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Compliance review officer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a compliance review officer. Compliance review officers usually study business, accounting, or finance. 57% of compliance review officers hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 399 real compliance review officer resumes to see exactly what compliance review officer education sections show.

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

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

What education do you need to become a compliance review officer?

What degree do you need to be a compliance review officer?

The most common degree for compliance review officers is bachelor's degree, with 57% of compliance review officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 14% and master's degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 57%
  • Master's, 14%
  • Associate, 11%
  • Doctorate, 9%
  • Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a compliance review officer?

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

Most common colleges for compliance review officers

Compliance review officers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, American University, and Pace University. Here are the most common colleges for compliance review officers in the US based on their resumes.
Compliance review officer common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix15.38%
American University9.62%
Pace University5.77%
Virginia Commonwealth University5.77%
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler5.77%

Best majors for compliance review officers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business32.1%
2Accounting10.0%
3Finance8.1%
4Psychology6.7%
5Political Science4.8%

Best colleges for compliance review officers

The best colleges for compliance review officers are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A compliance review 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 compliance review 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 compliance review officers.

1. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

4. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

6. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

7. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

8. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

9. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for compliance review officers

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1. 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...

2. 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...

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

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4.6
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The essentials of the banking business (business model, compliance, others), financial risk management and compliance...

4. Compliance Training for Employees

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4.6
(5,050)

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

5. Cybersecurity Management and Compliance

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In this course, you’ll learn about data and record management, Information security, standards and policy formation, and implementation. You’ll also explore cloud adoption frameworks and regulatory compliance frameworks. This course will take you one step closer to the Microsoft Cybersecurity Analyst Professional Certificate, which requires no degree or prior experience. After completing this course, you'll be able to: • Explain the principles of cloud security planning • Identify security...

6. AWS: Network Security, Compliance and Governance

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AWS: Network Security, Compliance and Governance is the third course of Exam Prep ANS-C01: AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty specialization. This course will help learners designing and implementing AWS Security and compliance. You will also get a chance to evaluate monitoring strategies in support of security and compliance objectives. Learners will also get a chance to manage, optimize and troubleshoot AWS Network. The course is divided into two modules and each module is further...

7. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

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4.1
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Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...

8. Cryptocurrency Financial Crime Compliance Bootcamp

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

9. HIPAA Compliance Complete Course

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Protecting Patients and Practices...

10. 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)...

11. HR 101: Compliance Made Easy - U.S. Employers Must Have

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Streamline the most critical human resource (HR) processes and be in compliance with U.S. employment regulations...

12. Sanctions Compliance Bootcamp - Including AML/KYC Lectures

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4.5
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Learn to navigate the increasingly complex sanctions compliance landscape and how to effectively manage sanctions risks...

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

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4.4
(993)

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

14. AML Compliance in Practice: Suspicious Activity Reports

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4.6
(525)

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

15. The Ultimate Guide to Money Laundering and AML Compliance

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4.4
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Learn the Fundamentals of Money Laundering and Gain Practical Insights into Anti Money Laundering Compliance...

16. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Compliance

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4.2
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This course offers guidelines to recognizing, understanding and dealing with bribery, corruption and compliance...

17. Cloud Security Course: Cloud Compliance, Audits,Legal issues

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For CCSK and CCSP Aspirants - Cloud Agreements/Contracts, Legal and Compliance Concepts...

18. 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...

19. Privacy and Data Protection, Certified GDPR Compliance

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From theory to practice (junior and less than 1 year experience level)...

20. SC-900 Practice Tests (MS Security, Compliance, & Identity)

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[May Updated] Clear SC-900 easily Microsoft Security, Compliance & Identity Fundamentals In-depth explanations...

Top 10 most affordable universities for compliance review officers

The most affordable schools for compliance review officers are California State University - Long Beach, california state university - bakersfield, and florida international university.

If the best universities for compliance review 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 compliance review officers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

9. California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,922

Cost of attendance

18,522

10. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for compliance review officers

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

Some great schools for compliance review 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 compliance review 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

5. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for compliance review officers

The easiest schools for compliance review officers to get into are University of the Incarnate Word, gwynedd mercy university, and curry college.

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

1. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

2. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

3. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

4. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

5. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

7. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

8. Marymount University

Arlington, VA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,065

9. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

10. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

Average compliance review officer salary by education level

According to our data, compliance review officers with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $89,376 annually. Compliance review officers with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $75,241.
Compliance review officer education levelCompliance review officer salary
Master's Degree$75,241
High School Diploma or Less$47,720
Bachelor's Degree$64,191
Doctorate Degree$89,376
Some College/ Associate Degree$51,953

Compliance review 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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