Your education plays a crucial role in shaping how employers perceive your qualifications—especially when applying for technical roles. Knowing how to list education on a resume effectively can strengthen your job application by showcasing your academic background with the right format, placement, and details.
Including the right education details doesn’t just show that you attended college; it demonstrates your technical foundation, subject expertise, and commitment to professional growth. More importantly, when formatted correctly, your education section can boost your resume’s visibility in applicant tracking systems (ATS) and quickly catch the eye of a hiring manager.
In this guide, we’ll break down what to include, how to format it, and where to place your educational background on your resume—with examples tailored for IT roles.
Importance of Listing Degree on Your Resume
Education on a resume still carries weight in IT hiring, particularly for roles that demand a strong technical foundation. Whether you’re applying for positions like software developer, cybersecurity analyst, or data analyst, hiring managers often scan for degrees, certifications, or relevant training to assess your qualifications.
For entry-level candidates or recent graduates, degrees in computer science, information systems, or software engineering can set you apart in a crowded field. Even for more experienced professionals, certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect, CompTIA Security+, or Cisco’s CCNA add significant credibility and show ongoing commitment to industry trends.
From an ATS standpoint, including keywords related to your degree and coursework—such as “bachelor of science,” “networking,” or “algorithms”—can help your resume rank higher when recruiters use job-specific filters.
What to Include in Your Education Section
Your education on a resume should provide a concise yet impactful summary of your academic background and training relevant to the role you’re pursuing. It showcases your technical foundation and qualifications to both hiring managers and ATS. At a minimum, include your degree, institution name, and graduation date.
Degree
List the full title of your degree to clearly show your academic qualification. This helps hiring managers and ATS understand your field of study and level of education.
Institution Name
Include the official name of the college or university you attended. This adds credibility and context to your academic background.
Graduation Date
Mentioning your graduation date provides a timeline of your academic journey. It also helps employers gauge your level of experience, especially for recent graduates.
GPA
Include your GPA if it’s strong and demonstrates academic excellence. It’s especially impactful for recent grads applying for entry-level roles.
Academic Honors
Academic honors showcase your achievements and commitment to excellence. These recognitions can help set you apart from other candidates.
Relevant Coursework
List courses that align directly with the job you’re applying for. This shows you’ve developed targeted knowledge in essential tech areas.
Capstone or Thesis Projects
Include these if they reflect real-world applications or technologies relevant to the role. They offer proof of your ability to solve problems and apply knowledge in a practical setting.
Certifications
Certifications validate your expertise in specific technologies and tools. They are particularly important in IT fields like cloud computing or cybersecurity.
Coding Bootcamps
Bootcamps demonstrate intensive, hands-on learning and practical skill development. They’re especially valuable for career switchers or self-taught professionals.
Online Learning
Online courses show initiative and a commitment to continuous learning. Be sure to include the platform and course name to provide context and credibility.
Each of these elements shows initiative and skill-building, which tech employers value highly.
How to List Education on a Resume
Proper formatting makes your education on a resume clear and professional, helping both hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) quickly assess your qualifications. Follow these guidelines to ensure your education section stands out for the right reasons.
List in Reverse-Chronological Order
Start with your most recent or highest level of education first, then work backward. This format highlights your latest and most relevant credentials.
Be Clear When Listing Degrees
Include your full degree name and major, such as “Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering.” Avoid abbreviations unless commonly accepted in the industry (e.g., BS, MS, PhD).
Include Graduation Dates
Add your graduation month and year for each degree or program. This helps employers understand your timeline and level of experience.
Mention Incomplete Degrees Clearly
If you attended college but didn’t finish, you can still list it with a note like “Completed 90 credits toward BS in Computer Science.” This shows your partial education without misleading employers.
List Multiple Degrees Separately
If you have more than one degree, create a separate entry for each. Prioritize listing the most relevant degree first, especially for the job you’re applying to.
Add Certifications and Bootcamps as Needed
Include industry-recognized certifications or bootcamps under the education section or in a separate section if preferred. Make sure they’re relevant to the role and up-to-date.
Highlight Relevant Coursework When Helpful
Add 2–4 key technical subjects that align with the job, especially for entry-level roles. This demonstrates your academic foundation in tools and concepts used on the job.
Be Consistent in Formatting
Use the same structure for each entry—degree, school, date, and optional details like GPA or honors. Consistency makes your resume easier to scan and more professional-looking.
Where to Put Education on a Resume
The placement of education on a resume depends on your experience and the position you’re targeting. Entry-level candidates should highlight it near the top, while seasoned professionals can list it after their work history.
Entry-Level or Recent Graduate:
Place your education section near the top of your resume, right after your professional summary or career objective. At this stage, your academic background often carries the most weight in showcasing your qualifications. Highlight relevant coursework, honors, and technical skills that align with the job you’re applying for.
Experienced IT Professionals:
Position your education section after your work experience and project accomplishments. Your hands-on skills, career achievements, and technical proficiencies should take priority on your resume. The education section should support and reinforce your established qualifications without overshadowing your experience.
Exceptions for Certifications:
For roles that emphasize certifications—like a cloud engineer position requiring AWS credentials—consider listing these certifications in a separate section at the top of your resume. This ensures they are immediately visible to hiring managers and applicant tracking systems. Prioritizing certifications in this way helps demonstrate your readiness and relevance for highly specialized roles.
Examples of Education on a Resume
Below are sample entries that demonstrate how to present education on a resume for different IT roles and career stages. Each example is tailored to align your academic background with the qualifications expected in specific job postings.
IT Support Resume:
Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems
Houston Community College – 2022
Relevant Coursework: Operating Systems, IT Helpdesk Fundamentals
DevOps Engineer Resume:
AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional
Amazon Web Services – Issued March 2023
Bachelor of Science in Information Systems
Boston University – 2020
Data Analyst Resume:
Bachelor of Science in Data Analytics
Ohio State University – 2021
Capstone: Predictive Modeling Using Python and R
GPA: 3.9
Software Engineer Resume:
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
MIT – 2023
Relevant Coursework: C++, Distributed Systems, Mobile App Development
Honors: summa cum laude
Career Switcher Resume:
Full Stack Web Development Bootcamp
General Assembly – Completed 2023
Covered: JavaScript, React, REST APIs, MongoDB
Bachelor of Arts in Economics
University of Michigan – 2018
Turn Your IT Degrees into Job Offers with a Pro-Level Resume
Your educational background is more than a line on your resume—it’s a cornerstone of your technical foundation. Whether you’ve earned a bachelor of science, attended coding bootcamps, or completed IT certifications, knowing how to list education on a resume the right way helps improve your chances of standing out. Make sure each credential you include is relevant to the job you’re applying for, formatted professionally, and easy for both ATS and human reviewers to read.
Need help crafting a resume that translates your educational background into real-world tech opportunities? Our professional IT resume writing services are designed to highlight your strengths and align your qualifications with today’s most in-demand roles. Contact us today to build a resume that gets results.
