How to List Education on Your Resume (10 Education Section Examples)

Writing your education section doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s a simple example of how to format this section of your resume:

Below, we’ll show you how to list your education on your resume in three simple steps, followed by ten examples you can customize for your resume.

What to include in your education section

Always include these details in your resume education section:

1. School name and location
2. Degree and major (and minor, if applicable)
3. Graduation date (or expected graduation date)

Only include your high school education if it’s your highest degree.

If you have a bachelor’s degree or higher, leave high school details off your resume and focus on more relevant qualifications like work experience, certifications, and skills.

Additional achievements strengthen your resume when your work history is limited, especially if you’re early in your career.

However, when space is limited, prioritize professional accomplishments instead. Only include your highest degree in that case.

Additional achievements to include

Here are some optional items to include in your education section to make it stronger:

• GPA (if above 3.5): A high GPA on your resume shows you produce high-quality work and manage your responsibilities effectively.
• Honors and awards: Graduation honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude), Dean’s List recognition, or honor society membership demonstrate consistent high performance.
• Scholarships and grants: Merit-based awards show motivation and academic strength, indicating you’re worth their investment.
• Thesis: Include your thesis title when it’s relevant to your target industry.
• Relevant coursework: Relevant coursework shows employers you have foundational knowledge in your field and skills to build upon.
• Extracurricular activities: Add clubs or sports when they demonstrate skills relevant to the position.

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How to format your resume’s education section

Bold the most important information in your education section to make it clear and easy for hiring managers to skim. Typically, this is the school name or degree title.

If you have multiple degrees, list them in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent.

Here’s an example of a properly formatted resume education section:

Where to list education on your resume

The placement of your education section signals its importance to hiring managers. Position it based on your level of professional experience.

When your education is stronger

Put your education section near the top of your resume when your academic credentials outweigh your professional experience. This applies if you’re:

• A current student still completing your degree
• A recent graduate entering the workforce
• Changing careers and your degree is more relevant than your work history

In these cases, place education below your resume summary but above your work experience.

When your experience is stronger

For most jobs, hands-on work experience is more relevant than your education.

If you have more than a couple years of relevant work experience, list your education below your work experience section.

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Resume education section examples

Below are examples showing you how to format your education section based on your academic status.

Find the scenario that best matches yours background and adapt the format for your resume.

High school student example

List your high school education only if you haven’t earned a college degree.

Here’s how to list your high school diploma if you’re still in school or recently graduated:

If you’ve completed any higher education, such as an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, omit your high school details and focus on your more advanced qualifications.

College/university student example

Always include your degree on your resume even if it isn’t directly related to the job you want. Most professional roles require a college degree, so listing it is essential.

Here’s how to format an unfinished degree:

Exchange student example

Here’s how to list a study abroad program on your resume:

Highlighting your accomplishments in bullet points that describe what you achieved during a study abroad program can help give you a competitive edge over other candidates.

In particular, you’ll stand out to hiring managers if you developed language skills during your study abroad program.

Double major example

If you’re listing a double major on your resume, put the most relevant major first. Here’s an example:

Additional achievements example

Here’s how to format your education section if you want to add honors, coursework, or extracurricular activities:

Graduate/master’s student example

Here’s how to list a master’s degree on your resume, along with your previous degree:

Doctorate student (PhD) example

If you’re applying for positions that require a PhD, include your dissertation along with your degree details.

Here’s how to include a doctoral degree on a PhD resume:

Continuing education example

If you’re actively pursuing professional development or taking courses to build industry-specific skills, you can list this work as continuing education on your resume.

Listing relevant coursework completed after graduation shows employers that you’re a self-starter and motivated to develop professionally.

Training and certifications

Most certifications should appear in a separate certifications section on your resume, but non-traditional education — like coding bootcamps or trade apprenticeships — can be listed in your education section if they’re directly relevant to the field.

Place them below any degrees you hold.