Internal revenue agent education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an internal revenue agent. Internal revenue agents usually study accounting, business, or finance. 76% of internal revenue agents hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 472 real internal revenue agent resumes to see exactly what internal revenue agent education sections show.

The most common colleges for internal revenue agents are the Arizona State University and the Arizona State University.

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

What education do you need to become an internal revenue agent?

What degree do you need to be an internal revenue agent?

The most common degree for internal revenue agents is bachelor's degree, with 76% of internal revenue agents earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 14% and master's degree degree at 6%.

Bachelor's, 76%

Master's, 14%

Associate, 6%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an internal revenue agent?

You should major in accounting to become an internal revenue agent. 61% of internal revenue agents major in accounting. Other common majors for an internal revenue agent include business and finance.

Accounting, 61%

Business, 20%

Finance, 2%

Criminal Justice, 2%

Other Majors, 15%

Most common colleges for internal revenue agents

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

Internal revenue agent common college	Percentages
Arizona State University	9.52%
University of Phoenix	9.52%
University of Houston	7.94%
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus	6.35%
Ramapo College of New Jersey	4.76%

Show more common internal revenue agent colleges

Best majors for internal revenue agents

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Accounting	61.5%
2	Business	19.8%
3	Finance	2.0%
4	Criminal Justice	2.0%
5	Taxation	1.7%

Show more common internal revenue agent majors

Best colleges for internal revenue agents

The best colleges for internal revenue agents are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Villanova University.

An internal revenue agent 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 revenue agents. 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 revenue agents.

1. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

2. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

3. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

4. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

5. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$15,094

Enrollment

32,974

6. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

7. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$45,542

Enrollment

14,159

10. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

20 best online courses for internal revenue agents

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3. Audit - Financial Statement

4.4

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

4. Financial Statement Auditing Cycles

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5. Hotel Management: Distribution, Revenue and Demand Management

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6. Internal Audit: a Guide for Management

4.5

(1,333)

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

7. Financial Statement Analysis

4.7

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Learn how to make understanding financial statements your superpower!...

8. Internal Auditing Part I

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

9. Bank Reconciliations & Cash Internal Controls

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

10. Lead Auditor Tools for a Professional Internal Audit

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11. How to Prepare Your U.S. Federal Tax Returns Online

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Master Income Tax Preparation Using Turbo Tax...

12. Practical Course in Goods and Services Tax

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Learn GSTR1 and GSTR2 Returns,GSTR3B Monthly return & GSTR9 Annual return...

13. 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...

14. Accounting basics, create financial statements easily

4.5

(280)

Discover, develop, practice your financial information and explore the world of accounting...

15. International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

4.3

(465)

Let's get to grips with understanding the IFRS standards...

16. Financial Modelling, Financial Planning and DCF Valuation

4.4

(542)

How to create a startup or existing company financial model from scratch and carry out the DCF Valuation...

17. US Income Taxes - Income Tax Preparation Simplified for You

4.5

(606)

The A – Z of self-preparing and e-filing your basic income taxes by 04/15. Income tax preparation made easy for you...

18. 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...

19. Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Stmt, Cash Flow

4.5

(574)

How To Quickly Read & Understand The Big 3 Financial Statements: Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement...

20. Financial Accounting-Adjusting Entries & Financial Statement

4.6

(930)

Master Adjusting Entries & Financial Statements: A Comprehensive Guide for Accurate Accounting and Reporting...

Top 10 most affordable universities for internal revenue agents

The most affordable schools for internal revenue agents are Baruch College of the City University of New York, suny farmingdale, and california state university - fullerton.

If the best universities for internal revenue agents 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 revenue agents.

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. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. California State University - Northridge

Northridge, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,893

Cost of attendance

18,870

10. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for internal revenue agents

The hardest universities for internal revenue agents to get into are Northwestern University, University of Southern California, and Villanova University.

Some great schools for internal revenue agents 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 revenue agents 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 Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

3. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

7. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,497

10. Fordham University

Bronx, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,354

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for internal revenue agents

The easiest schools for internal revenue agents 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 an internal revenue agent 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 revenue agents.

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 Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average internal revenue agent salary by education level

According to our data, internal revenue agents with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $124,501 annually. Internal revenue agents with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $100,925.

Internal revenue agent education level	Internal revenue agent salary
Master's Degree	$124,501
High School Diploma or Less	$58,804
Bachelor's Degree	$100,925
Some College/ Associate Degree	$53,717

Internal revenue agent education FAQs

What is the best college for Internal Revenue Agents?

Have more questions? See all answers to common business and financial questions.

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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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