Why an Unfinished Degree Can Help Your Resume (and How to List It)

Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared on Zety.com.

You started a degree but didn’t finish it. Now you’re wondering, “Should I include my unfinished degree on my resume or leave it off?”

Here’s the good news: An unfinished degree can still work in your favor. Employers care about the skills and knowledge you gained, not just the diploma. The key is knowing how to present your incomplete degree clearly and honestly.

In this guide, you’ll discover when to include an unfinished degree on your resume and how to format it the right way.

Should You Include an Unfinished Degree on Your Resume?

You should include an unfinished degree on your resume if it’s relevant to the job or shows useful skills. If it doesn’t relate to the role or adds confusion, it’s better to leave it off.

Listing some college on a resume can still show progress, knowledge, and commitment. It tells employers you’ve gained training in a certain area, even if you didn’t finish the program.

When to Include an Unfinished Degree on Your Resume

Include an unfinished degree on your resume if:

The coursework relates to the job you’re applying for.
You gained skills that match the role.
It helps fill a gap in your work history.
You’re still actively working toward the degree.
You’re changing careers, and your coursework supports your new field.

When to Leave an Unfinished Degree Off Your Resume

Leave off an unfinished degree if:

The degree isn’t related to the job.
It’s very outdated and no longer relevant.
It makes your resume confusing or cluttered.
You have more relevant education or experience to highlight.
You started the degree a long time ago and haven’t used those skills since.

The most important thing is to keep it simple and accurate. As long as you don’t suggest you graduated, an unfinished degree can still add value to your resume.

How Do You List an Unfinished Degree on a Resume?

List your unfinished degree in the education section of your resume, including the school name, the degree you were or are currently working toward, and your dates of attendance. You can also add details like relevant coursework or credits if they support your application.

If You’re Still in School

If you’re still working toward your degree, list it as “in progress” or include your expected graduation date. This shows employers you’re actively studying and when you plan to finish.

Keep it simple and place it in your education section with your school and program. If your coursework relates to the job, you can also add a few relevant classes below your degree.

Here’s an example of how to list an in-progress degree on your resume:

Education

BA in Psychology, expected June 2026University of Washington | Seattle, WARelevant Coursework: Cognitive Psychology, Research Methods, Statistics

Pro Tip: Place your education section above your work experience if it’s recent or relevant to the job. Otherwise, keep it below so your experience stands out more. This helps employers quickly see your academic progress and shifts the focus away from limited experience.

If You Have an Incomplete Degree

If you have an incomplete degree, you can still list it on your resume. The goal is to show what you started without making it seem like you finished. Keep it short and honest. Don’t try to explain why you didn’t finish. Instead, focus on the skills, credits, and experience you do have.

Use phrases like “coursework toward” or “completed coursework in.” In addition to relevant coursework, you can add the number of credits earned and any notable honors, like Dean’s List semesters or departmental scholarships.

Here’s an example of how to put some college on a resume:

Education

Coursework toward a BA in CommunicationsUniversity of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 2021–2023Completed: 45/120 creditsDean’s List: Fall 2022Completed Courses: Public Speaking, Media Writing, Digital Marketing

Unfinished Degree on Resume Examples

Below are examples of how to list unfinished degrees of various levels on your resume. Keep it honest and clear so employers can quickly see your education status and progress.

Incomplete Associate Degree

You can still list an incomplete associate degree on your resume if it shows useful coursework or helps explain your educational background. Include the credits you completed and any relevant classes you took so that employers understand your progress.

Here’s an example of how to list an unfinished associate degree on a resume:

Education

30 credits toward an AA in Business AdministrationSeattle Central College, Seattle, WARelevant Coursework: Accounting Basics, Business Law, Economics

Incomplete Bachelor’s Degree

If you’re adding an incomplete bachelor’s degree to your resume, keep the focus on your relevant accomplishments, like coursework, projects, or credits earned.

If the degree isn’t relevant or doesn’t add value, you can leave it out and highlight certifications or work experience instead.

