38%
of employers use GPA when hiring new grads — NACE Job Outlook 2024
~50%
of employers verify education credentials — HireRight via SHRM (2017)
Standard Education Format
Follow this structure for a clean, professional education section.
Degree Name, Major/Concentration
Institution Name, City, State
Graduation Month Year | GPA: X.X/4.0 (if applicable)
• Honors, Awards, Relevant Activities (optional)
Example:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Texas at Arlington
May 2025 | GPA: 3.7/4.0
• Dean's List, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society
Education Examples by Career Stage
See how to tailor your education section based on your experience level.
Recent Graduate
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
University of Texas at Arlington
May 2025 | GPA: 3.7/4.0
- • Dean's List (4 semesters)
- • Clinical rotations: Med-Surg, ICU, Pediatrics, Labor & Delivery
- • Capstone: 120-hour preceptorship on a cardiac step-down unit
Include GPA if 3.5+, clinical rotations, capstone, and honors
Experienced Professional
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Valencia College
2014
Keep it brief — degree, school, year. Omit GPA and coursework.
Career Changer
Electrical Apprenticeship (Inside Wireman), Year 2 of 5
IBEW–NECA Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)
2024–Present
- • 2,000+ hours of on-the-job training logged on commercial jobs
- • Classroom training in the NEC, blueprint reading and motor controls
Include relevant certifications and highlight transferable learning
Currently Enrolled
Practical Nursing Diploma (LPN)
Miami Dade College
Expected May 2026 | GPA: 3.7/4.0
- • Clinical rotations: long-term care and med-surg
- • Student Nurses Association member
Use 'Expected' before graduation date, include relevant activities
What to Include (and What to Leave Out)
What to Include
Degree name
Full degree title (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
Institution name
Full name of the university, college or trade school
Graduation date
Month and year (or 'Expected' if still enrolled)
GPA
Include if 3.5+ and you graduated within last 3 years
Honors/Awards
Dean's List, Cum Laude, scholarships, etc.
Relevant coursework
Only for recent graduates or career changers
Minor/Concentration
If relevant to the target role
Location
Optional — city, state for US schools
What to Leave Out
- High school (unless you have no college education)
- GPA below 3.5 (or 3.0 for some industries)
- Graduation year if it reveals age discrimination concerns
- Unfinished degrees without explanation
- Irrelevant coursework or activities
- Detailed course descriptions
Where to Place Your Education Section
The placement depends on your experience level.
Recent graduate (0-2 years experience)
Your degree is your strongest qualification
Early career (2-5 years experience)
Your work experience is now more relevant
Experienced professional (5+ years)
Your achievements matter more than your degree
Career changer
Highlight your new qualifications prominently
Special Situations
Multiple Degrees
List in reverse chronological order. Give more detail to recent/relevant degrees.
MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner — Vanderbilt University, 2023
BSN — Ohio State University, 2018
Certifications & Licenses
Create a separate "Certifications" section or include under Education.
EPA Section 608 Universal Certification — EPA-approved exam, 2024
OSHA 30-Hour Construction — OSHA Outreach Training Program, 2023
Currently Enrolled
Use "Expected" before your graduation date and include current GPA.
BS in Nursing
Arizona State University — Expected May 2026 | GPA: 3.9/4.0
Incomplete Degree
Be honest but frame it positively. Include credits completed or coursework.
Studies in Nursing (45 credits)
Georgia State University, 2019-2021
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I include my GPA on my resume?
Include your GPA if it's 3.5 or higher and you graduated within the last 2-3 years. In NACE's Job Outlook 2024 survey, 38.3% of employers said they use GPA as a criterion when hiring new graduates. If a posting or a new-grad residency program asks for your GPA, include it even if it's below 3.5. After 3-5 years of work experience, remove GPA entirely as your achievements become more relevant.
How do I list an unfinished degree?
List it as: 'Bachelor of Science in Biology (Coursework completed: 90 credits), University Name, 2020-2022'. You can also write 'Studies in [Field]' or list relevant coursework. Be honest — never claim a degree you didn't complete.
Should I include online courses and certifications?
Yes, if they're relevant to the job. Include licenses and recognized certifications (BLS/ACLS, CNA, CMA, EPA 608, OSHA 10/30) in a separate 'Certifications' section or under Education. Omit short courses or those from unknown providers.
Do I need to include dates if I graduated long ago?
Dates are optional for degrees earned more than 15-20 years ago. Some candidates omit them to avoid age discrimination. If you remove dates, be consistent across all education entries.
How do I list multiple degrees?
List degrees in reverse chronological order (most recent first). Include all completed degrees, but keep older ones brief. For example, PhD and Master's get full detail, while an older Bachelor's can be condensed to one line.
Should I include study abroad or exchange programs?
Include if relevant or impressive (e.g., studied at Oxford, learned language skills needed for the job). List under your main degree or as a separate bullet point. Omit if it doesn't add value to your candidacy.
Sources
- National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) — Job Outlook 2024, GPA as a hiring criterion (via Pitt Career Central)
- Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) — Verify Degrees and Protect the Company from Resume Fraud (2017), citing HireRight
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook — Education requirements by occupation