Getting your resume noticed in the job market starts with strong basics. One of those basics is your education section. Whether you’re a high school graduate, a college student, or someone with an advanced degree, how you list your education matters.

If you’re ready to make your resume shine, Jump Resume Builder is your best friend. It helps you build a strong, job-ready resume in minutes.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the right way to do it. We’ll show examples for every level. You’ll also learn tips that help you stand out from the crowd.

Why Listing Education Is Important on a Resume?

Your education tells employers two things:

1. What you’ve learned.
2. How dedicated you are.

Even if the job doesn’t require a college degree, mentioning your education builds trust. It proves you took the time to learn, grow, and complete something important. That shows responsibility and dedication, traits every employer wants.  

Education also gives hiring managers a quick view of your background. It helps them understand your strengths, training, and goals.  Always make this section clear, honest, and neat. List the correct details in the proper order. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, individuals with higher educational attainment generally earn more and have better job prospects. 

Where to Place the Education Section on Your Resume

The placement of the education section on a resume depends on your experience.

• If you’re a student or recent graduate, your education is one of your strongest assets. List it at the top, right after your contact info and summary. This helps employers focus on your academic background before anything else.
• Your job history is more important if you have several years of work experience. In this case, move the education section below your work experience. This keeps your resume focused on what matters most to the hiring manager: your job skills.

Think about what the job needs. If the position asks for a specific degree or certification, move your education higher on your resume, even if you have work experience. This will help recruiters spot the requirements quickly. No matter where you place it, your education should be easy to find and quick to read. Keep the format clean and consistent.

Need help putting things in order? Try the easy-to-use Jump Resume Builder signup page to sign up today and build the right resume for yourself. It guides you step by step. Remember, the goal is to help hiring managers find what they need in seconds.

Whether you’re a student just starting out or a seasoned professional, how you show your education can change everything. 

Here’s how to do it right, no matter where you are in your career.

For Students: How to List Education When You Have No Experience

If you’re still in school or just graduated, education is your strongest asset — put it right at the top of your resume.

Tips for students:

• Mention your expected graduation date.
• Add your GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher.
• Include relevant coursework, honors, and projects.
• List academic awards or scholarships.

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Marketing

University of Texas at Austin

Expected Graduation: May 2026

GPA: 3.8 | Dean’s List (4 semesters)

Relevant Coursework: Digital Marketing, Consumer Behavior

For Professionals: How to List Education Without Crowding Your Resume

Once you’ve gained experience, your work history matters more than your education. So keep your education short, neat, and to the point — usually at the bottom.

Tips for professionals:

• Skip high school once you have a college degree.
• Don’t include GPA or coursework unless required.
• Add certifications if they’re recent or job-relevant.
• If your degree is old, list it without dates.

Example:

M.S. in Computer Science

Georgia Tech, Atlanta, GA

How to List Education on a Resume: Step-by-Step Guide

Listing your education the right way helps employers quickly understand your qualifications. Follow this step-by-step guide to showcase your academic background clearly, whether you’re just starting out or already have years of experience.

1. Start with Your Most Recent Degree

Always begin with your most recent or highest level of education. This is called reverse chronological order. It shows employers your current level of training first.

Example (Healthcare):

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Graduated: May 2024

If you’re still in school, list it the same way, but write “Expected” before graduation. Choose from Jump Resume Builder’s Healthcare templates to create your medical resume. 

Example (Business):

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

University of Texas, Austin, TX

Expected: June 2025

Using Jump Resume Builder’s Finance templates makes this step easy. It offers ready-to-use formats so you don’t miss anything.

2. Include the School Name and Location

Add the school name and location after your degree. Write the full city and state (where applicable) on your resume. This helps hiring managers know your background. Well-known schools stand out more this way.

Example:

Stanford University, Stanford, CA

Avoid short forms or initials unless the school is commonly recognized (like MIT or NYU).

3. Add Graduation Date (or Expected Date)

Next, add the graduation month and year. If you’re still studying, mention when you expect to graduate. 

Example (Completed Program):

Bachelor of Computer Science 

Graduated: August 2022

Example (Ongoing Program):

Master of Public Health in Progress

Expected: December 2025

There is no need to include the day. Keep it short and clean. This will show how far along you are in your studies.

Useful Ways to Mention Ongoing Degrees on Your Resume:

• Currently pursuing
• Graduation anticipated [Month, Year]
• Degree expected by [Month, Year]
• Expected to graduate [Month, Year]
• Completion planned for [Month, Year]

4. Mention Your Major or Field of Study

Employers can tell what you are interested in by your major. It also helps match your education with the job you want.

Example:

Bachelor of Arts in English Literature (B.A.)

Associate Degree in Computer Programming 

You don’t need to list your minor unless it’s relevant to the job.

5. Include GPA (Only If It’s Strong)

Only list your GPA if it’s 3.5 or above. This proves academic strength and consistency. If it’s lower, skip it. Employers care more about what you learn than just your score.

Example:

GPA: 3.7 / 4.0

Also, include Dean’s List, or other academic honors if they’re impressive or relevant to the job. These show you went above and beyond during your studies and can help your resume stand out.

Need help deciding what looks best? Read our blog, Resume Sections & Categories with Tips on Order & Titles.

