How to List Education on a Resume—2024 Guide

Is writing the resume education section giving you a bigger headache than a homework assignment for your organic chemistry class?

No longer! This article will give you all the formulas you need to showcase education on your resume. Whether you already graduated or are still a student, I’ll show you how to make your resume education shine.

This article will show you:

• How to format your resume education section.
• How to list education on a resume, even if you never graduated.
• How to showcase finished and in-progress education on a resume.
• Where should education go on a resume, and what to put in an education section. 

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Looking for other resume writing guides? See:

• American Resume Style
• Career Change Resume Guide
• Common Resume Mistakes to Avoid
• Differences Between Hard & Soft Skills
• How to Explain Employment Gaps on a Resume
• How to List Certifications on a Resume
• How to Write an ATS-Friendly Resume
• Power Words for a Resume
• Resume Keywords & How to Use Them
• Skills-Based Resume Guide

Education is an important section of a resume, especially for candidates who are still in academia or have just recently graduated. When listing your resume education, there are several aspects you need to pay attention to:

What to Include in a Resume Education Section

Here’s what you must include in your resume education section:

• The degree earned (or your current education in progress) + field of study
• Your school’s name & location
• The starting and graduation dates (or expected graduation if you’re still learning)

And if you’re looking to expand this section, you may add the following:

• Academic honors and awards (summa cum laude, Dean’s list)
• Relevant coursework
• GPA (if above 3.5)
• Thesis or dissertation (if relevant)
• Abroad study experience

See this example:

How to Write a Resume Education Section—Sample

Expert Hint: Hard skills such as programming are often what’s called resume keywords. If your education on a resume showcases relevant experience in the specific skill, including it will be beneficial.

Where to Put Your Resume Education

As a general rule of thumb, an education section follows your resume work history. But, as with most things, there are exceptions. Here’s what you need to determine where you should list the education on your resume:

Start the resume with your education if you’re a recent graduate or a current student. Your academic achievements are probably the juiciest part of your profile right now, so give them the spotlight! Moreover, if you’re writing a resume with no experience, emphasizing education helps fill the resume with substantive content.

If you’re a mid-level candidate, your education should be displayed underneath your work history, and you don’t need to include any additional information. This will help you keep your resume length in check and allow you to incorporate more impressive work achievements into your resume’s layout.

Senior-level candidates and those writing C-suite resumes can sprinkle their education section either below the work history or at the end. By this point, your work achievements are the real feast, so there is no need to crowd the resume with extra academic details.

How to Format the Education Section on a Resume

When it comes to formatting your resume’s education section, think of it as crafting a clean, organized recipe—one that hiring managers can easily follow. Here’s a quick guide to help you serve up your academic background with clarity:

• Place the resume education section according to your chosen resume style and your work experience.
• Use a clear header such as “Education” or “Academic Background.”
• If you have multiple degrees, use the reverse-chronological resume format for them.
• Use bold formatting to highlight your degree and the additional details you choose to include, such as GPA or Relevant Coursework.
• If you’re including lots of additional information, organize them using bullet points.

Expert Hint: Not everything you did during your studies is relevant to the recruiter. I recommend customizing your education section based on the requirements of the job. A targeted resume is far more effective than a generic resume.

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How to List Education on Resume—Examples

Resume education is a straightforward section. Here are the different ways you can write this section down, depending on your own circumstances:

Ongoing High School Education on Resume

This example stands out by highlighting a strong GPA and relevant coursework, showing academic focus and skills aligned with technical roles. Leadership in the Science Club and winning a state science award showcase initiative and achievements that make this applicant more appealing to hiring managers.

See more: High School Resume Example

Completed High School Education on a Resume

This example is effective because it showcases more than just the basics. It highlights relevant activities like being part of a robotics club and working on a collaborative project with a university—great for demonstrating teamwork and technical skills. Volunteering experience adds a layer of civic engagement, which shows leadership and a well-rounded character. 

