If you're applying before you've graduated, your education entry has one critical job: telling the recruiter when you're available to start. An expected graduation date isn't a hedge — it's standard, and every campus recruiter reads it fluently.
In short: write the degree as normal and add the date with "Expected": "B.S. in Computer Science, University of Michigan — Expected May 2027." Acceptable variants: "Anticipated May 2027" or "Expected graduation: May 2027." Month + year, not a full date. While you're a student, education sits above work experience; after your first professional job, it moves below and "Expected" disappears.
The formats
```
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN — Ann Arbor, MI
B.S. in Computer Science, Expected May 2027
GPA 3.7 · Relevant coursework: Distributed Systems, Machine Learning
```
One-line version for compact resumes:
```
B.S. Computer Science, University of Michigan — Expected May 2027
```
Both parse cleanly and read instantly. What to avoid: listing only a start year ("2023–") — the reader can't tell if you're a sophomore or about to graduate; writing a graduation date with no "Expected" — that claims a degree you don't have yet, and background checks verify degrees; and vague phrasing like "currently pursuing" with no date at all.
What if your graduation date is uncertain?
- Probably delayed a semester? List the date you genuinely expect ("Expected December 2027"). Update it if it changes — the resume states your current best information, and that's all honesty requires.
- Part-time, timeline unclear? Give the year alone: "Expected 2028."
- On leave or paused? "Coursework toward B.S. in Biology, University of X (2022–2024)" — describes what's true without promising a date. If you've stepped away for good, the same format holds; never invent a future date you don't intend to meet.
Does GPA go next to it?
Include GPA if it's 3.5+ and you're within a couple of years of school; drop it after your first professional role. Dean's list, honors, and relevant coursework earn their line only while education is your main evidence — as your work section grows, education shrinks to one line. (The same logic governs how to list a minor and internships.)
FAQ
Can I say "Class of 2027" instead? Recruiters understand it, but "Expected May 2027" is more precise — hiring timelines run on months, not class years.
Do I put expected graduation on LinkedIn too? Yes — use the education end-date field for the expected year; LinkedIn displays future dates correctly.
What about certifications in progress? Same principle: "AWS Solutions Architect Associate — expected November 2026." Never list an in-progress cert as earned.
Where does this all go in the bigger picture? The skills-on-a-resume guide covers modern section order, and our resume builder places education correctly for your career stage automatically.