Updated September 27, 2026.
In short: list each degree as degree and major, school, city and state, and graduation month and year (or year alone), with the most recent degree first. Recent graduates put education near the top and can add GPA, honors and relevant coursework; experienced candidates put it at the bottom and keep it to one line per degree. If you are still studying, write "Expected May 2027". If you did not finish, list the school, what you studied and the credits or years completed — never imply a degree you do not hold.
What is the format for education on a resume?
The standard entry:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI May 2024
Or on a single line to save space:
B.S., Nursing — University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI — 2024
Include, in this order:
1.Degree — written out ("Bachelor of Arts") or abbreviated ("B.A."); pick one style and use it for every degree.
2.Major (and minor, if relevant).
3.School name, then city and state.
4.Graduation date — month and year, or just the year.
5.Optional details — honors, GPA, relevant coursework, thesis, study abroad — for recent graduates only.
Where does education go on a resume?
- Students and recent graduates (roughly the last two years): at the top, right under the summary or objective, because it is your strongest qualification.
- Experienced candidates: at the bottom, after experience and skills.
- Career changers with a new, relevant degree or certificate: near the top, so the reader sees the qualification for the new field first.
- Jobs that require a specific degree or license (nursing, teaching, engineering, law): high enough that a reader checking the requirement finds it at once.
How do you list a degree in progress?
Write "Expected" plus the month and year you expect to finish:
B.A., Economics — Ohio State University, Columbus, OH — Expected May 2027
You can add "GPA: 3.6" or relevant coursework underneath. Our guide to the expected graduation date on a resume covers the variations, including part-time study and uncertain dates.
How do you list an unfinished degree?
Be accurate and specific about what you completed:
Coursework toward B.S., Computer Science — Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA — 2021–2023 Completed 72 credits, including data structures, algorithms and databases.
or
Business Administration studies — Portland Community College, Portland, OR — 2019–2020
Do not list a degree title without "Coursework toward" or "studies", and do not give a graduation date for a degree you did not receive. Employers can verify degrees, and a misstated one can cost you an offer.
How do you list multiple degrees?
In reverse chronological order, newest first. A master's degree goes above your bachelor's:
M.S., Data Science — Northeastern University, Boston, MA — 2025 B.A., Mathematics — Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA — 2021
Two majors at one school go on one line: "B.A., Economics and Political Science". A double degree is two lines under the same school.
Should you put high school on your resume?
Only if it is your highest level of education, or you are a current student or recent high school graduate. Once you have any college degree, remove it.
High School Diploma — Lincoln High School, Tacoma, WA — June 2025
If you earned a GED, write "GED, Washington State, 2024".
Should you include GPA, honors and coursework?
- GPA: include it if you graduated recently and it is strong (a common guideline is 3.0 or higher), or if the employer asks. See GPA on a resume.
- Latin honors: write them next to the degree: "B.A., History, magna cum laude".
- Dean's list and scholarships: a short "Honors" line under the degree, or in a separate awards section if you have several.
- Relevant coursework: 4–6 courses that match the job, for students and recent graduates only. See relevant coursework on a resume.
- Thesis or capstone: one line with the title, if it relates to the job.
Should you include graduation dates?
For recent graduates, yes. For experienced candidates, it is your choice: leaving off a date from more than 10–15 years ago is common and acceptable, and it is not misleading as long as you do not imply a different date. Keep date formats consistent with the rest of the resume; see resume date format.
Where do certifications and bootcamps go?
Short professional credentials (PMP, CPA, CompTIA A+) usually belong in a separate certifications section. Intensive programs such as coding bootcamps can go in education if they were full-time and substantial; list the program, provider and completion date.
Examples of education sections
Recent graduate:
EDUCATION B.S., Mechanical Engineering — Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN — May 2026 GPA: 3.7 · Dean's List (6 semesters) Relevant coursework: Thermodynamics, Machine Design, Finite Element Analysis, Controls
Experienced professional:
EDUCATION MBA — University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI B.A., Economics — University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
Career changer with a new credential:
EDUCATION & TRAINING Certificate, UX Design — University of Washington Continuum College, Seattle, WA — 2026 B.A., English — University of Oregon, Eugene, OR — 2016
All names and schools above are examples; use your own.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to include my education on a resume?
Yes, in almost every case. If you have no degree, list your high school diploma or GED and any training or certifications.
Should I abbreviate my degree?
Either is fine ("Bachelor of Science" or "B.S."), as long as you are consistent. Spell it out if you have space and only one degree.
Should I list my minor?
Yes, if it relates to the job or shows a useful skill (for example, a minor in Spanish for a customer-facing role).
How do I list a study abroad program?
As a line under your degree: "Study abroad: Universidad de Salamanca, Spain, Spring 2025".
Once the section is set, the resume builder formats education entries consistently with the rest of your resume.