How to List Your Education on Your Resume (With Examples)

Almost every job seeker has an education section in their resume. If done correctly, the education section can help you stand out as a candidate and boost your skills. But how is it supposed to be presented? Depending on your professional circumstances, the education section may be set up differently than the standard method. Here are some tips and tricks to optimize your resume’s education section.

What to Include in Your Resume’s Education Section

The main elements to include in your education section are your degree (major/minor), school name, and location. Applicant tracking systems (ATSs) may be looking for a specific degree or title, so be sure to display your information correctly and spell out acronyms. For example:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in [Degree Name] – [University Name], [City], [State]

If it is relevant, there is other information you can add to your resume under your education. For example, if you earned your degree within the past three years, you could add in the year you graduated. However, if it has been more than three years since your graduation date, the information is likely not relevant and can be left out to avoid age discrimination. The same idea goes for adding your GPA. If you graduated with a 3.7 or higher GPA, you can add the details to your resume. Anything below may hinder your chances as a candidate (and it’s not required either).

If you are a recent graduate and you have any related activities, awards, extracurriculars, coursework, or community involvement, you can add that to your resume as well under your education. Be sure that anything you add to the resume is relevant to the position you’re targeting. If you graduated more than three years ago, the coursework may no longer be significant unless you are making a career change.

Summary of Educational Experience Example:

Where to Put Your Resume’s Education Section

Now that you know what goes into the education section, how do you decide where to put it? If you are a recent graduate, your education section will most likely go at the top of your resume beneath your summary and key skills. However, if you are further into your career, or if you have work experience that outweighs your education, you should put your education section below your professional history. That way, you can highlight your professional experience first (the most relevant and important) and then showcase your education.

Other Information to Add to Your Resume’s Education Section

If you need to save space on your resume, or don’t want too many sections, you can combine different parts with your education section. This can include certifications, licenses, professional credentials, trainings, and memberships. If you choose to do this, be sure to title your section accordingly.

Combined Education & Certifications Example:

How to Put College on Your Resume If You Haven’t Graduated Yet

If you’re in the process of earning your degree but are ready to apply for jobs now, you can still include that degree on your resume – this is another smart tactic for making it past the ATS. You can also add in the anticipated graduation date if you are close to finishing. Expressing that you have a degree in progress can show the hiring manager that you are soon to complete your degree and ready to use your skills in a particular position.

Including a Degree-In-Progress Example:

Displaying your education section correctly can help increase your chances of getting noticed by a hiring manager. By knowing how to effectively display your information and the important points to add, the hiring manager will get a better idea of your educational background. Use the tips above to create a successful education section, or check out our Resume Builder. This tool makes it easy to create each section of your resume with AI-powered recommendations and ATS-friendly templates.