How to Feature Your Education on a Resume

Updated June 17, 20221.1k

Education is an important part of just about any resume. How can you include your education on your resume, regardless of what that education might be?

Education on Resume

If you’re thinking about how to write your resume and cover letter, then the first thing you think of may be your work history pr skills. However, your academic achievements are at least as important, and in many situations, they’re more important. From entry-level applications to a new job you’ve been waiting to apply to for decades, the education section of your resume needs to include the right credentials. Here’s how to craft this section in the most impactful way.

Is It Important to List My Education on My Resume?

Yes. Including education on your resume gives a hiring manager an idea of what kind of qualifications you might have for a specific job. A high school education might be enough for many jobs, while a bachelor’s degree or even a postgraduate degree may be necessary for specific positions.

Additionally, education can help a recruiter understand how much time you’ve already put into a specific area of study. When you list education on a resume, you’re showing that you have years of experience, even if you’re a recent graduate, as well as specific skills and knowledge that can be important for the job.

What to Include Regarding Education on a Resume

The best templates for education on a resume will include a number of elements. Here’s how you can add your education to your resume.

Name of the degree you received
Name of the school where you received it
Location of the school where you received it
Relevant coursework, if necessary
Academic achievements like the Dean’s List
Any extra information you want to include

These headings will typically boil down into a fairly short section on your resume. Here are a few examples of the resume education section:

Oklahoma Community College, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Summa Cum Laude

University of New York, New York City, NY
Bachelor of Arts in Ceramics
Honor Society, Magna Cum Laude
High School Diploma
Maryland Center High School, Baltimore, MD

You can also look at resume examples in your industry to see what type of information other people are typically citing.

Extra Tips for Education on a Resume

If you want to impress with your education section, then it’s important that you create the right education section to appeal to a hiring manager. Here’s how you discuss your grad experience more effectively.

Only include high school education if you don’t have a college education. If you have a college education, then it’s assumed you have a high school or a high school equivalent education.
List your education in reverse chronological order. Add more recent education first.
Every resume format can benefit from education, but you might want to go more in-depth for a functional resume.
Don’t include your GPA on your resume. Instead, feature academic awards and and honors you’ve received.

One of the biggest resume writing tips you can follow is to use the ResumeNerd resume builder. Not only will this builder help you create your resume, but it’ll also make sure that your education section is consistent.

FAQ: Education on Resume

Should I include extracurricular activities on my resume?

These activities can be more beneficial the more recent they are. If you’ve engaged in extracurricular activities, especially if you did them within the last few years, then you can include these activities either in the education section, the work experience section if featured important skills that match the job you want, or their own section if you have many of them. Extracurricular or volunteer activities can be a hugely impactful part of your professional development and can even function as relevant work experience. Including these activities shows that you’re a well-rounded person and provides more insight into your skills.

Is it a good idea to include a college major that doesn’t apply to my ideal job title?

Completing college is a big deal no matter what your degree was in. Additionally, you can learn important soft skills like interpersonal communication and teamwork through college. Even if you have a degree in something that doesn’t seem like it would be beneficial for the job that you’re applying for, include it on your resume. Your educational background can be very beneficial and can even put you above other job seekers, even if you don’t think it’ll have an impact on your professional experience.

Can I include unfinished college degrees on a resume?

If you have a partial college degree, then you can include as much experience as you currently have toward the completion of that degree on your resume. If you had to drop out, then it’s typically recommended to include your experience, including how many credits you’ve successfully completed, as well as what major you’re working toward. If you’re still enrolled and just haven’t completed your schooling yet, then list your expected graduation date; if you’re not enrolled, then be prepared for the interview to ask questions about why you were unable to complete your college degree and whether you might be interested in going back.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.