Options for Listing Education on a Resume

Not sure how to list your college degree (or the college coursework you have accumulated if you didn't finish your degree) on your resume? How should you list your expected graduation date if you're an undergraduate student? What if you didn't go to college? How about if you've already graduated? Alternatively, what do you do if you haven't yet graduated but intend to complete your degree at some point in time? 

Even if you didn't graduate, there are options for presenting your educational background in a positive manner. An entry-level resume will often present more educational or training information than would a resume for someone who has been in the workforce for many years. 

Here are a few options for including your education, as well as for mentioning credit you have earned for college-level work on your resume even though you didn't graduate.

How to List College Education on Your Resume

How you include education on your resume depends on when or if you have graduated. If you're a college student or recent graduate, your college education is typically listed at the top of your resume. When you have work experience, the education section of your resume is listed below your employment history. 

How to List an Expected Graduation Date

If you have not yet graduated but intend to, you can list details about your college, including location and name, and then put "degree expected" and your anticipated graduation year.

How to List a College Degree

Recent graduates should include their graduation date. If you have a high Grade Point Average (GPA), it can be included as well:

If it's been more than a few years since you graduated, you don't need to include your GPA:

How to List College When You Didn't Graduate

Whether you're currently working toward a degree, or have no plans to graduate, don't let a lack of a degree stop you from including your time spent at college or relevant details about completed coursework on your resume.

Your college classes, even without an earned degree, can help you meet an employer's educational requirements.

Option 1: List College Location and Details

There are a few different ways to include the fact that you attended college.

You can simply list the college and location:

You can also provide more detail. Include the years attended, the number of credits completed, and your GPA if it is very strong (3.5+):

You can mention the focus of your studies, if it is related to your employment objective, and the number of credits completed in that discipline:

Option 2: Include Completed Coursework

Another option is to list some of your completed coursework that is related to the job for which you are applying.

Option 3: Describe Projects

Yet another possibility is to actually describe any course projects which are related to your target job. This can be a good approach for candidates who don't possess much or any related work experience.

For example, a person who is aiming for a job with a focus on information technology might describe a programming project which involved the creation of a complex Excel database. If you received any recognition for the project, or an outstanding grade, you could also mention those.

Listing High School and GED on Your Resume

High School Students and Recent Graduates

If you're currently a high school student or just graduated, you can include your GPA and school activities and accomplishments in this section of your resume.

When You Didn't Go to College

If you didn't go to college or only took a few courses, you don't have to list them. Of course, you also have the option of leaving college off of your resume entirely, which becomes a better option as you gain valid, relevant work experience.

There are many things you can include on your resume besides college, to highlight and prove your qualifications for a job. Relevant coursework, awards, certifications, volunteer positions, and even clubs and hobbies can often be included appropriately in other sections of your resume.

If you don't have work or much other experience, you may want to list your GED or high school information on your resume. Otherwise, you don't need to include it. For example:

or

Sample Resume With Coursework

This is an example of a resume that lists education. Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Remember the Basics

Your resume is probably the first impression that a potential employer is going to have of you. It’s a good idea to review resume writing tips to help you present the most important information about you in a way that stands out to hiring managers.

It’s helpful to carefully proofread your resume or have a friend proofread it for you before you send it off. This will help you catch any typos, and make sure that the layout looks good. You want to be sure as well that it’s formatted in such a way that it opens properly if you are emailing it with your application materials.

When You Land an Interview

You should also be prepared to discuss your college courses in your interview, when the time comes.

Remember to be honest and upfront, and cast your decision in the most flattering way possible, without placing blame or being negative.

Related: Best Resume Writing Services