Internal auditor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an internal auditor. Internal auditors usually study accounting, business, or finance. 75% of internal auditors hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 13,064 real internal auditor resumes to see exactly what internal auditor education sections show.

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

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

There are certain internal auditor certifications that you should consider. These internal auditor certifications include Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

What education do you need to become an internal auditor?

What degree do you need to be an internal auditor?

The most common degree for internal auditors is bachelor's degree, with 75% of internal auditors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 14% and master's degree degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 75%

Master's, 14%

Associate, 7%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an internal auditor?

You should major in accounting to become an internal auditor. 48% of internal auditors major in accounting. Other common majors for an internal auditor include business and finance.

Accounting, 48%

Business, 26%

Finance, 9%

Economics, 3%

Other Majors, 14%

Most common colleges for internal auditors

Internal auditors often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of Houston, and Pennsylvania State University. Here are the most common colleges for internal auditors in the US based on their resumes.

Internal auditor common college	Percentages
University of Phoenix	12.85%
University of Houston	6.83%
Pennsylvania State University	6.63%
University of Nevada - Las Vegas	5.92%
Florida State University	5.22%

Show more common internal auditor colleges

Best majors for internal auditors

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Accounting	47.8%
2	Business	26.3%
3	Finance	8.9%
4	Economics	2.8%
5	Management	2.1%

Show more common internal auditor majors

Best colleges for internal auditors

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

An internal 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 internal 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 internal 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. 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 auditors

Advertising disclosure

1. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)

4.3

(387)

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

2. 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...

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. ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor

4.4

(306)

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

5. 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...

6. 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...

7. ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 Internal Auditor

4.1

(348)

Integrated Management System ISO 9001, ISO 14001 & ISO 45001 Internal Auditor...

8. 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)...

9. 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...

10. Internal Audit: a Guide for Management

4.5

(1,333)

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

11. ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems Lead Auditor Course

4.1

(829)

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

12. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls

4.5

(645)

Mastering Internal Controls and Cash Management: Safeguarding Business Assets and Ensuring Financial Accuracy...

13. ISO 19011:2018. Management system auditor training

4.6

(752)

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

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

4.4

(3,154)

IT Compliance Training...

15. Audit - Financial Statement

4.4

(2,545)

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

16. ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system auditor

4.5

(7,832)

Upgrade your career by learning how to implement and audit a quality management system according to ISO 9001...

17. Certified Quality Auditor Training

4.6

(1,013)

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

18. International Project Management - Master Class

4.4

(828)

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

19. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

4.1

(300)

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

20. 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...

Top 10 most affordable universities for internal auditors

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

If the best universities for internal 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 internal auditors.

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 auditors

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

Some great schools for internal 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 internal 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

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 auditors

The easiest schools for internal auditors 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 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 internal auditors.

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 auditor salary by education level

Internal auditors with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $73,440 annually. With a Master's degree, internal auditors earn a median annual income of $70,891 compared to $64,688 for internal auditors with an Bachelor's degree.

Internal auditor education level	Internal auditor salary
Master's Degree	$70,891
Bachelor's Degree	$64,688
Doctorate Degree	$73,440

Internal auditor education FAQs

What is the best college for Internal Auditors?

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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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