Ronda Suder 
Yes, you should include your expected graduation date on your resume.
You've been working hard for the past few years to make the grades and graduate from college. Now, that imminent graduation date is approaching, and you're excited about what lies ahead while also being a bit nervous about landing a job and starting life in the “real world.”
It's okay. Some nerves are to be expected as you begin your job search journey. Fortunately, you have plenty of resources at your fingertips to support you in that journey, like this post.
One of the first steps any college graduate has to take to land a job, similar to job candidates at any level, is to craft a well-written resume to garner the attention of prospective employers. As a soon-to-be college graduate, one common consideration as you embark on this task is whether you should include your expected graduation on your resume.
In this post, we cover:
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When to include an expected graduation date for college on your resume
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When you shouldn't include an expected graduation on your resume
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How to include an expected graduation on your resume
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Tips on writing your education section
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Expected graduation date resume examples
Pro tip: As you continue your college courses, bear in mind that you want to begin applying for jobs before you graduate. It's best to begin searching for jobs at least a semester prior to your graduation. It's common for employers to present job offers to college students before they graduate.
Should you include an expected graduation date for college on your resume?
In short, yes, if you're on the traditional college path and know what your graduation date is expected to be, you should include that expected graduation date on your resume. Sharing your expected graduation date helps potential employers understand your current academic status and when you will be available for full-time work. It also presents them with information that helps define your level of experience – i.e., that you should be considered an entry-level candidate with little to no work experience for open positions.
But what if you're not on the traditional college path or going straight through college? Let's take a deeper dive into this question based on different scenarios that might define your situation.
Should I include an expected graduation on my resume if I'm far from graduating?
Suppose you still have a ways to go before you graduate or have just started a program. In that case, it can still be beneficial to include an expected graduation on your resume. This is especially true if you're applying for internships or co-ops during college.
However, if your graduation date is more than a couple of years away, another option to consider using is “Anticipated Graduation Date” vs. “Expected Graduation Date,” since a lot of things can happen over a four-year period that could impact your graduation date.
Should I include an expected graduation on my resume if I'm taking a break from college?
It's not uncommon for students to take a break from college for various reasons today. You might be taking a semester off to clarify your goals or to gain experience through travel or work. Regardless, if you're still on the course to finish college, you should include your expected graduation date on your resume. To reiterate, this information is relevant to prospective employers when you're applying for jobs that commence after you complete your college degree.
What information should I include if I'm not completing or didn't complete my degree?
If you didn't complete your studies to graduate or you know you're not going to complete your degree, then you won't have an expected graduation date to include. If you did include an expected graduation date under these circumstances, it would lack integrity, which is no way to start your job search journey. Instead, you will include the dates you attended following the degree you were pursuing, with the relevant coursework you completed. We include an example of how to do this near the end of this post.
When should you not include expected graduation on your resume?
There are several reasons why including an expected graduation date on your resume is a smart idea. There are also a couple of reasons why you don't need to or shouldn't include it.
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It's not relevant to the job you're applying to.It might be that you're applying for a job that doesn't require a college degree, or it's a part-time job that isn't related to your degree. In those cases, you don't need to include your expected graduation on your resume.
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You're not yet in college. If you haven't started college courses yet, don't include anything related to a college degree on your resume, even if you know for certain that you're going to college. Only include your college degree once you're in college, and at that time, include your expected or anticipated graduation date.
How to include an expected graduation date on your resume
When including an expected graduation on your resume:
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Place it in the Education section next to the degree you're pursuing.
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Include only your expected graduation date. Leave off the start date.
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Use one of the standard formatting options and the mm/yyyy style for your date.
In terms of what belongs in your education section, here are the required pieces of information if you have recently received or are pursuing a college degree:
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Name of the degree
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Issuing institution
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Expected graduation date if still in college
If you recently graduated, you can include your graduation date, as well, though it's not required.
