Best colleges for Insurance
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Insurance by graduate earnings are University of Wisconsin-Madison ($78,796), St. John's University - New York ($70,752) and Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia ($66,523), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (Madison, WI): $78,796, 59 graduates a year
- St. John's University - New York (Queens, NY): $70,752, 26 graduates a year
- Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia (Philadelphia, PA): $66,523, 37 graduates a year
- University of Georgia (Athens, GA): $64,131, 259 graduates a year
- University of South Carolina-Columbia (Columbia, SC): $63,417, 63 graduates a year
Compare 69 U.S. colleges offering Insurance by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 28 states.
Insurance programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $57,949 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 52.17 and the Insurance Underwriters occupation (BLS SOC).
About Insurance programs
The Insurance program focuses on the principles and practices of risk management and insurance, preparing students for careers in this essential sector of the economy. It is designed for individuals interested in understanding the complexities of insurance policies, underwriting processes, and risk assessment. Students will gain insights into how insurance companies operate and the various factors that influence insurance decisions.
In this program, students will develop critical skills in areas such as mathematics, customer service, and economics. Coursework typically includes topics like risk evaluation, underwriting policies, and the legal aspects of insurance, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to succeed in the insurance industry.
Top 18 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,796 | 59 | 90% | — | $20,500 |
| 2 | St. John's University - New York Queens, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $70,752 | 26 | 66% | $27,359 | $24,125 |
| 3 | Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $66,523 | 37 | 79% | $34,418 | $23,016 |
| 4 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,131 | 259 | 90% | — | $22,394 |
| 5 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,417 | 63 | 79% | — | $25,995 |
| 6 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,071 | 92 | 86% | — | $21,500 |
| 7 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,949 | 34 | 53% | — | $26,000 |
| 8 | Appalachian State University Boone, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,611 | 26 | 75% | — | $18,625 |
| 9 | University of Mississippi University, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,154 | 31 | 72% | — | $22,500 |
| 10 | Illinois State University Normal, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $51,499 | 22 | 65% | — | $19,500 |
| 11 | University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,294 | 30 | 54% | — | $22,957 |
| 12 | Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,792 | 28 | 50% | — | — |
| 13 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $59,022 | 14 | 61% | — | $21,204 |
| 14 | The University of Olivet Olivet, MI Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $56,027 | 16 | 35% | $21,946 | $24,710 |
| 15 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MO Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $51,094 | 12 | 58% | — | — |
| 16 | University of Central Oklahoma Edmond, OK Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $50,182 | 8 | 37% | — | — |
| 17 | Ball State University Muncie, IN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $48,615 | 6 | 62% | — | $27,000 |
| 18 | University of Central Arkansas Conway, AR Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $45,696 | 11 | 54% | — | — |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Missouri-Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Certificate | $62,377 | 34 | 75% | — | — |
| 2 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · Certificate | $62,250 | 20 | 75% | — | $21,300 |
Specializations within Insurance
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 52.17 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 28 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-2053, Insurance Underwriters, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Insurance program can pursue various careers in the insurance sector, with an outlook showing a decline of 2.6% in job growth. However, there are approximately 8,200 annual job openings, and the median wage for positions in this field is $79,880, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Insurance
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 52.17.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 52.17 (Insurance) maps to 8 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-3111 | Compensation and Benefits Managers |
| 13-1031 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators |
| 13-1032 | Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage |
| 13-1141 | Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists |
| 13-2022 | Appraisers of Personal and Business Property |
| 13-2053 | Insurance Underwritersprimary |
| 25-1011 | Business Teachers, Postsecondary |
| 41-3021 | Insurance Sales Agents |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Insurance programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Examine documents to determine degree of risk from factors such as applicant health, financial standing and value, and condition of property.
- Decline excessive risks.
- Write to field representatives, medical personnel, or others to obtain further information, quote rates, or explain company underwriting policies.
- Evaluate possibility of losses due to catastrophe or excessive insurance.
- Review company records to determine amount of insurance in force on single risk or group of closely related risks.
- Decrease value of policy when risk is substandard and specify applicable endorsements or apply rating to ensure safe, profitable distribution of risks, using reference materials.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Insurance program?+
The program focuses on risk management and the principles of insurance.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn critical thinking, mathematics, and customer service skills.
What is the job outlook for insurance careers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2.6%, with about 8,200 annual openings.
What is the typical education required for a career in insurance?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Insurance graduates earn?+
Insurance graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $57,949, College Scorecard (2019); the Insurance Underwriters occupation pays about $93,700 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Insurance?+
Insurance maps to CIP 52.17 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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