Updated October 5, 2026.
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 the standard way to list a degree you're still working on.
In short: to put an expected graduation date on a resume, write the degree and school as normal and add the month and year with the word "Expected": "B.S. in Computer Science, University of Michigan — Expected May 2027." "Anticipated May 2027" and "Expected graduation: May 2027" mean the same thing. Use month and year, not a full date and not a date range. While you're a student, education sits above work experience; after your first professional job it moves below, and "Expected" disappears once the degree is conferred.
How do you put an expected graduation date on a resume?
Put the expected graduation date exactly where a graduate would put their graduation date — on the degree line, usually right-aligned — and label it "Expected" or "Anticipated". University career centers ask for the same thing: Oklahoma State's resume checklist says the expected graduation date should be included, right-justified (Oklahoma State University Career Services), and Indiana University Indianapolis lists "anticipated graduation month and year" as part of the education section (IU Indianapolis) (both checked October 5, 2026).
| Wording on the resume | Example | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Expected + month and year | Expected May 2027 | The default; shortest and most common |
| Anticipated + month and year | Anticipated May 2027 | Same meaning; use it if your school's samples do |
| Expected graduation: month and year | Expected graduation: May 2027 | When the date sits on its own line under the degree |
| Expected + year only | Expected 2028 | Part-time study or an uncertain term |
The expected graduation on your resume is read as your start date, so use the term you genuinely expect to finish, and keep the same date on your resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile.
The formats
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN — Ann Arbor, MI
B.S. in Computer Science, Expected May 2027
GPA 3.7 · Relevant coursework: Distributed Systems, Machine LearningOne-line version for compact resumes:
B.S. Computer Science, University of Michigan — Expected May 2027Both 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.)
Frequently asked questions
Can I say "Class of 2027" instead of an expected graduation date?
Recruiters understand it, but "Expected May 2027" is more precise — hiring timelines run on months, not class years.
Do I put my expected graduation date on LinkedIn too?
Yes. Add the school in your profile's Education section (LinkedIn Help) and use the end date for your expected graduation. LinkedIn's own help pages say that for current students or those yet to graduate, the education end date "can be left empty or set to a future date" (LinkedIn Help, checked October 5, 2026).
How do I list a certification I haven't finished yet?
Same principle: "AWS Solutions Architect Associate — expected December 2026." Never list an in-progress certification as earned.
Where does education go on a student resume?
Above experience while you are a student; see how to list education on a resume for every case. The skills-on-a-resume guide covers modern section order, and our resume builder places education correctly for your career stage automatically.