Compare 114 Actuarial Science. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $84,967. Top programs: $158,559+.
The highest-earning Actuarial Science program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $121K earnings gap across 114 programs—from $37K to $159K—the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. Where you study actuarial science matters; which school's name is on the diploma matters less than you think.
New York University's Actuarial Science program leads with graduates earning $159K—nearly double the $85K field average. But the more instructive story sits just below: the University of Virginia, a public institution with a 17% acceptance rate, delivers $139K in program earnings, outpacing several well-known private universities. Program quality and school prestige are not the same variable.
The University of Pennsylvania makes the strongest debt case: graduates carry just $15,715 in student loans and face a 1.6% payment burden—firmly 'Excellent' on the GPS affordability scale. When family borrowing is included, Penn still leads with a 5.6% family burden, also rated 'Excellent.' At earnings of $153K, those loan payments clear faster than almost anywhere else in this ranking.
Highest program earnings: $158,559
Strong outcomes ($126,906) with 58% acceptance
1.6% payment burden | Excellent
5.6% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New York UniversityPrivate | $158,559 | 255 | $20,500 | Excellent | $64,795 | Good |
| #2 | University Of PennsylvaniaPrivate | $153,279 | 209 | $15,715 | Excellent | $33,124 | Excellent |
| #3 | Wake Forest UniversityPrivate | $146,608 | 18 | $21,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Excellent |
| #4 | $139,095 | 368 | $17,500 | Excellent | $28,903 | Excellent | |
| #5 | $126,906 | 251 | $21,500 | Excellent | $25,294 | Excellent | |
| #6 | Boston CollegePrivate | $126,475 | 110 | $19,000 | Excellent | $45,000 | Good |
| #7 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $124,557 | 132 | $19,000 | Excellent | $40,731 | Good |
| #8 | George Washington UniversityPrivate | $120,730 | 31 | $20,449 | Excellent | $30,881 | Excellent |
| #9 | Texas Christian UniversityPrivate | $114,822 | 11 | $21,500 | Excellent | $54,925 | Manageable |
| #10 | $111,649 | 131 | $19,000 | Excellent | $35,200 | Good | |
| #11 | $111,500 | 72 | $19,976 | Excellent | $25,868 | Excellent | |
| #12 | Bentley UniversityPrivate | $111,433 | 78 | $25,023 | Excellent | $43,757 | Good |
| #13 | Villanova UniversityPrivate | $109,642 | 140 | $25,874 | Excellent | $40,000 | Good |
| #14 | $109,396 | 25 | $25,000 | Excellent | $54,289 | Manageable | |
| #15 | University Of FloridaPublic | $109,220 | 138 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Excellent |
| #16 | $108,726 | 444 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,325 | Good | |
| #17 | University Of St ThomasPrivate | $108,187 | 38 | $23,250 | Excellent | $24,467 | Good |
| #18 | University Of KansasPublic | $107,635 | 106 | $21,000 | Excellent | $32,347 | Good |
| #19 | $106,521 | 69 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Good | |
| #20 | Lebanon Valley CollegePrivate | $105,444 | 12 | $27,000 | Excellent | $42,888 | Manageable |
| #21 | North Central CollegePrivate | $105,350 | 5 | $24,500 | Excellent | $30,000 | Good |
| #22 | Drexel UniversityPrivate | $104,599 | 206 | $25,325 | Excellent | $40,932 | Manageable |
| #23 | Temple UniversityPublic | $104,311 | 49 | $24,395 | Excellent | $36,495 | Good |
| #24 | $104,172 | 84 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Good | |
| #25 | University Of DenverPrivate | $104,087 | 57 | $21,844 | Excellent | $27,813 | Good |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
