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How To List Education On A Resume (With Examples)

By Chris Kolmar and Experts
Sep. 7, 2023
Last Modified and Fact Checked on:

How to List Education on a Resume (With Examples)

In today’s competitive job market, effectively showcasing your education on your resume is crucial for demonstrating your qualifications to hiring managers. Many job seekers find it challenging to determine the best placement for this information, especially when space is limited.

This article provides guidance on how to list education on your resume, along with various examples to illustrate different approaches.

Key Takeaways:

  • List your highest degree first, unless another degree is more pertinent to the job.

  • If you’re a recent graduate, position your education section at the top of your resume. For those with several years of experience, place it at the bottom.

  • Include the name of the institution, the degree earned, graduation year, and GPA (if above 3.5) on your resume.

How To List Education On A Resume (With Examples)

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What to Include in the Education Section of Your Resume

Your education section should present the essentials—degree level, institution name, and location—along with distinguishing details like honors or awards.

  • Degrees should be listed in reverse chronological order.

  • Institution name (high school, college, or university).

  • Location of the educational institution (city and state).

  • Major/minor/field of study.

  • GPA (if above 3.5).

  • Honors: cum laude (3.900 or higher), magna cum laude (3.700-3.899), summa cum laude (3.900 or higher).

  • Awards or distinctions (like Honor Society, Dean’s List, etc.).

  • Scholarships (Academic, Merit, Athletic, or Community Service Scholarships).

How to Include Your Education on Your Resume

Position your education section based on its relevance to the role you are applying for.

The arrangement and presentation of your education section will vary depending on your experience level, how recently you completed your studies, and the nature of the job.

Here are some guidelines to follow based on your situation:

  1. Student or Recent Graduate. If you are currently enrolled in or have recently graduated from high school, college, or a vocational program, place your education section near the top of your resume, beneath your contact information and a resume summary or objective.

    As you will likely be pursuing an entry-level position with limited job experience, it’s essential to highlight your education upfront.

    However, if you are a college student or recent graduate with significant internships or relevant work experience, it may be more beneficial to lead with your professional experience instead.

    Example of an education section for a current student:

    Education

    Kansas State University
    Manhattan, Kansas
    Bachelor of Science in Biology, Pre-Med
    Expected May 2026
    4.0 GPA
    Relevant Coursework: Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Research Methods

    Berthoud High School
    Berthoud, Colorado
    May 2020
    4.0 GPA
    summa cum laude

    Notice the “relevant coursework” section—given that most of your experience derives from your studies at this stage in your career, mentioning coursework that relates directly to the position is advantageous.

  2. College Graduates with Some Experience. After obtaining your college degree and accumulating some industry experience, you can position your education section after your professional experience section.

    Here’s how the previous example would look for a graduate with some experience:

    Education

    Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, Maryland
    Master of Science in Biotechnology
    May 2024

    Kansas State University
    Manhattan, Kansas
    Bachelor of Science in Biology, Pre-Med
    May 2022
    summa cum laude
    Honor Society
    Top 10 Senior

  3. Seasoned Job Seekers. For individuals with several years of experience, place your education section towards the bottom of your resume, typically between your professional experience and skills sections. The exception is if you are applying for academic or research positions.

    Experienced professionals may not need to include honors and awards in the education section since your work history speaks more to your qualifications and achievements. Here’s an example:

    Education

    Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, Maryland
    Master of Science in Biotechnology
    May 2024

    Kansas State University
    Manhattan, Kansas
    Bachelor of Science in Biology, Pre-Med
    May 2022

Resume Education Section Template and Examples

Here’s a template for what to include in the education section of your resume, along with examples for different scenarios:

  1. Resume Education Section Template:

    2. School or University
    City, State
    Degree Earned / Minor (most recent degree first)
    Date Earned or Expected (Month and Year)
    GPA (if over 3.5)
    Honors/Awards

  2. Example of Education Section with a 4-Year Degree from College:

    Western Illinois University
    Macomb, Illinois
    Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice / Minor in Psychology
    December 2018
    Graduated magna cum laude
    Cumulative GPA of 3.95
    Dean’s List all semesters

  3. Example of Education Section with Two Degrees:

    Northwestern University
    Evanston, Illinois
    Master of Business Administration May 2020
    GPA of 3.75

    The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign
    Champaign, Illinois
    BS in Business, Business Administration May 2016
    GPA of 3.8

  4. Example of Education Section with Future Graduation Date:

    DePaul University
    Chicago, Illinois
    Bachelor of Arts in Communications, anticipated graduation December 2023
    Current GPA of 3.65

  5. Example of Education Section with No Graduation Date to Avoid Age Discrimination:

    University of Chicago
    Chicago, Illinois
    Bachelor of Business Administration

  6. Example of Education Section with a Recent High School Diploma:

    Burlington High School
    Burlington, Iowa
    2016-2020
    President of Student Council

Example Resume Objective Statements with Educational Experience

When your education significantly impacts your candidacy for a position, feature it in your resume objective statement.

