UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN
Why Study Actuarial Science and Financial Mathematics
At Hofstra, Actuarial Science and Financial Mathematics gives you the quantitative power behind today’s most competitive careers, from actuarial science and finance to data analysis and economic forecasting. You’ll build advanced mathematics skills and learn how to apply them to real business challenges through programs such as the BS in Mathematical Finance or the BS in Mathematics with the Actuarial Science option.
You’ll study with faculty who blend mathematical rigor with industry insight and connect with business leaders through the Frank G. Zarb School of Business. With an emphasis on collaboration, clear communication, and practical problem-solving, this program prepares you to thrive in fast-growing mathematics-driven fields or pursue advanced study in business and analytics.
Mathematics That Moves Business
Turn quantitative strength into real-world impact. Analyze data, assess risk, model financial systems, and make strategic decisions in today’s business landscape.
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Those pursuing the BS in Mathematical Finance take calculus, linear algebra, and statistics, supplemented with economics and business classes offered by the Mathematics Department and the Zarb School of Business, including Mathematics of Financial Derivatives, Introduction to Econometrics, and Introduction to Computer Concepts and Software Tools in Business.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES & PROGRAMS
BS in Mathematical Finance BS in Mathematics with Actuarial Science OptionCareer Path & Outcomes
Recipients of undergraduate mathematics degrees from Hofstra move quickly into employment or graduate school after graduation.
Recent graduates with degrees in mathematics and mathematical finance have found jobs with organizations such as:
- American Advisors Group
- Esurance
- Nature’s Bounty
- Zebra Technologies
- Zurich North America
Other undergraduate degree recipients are pursuing advanced degrees at institutions such as:
- Columbia University
- Cornell University
- Harvard University
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
100%
Graduates who were employed, in graduate school, or both
91%
Graduates who accepted a job within six months after graduating
$61K
Median annual salary for mathematics graduates
Where Mathematics Meets the Marketplace
Internships
The department promotes field experience, which is key for employment and when applying to graduate school. Students seeking positions as actuaries or other positions in business and industry find that internships offer real-world experiences beyond the classroom. Examples of places where mathematics students have held internships are Flushing Bank, Amerasia Bank, Northwell Health, PNC Bank, Bitcoin Center NYC, and Heritage Strategies LLC.
Those who plan to pursue advanced degrees in mathematics often benefit from research experience, either working closely with Hofstra’s own faculty or traveling to Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs at locales such as Missouri State; William & Mary; Budapest, Hungary; and more. Recently, with faculty and institutional support, students traveled to academic conferences in Missouri, Colorado, Hawaii, Nebraska, California, and France.
When they are not in class, Hofstra students socialize in the department lounge and the Math Tutoring Center. Many participate in Gamma Iota Sigma and the Math Club, which plan off-campus excursions to the movies, the National Museum of Mathematics, and meetings with industry leaders in New York City. Some students may be invited to join Pi Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honor society, which can open doors in both education and industry.
Mathematics students are also exposed to a broad range of current research and new ideas through a busy seminar program. Faculty, students, and guest lecturers discuss topics such as alien math, terrorism networks, lattice theory, predictive health modeling, and what mathematics reveals about cancer.
Hofstra students are also encouraged to take part in local and national mathematics competitions. These competitions range from the department’s Problem of the Month competition and annual SCUDEM (Student Competition Using Differential Equations Modeling) to Central Washington University’s cipher-breaking Kryptos competition and the William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competition, the preeminent mathematics competition for undergraduate college students in the United States and Canada.
Actuarial Science
Actuaries are licensed to assess financial risk. They most often work in the insurance industry or in financial securities, but many other kinds of companies employ actuaries as well. To find out more about actuarial science, take a look at BeAnActuary.org.
Hofstra’s actuarial program prepares students effectively for their future careers. We offer the following major:
We start our students on the path towards professional licensure by maintaining course coverage for both preliminary exams and approval for the courses for all three VEEs.
Exams:
- Exam P/1: MATH 137, MATH 138, and MATH 103
- Exam FM/2: MATH 095 and MATH 151
VEEs:
- Accounting and Finance: ACCT 101 (accounting component) and FIN 101 and FIN 110 (finance component)
- Economics: ECO 001 (macroeconomics component) and ECO 002 (microeconomics component)
- Mathematical Statistics: MATH 137 and MATH 138
Hofstra’s Gamma Iota Sigma Delta Nu chapter was chartered in 2025 to provide professional development opportunities for students who are interested in careers in insurance, risk management, and actuarial science. Through this chapter, our students have opportunities to meet Hofstra graduates who have the careers they’re interested in, talk to recruiters, and network with students from other universities. Find our chapter on LinkedIn or on Instagram!
Our curriculum surpasses the criteria for the Society of Actuaries’ UCAP-IC status, and our program has Bronze status in the Casualty Actuarial Society’s University Recognition Program.
If you have a question about actuarial science at Hofstra, please contact the Director of Actuarial Science, Johanna Franklin, at johanna.n.franklin@hofstra.edu.
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Explore how Hofstra’s Mathematics with Business Applications program can prepare you for high-demand careers in finance, actuarial science, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.