An actuary is a highly specialized professional who combines mathematical skills with sharp business acumen to define, analyze, and solve financial and social problems.
WPI’s Actuarial Sciences program applies theoretical knowledge to real-world problems to help ready students for future positions, including opportunities with a wide range of insurance companies, consulting firms, and government agencies. WPI’s unique project-based education gives actuarial sciences students a head start on their careers by introducing them to fundamentals in business and economics, as well as preparing them for the first two Society of Actuaries (SoA) examinations.
The curriculum for actuarial sciences students includes specialized mathematics as well as introductory business and economics courses. In addition to their work on the WPI campus, actuarial students do Interactive and Major Qualifying Projects, which give real- world experience in the actuarial field by teaching them how to solve problems faced by professional actuaries. Projects are regularly completed in collaboration with insurance companies. Past sponsors include:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
- John Hancock Mutual Insurance
- Premier Insurance
- Travelers Property Casualty
Average Starting Salary
WPI Graduates:
- Bachelor’s: $62,648
- Master’s: N/A
- PhD: N/A
Download the WPI Post-Gradation Reports for more information on salaries.
Companies That Have Hired WPI Actuaries
- NetCracker Technology
- Peak Financial Services
- QuickPivot
- SBLI
- Spectrum Laboratories
- SunLife
- Tellon Trading
- Travelers Insurance
Download the WPI Post-Graduation Reports for more companies that have hired WPI graduates.
Sample Job Titles
- Actuary
- Analyst
- Business Systems Analyst
- Client Service Investment Associate
- Data Analyst
- Pension Analyst
- Product Analyst
- Underwriting Analyst
Visit O*Net Online for more information on job titles.
Sample Graduate Schools
- Johns Hopkins University
- University of California Santa Barbara
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Sample Professional Associations and Clubs
- Actuarial Math Club
- American Academy of Actuaries
- International Association of Actuaries
- Society of Actuaries
Visit What Can I Do With This Major? for more associations and clubs.
Examples of MQPs
- Longevity Insurance Pricing Development
- Managed Account Plans
- Alumni Donations—An Analysis of the WPI Contribution Trend
Visit WPI’s Electronic Projects Collection for more MQP titles.