An actuary is a business person who uses mathematical and statistical tools to evaluate future risk and contingent events. Purdue's Actuarial Science Program is an interdisciplinary program jointly administered by the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Statistics.
Upon graduation, students receive an Actuarial Science degree as well as a Statistics degree. Most students also choose a Business Management minor. Becoming an actuary requires passing a series of professional exams set by the Society of Actuaries and the Casualty Actuarial Society. Students will be prepared for the first five exams and take the exams while still in college. Most students are recruited to careers as actuaries immediately after college working in banking, insurance, government agencies and financial services.