation in both business and accounting—an elite distinction worldwide.

• Actuarial Science graduates report a 100% placement rate with a 2024 average starting salary of $77,269.

Course overview:

• Year 1: Business orientation, calculus, accounting, spreadsheets, micro/macro economics, statistics, and moral philosophy

• Year 2: Financial and managerial accounting, calculus III, legal environment, probability theory, and global perspectives

• Year 3: Risk modeling, loss models, matrix algebra, actuarial exam labs, case competitions, and natural sciences

• Year 4: Life contingencies, credibility theory, financial futures, electives, and strategic management capstone

• Professional Exams: Curriculum aligned with SOA/CAS preliminary exams: P, FM, IFM, STAM, LTAM