See more: High School Graduate Resume Example

Expert Hint: If you have a lot to talk about your volunteering experience, create a separate volunteering section on your resume. The same goes for hobbies & interests, as well as language levels on a resume.

Ongoing University Education on a Resume

This example is strong because it shows the candidate's ongoing commitment to their education while highlighting leadership and practical skills. The high GPA and Dean’s List mention showcase academic excellence, while the coursework is directly relevant to the business field. Extracurricular involvement, like organizing a team for a business competition, emphasizes leadership and problem-solving abilities—skills that are valuable to potential employers.

See more:College Student Resume

Finished Degree on a Resume

This example stands out because it highlights both academic and practical achievements. The candidate not only graduated with honors but also received an award for academic excellence, which immediately grabs a hiring manager's attention. Showcasing the independent research project and thesis demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the field, while the fieldwork experience proves the candidate’s hands-on expertise—valuable assets for geology-related positions.

See more: Recent College Graduate Resume

Expert Hint: Once you’ve finished a university or college, there’s no need to go back to high school education on your resume. Similarly, when discussing your work history, you should only go back about 10 years on a resume.

Completed Multiple Degrees on a Resume

The Master's degree section emphasizes the candidate's initiative and success in securing research funding, publishing findings, and presenting at prestigious conferences, which demonstrates their leadership in the field. The Bachelor’s degree complements this by showcasing relevant coursework and hands-on project work, providing evidence of a strong foundation in material science. Together, these degrees reflect the candidate’s comprehensive expertise, making them a strong contender for research or industry roles.

Double Major on a Resume

This education section showcases the candidate’s ability to handle complex interdisciplinary research, a valuable skill in both academic and professional settings. The double major capstone project demonstrates expertise in blending anthropology and history, emphasizing strong research, analytical, and presentation skills. 

Expert Hint: When listing your double major, write the more relevant major first.

Resume Education for a Seasoned Professional

As a seasoned industry veteran, you don’t need to include extensive details in this section. Simply listing your advanced degree is sufficient to show your qualifications. Your resume strengths and experience will take center stage in your resume, so there's no need to expand further on your educational background at this stage of your career.

Expert Hint: Don’t forget to write a cover letter. Most hiring managers say a well-written cover letter will help you get hired. This means cover letters are very important.

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Key Points

• Only include relevant entries on your resume education section.
• If you’ve completed college, don’t add high school.
• You can add high school if you’re partially on your way to a diploma.
• Add education subsections such as coursework, minors, clubs, activities, publications, and honors and achievements to boost your chances of employment.
• Add GPA only if it’s above 3.5.

Do you have any questions on how to write a resume education section? Not sure how to list minors, coursework, GPAs, activities, or honors? Let’s chat about it in the comments section below, and thanks for reading!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Education on a Resume

Where should education go on a resume?

Put your education details below work experience on your resume. This layout prioritizes work achievements and skills gained through employment. But, if you just finished school, you can put education at the top under your resume profile.

What to put for education on your resume if you are still in high school?

If you're still in high school, add your expected graduation date, school name, and your current GPA (if over 3.5). Also, mention any significant achievements or extracurricular activities. This will help your resume stand out.

What to put under education on a resume?

• Degree and Major
• School Name
• City and State
• Starting and Graduation Date
• GPA (If above 3.5)
• Honors and Awards
• Relevant Coursework
• Thesis or Capstone Project
• Extracurricular Activities
• Academic Projects

When should I put education first on a resume?

Put education first on your resume if you're a recent graduate with limited work experience. Highlight academic achievements, projects, and relevant coursework. This emphasizes your qualifications when your education is a stronger selling point than relevant job experience.

Should I put education on my resume if I didn't graduate?

Yes, include education on your resume even if you didn't graduate. List the school's name, the years attended, and any relevant coursework or achievements. Don’t lie on your resume about your educational experience, as employers appreciate transparency.