completed college

USAGE SUMMARY

"completed college" is correct and usable in written English.
You might use it to talk about an individual's academic accomplishments, such as: "John has completed college and is now ready to enter the workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Two have completed college.

The New York Times

The excuse they had was that he'd never completed college".

The New York Times

Many of the teenagers from my group completed college and now hold professional jobs.

The New York Times

Afterward I moved upstate and completed college at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

The New York Times

In 1949, his family fled the Communist government for Taiwan, where he completed college.

The New York Times

She carried her baby daughter to class as she completed college.

The New York Times - Tech

About half have completed college degrees, and some have children at home.

The New York Times - Books

Low-risk inmates who completed college degrees or vocational programs would earn credits shortening their sentences.

The New York Times

For the purpose of this question, receipt of an associate's degree is normally considered to have completed "college or beyond".

The New York Times

He completed college at the University of North Carolina and earned a doctorate in anthropology at the University of Michigan.

The New York Times

He completed college studies in only two years but stayed on another term to tackle Hebrew and philosophy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's educational background, use "completed college" to clearly indicate that they have finished their studies at a college or university.

Common error

Do not use "attended college" when you mean "completed college". "Attended college" only indicates enrollment, not necessarily graduation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completed college" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of successfully finishing a college education. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completed college" is a grammatically correct and widely used verb phrase that signifies the successful completion of college-level education. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. It's commonly used in news, scientific, and formal contexts. Related phrases include "graduated from college" and "obtained a college degree". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the degree or major where relevant, and avoid confusing it with simply "attended college". Ludwig’s examples highlight the phrase's versatility and frequent use in describing individuals' educational backgrounds.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

graduated from college

Focuses on the act of graduating, emphasizing the successful completion of the program.

successfully completed college

Adds emphasis to the successful completion of the college program.

obtained a college degree

Highlights the acquisition of a degree as the outcome of completing college.

earned a college diploma

Similar to obtaining a degree, but emphasizes the formal certification received.

finished higher education

Broader term encompassing any form of education beyond high school.

attended and finished college

Highlights both the attendance and successful completion of college.

received a college education

Focuses on the educational experience gained during college.

concluded college studies

Uses a more formal verb to indicate the end of college studies.

achieved a college qualification

Emphasizes the attainment of a formal qualification from college.

undertook college studies

Emphasizes the act of studying at the college level.

FAQs

What's the difference between "attended college" and "completed college"?

"Attended college" simply means someone was enrolled in a college or university. "Completed college" indicates they finished their studies and typically graduated.

What are some alternatives to saying "completed college"?

You can use phrases like "graduated from college", "obtained a college degree", or "finished higher education" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "completed college" in a sentence?

You can say, "She completed college with honors" or "Having completed college, he started his career." The phrase is often followed by information about their degree, major, or next steps.

Is it more formal to say "completed college" or "graduated from college"?

Both phrases are generally acceptable in formal and informal contexts. "Graduated from college" might sound slightly more natural in everyday conversation, but "completed college" is equally correct.