Are you a high school student considering a career as an actuary? Are you exploring your college options and searching for a program that will prepare you for success?
If so, you've come to the right place. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Actuarial Science & Risk Management (ASRM) program offers a nationally recognized education that combines rigorous academics, professional development and hands-on learning opportunities to help students thrive in the actuarial profession.
Illinois has a long and distinguished history in actuarial science, with more than 2,700 alumni making an impact around the world. Our students benefit from a strong curriculum, dedicated faculty, extensive industry connections and a collaborative community that supports success both in the classroom and on professional actuarial exams.
In addition to our academic excellence, the ASRM program offers a number of unique features and opportunities that set it apart from other actuarial science programs:
University-Earned Credit (UEC) program
One of the greatest advantages of studying actuarial science at the University of Illinois is the opportunity to make meaningful progress toward your professional credentials while still in college. Through the Society of Actuaries' University-Earned Credit (UEC) program, students can earn credit for select actuarial requirements by demonstrating strong performance in approved university courses, reducing the number of exams they may need to complete after graduation. The University of Illinois is among a select group of institutions approved to offer UEC, and our program has received approval for six of the seven available UEC pathways. This allows students to advance their progress toward professional certification while gaining the knowledge and skills employers value most.
Learn more about the UEC program
Center of Actuarial Excellence
Our program is also designated as a Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE) by the Society of Actuaries (SOA), the highest recognition awarded to university actuarial programs. This distinction is reserved for programs that demonstrate excellence across several key areas, including curriculum quality, faculty expertise, student outcomes, industry engagement, research activity and academic integration. Maintaining CAE status requires institutions to meet rigorous standards that reflect a sustained commitment to preparing the next generation of actuarial professionals.
Co-operative education and internships
Strong relationships with employers across the insurance, consulting and financial services industries help University of Illinois actuarial science students gain valuable real-world experience before graduation. These partnerships have led to a long history of successful internship placements, providing students with opportunities to apply classroom concepts, develop professional skills and explore potential career paths.
In addition to traditional internships, the program offers co-op opportunities that allow students to gain more extensive industry experience. While internships are typically completed during the summer, co-op positions often extend over a semester or longer and may be completed alongside coursework or in place of a full academic term. Because co-op experiences generally span six months to a year, students can take on greater responsibility, contribute to meaningful projects and build deeper connections with employers. In some cases, students may also earn academic credit for their co-op experience.
Whether through internships or co-op placements, Illinois students have access to a wide range of experiential learning opportunities that strengthen their résumés and prepare them for successful careers in the actuarial profession.
A vibrant actuarial student community at U of I
With over 300 students enrolled in the program, our actuarial student body is a diverse, dynamic, and collegial group. The student experience is also enhanced by the efforts of the Actuarial Science Club, a student-run organization that fosters growth and development of the actuarial student body through various engagements at U of I, from career fairs to social events.