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Regulatory compliance officer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a regulatory compliance officer. Regulatory compliance officers usually study business, law, or pharmacy. 60% of regulatory compliance officers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 711 real regulatory compliance officer resumes to see exactly what regulatory compliance officer education sections show.

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

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

There are certain regulatory compliance officer certifications that you should consider. These regulatory compliance officer certifications include Incident Safety Officer - Fire Suppression Certification (ISO) and OSHA Safety Certificate .

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

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

The most common degree for regulatory compliance officers is bachelor's degree, with 60% of regulatory compliance officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 15% and master's degree degree at 13%.
  • Bachelor's, 60%
  • Master's, 15%
  • Doctorate, 13%
  • Associate, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

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

You should major in business to become a regulatory compliance officer. 18% of regulatory compliance officers major in business. Other common majors for a regulatory compliance officer include law and pharmacy.

Most common colleges for regulatory compliance officers

Regulatory compliance officers often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, New York University, and Florida State University. Here are the most common colleges for regulatory compliance officers in the US based on their resumes.
Regulatory compliance officer common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix10.13%
New York University8.86%
Florida State University6.33%
Miami University6.33%
University of Houston6.33%

Best majors for regulatory compliance officers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business17.6%
2Law14.1%
3Pharmacy10.7%
4Political Science6.4%
5Biology6.1%

Best colleges for regulatory compliance officers

The best colleges for regulatory compliance officers are University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, and Yale University.

A regulatory compliance 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 regulatory compliance 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 regulatory compliance officers.

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

5. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

9. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for regulatory compliance officers

Advertising disclosure

1. 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...

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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4.1
(300)

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

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. GST - Undertaking compliances

coursera

Similar to any other tax system, compliances form the backbone of GST. GST compliances are primarily two-fold: registration and return filing. In this course, you will learn when to obtain registration, where to obtain it ,and the procedure to obtain registration. Thereafter, you will learn about the different returns under GST and the process of filing such returns along with the details required to be furnished. This course provides a platform for learners planning to launch their careers in...

6. Cryptocurrency Financial Crime Compliance Bootcamp

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4.4
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Blockchain/Crypto Financial Crime Money Laundering Terrorist Financing AML & CTF Regulation Compliance Tools...

7. 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...

8. 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...

9. 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...

10. HIPAA Compliance Complete Course

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Protecting Patients and Practices...

11. 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...

12. Privacy and Data Protection, Certified GDPR Compliance

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

13. Pharmaceutical Industry Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)

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4.5
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Empowering Professionals in the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Comprehensive Online Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs...

14. 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...

15. Certificate Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)

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4.2
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Pharma course (NDA, ANDA, CTD, DMF, USFDA, Regulatory strategy, GMP, Clinical Research, Orange Book, Pharmaceuticals)...

16. 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!...

17. The Complete Guide To Anti Money Laundering (AML) Compliance

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4.4
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What You Should Know about Anti Money Laundering (AML), AML Compliance, AML Policies, and Know Your Customer (KYC)...

18. Operational Risks Management ORM

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

19. ISO 37001. Anti-bribery management system

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4.6
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Learn how to prevent, detect or address bribery and how to build an anti-bribery culture in an organization...

20. 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!...

Top 10 most affordable universities for regulatory compliance officers

The most affordable schools for regulatory compliance officers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for regulatory compliance 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 regulatory compliance officers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for regulatory compliance officers

The hardest universities for regulatory compliance officers to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, and Yale University.

Some great schools for regulatory compliance 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 regulatory compliance 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

3. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

4. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

7. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

10. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

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

The easiest schools for regulatory compliance officers to get into are D'Youville College, barry university, and university of the incarnate word.

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

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

6. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

8. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

9. Marymount University

Arlington, VA • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,065

10. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

Average regulatory compliance officer salary by education level

Regulatory compliance officers with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $100,234 annually. With a Master's degree, regulatory compliance officers earn a median annual income of $88,751 compared to $79,328 for regulatory compliance officers with an Bachelor's degree.
Regulatory compliance officer education levelRegulatory compliance officer salary
Master's Degree$88,751
High School Diploma or Less$64,330
Bachelor's Degree$79,328
Doctorate Degree$100,234
Some College/ Associate Degree$68,313

Regulatory compliance 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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