Your education section should usually go near the bottom of your resume and below your work experience, unless you’re a recent graduate or your education is your strongest qualification. In that case, place it near the top, right after your summary or skills section.
Where you put your education on a resume depends on your career stage and what you want to highlight.
If you have several years of professional experience, your work history is what matters most to employers. In that case, your education section should go below your experience section. This layout emphasizes your practical, job-related achievements while still including your academic background for completeness.
However, if you’re a recent graduate, a student, or someone switching careers, your education might be the most relevant part of your resume. In that case, it’s better to place it near the top, right after your resume summary or skills section. This draws attention to your degrees, certifications, and coursework that support your target job.
Education Section Examples
Here are a few examples of what a good education section might look like:
Example 1 – Experienced Professional
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
New York University, Stern School of Business — 2022
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Savannah College of Art and Design — 2016
Example 2 – Recent Graduate
Education
Bachelor of Computer Science
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Expected Graduation: June 2025
Relevant Coursework: Data Structures, Machine Learning, Web Development
Example 3 – Career Changer
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
New York University, Stern School of Business — 2022
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design
Savannah College of Art and Design — 2016
Tips for Describing Your Education
- Include your degree, major, school name, and graduation year (optional if over 10 years ago).
- If you have multiple degrees, list them in reverse chronological order.
- You can also include academic honors, GPA (if 3.5+), or relevant coursework if you’re early in your career.
- Avoid listing high school unless it’s your highest level of education.
In short, education should support your experience, not overshadow it. Use placement strategically based on what best highlights your strengths.
Michael Tomaszewski
Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW, is a resume and career advice expert with 7+ years of experience in the hiring industry. He has helped millions of readers and dozens of one-on-one clients create resumes and cover letters that *finally* do their talents and accomplishments justice.
