College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Colleges for Actuarial Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

15 Ranked Colleges
253 Degrees Awarded
$17,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 2,206 people earned their degree in actuarial science, making the major the 278th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 253 actuarial science graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 15 colleges that offer a degree in actuarial science. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent actuarial science programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the actuarial science program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Actuarial Science Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Actuarial Science Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 15 Best Value Colleges for Actuarial Science (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

1
UMSL crest
University of Missouri - St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Missouri - St Louis. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Saint Louis, Missouri, and it awarded 4 ’s actuarial science degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMSL has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - St Louis is $8,324 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Actuarial Science at University of Missouri - St Louis

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa State is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 4 ’s actuarial science degrees in 2020-2021.

Iowa State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $11,427 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Actuarial Science at Iowa State University

3
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Iowa. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 30 ’s actuarial science degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Iowa is $15,508 for Plains States Region Actuarial Science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read full report on Actuarial Science at Iowa

4

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 81 ’s actuarial science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNL, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNL is $13,453 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Actuarial Science at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

5

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Minnesota State University - Moorhead landed the #5 spot on the list. MSU Moorhead is located in Moorhead, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s actuarial science degrees to qualified students.

MSU Moorhead not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Moorhead is $14,194 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Actuarial Science at MSU Moorhead

6

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Winona, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s actuarial science degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k list, SMU MN has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is $16,493 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Actuarial Science at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

7
UCM crest
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri

University of Central Missouri did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Warrensburg, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s actuarial science degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

UCM also made our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $12,120 for Plains States Region Actuarial Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UCM.

Full UCM Actuarial Science Report

8
Simpson College crest
Simpson College
Indianola, Iowa

Simpson College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Simpson College is located in Indianola, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s actuarial science degrees to qualified students.

Simpson College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,511 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Simpson College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Actuarial Science at Simpson College

9
Mount Mercy crest
Mount Mercy University
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Mount Mercy University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified ’s actuarial science students in 2020-2021.

Mount Mercy not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Mercy is $17,384 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Mount Mercy Actuarial Science Report

10
Drake crest
Drake University
Des Moines, Iowa

Drake University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Des Moines, Iowa is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s actuarial science degrees to 44 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Drake, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $25,332 for Plains States Region Actuarial Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Drake.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Actuarial Science at Drake

11
Wartburg crest
Wartburg College
Waverly, Iowa

Wartburg College landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wartburg College is located in Waverly, Iowa and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 4 ’s actuarial science degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wartburg, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $17,063 for Plains States Region Actuarial Science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wartburg College.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Actuarial Science at Wartburg College

12

Maryville University of Saint Louis came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Maryville University of Saint Louis is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Louis, Missouri. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Maryville U, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $22,167 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Maryville U.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Actuarial Science at Maryville U

13
UST MN crest
University of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s actuarial science degrees to 33 students in 2020-2021.

UST MN also took the #3 spot in our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $27,782 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UST MN.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Actuarial Science at University of St Thomas Minnesota

14
Central crest
Central College
Pella, Iowa

With a ranking of #14, Central College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Central College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Pella, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 3 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Central also made our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend Central is $18,512 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Central Actuarial Science Report

15
Dordt crest
Dordt University
Sioux Center, Iowa

With a ranking of #15, Dordt University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dordt is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Sioux Center, Iowa. It awarded 5 ’s actuarial science degrees in 2020-2021.

Dordt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Actuarial Science Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Dordt University is $20,101 for plains states region actuarial science students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Dordt University Actuarial Science Report

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options