Internal audit director education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an internal audit director. Internal audit directors usually study accounting, business, or finance. 77% of internal audit directors hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,958 real internal audit director resumes to see exactly what internal audit director education sections show.

The most common colleges for internal audit directors are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.

There are also many online internal audit director courses to help get the education required to be an internal audit director.

There are certain internal audit director certifications that you should consider. These internal audit director certifications include Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

What education do you need to become an internal audit director?

What degree do you need to be an internal audit director?

The most common degree for internal audit directors is bachelor's degree, with 77% of internal audit directors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 3%.

Bachelor's, 77%

Master's, 18%

Associate, 3%

Doctorate, 1%

Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become an internal audit director?

You should major in accounting to become an internal audit director. 49% of internal audit directors major in accounting. Other common majors for an internal audit director include business and finance.

Accounting, 49%

Business, 26%

Finance, 8%

Economics, 2%

Other Majors, 15%

Most common colleges for internal audit directors

Internal audit directors often get their degrees at Pennsylvania State University, Brigham Young University, and Pace University. Here are the most common colleges for internal audit directors in the US based on their resumes.

Internal audit director common college	Percentages
Pennsylvania State University	9.48%
Brigham Young University	6.64%
Pace University	6.16%
University of Phoenix	6.16%
Northern Illinois University	6.16%

Show more common internal audit director colleges

Best majors for internal audit directors

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Accounting	49.0%
2	Business	25.7%
3	Finance	7.6%
4	Economics	2.5%
5	Management	2.4%

Show more common internal audit director majors

Best colleges for internal audit directors

The best colleges for internal audit directors are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

An internal audit director with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for internal audit directors. 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 internal audit directors.

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. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

9. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

10. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

20 best online courses for internal audit directors

Advertising disclosure

1. Internal Audit: a Guide for Management

4.5

(1,333)

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

2. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)

4.3

(387)

This course is an overview of the proper processes, controls and tests for adequate internal control...

3. Internal Controls - Design, Implementation and Monitoring

4.4

(1,188)

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

4. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

4.1

(300)

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

5. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) ITGC Audit Concepts and Coordination

4.4

(3,154)

IT Compliance Training...

6. Internal Auditing Part I

4.3

(605)

Learn how to conduct an audit from start to end. This course can be used as a guide to audit almost any process...

7. Audit - Financial Statement

4.4

(2,545)

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

8. Lead Auditor Tools for a Professional Internal Audit

4.5

(1,979)

Be a Pro Internal Auditor. This is the only course with 1-on-1 online meeting with the instructor & e-mail support...

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

4.6

(1,440)

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

10. IT Audit Complete Course

4.5

(350)

Learn how to test ITGC, ITAC, SOX Audit & SOC Audit...

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

4.6

(266)

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

12. ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor

4.4

(306)

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

13. Financial Statement Auditing Cycles

4.3

(251)

In this course, we learn how public accountants plan and execute an audit...

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

4.6

(370)

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

15. Become an External Auditor - External Audit Process Level 1

4.5

(362)

External Audit Process : Financial Statement Accounting : Business Valuation Methods : Certified Public Accountant (CPA)...

16. Project Risk Management

4.3

(1,800)

Practice of identifying , analyzing, prioritizing and mitigating risks...

17. Technology Systems Auditing (Part 1 of 2)

4.6

(1,262)

Technology Systems Auditing Training Course...

18. Informed Risk Taking: Risk Management Process - Analysis

4.5

(1,247)

Risk Management Strategies : Risk Analysis Techniques : Risk Management Principles : Risk Management Process : Methods...

19. Operational Risks Management ORM

4.3

(1,174)

Operational Risks Management ORM Case Studies for Risk Management, Compliance, Audit, IS Security, Banking Professionals...

20. International Project Management - Master Class

4.4

(828)

Take your project management skills to the next level and learn how to manage international projects...

Top 10 most affordable universities for internal audit directors

The most affordable schools for internal audit directors are Baruch College of the City University of New York, usf sarasota-manatee, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for internal audit directors 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 internal audit directors.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

5. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

9. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for internal audit directors

The hardest universities for internal audit directors to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for internal audit directors 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 internal audit directors 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

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

7. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

10. University of Rochester

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,422

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for internal audit directors

The easiest schools for internal audit directors to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, holy names university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an internal audit director 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 internal audit directors.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

6. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

7. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

8. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

10. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

Average internal audit director salary by education level

According to our data, internal audit directors with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $159,764 annually. Internal audit directors with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $152,266.

Internal audit director education level	Internal audit director salary
Master's Degree	$152,266
Bachelor's Degree	$134,431
Doctorate Degree	$159,764

Internal audit director education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

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