How To Put an Expected Graduation Date on a Resume

Getting your degree can help increase your earning potential and open up more career opportunities. But what if you’re applying for new roles while still in school? Find out the best way to list an expected graduation date and learn other academic resume tips to help you get ahead.

Why Include Your Expected Graduation Date on a Resume?

Demonstrates progress toward a degree

The most important reason to include your expected graduation date on your resume is to show that you’re actively pursuing a degree. This can help you get a job if the position requires a degree, but you’re not quite done. It can also show potential employers you can follow through with a long-term commitment.

Aligns your resume with job and internship requirements

Many job postings and internship positions have specific education requirements. Internships often require you to have completed at least your first year of college. Showing your expected graduation date makes it easy for the employer or manager to confirm you fit the requirements. A hiring manager may also prioritize one candidate over another if one is closer to completing their degree.

Highlights your educational commitment

Showing a graduation date for job applications highlights your commitment to your field of study and your future career. If you’re pursuing higher education in your industry, a potential employer may see this as a positive sign that you’re likely to remain at the company for several years. A graduation date also helps hiring managers know when you’re available for full-time employment.

More job opportunities and higher earning potential

If you’re close to completing your degree, adding your expected graduation date can qualify you for a wider variety of job opportunities and a higher earning potential. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that someone with a bachelor’s degree earns about $450 more per week, on average, than someone with only a high school diploma. This earning potential increases again if you’ve earned a master’s degree.

Where To Include an Anticipated Graduation Date on a Resume

Your anticipated graduation date goes in the education section of your resume, along with the type of degree, major, and institution. If a degree is a must-have qualification for a position and you’re graduating soon, you can also list this in the profile summary section at the beginning of your resume.

For traditional resumes, the education section is generally toward the bottom of the page because the focus is on work experience. If you’re using a functional or skill-based resume or you don’t have a lot of professional experience, listing your degree higher up on the page can work in your favor.

How To List Your Expected Graduation Date on a Resume

It doesn’t matter exactly how you list your graduate date as much as ensuring all of the information is there and accurate. Here are some examples of expected graduation date formats to choose from.

When to include additional information

When deciding how to put your expected graduation on a resume, consider including additional relevant information, such as coursework, your GPA, or any academic honors you have received. Providing these extra details gives hiring managers a more complete picture of your academic preparation and can help you work in details that don’t fit into other areas of your resume.

Here’s an example of what this may look like:

Here’s an example of a full resume with an expected graduation date:

Tips for Including Expected Graduation Date on a Resume

• Be honest and accurate: Always be honest on your resume. Including false information in an attempt to get a job is a bad way to start a working relationship and can have serious repercussions if you’re found out. If you’re not sure when you’re graduating, meeting with an academic advisor can help you get a realistic timeline.

• Keep it relevant and concise: Unless you’re applying for an internship or a position that places a big emphasis on your degree, keep the education section short. A hiring manager just needs to see that you’re actively working on your degree and understand how it’s relevant to the position.

• Use specific language: If you’re going to include an anticipated graduation date, be as specific as possible. “May 2025” is better than “Spring 2025,” which is better than “2025” or — even worse — “soon.” If you’re truly not sure when you will finish your degree and an academic advisor can’t help you establish a timeline, list the degree as “in progress.”

• Update your resume regularly: Regularly reviewing and updating your resume helps you maintain accuracy and make sure that your skills, experience, and education reflect your current candidacy. Check your expected graduation date at the end of every semester to ensure the timeline is still accurate.

• Proofread your resume: At the top of the list of resume tips for students is to always check their resumes for accuracy, grammar, and spelling errors. This includes ensuring that the dates in their education section are correct and that the formatting is consistent throughout. It’s always a good idea to have someone else proofread your resume as well, whether that’s an editing service or a professional mentor. A second set of eyes can catch errors you may otherwise miss.

Additional Resources

• College Resume Examples
• Recent College Graduate Resume Examples and Templates for 2024
• What To Put on a Resume

Andrew Stoner

Executive Resume Writer and Career Coach

Andrew Stoner is an executive career coach and resume writer with 17 years of experience as a hiring manager and operations leader at two Fortune 500 Financial Services companies, and as the career services director at two major university business schools.