Here are the optional pieces of information you can include if you're a student or recent college graduate:
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Grade point average (GPA) if you achieved a 3.5 or higher
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Academic awards, like Dean's List or Latin honors, which include cum laude, magna cume laude, and summa cum laude
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Scholarships
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Relevant coursework
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Academic projects
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Certifications achieved through academic coursework
As you advance in your career after landing your first job, it's good to know that people who graduated from college more than two years ago or have at least a couple of years of work experience under their belts should leave items like GPA, Dean's list, and scholarships off their resume. Employers are most interested in the degree obtained.
Based on personal circumstances, it can still be beneficial to include academic-related information, like Latin honors, relevant coursework, projects, and certifications, as an experienced hire.
When in doubt, you can always hire a professional resume writer to guide you.
Tips for adding education and graduation information to your resume
Below are some tips to consider as you craft your resume's Education section.
Emphasize your education in lieu of experience
If you're a student or soon-to-be college graduate with little relevant work experience to include on your resume, you'll list your education above your work experience. If you happen to have a sufficient amount of relevant experiences, like internships, co-ops, work-study, or leadership roles in extracurricular activities, then you'll include your Work Experience section before your Education section. In either case, the name of your degree should always be listed first, with any additional details you choose to include coming after.
Include relevant coursework
If you've completed coursework relevant to the job you're applying for but haven't yet graduated, including such information on your resume can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. List these courses under a subheading like "Relevant Coursework" within your Education section to highlight your specialized knowledge.
Be brief
When writing an expected graduation date, it's important to keep it concise and clear. For instance, instead of writing "Expected to graduate in the spring semester of 2023," use any of the following formatting options following your degree:
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Expected Graduation: May 2023
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(expected May 2023)
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(expected graduation May 2023)
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Expected: May 2023
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Expected 5/2023
Any of these options provide the necessary information in a more digestible format and don't take up as much space on your resume. Use the formatting that looks the best on your resume as a whole. In most instances, shorter is better.
Use reverse-chronological formatting
The most used formatting option for resumes is the reverse-chronological format. If you have more than one degree, include your most recent degree first and work backward. The same goes for your Work Experience section – begin with your most recent experience first.
Use consistent formatting
Be consistent with the formatting you use throughout your resume. In other words, the date format you use in the Education section should be the same as what you use in your Work Experience section. The same goes for the type of font and bullet points you might use.
Be honest
Always remember that honesty is crucial when listing your GPA or expected graduation date. Misrepresenting this information could lead to complications down the line if an employer finds out that you won't be graduating when initially stated or have a lower GPA.
Only include your GPA if it's 3.5 or higher. If there are uncertainties about your graduation timeline due to factors like double majors or part-time status, consider using "Anticipated Graduation Date" instead of “Expected Graduation Date.”
Expected graduation date resume examples
Now, let's take a look at some examples of how the above guidance all comes together on a resume.
1. Expected graduation date example
Bachelor of Business Administration | ABC UniversityExpected Graduation: May 2024
2. Expected graduation date example with GPA
Bachelor of Science in Psychology (expected May 2024)WXY UniversityGPA 3.6
3. Expected graduation date example with honors
Bachelor of Science in Political Science (expected August 2025)XYZ UniversityDean's List, 4 semesters
4. Expected graduation date example with GPA and coursework
Bachelor of Arts — Clinical Psychology | Expected December 2024ABC University
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GPA: 3.8
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COURSES: Abnormal Psychology, Psychology Theories and Techniques, Trauma-informed Approaches to Treatment, Childhood Development, Basic Pharmacology
5. Expected graduation date example with multiple and advanced degrees
Master of Education - Counseling (expected May 2025)BBB CollegeBachelor of Art - Psychology (cum laude), 2023University of AAA
6. Example with incomplete degree and relevant coursework
Bachelors in MarketingXYZ UniversitySept. 2020 to Dec. 2022
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Relevant courses: Introduction to Marketing Communications, Business Statistics, Marketing Analytics, Internet Marketing, Advanced Marketing Techniques
Expected graduation on a resume is expected
Including expected graduation on a resume is necessary if you want to give prospective employers a clear idea as to your availability for work. Use the information provided here to guide you in incorporating your expected graduation on your resume, and best of luck with your job search!
Are you still wondering the best way to include expected graduation on your resume? Why not submit your resume for a free resume review and let our experts help you decide?