by Not every career path is a straight line, and that includes education as well. Whether personal circumstances or career opportunities have left you with an incomplete education, knowing how to list it on your application can make all the difference.
Properly done, an unfinished degree on your resume can showcase valuable skills and experience without drawing too much negative attention.
In this article, we’ll help you figure out how to put an unfinished degree on a resume, giving you some practical advice along with examples to help you communicate how your education adds value while putting any concerns to rest.
If I didn't finish college should I put it on my resume?
The choice of whether or not to put an incomplete college degree on your resume can feel like a lose-lose scenario. If you don’t put it on, people might think you’re hiding something, but if you do, you’re advertising your unfinished education.
It really depends on a variety of reasons. Let’s break this down into key considerations.
Relevance to the job
Employers value skills and knowledge most, not just completed degrees. If your coursework during your studies matches the job description, it’s valuable information to include.
For example, if you applied for a marketing job but didn’t complete your degree in marketing, listing the relevant courses such as "Advertising," "Market Research," or "Digital Marketing Strategies" shows that you’ve gained important foundational knowledge even without having a diploma.
How much coursework did you complete?
The amount of coursework you took before leaving the college also matters.
When to add your unfinished degree on a resume:
If you completed most of the degree or acquired significant credits in your field of study, you should include it on your resume. This highlights that you have credits and training, even if you didn’t finish.
When to omit college dropout on resume:
However, if you only attended for a semester or two without diving into major-specific subjects, it might not be worth mentioning.
Let’s say you were pursuing a degree in Computer Science and completed 75% of your coursework. You likely took several technical classes that provided valuable skills for many tech jobs, even though you never obtained the diploma itself.
You can effectively showcase these on your resume by focusing on the courses completed, which demonstrate proficiency in key areas.
Alignment with your career path
If your unfinished degree is closely aligned with your career path, it's usually a good idea to include it.
For example, if you're applying for a finance role and you pursued a degree in Accounting, employers will see the connection and appreciate your efforts in acquiring the necessary knowledge, even if you didn’t graduate.
On the other hand, if you started a degree in an unrelated field and are now in a completely different sphere, mentioning the unfinished degree on your resume might not be beneficial. This might raise questions about your career trajectory and focus.
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How to put an unfinished degree on a resume?
If you've decided to include your incomplete degree, the next step is figuring out how to effectively put college on your resume if you didn't graduate.
It’s essential to ensure the information adds value to your application without drawing unnecessary attention to the fact that you didn’t complete the diploma.
Here's how you can format and structure the listing.
Be clear and honest
Transparency is key. You should never imply that you have a diploma if you don’t. Be upfront about the degree being incomplete, but shift the focus to the relevant coursework or skills gained.
For example, you can present it like this:
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
University of Michigan, 2015-2018 (Completed 90 credits)
- Relevant coursework: Strategic Management, Marketing Research, Financial Accounting
This makes it clear that you didn’t finish the degree, but it highlights the courses and knowledge that are directly applicable to the role.
List relevant coursework
If your coursework is more important to the job than the degree itself, consider focusing on them. This can help you emphasize the value you gained, even if the education wasn’t completed.
Include dates but don’t overemphasize them
While it’s important to include the dates you attended college, don’t make them the focal point. Mentioning the timeframe helps provide more context, but keeping the focus on the courses and skills is more impactful.
This way, the employer can see when you gained your knowledge without dwelling on the fact that the degree is unfinished.
Use “Education Ongoing” if applicable
If you’re currently enrolled and still working toward completing your degree, use a phrase like "in progress" or "ongoing". These show that the diploma is part of your future plans.
For example:
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (in progress)
University of California, Los Angeles
Expected graduation: 2025
Tips for framing your incomplete degree positively
Even though an unfinished degree on a resume might seem like a setback, you can present it in a way that emphasizes the skills and experiences you gained.
Focus on transferable skills
Many of the skills you gained during your studies are transferable to the workplace. Focus on them in your resume, and highlight how they apply to the job you're seeking.
Whether it’s communication, research, or technical skills, these competencies are valuable regardless of whether the degree was completed.
For example, if you were pursuing a degree in psychology and completed courses in research methods, data analysis, or group dynamics, you could present it like this:
Key skills:
- Data analysis from coursework in Statistics and Research Methods
- Team collaboration through group projects in Social Psychology
- Strong written and verbal communication from Public Speaking coursework
Provide a brief explanation
In some cases, hiring managers may ask about your incomplete degree on your resume during an interview or in a cover letter. If they do, be honest but brief.
There’s no need to go into too much detail about why you didn’t finish. Instead, focus on how your experiences since leaving college have contributed to your professional growth.
"I decided to leave my program early to pursue a full-time marketing role at a startup. There, I’ve gained valuable hands-on experience in digital marketing and project management."
This response shows that you made a thoughtful decision and highlights the real-world practice you've gained since.
