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Compliance auditor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a compliance auditor. Compliance auditors usually study business, accounting, or finance. 63% of compliance auditors hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,799 real compliance auditor resumes to see exactly what compliance auditor education sections show.

The most common colleges for compliance auditors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.

There are also many online compliance auditor courses to help get the education required to be a compliance auditor.

There are certain compliance auditor certifications that you should consider. These compliance auditor certifications include Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) and Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT).

What education do you need to become a compliance auditor?

What degree do you need to be a compliance auditor?

The most common degree for compliance auditors is bachelor's degree, with 63% of compliance auditors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 15% and associate degree degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 63%
  • Associate, 15%
  • Master's, 12%
  • High School Diploma, 4%
  • Other Degrees, 6%

What should I major in to become a compliance auditor?

You should major in business to become a compliance auditor. 30% of compliance auditors major in business. Other common majors for a compliance auditor include accounting and finance.

Most common colleges for compliance auditors

Compliance auditors often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, DeVry University, and University of Maryland - College Park. Here are the most common colleges for compliance auditors in the US based on their resumes.
Compliance auditor common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix26.76%
DeVry University6.35%
University of Maryland - College Park4.68%
University of Houston4.68%
University of North Texas4.35%

Best majors for compliance auditors

RankMajorPercentages
1Business29.6%
2Accounting19.1%
3Finance7.9%
4Health Care Administration5.0%
5Management3.6%

Best colleges for compliance auditors

The best colleges for compliance auditors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

A compliance auditor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for compliance auditors. 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 compliance auditors.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

5. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

8. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for compliance auditors

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1. Regulatory Compliance

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Every organization faces a myriad of risks that can threaten its operations, reputation, and bottom line. A robust, effective compliance program can make the difference between companies that successfully navigate those risks, and those that become cautionary tales.\n\nThis specialization will introduce the essential elements of effective organizational compliance by exploring the concepts, considerations, and strategies for assessing risks and managing the compliance function. You will learn...

2. What is Compliance?

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Compliance isn’t only about preventing problems and ensuring that everyone is abiding by laws, rules, and regulations. It’s also about the positive impact a robust and ethical compliance program can have on a business or organization. In this course we will discuss why compliance is important – from the needs facing businesses in highly regulated industries to avoiding fines and penalties to preventing reputational and economic nightmares. We’ll examine real-world examples of compliance and...

3. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

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

4. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

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4.4
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Become a compliance specialist, maintain strong internal controls for SOX or FCPA, prepare for internal & external audit...

5. ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor

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ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Internal Auditor...

6. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 3 - Full Study Course

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Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 3...

7. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 2 - Full Study Course

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Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 2...

8. Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 1 - Full Study Course

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Full study course and instructor support for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) Part 1...

9. Lead Auditor Tools for a Professional Internal Audit

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

14. Certified Quality Auditor Training

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Certified Quality Auditor (CQA) Exam Preparation Course - Confidently pass the exam in the first attempt...

15. Audit - Financial Statement

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Master the Art of Auditing Financial Statements: In-Depth Analysis, Techniques, and Real-World Case Studies...

16. Internal Audit: a Guide for Management

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Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, Governance, Internal Controls, CIA, Audit Report, Audit Charter, IIA...

17. Compliance Training for Employees

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

18. ISO 19011:2018. Management system auditor training

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Build a succesful career in management system auditing by mastering ISO 19011...

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. ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor Course

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How to Implement & Audit an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor/ Auditor course...

Top 10 most affordable universities for compliance auditors

The most affordable schools for compliance auditors are SUNY Farmingdale, baruch college of the city university of new york, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for compliance auditors 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 compliance auditors.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

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. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for compliance auditors

The hardest universities for compliance auditors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Boston University.

Some great schools for compliance auditors 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 compliance auditors 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. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for compliance auditors

The easiest schools for compliance auditors to get into are Notre Dame de Namur University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a compliance auditor 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 compliance auditors.

1. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

5. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

8. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

9. Manor College

Jenkintown, PA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

898

10. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

Average compliance auditor salary by education level

Compliance auditors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $76,788 annually. With a Master's degree, compliance auditors earn a median annual income of $73,788 compared to $66,547 for compliance auditors with an Bachelor's degree.
Compliance auditor education levelCompliance auditor salary
Master's Degree$73,788
Bachelor's Degree$66,547
Doctorate Degree$76,788

Compliance auditor 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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