Here are two example resume objective statements that highlight educational experience:

  1. High School Graduate Example Resume Objective Statement

    Dedicated high school graduate with one year of retail experience seeking a role in customer service. Possesses strong communication skills, attention to detail, and sales experience.

  2. Undergraduate Example Resume Objective Statement

    Ambitious Bachelor of Arts graduate with a 3.5 GPA seeking a position with a Public Relations firm. Brings strong interpersonal skills and proven experience in directing media campaigns.

Resume Education Section Tips

Follow these tips to enhance the appeal of your resume’s education section to hiring managers and recruiters:

  • Read the Job Description Carefully. Pay attention to any “requirements” or “education” sections in the job posting. While most roles may only specify a “bachelor’s degree required,” some may require specific certifications or degrees.

    If you’re pursuing a role in healthcare or pharmaceutical research, consider leading with these essential educational credentials to ensure the hiring manager recognizes your qualifications right away.

  • Be Honest. Educational background checks are straightforward for employers to conduct. Misrepresenting your qualifications can lead to immediate disqualification.

  • Start Strong. Always lead with your highest level of education and work backward. The only exception is when a more recent, relevant certification takes precedence over your highest degree.

  • Avoid Listing Multiple Schools for One Degree. If you transferred or attended multiple institutions, only list the school from which you obtained your degree to maintain clarity.

  • Consider Structuring Your Education Section. If you have extensive collegiate or postgraduate experience relevant to the job, think about dividing your education section into subsections like “Projects,” “Continuous Education,” or “Awards.” However, only do this if it truly adds value compared to your professional experience section.

Resume Education Section FAQ

  1. Should You Spell Out Your Degree?

    Yes, you should spell out your degree. Instead of using abbreviations like B.S. or B.A., spell out your degree for clarity.

  2. Do You Use an Apostrophe in Your Degree?

    Yes, you use an apostrophe if you refer to a master’s degree or bachelor’s degree. When using the phrase “of,” omit the apostrophe: for example, “Master of Business Administration” or “Bachelor of Arts.”

  3. Should You Include Your High School Graduation Information?

    If you are a recent high school graduate without a college degree, include your high school education. Once you earn a college degree, it’s advisable to omit high school details.

  4. Should You Include the Year You Graduated from College?

    Yes, include your college graduation year unless you are over 40 years old. Job seekers aged 19-39 can list graduation dates, while those over 40 should consider omitting the date to avoid age bias.

  5. What If You Never Graduated?

    If you attended college but did not complete your degree, you can still list your credit hours. Include the school name, the number of hours completed, and the subjects studied. If you plan to finish your degree, state what it is, where you’re pursuing it, and the expected completion date.

  6. Should You List Your Anticipated Graduation Date?

    Yes, include your anticipated graduation date. If you are currently in school and have a projected graduation date, it should be on your resume.

  7. What If You Didn’t Make the Dean’s List All Semesters? Can You Still Include It?

    It’s advisable to include the Dean’s List honor only if you maintained it throughout all semesters attended. This keeps your education section concise.

  8. Should You List Advanced Degrees That You Are Pursuing?

    Yes, list any advanced degrees you are pursuing. Employers appreciate candidates who are furthering their education; it can also explain gaps in employment.

  9. Should You Embellish Things in Your Education Section?

    No, embellishing your education is not advisable. Employers often verify degrees. Misrepresentation can lead to immediate disqualification.

  10. Should You Include Education in Your Cover Letter?

    Only include education in your cover letter if it is highly relevant to your candidacy. Your cover letter should primarily focus on your skills and experience, but mentioning relevant educational aspects can enhance your application. For instance, if you have a degree in Communications with a focus on Mass Communications, you might highlight your college television production experience in relation to a TV production job you are applying for.

Final Thoughts

As the job market evolves, it’s essential to adapt your resume to stand out among competitors. Use these tips to craft a resume that effectively highlights your education and positions you for success in landing interviews. Whether you’re a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, showcasing your educational background strategically can enhance your appeal to employers.

References

  1. Purdue Online Writing Lab – Education Section

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

Expert

Don Pippin, MHRM, CPRW, CDCS

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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