Highlight other achievements
If you have relevant work experience, certifications, or additional training, use these to bolster your qualifications. Employers will be more focused on what you can do rather than what you haven’t completed.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Finance (incomplete)
New York University, 2019-2022
Certifications
Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) – Level 1, 2023
Unfinished degree on a resume examples
How to put some college on a resume?
This example shows how to present an incomplete degree that’s directly related to the job you're applying for.
Maya Thompson
Denver, CO | maya.thompson@email.com | (303) 987-6543
Professional Summary
Dynamic marketing professional with experience in digital marketing and social media management. Proven ability to create engaging content and increase brand visibility. Skilled in SEO, data-driven strategy, and market research.
Work Experience
Social Media Marketing Assistant
Peak Digital Solutions, Denver, CO
September 2023 – Present
- Manage social media accounts for five clients, achieving a 25% increase in overall engagement.
- Develop and implement content strategies, optimizing for brand voice and audience demographics.
- Conduct market research and analyze social data to refine marketing campaigns.
Marketing Intern
NextGen Consulting, Denver, CO
May – August 2023
- Assisted in creating and executing digital marketing strategies, resulting in a 15% increase in web traffic.
- Designed and distributed email campaigns, maintaining an average open rate of 22%.
- Coordinated event logistics for webinars, including promotion and post-event analysis.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Marketing (incomplete)
University of Colorado Boulder | 2021 – 2023 (Completed 60 credits)
- Relevant coursework: Digital Marketing, Consumer Psychology, Market Research
Skills
- Social Media Management
- Digital Marketing Strategy
- Google Analytics
- SEO and Content Creation
- Email Marketing Campaigns
Certifications
- Google Ads Certification, 2024
- HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification, 2023
- SEO Specialist Certification, 2023
How to put college on your resume if you haven't graduated yet?
This example highlights an in-progress degree on your resume. This can be helpful if you're currently pursuing or planning to return to finish the diploma.
Diego Alvarez
Austin, TX | diego.alvarez@email.com | (512) 345-7890
Professional Summary
Detail-oriented IT professional with experience in hardware and software troubleshooting, system maintenance, and network support. Currently pursuing a degree in Information Technology with a specialization in cybersecurity and network management.
Work Experience
IT Support Technician
Lone Star Tech Services, Austin, TX
August 2024 – Present
- Provide technical support for over 100 employees, troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues.
- Configure and maintain systems, ensuring secure and efficient operation of company networks.
- Assist in deploying new hardware and setting up VPNs for remote access.
Education
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (in progress)
University of Texas at Austin
Expected graduation: 2025
- Relevant coursework: Network Security, Systems Administration, Data Analytics
Skills
- Technical Troubleshooting
- System Configuration and Updates
- Network Setup and VPN Configuration
- Customer Support
- Linux, Microsoft Office Suite
Projects
Network Security Audit
University of Texas at Austin | 2023
- Conducted a comprehensive network security audit for a mock company as part of a class project.
- Identified potential vulnerabilities and recommended solutions to improve security measures.
- Presented findings to peers and instructors, receiving top marks for thorough analysis and clear presentation.
Unrelated unfinished degree on a resume example
This example demonstrates how to downplay an incomplete degree that’s unrelated to the job but still worth mentioning for the skills acquired.
Leila Haddad
Seattle, WA | leila.haddad@email.com | (206) 543-9876
Professional Summary
Motivated sales associate with 4 years of experience in customer service and retail sales. Skilled at building rapport with customers and consistently exceeding sales targets. Strong problem-solving skills and a focus on delivering excellent customer experiences.
Work Experience
Sales Associate
Emerald Electronics, Seattle, WA
January 2022 – Present
- Help customers select electronics based on their needs, contributing to a 20% increase in sales.
- Consistently meet and exceed individual and team sales targets.
- Provide post-purchase support, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
Customer Service Representative
Pacific Telecom, Seattle, WA
May 2020 – December 2021
- Handled incoming calls regarding billing and technical issues, resolving 85% of cases on the first contact.
- Assisted customers in selecting the best data plans based on usage and budget.
- Trained new hires in customer service protocols and company systems.
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Art History (incomplete)
University of Washington | 2016 – 2018 (Completed 50 credits)
- Relevant coursework: Visual Analysis, Cultural Studies, Art in the Digital Age
Skills
- Sales and Customer Relationship Building
- Problem Solving
- Retail Management Software (POS systems)
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Time Management
Languages
- English (Fluent)
- Arabic (Fluent)
- French (Conversational)
Each example adapts the presentation of the unfinished education to the candidate’s career and job target. This allows the degree to add value without overshadowing the rest of the resume.
Conclusion
Highlighting an unfinished degree on a resume isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker.
Emphasize the skills, knowledge, and experiences you developed in your classes and extracurricular activities, and how they complement your professional qualifications.
With the right spin, you can flip what could be a negative into a positive and include an incomplete degree on your resume as part of your overall package.
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