Actuarial Science Program

Welcome to the Purdue Actuarial Science Program Information Page!

Risky Business

The 2008 edition of our news letter, Risky Business is now available. Take a look and read some of the program's highlights in the past year. Past editions are archived on the Newsletters web page.

Purdue Actuarial Science Program Outstanding Alumni

The Actuarial Science Outstanding Alumni Awards were established in 2007 by the Actuarial Science Program to recognize the recipient's contributions and leadership within their professions.

College of Science Distinguished Alumni

This award was established in 1990 by the College of Science to recognize outstanding achievement by graduates of the College of Science in professional and related fields of endeavor . The following recipients of this award were recognized for their contributions to Actuarial Science and related fields:

General Information about Actuarial Science

Jeff Beckley, FSA: One of the Ten Outstanding Teachers in the College of Science


Jeff Beckley, our Actuary in Residence, has, for the third time in a row, been recognized as one of the "Ten Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher in the College of Science." Full Story

Dr. Mark Ward: One of the Ten Outstanding Teachers in the College of Science


Mark Ward, our Associate Director, has also been recognized as one of the "Ten Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher in the College of Science." Full Story

What Is an Actuary?

An actuary is a business professional who analyzes the financial consequences of risk. [Learn More....]

The Purdue Actuarial Science Program is an interdisciplinary program offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Department of Statistics. The program offers a major in Actuarial Science that prepares students for an actuarial career as well as providing background for exams set by the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society. For more information, see the following links or contact the Director of Actuarial Science, Professor Richard Penney, rcp@math.purdue.edu.

The following links are extracted from the Society of Actuaries and the Casulty Actuarial Society's Career Page, which has much more information:


Jobs Rated Almanac rates Actuarial Science the second best profession! Check out the whole list. The 250 best professions.


Actuarial Careers Inc. lists many job openings for Actuaries. This can give a good idea of where jobs are located and what the practice areas are.

Purdue's Actuarial Program

The Actuarial Program Faculty/Staff

The Actuarial Science Program has an internationally recognized faculty/staff including an FSA. Click here to see a list (with pictures) of the current faculty/staff for the program.

Purdue's Actuarial Science Advisory Council

The Actuarial Science Advisory Council is a group of industrial representatives who provide us with input. Click here to see a list of the current members.

Links