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

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. Otherwise, leave it off.

Additional achievements to include

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

• GPA (if 3.5 or higher): Only include your GPA on your resume if you’re still in school or you just graduated recently.
• Honors and awards: Graduation honors, Dean’s List, and honor society memberships demonstrate consistent high performance.
• Scholarships and grants: Merit-based awards show motivation and academic strength.
• Thesis: Include your thesis or dissertation title if it’s relevant to your target industry.
• Relevant coursework: Including coursework that’s relevant to the job shows employers you have foundational knowledge in your field and skills to build upon.
• Extracurricular activities: Add clubs or sports only when they demonstrate skills relevant to the position.

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How to format your resume’s education section

Bold the school name in your education section to make it clear and easy for hiring managers to skim.

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

Below your work experience

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.

At the top of your resume

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 above your work experience, right below your resume summary.

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Resume education section examples

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

High school student example

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

College/university student example

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.

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.

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.