Post job

Regulatory compliance specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a regulatory compliance specialist. Regulatory compliance specialists usually study business, biology, or law. 67% of regulatory compliance specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,112 real regulatory compliance specialist resumes to see exactly what regulatory compliance specialist education sections show.

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

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

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

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

The most common degree for regulatory compliance specialists is bachelor's degree, with 67% of regulatory compliance specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 11%.
  • Bachelor's, 67%
  • Master's, 13%
  • Associate, 11%
  • Doctorate, 6%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

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

You should major in business to become a regulatory compliance specialist. 25% of regulatory compliance specialists major in business. Other common majors for a regulatory compliance specialist include biology and law.

Most common colleges for regulatory compliance specialists

Regulatory compliance specialists often get their degrees at University of Phoenix, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Indiana University South Bend. Here are the most common colleges for regulatory compliance specialists in the US based on their resumes.
Regulatory compliance specialist common collegePercentages
University of Phoenix16.22%
University of California, Santa Barbara7.21%
Indiana University South Bend5.41%
University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras Campus5.41%
University of California - Davis5.41%

Best majors for regulatory compliance specialists

RankMajorPercentages
1Business24.6%
2Biology14.5%
3Law8.1%
4Chemistry6.3%
5Psychology5.3%

Best colleges for regulatory compliance specialists

The best colleges for regulatory compliance specialists are Harvard University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A regulatory compliance specialist 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 specialists. 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 specialists.

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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

6. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

9. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

10. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

20 best online courses for regulatory compliance specialists

Advertising disclosure

1. Cybersecurity Management and Compliance

coursera

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?

coursera

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. Pharmaceutical Industry Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)

udemy
4.5
(256)

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

4. Certificate Course in Drug Regulatory Affairs (DRA)

udemy
4.2
(1,430)

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

5. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM

udemy
4.1
(300)

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

6. HIPAA Compliance Complete Course

udemy
4.4
(3,483)

Protecting Patients and Practices...

7. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - US FDA Medical Devices

udemy
4.4
(726)

A practical course discussing the US FDA Medical Device regulations for real-world situations...

8. 3-in-1 Banking, Banking Risk and Compliance Masterclass

udemy
4.6
(515)

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

9. Pharma Drug Regulatory Affairs Certificate Course - DRA 2023

udemy
4
(484)

DRA, Orange book, USFDA, e CTD, CTD, INDA, NDA, ANDA, DMF, ICH, Software Demo, RA Jobs, Quiz, Pharma Skills, Updated 2023...

10. Cryptocurrency Financial Crime Compliance Bootcamp

udemy
4.4
(484)

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

11. AML Compliance in Practice: Suspicious Activity Reports

udemy
4.6
(525)

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

12. Understanding HIPAA Compliance

udemy
4.5
(689)

This course helps you understand the various rules under HIPAA and how to be compliant with that...

13. Compliance Training for Employees

udemy
4.6
(5,050)

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

14. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply

udemy
4.3
(391)

How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...

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

udemy
4.1
(348)

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

16. HIPAA Workforce Basics

udemy
4.5
(5,276)

This short course focuses on pragmatic compliance with HIPAA and covers important breach avoidance strategies...

17. ISO 9001:2015 Internal Auditor

udemy
4.4
(306)

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

18. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.

udemy
4.3
(764)

Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...

19. The Ultimate Guide to Money Laundering and AML Compliance

udemy
4.4
(2,067)

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

20. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Compliance

udemy
4.2
(266)

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

Top 10 most affordable universities for regulatory compliance specialists

The most affordable schools for regulatory compliance specialists are California State University - Long Beach, university of florida, and florida international university.

If the best universities for regulatory compliance specialists 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 specialists.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

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. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Cost of attendance

25,527

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for regulatory compliance specialists

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

Some great schools for regulatory compliance specialists 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 specialists 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

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. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

7. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

8. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

9. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

10. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

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

The easiest schools for regulatory compliance specialists to get into are Barry University, university of the incarnate word, and university of north texas at dallas.

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

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

3. University of North Texas at Dallas

Dallas, TX • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

992

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Curry College

Milton, MA • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

1,026

6. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

7. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

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. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

Average regulatory compliance specialist salary by education level

According to our data, regulatory compliance specialists with a Doctorate degree earn the highest average salary, at $82,251 annually. Regulatory compliance specialists with a Master's degree earn an average annual salary of $73,663.
Regulatory compliance specialist education levelRegulatory compliance specialist salary
Master's Degree$73,663
High School Diploma or Less$54,344
Bachelor's Degree$66,265
Doctorate Degree$82,251
Some College/ Associate Degree$57,613

Regulatory compliance specialist education FAQs

Search for regulatory compliance specialist jobs

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.

Browse business and financial jobs