2027 Best Value Actuarial Science Master’s Degree Schools

[Actuarial Science](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/management-science-quantitative-methods/actuarial-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for actuarial science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the actuarial science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Actuarial Science Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned the #1 spot for value among actuarial science schools in the United States. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the actuarial science program here. Actuarial Science graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $103,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for actuarial science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $169,099 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for actuarial science. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for actuarial science. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $62,578. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in actuarial science, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $18,284 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $70,903. That is a strong return on a $18,284 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Cuny Queens College earned the #6 position for value in actuarial science this year. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Oakland University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Set in the suburb of Rochester Hills, Oakland University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,167 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,735. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $25,972. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Oakland University generally make around $69,446. Set against $25,972 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oakland University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for actuarial science value this year. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $21,000. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $72,105 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
Northern Illinois University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $21,600 to complete the actuarial science program here. Actuarial Science graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $51,128 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $18,866. Actuarial Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $78,583 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,866 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Georgia ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,725 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $82,229. Set against $23,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo earned the #12 position for value in actuarial science this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $12,184. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $79,777. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Michigan Dearborn came in at #13 for value in actuarial science this year. Located in the city of Dearborn, University Of Michigan Dearborn is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,640, compared with $32,896 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $61,297. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #14 among the best values for actuarial science. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $11,128. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $66,099. Set against $11,128 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Arkansas State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Located in the city of Jonesboro, Arkansas State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,090, compared with $14,522 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,399 to complete the actuarial science program here. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $48,847. Set against $23,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $55,862 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #17 spot for actuarial science value this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $83,260. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #18 spot for actuarial science value this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $10,398, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $26,657 in student loans. Actuarial Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $46,561 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,657 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in actuarial science this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $68,814. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #20 spot for actuarial science value this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $66,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Carroll University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Located in the city of Waukesha, Carroll University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $38,890 in tuition and fees. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $26,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from Carroll University generally make around $52,404. Set against $26,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne came in at #22 for value in actuarial science this year. Set in the city of Fort Wayne, Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,532, compared with $22,887 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for actuarial science graduates is $24,119. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $49,424. That is a strong return on a $24,119 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne admits about 84% of applicants.
Towson University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value actuarial science schools. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Delaware placed #24 among the best values for actuarial science. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the actuarial science program here. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $73,420. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #25 among the best values for actuarial science. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Actuarial Science graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Early-career actuarial science graduates make about $75,137. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s actuarial science value ranking:
Other Actuarial Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value actuarial science schools at other degree levels:
View All Actuarial Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 66 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.