Where to Place Education on Your Resume
If you are a current student or recent graduate (within 1-2 years), put education near the top, right after your summary. Your degree is likely your strongest qualification at this stage.
If you have 3+ years of professional experience, move education below your work experience section. Employers care more about what you have done on the job.
If you are a PhD candidate, academic, or medical professional, education often stays near the top regardless of experience level, as advanced degrees are central to these fields.
What to Include in Your Education Section
Always include: degree type (B.S., M.A., MBA, etc.), major or concentration, university name, and graduation date (or expected graduation date).
Optional: GPA (if 3.5+ or if the employer requests it), relevant coursework, honors and awards, study abroad, thesis title, and extracurricular leadership roles.
For multiple degrees, list them in reverse-chronological order with your most recent degree first.
GPA Rules: When to Include It
Include your GPA if it is 3.5 or higher and you graduated within the last 2-3 years. After that, it becomes less relevant as your work experience speaks for itself.
If your major GPA is significantly higher than your cumulative GPA, you can list "Major GPA: 3.7" instead. This is common and acceptable.
Some industries like finance and consulting expect to see GPA regardless. Check the job posting and company culture before omitting it.
Formatting Examples
Recent Graduate: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, University of Michigan, May 2025. GPA: 3.8/4.0. Dean's List (6 semesters). Relevant coursework: Data Structures, Machine Learning, Database Systems.
Experienced Professional: MBA, Finance, Columbia Business School, 2020. B.A., Economics, UCLA, 2016.
Current Student: Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Expected May 2027, Boston University. Relevant coursework: Digital Marketing Strategy, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Analytics.
Education for Career Changers
If you have completed certifications, bootcamps, or courses relevant to your new field, include them in your education section or a separate "Certifications" section.
Online certifications from Google, AWS, HubSpot, and Coursera carry real weight when combined with demonstrated skills. List the certification name, issuing organization, and completion date.
For bootcamps, include the program name, school, completion date, and key skills covered. Treat it the same as any other educational credential.
Common Education Section Mistakes
Do not include your high school if you have a college degree. It takes up space and adds no value.
Do not list every course you took. Choose 3-5 courses directly relevant to the role you are applying for.
Do not include your GPA if it is below 3.0 or if you graduated more than 3 years ago. No GPA listed is always better than a weak GPA.