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Bsa/aml compliance officer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a bsa/aml compliance officer. Bsa/aml compliance officers usually study business, finance, or accounting. 65% of bsa/aml compliance officers hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 101 real bsa/aml compliance officer resumes to see exactly what bsa/aml compliance officer education sections show.

The most common colleges for bsa/aml compliance officers are the Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico and the Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico.

There are also many online bsa/aml compliance officer courses to help get the education required to be a bsa/aml compliance officer.

What education do you need to become a bsa/aml compliance officer?

What degree do you need to be a bsa/aml compliance officer?

The most common degree for bsa/aml compliance officers is bachelor's degree, with 65% of bsa/aml compliance officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 11% and master's degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 65%
  • Master's, 11%
  • Associate, 10%
  • Doctorate, 10%
  • Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a bsa/aml compliance officer?

You should major in business to become a bsa/aml compliance officer. 32% of bsa/aml compliance officers major in business. Other common majors for a bsa/aml compliance officer include finance and accounting.

Most common colleges for bsa/aml compliance officers

Bsa/aml compliance officers often get their degrees at Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico, Florida State University, and New Jersey City University. Here are the most common colleges for bsa/aml compliance officers in the US based on their resumes.
Bsa/aml compliance officer common collegePercentages
Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico7.41%
Florida State University7.41%
New Jersey City University7.41%
Lamar University7.41%
SUNY Buffalo State7.41%

Best majors for bsa/aml compliance officers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business32.4%
2Finance11.8%
3Accounting8.8%
4Law7.4%
5Economics7.4%

Best colleges for bsa/aml compliance officers

The best colleges for bsa/aml compliance officers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University.

A bsa/aml compliance officer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for bsa/aml compliance officers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become bsa/aml compliance officers.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

7. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

20 best online courses for bsa/aml compliance officers

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1. Regulatory Compliance

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2. What is Compliance?

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3. AML Essentials: Anti Money Laundering, KYC and Compliance

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Learn the Basics of Money Laundering, AML, Risk Based Approach, AML Compliance Programs, KYC, CDD, EDD, PEP, and more!...

4. The Complete Guide To Anti Money Laundering (AML) Compliance

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What You Should Know about Anti Money Laundering (AML), AML Compliance, AML Policies, and Know Your Customer (KYC)...

5. AML Compliance in Practice: Suspicious Activity Reports

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Learn the Fundamentals of SAR Filing in Anti-Money Laundering Compliance/KYC & How to write a stellar SAR Narrative!...

6. Anti-Money Laundering Concepts: AML, KYC and Compliance

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(Highest number of Students Enrolled) Anti-Money Laundering(AML), AML policies, AML KYC & AML Compliance...

7. The Ultimate Guide to Money Laundering and AML Compliance

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Learn the Fundamentals of Money Laundering and Gain Practical Insights into Anti Money Laundering Compliance...

8. Sanctions Compliance Bootcamp - Including AML/KYC Lectures

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Learn to navigate the increasingly complex sanctions compliance landscape and how to effectively manage sanctions risks...

9. Identifying AML Suspicious Transactions

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How to Report AML Suspicious Transactions...

10. Anti Money Laundering & Countering of Terrorist Financing

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From Leading Subject Matter Experts, Compliance , AML/CFT (Consolidated Quick Learning Video)...

11. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

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Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...

12. Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing

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AML Concepts, Customer Due Diligence Principles, Controls and Procedures...

13. FATF Recommendations on High Risk Customers and Activities

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(1,310)

Overview of FATF Recommendations on AML/ CFT for High Risk Customers and Activities PEPs and Correspondent Relationships...

14. AML Case Investigation Skills

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4.5
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A guide to conducting AML case investigations, writing quality case narratives and the submission of STRs (STR filing)...

15. Cryptocurrency Financial Crime Compliance Bootcamp

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Blockchain/Crypto Financial Crime Money Laundering Terrorist Financing AML & CTF Regulation Compliance Tools...

16. Compliance Training for Employees

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Compliance: a simple, comprehensive and effective way to protect your company!...

17. 3-in-1 Banking, Banking Risk and Compliance Masterclass

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The essentials of the banking business (business model, compliance, others), financial risk management and compliance...

18. The Complete and Ultimate Guide to Know Your Client (KYC)

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Learn the entire in-depth process of Know Your Client (KYC) - Basic to Advanced - Updated 2023...

19. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Compliance

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This course offers guidelines to recognizing, understanding and dealing with bribery, corruption and compliance...

20. Build Powerful Compliance Programs & Prevent Corporate Fraud

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Learn everything you need to know to build an effective and powerful compliance culture and prevent corporate fraud...

Top 10 most affordable universities for bsa/aml compliance officers

The most affordable schools for bsa/aml compliance officers are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for bsa/aml compliance officers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for bsa/aml compliance officers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,922

Cost of attendance

18,522

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for bsa/aml compliance officers

The hardest universities for bsa/aml compliance officers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Harvard University.

Some great schools for bsa/aml compliance officers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for bsa/aml compliance officers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for bsa/aml compliance officers

The easiest schools for bsa/aml compliance officers to get into are Barry University, university of the incarnate word, and university of north texas at dallas.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a bsa/aml compliance officer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for bsa/aml compliance officers.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

5. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

7. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

10. Iona College

New Rochelle, NY • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,089

Average bsa/aml compliance officer salary by education level

Bsa/aml compliance officers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $103,149 annually. With a Master's degree, bsa/aml compliance officers earn a median annual income of $90,541 compared to $80,281 for bsa/aml compliance officers with an Bachelor's degree.
Bsa/aml compliance officer education levelBsa/aml compliance officer salary
Master's Degree$90,541
High School Diploma or Less$64,135
Bachelor's Degree$80,281
Doctorate Degree$103,149
Some College/ Associate Degree$68,398

Bsa/aml compliance officer education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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