How to list education on a resume (with examples and tips)

First impressions matter. For 37.7% of recruiters, the first thing they look at on a resume is a candidate's education section. Whether a degree is a hard requirement for the role or simply adds credibility to your application, how you present it on your resume is essential.

With plenty of examples on hand, you’ll know how to put education on a resume in a way that conveys why you’re the most qualified person for the role.

What information goes in your education section?

The amount and type of information that goes in your education section varies based on what type of education you have, how relevant it is to the position you are applying for, how much work experience you have, and so forth.

Important to know: In your educational entry, if you have finished college, you don’t need to include your high school information on your resume. However, if you are in high school or college, you can include the name and location of your high school, years attended/expected graduation date. Include your GPA on a resume if it’s above 3.5, and any honors or awards that you earned (such as graduating magna cum laude or summa cum laude).

There is additional information you can include if you feel it’s relevant, but it’s not required on a resume. If you need to cut information out of your resume, don’t add these things unless you’re confident they will make a difference.

• A thesis or dissertation completed as part of a graduate school experience that is relevant to the job
• Extracurricular activities where you developed skills needed for the different jobs you apply for
• Merit-based grants and scholarships if they are relevant to the job
• Academic awards such as the Dean’s list

Use action verbs when describing educational background and any accomplishments you have. This language not only draws the reader in, but also shows that you took an active role in your studies.

What do employers want to see in your education section?

The higher the job is in the company, the more education the hiring manager wants to see. For example, an executive position may require a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree earned, while an entry-level position may only require a high school diploma or proof you’ve taken a few relevant courses.

When listing your education on your resume, use the reverse chronological resume format, and always be honest. Avoid inflating your academic background or exaggerating your qualifications, and double-check the information before submitting. If an employer runs a background check and the information doesn’t match what’s on your resume, it’s an immediate red flag.

How to list your education on a resume (with examples)

Every resume is unique. Ask yourself: what is your most relevant accomplishment to the job you want? Education and work experience may switch spots on your resume depending on how relevant they are to the job you’re applying for.

If you apply for a job in academia or the education field, you’ll need a curriculum vitae (CV) rather than a resume. You don’t need to detail your education in your cover letter or objective. Instead, elaborate on it in a dedicated education section.

How to list completed education

When listing college degrees, start with your highest degree and then add other degrees in reverse chronological order after that. There are several different ways to write degrees. If you have a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts, you can write it in the following ways:

All are acceptable, but you may wish to mirror the format that the employer uses in the job description to help your resume pass applicant tracking system (ATS) scans. Just be sure to use the same format for all of the entries in all education listed.

Here’s an example of how a typical college degree might be listed on a resume:

If you graduated from an honors program, were valedictorian or salutatorian, or earned Latin honors, you can also list these succinctly in your education section.

Additionally, if you have or are working towards a PhD or other advanced degree and have relevant publications that you wish to call attention to, you can list them under your degree or create a separate publication section.

Recent graduate

If you are a recent graduate going for your first job, your degree represents your most recent achievement. Therefore, the details of your education should be front and center on your resume. 

To highlight your degree and education-related accomplishments, put this section at the top of your resume, right under your contact information. If you recently received your degree and want to showcase this as your primary qualification, you can list it like this:

Tweaking your resume and cover letter examples to include these additional details can show that you have gained recognition for your strong work ethic and that you have the knowledge required to perform well in your role.

Experienced professional

You can and should still highlight your education if you already have three to five years of experience under your belt. However, you can place this section much lower on your resume. It can go right under your work experience section, since 82.6% of HR professionals will look there first. 

As you gain more paid experience, that part of your resume will become most valuable to potential employers, while your education section serves to reinforce your foundational knowledge and qualifications for the role. If you are crafting a resume as a mid-career professional, here’s an example of how you can format a polished education section:

How to list in-progress education

If you are still in college currently, provide your expected degree, the school location and graduation date, like so:

You may wish to provide additional details in this case, such as honors, relevant coursework, your GPA, and so forth. Follow the same format for in-progress high school education.

How to list incomplete education

If you completed some high school, simply list the school name and location with the years that you did attend. If you later completed a GED or graduated high school, include that information as well:

Or, if you started college but then decided it wasn’t a good fit for you, you can still highlight the credits that you did earn and include your high school information as well, like so:

Whether you completed your college degree program or not, it’s worth mentioning (and celebrating) the work you did in earning credits toward it.

How to list study abroad information

If you completed one of many study abroad programs and you have room on your resume, use this example to list information correctly:

If your education section is running long, you can cut out the bullet points and just list your experience. This section is particularly important if the job requires you to travel or be well-versed in other languages and cultures, and you feel it sets you apart from other job seekers.

How to format multiple degrees or school transfers

If you have multiple degrees (such as a bachelor’s and a master’s degree), you should use resume and cover letter templates that make room for both. Not only does this show your commitment to continual learning, but in some cases, your advanced or additional degree may be required to be considered for the role. If this fits your situation, you structure the education section of resumes as follows:

If you transferred schools before you completed your degree, you can list all institutions attended. 

However, you should make it clear that you only received a degree from one of the institutions. To accomplish this, you can list the title of your degree from the school you graduated from and your major (and minor, if applicable) at the school you transferred from. You should also list the dates of your attendance at each school.

Here’s an example of how you could format this:

How to list additional certifications relevant to the job

Formal education is not all you can use to sell yourself. Include any additional certifications, trade school, or professional development courses you completed that make you better than the other candidates, such as:

Include any continuing education courses relevant to the job you’re pursuing. If most applicants have similar educational backgrounds to yours, these extra certifications may give you the edge you need.

If you want to go into more detail, consider adding bullet points to briefly highlight other accomplishments. You can also include scholarships, campus/national/international honor society memberships, business fraternity memberships, honor roll, dean’s list, and so forth. Or, if you really want to draw attention to these details, you may wish to create a separate honors and awards section on your resume.

Examples of listing education on a resume by profession

Where and how you list your education on a resume depends on your current career stage and profession. For students, the education section is central, while for working professionals, such as nurses, while education remains relevant, the work experience section takes center stage. To illustrate, let's take a look at some examples of how the education section looks by profession.

Education section for students

For students and recent graduates, the education section carries more weight. A strong GPA and honors can showcase work ethic, discipline, and a grasp of complex concepts. Here are a few resume examples:

Education section for working professionals

As you climb the career ladder, your education complements the experience you have. In some sectors, such as academia and engineering, having the right credentials is a must. Let's take a look at some examples:

Key takeaways for education on a resume

When adding your education to your resume, placement and formatting matter. Recent graduates should position their education section at the top of their resume, while professionals with three or more years of experience can move it below their work history. Always list your qualifications in reverse chronological order and keep the formatting consistent throughout. Only include your GPA if it's 3.5 or above, and add certifications or honors when they genuinely strengthen your application for the role.

Want to ensure your education section looks polished and professional? Use Jobseeker's resume builder to create a standout resume in minutes. Our resume templates are optimized for readability and ATS compatibility, with built-in formatting for education, work experience, and more. You can also explore our resume resources for additional inspiration tailored to your field.