2026 Best Actuarial Science Schools in California

Actuarial Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best actuarial science schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Actuarial Science Schools in California

Best Schools for Actuarial Science in California

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the actuarial science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Actuarial Science

1

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

89 Actuarial Science Degrees Awarded

$169,099 Median Starting Salary

Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 school for actuarial science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 89 actuarial science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, actuarial science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $169,099. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree. Read more about the actuarial science program at University Of California Los Angeles

2

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

43 Actuarial Science Degrees Awarded

$66,099 Median Starting Salary

A rank of #2 makes University Of California Santa Barbara one of the top schools for actuarial science. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 43 actuarial science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Graduates of the actuarial science program make about $66,099 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,128 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in actuarial science from University Of California Santa Barbara

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 7 schools evaluated.

• 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.