6. Add Relevant Honors or Awards

Honors and awards make your resume more impressive. They show you’re doing the basics and going above and beyond.

Examples:

Dean’s List (Fall 2022, Spring 2023)

Winner of the Campus Innovation Challenge (2023)

Member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society(Inducted 2022)

List only those that matter to the job you’re applying for. Too many can clutter your resume. 

Suggested reading: How to Tailor Your Resume to a Job Description?

7. Include Certifications (If They Matter)

Certifications help your resume stand out, especially if the job requires specific skills or safety training.

Examples:

Google Digital Marketing Certification

CPR Certified (American Red Cross)

Microsoft Excel Expert

If it’s helpful in the job, add it. If not, skip it. Save space for things that matter more. 

8. Format It Clearly and Consistently

Clean formatting makes your resume easy to read. Use the same font, text size, and style for each school and degree.

Here’s what works best:

• Bold your degree title.
• Keep dates right-aligned.
• Use bullet points for awards or honors.
• Don’t change fonts halfway through.

What If You Have Unfinished or Non-Traditional Education?

Many job seekers worry about not finishing college or having a different learning path. But guess what? You can still show value on your resume. Here’s how:

If You Didn’t Finish Your Degree

That’s okay! Just list what you completed. Be clear so it doesn’t look like you’re hiding anything.

Example:

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology (Completed 60 credits)

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL

2019–2021

You can also say “Coursework Completed” or “In Progress” if you plan to return.

If You Attended a Community College

Community college is a valuable education. Many hiring managers respect it, especially if you earned an Associate Degree or transferred credits.

Example:

Associate Degree in Business Administration

Broward College, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Graduated: May 2020

Don’t skip this, even if you later transfer. Include it below your most recent degree.

If You Studied Abroad or Took Online Courses

Studying abroad or taking online classes shows you can adapt. It proves you like to learn new things. Employers see this as a plus. It also shows you manage your time well. You can work on your own.

Add the course name, school or website, place (if abroad), and finish date. Only list courses that fit the job you want.

Example:

Online Certificate in UX Design

Coursera (University of Michigan)

Completed: October 2023

Example:

Study Abroad Program – Marketing

University of London (via NYU)

Spring 2022

Make sure your resume clearly shows that it was official or from a trusted platform. If allowed, you can also link to the course.

If You Took a Career Break but Took Courses

Did you step away from work but use the time to learn? That’s a strength. List the education or training you completed.

Example:

Career Break: Took online courses in HR, Conflict Management, and Excel

January 2022 – June 2023

You can list this under Education or a separate section like Professional Development. This helps bridge resume gaps and builds trust.

If You’re Switching Careers

Education still matters even if your degree isn’t in a new field. What counts is how you connect your learning to your new goals.

Example:

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design

Now applying for: UX Designer role

Relevant coursework: User Interface Design, Adobe Suite

Here, add a bullet under the degree to show related skills. You can also explore this more in our blog on resume mistakes to avoid, especially if you’re changing careers.

Don’t Overdo the Details in a Resume

When it comes to your education section, keep it sharp and to the point. Too much information can make your resume feel crowded. Hiring managers want quick facts, not a novel.

So, what should you include? Only what’s relevant and helpful.

Here’s how to do that:

Skip High School If You Have Higher Education

You don’t need to list your high school if you’ve finished college. Most jobs don’t ask for both.

Do this:

Bachelor of Science in Finance

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Graduated: 2022

Don’t do this:

Central High School, Diploma, 2018

Why? Recruiters already know you passed high school if you went to college. Save space.

Leave Out Course Lists (Unless They Add Value)

Listing every course you’ve taken? That’s a mistake. Only include coursework if it matches the job you’re applying for.

Do this (only if relevant):

Relevant Coursework: Digital Marketing, SEO Fundamentals, Google Analytics

Don’t do this:

Intro to Biology, American Literature, Public Speaking, Algebra II, Gym

Too many classes confuse the reader. Add only what supports your goal.

Avoid Outdated or Irrelevant Education

Only include recent or job-related education. That short summer course from 2012? It’s not helpful anymore.

Good idea:

Certified Data Analyst – Google (Coursera), Completed 2023

Skip this:

Typing Certificate, Local Community Center, 2010

Old or unrelated courses can make your resume look cluttered. Keep it current.

Use your account settings to manage and hide outdated sections.

Formatting Tips for Mobile-Friendly Resumes

Most resumes are now viewed on screens. Here’s how to format your education so it reads well on any device:

• Keep bullet points short.
• Avoid two-column layouts.
• Use bold text sparingly.

Stick to standard fonts (e.g., Arial, Calibri).

Need a mobile-friendly design? Jump Resume Builder’s modern templates are fully optimized for every screen — no resizing needed!

Nail It: The Perfect Way to List Education on a Resume

Your education section does more than just list schools and dates. It tells your story, shows your strengths, and helps employers see why you’re the right fit. Whether you’ve just graduated, switched careers, or earned new certifications, every detail you include (and leave out) shapes how your resume is read.

Keep it relevant, clean, and clear. Always lead with your latest degree, skip the extras, and format it right. And remember, honesty and focus win interviews.

Create your resume with Jump Resume Builder today because your dreams deserve a chance, and we’re here to help open that door for you.