<p>I was always interested in accounting but recently have become interested in becoming an actuary. The profession is more math driven in the business world and is why I think I like it more than accounting. </p>
<p>The only question I would have is what schools are known for their actuarial science degrees or which schools on the east coast can offer this degree? Thanks.</p>
<p>You don’t have to major in actuarial science to be an actuary, and most of them don’t as far as I know.</p>
<p>A major in applied math or statistics with appropriate electives (including the VEE courses as listed on [Be</a> an Actuary](<a href=“http://www.beanactuary.com%5DBe”>http://www.beanactuary.com) ) should be good preparation for an actuarial career.</p>
<p>Can you major in pure math or “regular” math (a lot of schools don’t have applied math) and still be an actuary if you take the right electives? What would be a good subject to minor in?</p>
<p>Most actuaries majored in “regular” math. As long as the school has an actuarial track or concentration, your all set. That track will help prepare you for the first few exams.</p>
<p>It doesn’t even need an actuarial track. Look at the link UCBAlumnus provided.</p>
<p>I work with many actuaries in the Pension field. I think it is a better “lifestyle” than most accounting majors. None that I know work long hours as many accountants do during tax season. The pay is very good.</p>
<p>Some schools DO have actuary majors. The only advantage is that some of those schools are better equip to advise timing for the actuary exams. I am familiar with Temple and believe their program is one of the few worth choosing over a regular math major.</p>
<p>If you major in math, I recommend you take a sprinkle of Econ courses – at least basic micro.
This will not impact the exams, but it will aid you in some industries.</p>
<p>here is another resource:<br>
[SOA</a> - Society of Actuaries - College Listing](<a href=“http://www.soa.org/education/resources/actuarial-colleges/actuarial-college-listings-details.aspx]SOA”>Universities & Colleges with Actuarial Programs (UCAP) | SOA)</p>
<p>The comparison is very difficult because the barrier of entry is so different. The only thing accountants and actuaries have in common is they got numbers with the $ sign. But other than that, they are completely diffferent fields. If anything, actuaries are closer to engineers (though still very different).</p>
<p>The number of actuaries is tiny compared to that of accountants yet there’s still a strong demand for actuaries even when the salaries are pretty good. What does that tell you? Not many people have the brain power to become actuaries.</p>
<p>For most people, it’s not like they really have the choice to become actuaries if they want to. It’s MUCH EASIER to want to be an accountant and eventuallly become one. The risk of not being able to pass the actuarial exams (in order to actually become an actuary) is much greater.</p>
<p>The lifestyle is better for actuaries but if you don’t have the math aptitude, you can spend years studying (alone outside of work) and failing the exams. That lifestyle is probably worse than anything.</p>