Recognition from the Society of Actuaries highlights a growing career path for math majors
Colorado Mesa University’s Actuarial Science program has earned recognition from the Society of Actuaries (SOA), placing CMU among a small group of institutions nationwide recognized for preparing students to enter the growing profession.
In February 2026, CMU was added to the Society of Actuaries’ list of Universities and Colleges with Actuarial Programs (UCAP). The designation came after a review of program requirements, course descriptions and syllabi. CMU’s inclusion on the list recognizes that students completing the degree are prepared for the first two actuarial exams and have the background in economics, accounting, finance and statistics needed to begin a career in the actuarial field.
Actuaries most commonly work in insurance, finance and accounting, though their skills can apply across a range of industries. They use probability, statistics, economics and finance to assess risk and profitability to help organizations make informed decisions about the future. For students with strong quantitative skills, the field offers a direct path into a profession that allows them to apply those abilities without the need for graduate school.
For CMU, the recognition is both a milestone and an opportunity to raise awareness of a profession that may not be top of mind for students interested in mathematics.
“For many people, teaching is the first career that comes to mind when they think about mathematics,” said Department Head of Mathematics and Statistics and Professor of Mathematics Lisa Driskell, PhD. “This recognition helps show students that actuarial science is another strong option and that there is a clear path for students who want to apply their math skills in a different way.”
CMU began offering the actuarial science program in 2019. The program includes both mathematics and business-related coursework and was developed to give students another way to turn strong quantitative skills into a profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, actuarial jobs are expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade. In 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked actuary among the 10 best jobs.
CMU is one of only two institutions in Colorado to be recognized on the Society of Actuaries’ Universities and Colleges with Actuarial Programs list.
The recognition also reflects the progress the program is already beginning to see among current students and recent graduates.
“Though we have only recently strengthened our program to reach the SOA’s standards for UCAP inclusion, we are already seeing positive returns for students,” said Associate Professor of Statistics Clay King, PhD. “One recent graduate, Evan Strong, just began employment with an actuarial firm in California. Soon-to-be graduate Logan Altman is already working on the third SOA exam, and we have a strong group of four to six students who should begin their actuarial exams within the next year.”
Driskell said those early outcomes are encouraging signs that the program is doing what it was designed to do.
“We’re starting to see the kind of student success this program was designed to support,” said Driskell. “It’s exciting to watch our graduates move into the profession and to see current students building that same momentum.”
Students can learn more about CMU’s Actuarial Science program at coloradomesa.edu/math-stat/degrees/actuarial-science/