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How to Format Your Resume Education Section (With Examples)

Your resume is one of the most important documents you will ever write. It’s not just a piece of paper that lists your employment history and qualifications; it tells your hiring manager who you are, what you’re capable of, and why they should hire you.

There’s one section on a resume that’s often overlooked by job seekers, however, and that’s the education section. This blog post will teach you how to format your education information, what details to include, and more.

Let’s dive in!

What to Include in Your Resume Education Section

Knowing what to include is the first step in formatting your education section, but this will depend on where you’re at in your career.

Are you fresh out of school and on the hunt for your first job? It could be helpful to provide a bit more information in that section. But if you’re an experienced professional with plenty of years in the field, you can probably skip some of the unnecessary details (more on this later).

Ideally, you should avoid listing your high school education if you have an advanced degree or certification, but you know what’s best for you.

Regardless of any optional details you want to include, you need the basics:

    • The name and location of your school.
    • Your field of study.
    • Graduation year (if applicable) or years of attendance.

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Should You List Your GPA on a Resume?

Listing your GPA on a resume is optional. If you have a high GPA and you’ve recently graduated, listing it can highlight your academic achievements and impress hiring managers. But if you have a low GPA or have a few years of work experience under your belt, focus on your professional accomplishments instead.

What if You Didn’t Finish College?

If you did not complete your degree, you can still list the institution and the years you attended. You can also list any courses or programs related to your field of work that you’ve completed. Here’s an example:

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Relevant coursework: Marketing 101, Advertising Strategy, Media Basics

2014 – 2016

What Not to Include in Your Resume Education Section

Knowing what not to include in your education section is just as important as knowing what to include. Here are few things to avoid:

Unnecessary Information

A common mistake people make with their resumes is including too much information in the education section. Hiring managers don’t want a list of every course you completed, for example. In general, they want to know where you went to school and when you graduated. Keep it simple wherever you can.

High School Details

Unless you’re a recent high school graduate or your high school education is related to the job you’re applying for, it’s generally best to omit it from your education section. If applicable, focus on highlighting your higher education, certification, or academic programs instead.

Your GPA

Again, unless you recently graduated or it’s specifically requested by the employer, it’s generally not necessary to include your GPA or grades on a resume.


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Where to Put Your Education Section on Your Resume

Generally speaking, you’ll want to place your education section at the very top of your resume, right after your contact information.

But if you have plenty of work experience or you’re applying for a job where your professional accomplishments outweigh your education, you may choose to prioritize your work experience section. In this case, you can place your education details at the end of the document, after your work history and relevant skills sections.

Once you’ve decided where to put your section, the next step is formatting the information correctly. Here are some tips:

  • Start with the name of the degree earned, followed by the institution granting it—for example, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, XYZ University.
  • If you have any honors or distinctions related to your degree that you’d like to include, list them after the name of the school.
  • Next, list the year you obtained the degree or the expected year of graduation.
  • Finally, you can finish your section by listing any specializations you achieved during your studies if you wish to highlight this information.

Tips on Listing Multiple Degrees on a Resume

If you have multiple degrees, the main thing to remember is that it’s best to keep them in order. For instance, if you have a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree from different schools, list your master’s first, followed by your bachelor’s degree. Check out this example:

Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

Master of Science in Marketing (2020)

Master of Science in Data and Analytics (2018)

University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature (2015)

Additional Tips for Writing Your Resume Education Section:

Here are some more tips on writing the education section on your resume:

  • Start at the most recent level of education and work your way backward.
  • Include the name of the school, degrees earned, and any applicable certifications.
  • If you have any honors or awards received, list them in bold.
  • If you have any relevant coursework or projects that you want to showcase, list them after your degree.

Be Strategic About Your Resume Education Section

When it comes to your education section, it’s important to include key details like the schools you’ve attended, degree programs, and any notable honors or awards. Be strategic, don’t include unnecessary details, and make sure you keep this section concise by only listing your best achievements in order of relevance.

Above all, be ready to engage in a conversation about your education with hiring managers. They might inquire about your experiences, providing a chance for you to impress them with your accomplishments. Use this time to highlight your knowledge and demonstrate how your education has prepared you for the role.

And when you’re ready to start applying for jobs, head over to the Insight Global job board where you will find thousands of listings.

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