Help choose between these colleges for Actuarial Science or Data Science

Compare College Acceptances
,
1

My son has been accepted into the following programs, but without scholarships in most cases except Temple and UD (instate)—so we’re looking at the full sticker price. We’re trying to weigh cost, value, and future potential. He is going back and forth between Actuarial Science and Data Science.

Here’s the list in no particular order with net price/yr. We don’t qualify for aid.

Northeastern (N.U.in) – Data Science & Math (OOS) $93k/yr

Purdue – Actuarial Science (Honors College waitlist, OOS) $43k/yr

Wisconsin-Madison – Actuarial Science (OOS) $67k/yr

UIUC – Actuarial Science (OOS) $61k/yr

UMD – Math (OOS) $55k/yr Spring 2026 admission

University of Delaware - Math and Data Science, Honors College (In State) $26k/yr

Temple - Actuarial Science (OOS) $32k/yr

Rutgers - Data Science (OOS) $50k/yr

Stats: 1500 SAT, several APs, strong extracurriculars (state-level athletics, volunteering, coaching job, etc.), 4.3 W GPA.

We will be visiting these colleges soon.

Still waiting on decisions from a couple more colleges.

Differed: GA Tech (Math), UMish (Math)

Waiting to hear back: UPENN (Math), WashU (Data Science), Emory (Math), RIT (Statistics), Drexel (Math), U Florida (Data Science).

Rejected: UNC (Data science), UT Austin (Actuarial Science).

I’d appreciate any insights.

1 Like
2

UNC = UNC Chapel Hill

3

You had me right here.

Go and see which.

I’d think if there a possibility of being an actuary then go to a school with the program. There are other paths to it but with the defined major it’s gonna be easier. Then he crab transfer off.

The question you have to ask yourself - what are you willing to pay - sans loans ?

If it’s $360k then any are in play.

If it’s $200k or whatever the #, then lose the schools above.

There will be further costs -professional tests, etc.

From a value POV, Purdue for the major. Or even better, UDEL with 100% placement which I’d assume from most with the major.

Is a $90k a year school going to get you a job $250k better ?

But it really depends on desired spend and visits. And then you can decide yourself. Good luck.

1 Like
4

I’m not sure you have the right prices for some of these schools…
Purdue is $47k
Rutgers is $59k
UMD is nearly $65k (and spring admission means that he wasn’t admitted to his major and has to meet gateway requirements)

OTOH, Wisconsin is $61k, not $67k.

If you don’t have financial constraints, then make a decision after visiting these schools. There’s much more to a school than a simple ROI ($ cost vs $ benefit) calculation.

Of course, if budget matters, then UD is a fine choice for these two majors.

1 Like
5

My daughter is a senior finance major math minor at Clemson, plus her chapter of future actuaries of America’s vice president. She didn’t go the direct route (and was accepted at several of those schools). She had many internship interviews, was at Aon last summer and got her offer last July. Her 4th actuarial exam is scheduled. I think you can do well at many schools, she hustled, was very close to her finance, honors, and actuary advisors (the latter had her set up a Q and A with finance majors regarding actuarial science). Look at fit, look at costs. It seems to be a major where employment opportunities are good. Her starting salary is the same as what her 28 year old CPA sister is making now.

1 Like
6

Iowa State for Actuarial Science. Merit aid still available if you apply by March 1st. With auto merit, I believe it is around $30k per year all in. There are many insurance companies nearby in Des Moines.

1 Like
7

Purdue tuition room and board is about $41.6K - so the $47K probably includes indirect costs. OP might be using tuition, room and board.

But I saw your Wisco note.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees — 2024-2025

8

Would you say a direct route to an actuarial science degree would have been preferred in hindsight? Or actuarial studies in addition to finance and mathematics?

9

I’m not a fan of data science degrees. Too new with few standards. It can be housed in CS, Engineering, Math or Business. Employers would need to know the program to know whether it was math, CS or business focused.

My advice is to stick with known degrees. Math, Stats, CS or engineering. Physics majors also have a solid foundation. I’ve worked with several excellent analysts. Employers and grad schools understand these majors better compared to data science.

I’m a fan of GT’s program. You graduate with an Industrial Engineering degree. I liked Temple’s program when S20 was applying. It was organized and well done. It was one of our in-state options. He graduated from GT.

https://www.isye.gatech.edu/academics/undergraduate/degrees/analytics-data-science

2 Likes
10

I won’t pay $94K to go to NU for Math (or any major) for sure. Then it all depends on your budget. If you feel comfortable paying $60K, then I would consider UW, UIUC or Purdue. They are all great schools with lot of respect among employers. You son can pick any of them and won’t go wrong. Good Luck.

2 Likes
11

If you’re interested in your deferred schools please let them know. S20 was deferred EA from GT. Accepted RD and attended. Good luck.

1 Like