Here’s a sample education section with an incomplete bachelor’s degree:

Education

60/120 credits toward a BA in Computer ScienceArizona State University, Tempe, AZ | 2021–2023GPA: 3.7Relevant Coursework: Programming Fundamentals, Data Structures, Web DevelopmentProjects: Built a personal portfolio website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Only include your GPA on your resume if it helps your application. For example, a strong GPA (3.5 or higher) can be added for recent or relevant education. If your GPA is lower or not available, leave it off and focus on your coursework, credits, or skills instead.

Incomplete Master’s Degree

If you have an incomplete master’s degree, you can list it alongside any completed degrees on your resume if it helps show higher-level training or skills that match the job.

Here’s an example with a completed bachelor’s degree and an incomplete master’s degree:

Education

Master’s Coursework in Business AdministrationUniversity of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX | 2022–2023Focused Study Areas: Leadership, Financial Analysis, Strategic MarketingCapstone Project: Analyzed small business growth strategies for a local company

Bachelor of Arts in Business AdministrationUniversity of Oregon, Eugene, OR | 2018–2022Key Coursework: Marketing Principles, Organizational Behavior, Managerial Economics

Pro Tip: Make this section work for you. Highlight advanced coursework or relevant projects that show real-world skills. Keep anything unrelated short, or leave it off your resume.

Alternatives to College Degrees to Add to Your Resume

If you don’t want to list an incomplete degree on your resume, you still have plenty of options for showcasing continuing education and skills. Employers care about what you can do, and things like certifications, training programs, and hands-on learning can all help prove that.

Here are some strong alternatives to college degrees to include on your resume:

Online courses: Completed training from platforms like Coursera or Udemy
Bootcamps: Intensive programs in tech, design, data, or business
Certifications: Industry-recognized credentials or job-relevant certifications like Google Career Certificates, CompTIA, or Project Management Professional (PMP)
Professional training programs: Employer-led or industry training courses
Workshops and seminars: Short-term learning focused on specific skills
On-the-job training: Skills learned directly through work experience

Only list training that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for. This keeps your resume focused and easy to read while still showing what makes you a great fit for the job.

How to Address Incomplete Education in a Cover Letter

If you didn’t finish your degree, you can still mention it in your cover letter—just keep it short and simple. The goal is to be honest, then quickly move the attention to your skills and experience.

There’s no need to explain the full story. Instead, highlight what you learned and how you’ve used it since then. The key is to stay positive and confident when you write your cover letter.

Here’s an easy way to think about it:

Mention your education in one quick line.
Point out useful skills or coursework.
Move right into your experience or strengths.

For example:

I completed coursework toward a BA in Communications at the University of Florida, where I focused on writing and media studies. Since then, I’ve gained hands-on experience in content creation and digital marketing, building strong writing and editing skills along the way.

Don’t dwell on the unfinished degree. Keep the spotlight on what you can do and the results you’ve gotten so far. You can use our Cover Letter Generator for content ideas to get started.

Tips for Presenting Your Education Positively

When you’re listing an unfinished degree on your resume, show what you can do, not what’s missing. You don’t need to overexplain—just focus on your strengths and keep things clear and confident.

Here are a few tips:

Lead with your strongest sections: If your degree is incomplete, place sections like skills and experience above education so your most valuable strengths are seen first.
Focus only on relevant details: To create a targeted resume, only include education that directly supports the job you’re applying for, and remove anything that doesn’t.
Use clear labels: Start your education entry with wording like “Coursework toward BA,” “In progress,” or “Completed [X of Y] credits” so employers immediately understand your education status and don’t mistake an incomplete degree for a complete one.
Turn coursework into skills: Instead of only listing classes, describe what you did with them, such as “Built simple websites using HTML and CSS in coursework.”

Key Takeaways

Whether or not you completed your degree takes a back seat to the value that it can add to your resume. Keep these points in mind when you’re listing an unfinished degree on your resume:

You can include an unfinished degree if it adds value: Only list it if it shows relevant skills, training, or progress toward the job you want.
Be clear and honest about your status: Use simple labels like “coursework toward,” “in progress,” or “credits completed” so employers don’t assume you graduated.
Focus on what you have completed: Highlight coursework, credits, and projects that show real skills and match the role.
Put your strongest content first if needed: If your degree is unfinished, lead with skills, experience, or certifications instead of education.
Keep your resume clean and relevant: Only include education details that help you get the job, and leave out anything that adds confusion or clutter.