BUSINESS Specialization

Insurance

Insurance graduates earn $88,472 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,734 and $112,764. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

About Insurance

Insurance is a focused area of study within Business. Graduates typically earn around $88,472 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 106 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,334 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The curriculum blends analytical and applied coursework aimed at the workplace.


Median Earnings · 1yr
$55,819
Median Earnings · 4yr
$88,472
Colleges Offering
106
Graduates / Year
2,334
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,839

How Much Do Insurance Graduates Earn?

Insurance graduates earn $88,472 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,734 and $112,764. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $55,819 climbs to $88,472 by year four.

$55,819
1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$88,472
4-Year National Median

Well above average for college graduates.

$89,343
4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.


Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Insurance graduates. Industry and seniority explain most of the spread. Finance, consulting, and strategy roles pull the top end up; operations and administrative roles sit at the bottom.


Why This Program Pays Off Fast

Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $88,472 against an estimated $83,356 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.

Based on outcomes from 60 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 2,334 students who complete Insurance programs each year, the majority (90%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

Bachelor's 90%
Master's 7%
Post-Bacc Cert. 2%

What Can You Do With an Insurance Degree?

Insurance connects to 7 occupations in the job market. Compensation and Benefits Managers leads at $149,230/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +0.2% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$149,230
$113K $201K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 1,500 openings/yr 23K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Writing Active Listening Speaking Judgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate compensation and benefits activities of an organization.

  • Direct preparation and distribution of written and verbal information to inform employees of benefits, compensation, and personnel policies.
  • Design, evaluate, and modify benefits policies to ensure that programs are current, competitive, and in compliance with legal requirements.
  • Fulfill all reporting requirements of all relevant government rules and regulations, including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).
↗ +5.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation
$99,080
$64K $142K 25th–75th pct.
Doctoral or professional degree 8,100 openings/yr 82K employed nationally
Speaking Instructing Reading Comprehension Active Listening Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

  • Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as financial accounting, principles of marketing, and operations management.
  • Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
  • Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
↘ -2.6% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$81,370
$65K $110K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 8,200 openings/yr 105K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Active Listening Writing Critical Thinking Speaking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Review individual applications for insurance to evaluate degree of risk involved and determine acceptance of applications.

  • 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.
↘ -8.2% Zone 3: Medium preparation
$78,240
$65K $92K 25th–75th pct.
Postsecondary nondegree award 500 openings/yr 12K employed nationally
Writing Speaking Active Listening Reading Comprehension Critical Thinking
Day-to-day responsibilities

Appraise automobile or other vehicle damage to determine repair costs for insurance claim settlement. Prepare insurance forms to indicate repair cost or cost estimates and recommendations. May seek agreement with automotive repair shop on repair costs.

  • Evaluate practicality of repair as opposed to payment of market value of vehicle before accident.
  • Review repair cost estimates with automobile repair shop to secure agreement on cost of repairs.
  • Examine damaged vehicle to determine extent of structural, body, mechanical, electrical, or interior damage.
↗ +5.3% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$78,210
$61K $100K 25th–75th pct.
Bachelor's degree 8,500 openings/yr 112K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Active Listening Speaking Critical Thinking Active Learning
Day-to-day responsibilities

Conduct programs of compensation and benefits and job analysis for employer. May specialize in specific areas, such as position classification and pension programs.

  • Administer employee insurance, pension, and savings plans, working with insurance brokers and plan carriers.
  • Ensure company compliance with federal and state laws, including reporting requirements.
  • Research employee benefit and health and safety practices, and recommend changes or modifications to existing policies.
↘ -5.1% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$78,000
$61K $98K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 21,100 openings/yr 324K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Active Listening Critical Thinking Speaking Judgment and Decision Making
Day-to-day responsibilities

Review settled claims to determine that payments and settlements are made in accordance with company practices and procedures. Confer with legal counsel on claims requiring litigation. May also settle insurance claims.

  • Examine claims forms and other records to determine insurance coverage.
  • Analyze information gathered by investigation and report findings and recommendations.
  • Pay and process claims within designated authority level.
↗ +3.7% Zone 4: Considerable preparation
$62,280
$47K $97K 25th–75th pct.
High school diploma or equivalent 47,000 openings/yr 479K employed nationally
Reading Comprehension Speaking Active Listening Critical Thinking Writing
Day-to-day responsibilities

Sell life, property, casualty, health, automotive, or other types of insurance. May refer clients to independent brokers, work as an independent broker, or be employed by an insurance company.

