<p>I'm interested in majoring in Actuarial Science in undergrad, but I'm wondering which university would offer me a better education and experience (and future career prospect), University of Texas, Austin or UIUC?</p>
<p>UT had about 190 undergrad Math degrees awarded last year and another 70 graduate degrees. UIUC had 140 undergrad and 100 graduate level. [College</a> Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics](<a href=“http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/]College”>College Navigator - National Center for Education Statistics) They should both be more than adequate. The real differentiator here would be the cost. You’re OOS for at least one and that would make it very expensive.</p>
<p>Thank you for reply. Yes, with regard to cost, which one is less costly (or economic viable)?</p>
<p>Illinois is a designated center of actuarial excellence by the SOA. Texas is not.</p>
<p>[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>Where do you want ot live after graduation? UIUC grads are recruited by a lot of Midwest firms, which include several insurance companies.</p>
<p>wow~I never realized that there is a ranking for such a small major. Thanks :)</p>
<p>To MizzBee, I have no idea 
… but I suppose that its not going to be a major factor</p>
<p>The one at UIUC would offer more courses that cover acturial exam materials; passing those exams, not which schools you went to (having graduated from Harvard means nothing), is what matters in the field. So in this case, UIUC wins.</p>
<p>Out of the ones on barron’s list, Waterloo is probably the best in N.A. The one in Hong Kong university is probably the best in the world.</p>
<p>I know nothing about Waterloo but they always show-up in rankings of comp sci, math–anything to do with numbers. Must be pretty good. Is it Canada’s MIT??</p>
<p>Yes, it’s Canada’s MIT</p>
<p>Thank you all Sam and barrons</p>
<p>UIUC has the oldest and biggest actuarial science program in us and the near access to SOA. i have applied for actuarial science in uiuc and been admitted days ago. have you applied for uiuc?</p>
<p>Yes, with regard to cost, which one is less costly</p>
<p>Neverbe…we don’t know unless you tell us…</p>
<p>Are you instate for either school?</p>
<p>If you’re OOS for UT, then that will be expensive. if you’re OOs for UIUC, then that will be expensive.</p>
<p>If you’re OOS for BOTH, then BOTH will be expensive.</p>
<p>What is your home state?</p>
<p>How much will your parents pay? If they won’t pay $40k+ per year, then both of those OOS school(s) will be unaffordable.</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>I don’t have anything to add about the relative merits of these programs, but I wanted to reiterate MizzBee’s comment. Where you go to school will likely be a big factor in where you end up and what kind of career you have. It’s fine if you’re flexible with regard to that, but in four years you may feel differently. It would be a good idea to look into the kinds of situations graduates of these programs end up in – it might push you one way or another. In general I think this is another good factor to consider when choosing between schools.</p>
<p>That said, both of these schools are large, nationally well-respected state flagship institutions, so likely either of them will allow you to find a variety of opportunities. It’s not like UIUC vs. Rose Hulman, as in another recent thread.</p>