  • Customize insurance programs to suit individual customers, often covering a variety of risks.
  • Sell various types of insurance policies to businesses and individuals on behalf of insurance companies, including automobile, fire, life, property, medical and dental insurance, or specialized policies, such as marine, farm/crop, and medical malpractice.
  • Explain features, advantages, and disadvantages of various policies to promote sale of insurance plans.

Top Colleges for Insurance

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Insurance students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

# College Graduates Acceptance Net Price/yr Earnings 10yr
1 University of Georgia Athens, GA · Public 252 37.7% $13,936 $68,726
2 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL · Public 116 24.2% $11,297 $61,675
3 University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC · Public 109 60.2% $22,811 $62,177
4 University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public 99 45.2% $17,354 $73,792
5 Saint Joseph's University - Philadelphia Philadelphia, PA · Nonprofit 47 88.8% $29,689 $86,881
6 Appalachian State University Boone, NC · Public 44 90.1% $16,836 $51,836
7 St. John's University-New York Queens, NY · Nonprofit 44 83.4% $29,999 $69,571
8 University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, OH · Public 41 85.3% $25,648 $54,810
9 The University of Olivet Olivet, MI · Nonprofit 41 83.3% $21,393 $47,907
10 Butler University Indianapolis, IN · Nonprofit 40 85.1% $36,041 $77,235
11 University of Mississippi University, MS · Public 37 96.6% $13,314 $50,994
12 Georgia State University Atlanta, GA · Public 34 55.4% $15,931 $47,384
13 Illinois State University Normal, IL · Public 32 88.2% $19,398 $62,117
14 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public 30 83.6% $22,531 $64,762
15 University of North Texas Denton, TX · Public 28 72.2% $15,649 $57,010
16 University of Louisiana at Monroe Monroe, LA · Public 25 84.8% $13,466 $46,769
17 Eastern Kentucky University Richmond, KY · Public 23 77.6% $11,040 $45,795
18 Baylor University Waco, TX · Nonprofit 17 51.3% $41,104 $65,793
19 Ball State University Muncie, IN · Public 17 85.5% $14,940 $51,833
20 Boston University Boston, MA · Nonprofit 16 11.1% $24,402 $83,238

Ranked by Insurance graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Insurance program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

Insurance Degree: Pros & Cons

Strong earnings and positive career growth make Insurance a solid option. The 4 strengths and 2 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.

PROS
  • Strong median salary Graduates earn $88,472 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
  • Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $55,819 at graduation to $88,472 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
  • Positive job outlook Related careers project up to +5.7% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
  • Strong hiring volume Related occupations generate more than 94,900 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
  • Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
  • Declining roles in some areas 3 related careers show negative 10-year employment projections. Research specific roles before committing.

Insurance Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Insurance graduates earn?
Insurance graduates earn a national median of $88,472 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,734 and $112,764. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Insurance degree?
One year after graduation, Insurance degree holders earn a median of $55,819. That climbs to $88,472 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Insurance degree?
Insurance degree holders pursue careers including Compensation and Benefits Managers, which pays a median of $149,230/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Insurance program take?
A Insurance bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Insurance?
106 colleges and universities in the United States offer Insurance programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Insurance degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $88,472 and an average net price of roughly $20,839/yr, a Insurance degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Insurance and Business?
Insurance is a focused concentration within the broader Business field. The Business major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Insurance-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Insurance graduates?
Employers hiring Insurance graduates consistently prioritize financial analysis, communication, project management, and strategic thinking. Internship experience and proficiency in tools like Excel, SQL, or business software tend to set candidates apart.
Is graduate school worth it for Insurance graduates?
An MBA or specialized master's can boost earnings and open paths to management and strategy roles. ROI is strongest at selective programs with strong recruiting pipelines. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Insurance graduates?
The job outlook for Insurance graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of -0.1% job growth over the next 10 years. Business Teachers is among the strongest-growth roles at +5.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.

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