earned a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earned a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an individual's academic accomplishment of having completed the requirements for a college degree or certification. For example, "After four years of hard work, Anna earned a degree in physics from Harvard University."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He never earned a degree.

The New York Times - Books

Instead, she earned a degree in business administration.

The New York Times

He earned a degree from Fisk University (Nashville, Tenn).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Last December, he also earned a degree in psychology.

The New York Times - Sports

Bob Perry later earned a degree in history from Baylor.

The New York Times

She earned a degree in philosophy at Franklin and Marshall.

The New York Times - Arts

Later, she earned a degree in sociology from Rutgers University.

The New York Times

He earned a degree in art at Dartmouth in 1939.

The New York Times

Well done, you have earned a degree in geometeeheehee.

The Guardian

Horowitz earned a degree from the Law School in 1964.

Columbia University

Bess earned a degree in 1948 from P&S.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider specifying the field of study when using "earned a degree" to provide more context and clarity (e.g., "earned a degree in engineering").

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "degree". The correct usage is "earned a degree in [field of study]" or "earned a degree from [institution]", not "earned a degree at/on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earned a degree" functions as a verb phrase indicating the completion of an academic program and the successful acquisition of a degree. Ludwig shows numerous examples in various contexts, confirming its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Encyclopedias

19%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earned a degree" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has successfully completed a course of study and received an academic degree. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers numerous examples from reliable sources. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and academic publications. When using the phrase, ensure you use the correct prepositions (e.g., "earned a degree in [field]" or "earned a degree from [institution]") and consider specifying the field of study for added clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obtained a degree

Replaces "earned" with "obtained", emphasizing the act of receiving the degree.

received a degree

Uses "received" instead of "earned", highlighting the act of being awarded the degree.

acquired a degree

Similar to "obtained", suggesting the gaining of a degree.

completed a degree

Focuses on the completion of the academic program rather than the effort.

graduated with a degree

Specifies graduation as the point of earning the degree.

achieved a degree

Highlights the accomplishment of earning the degree.

was awarded a degree

Emphasizes the awarding of the degree by an institution.

secured a degree

Implies effort and competition in obtaining the degree.

finished a degree

A more casual way of saying the degree was completed.

qualified with a degree

Common in British English, indicating qualification through a degree.

FAQs

How can I use "earned a degree" in a sentence?

You can use "earned a degree" to describe someone's academic achievement, for example, "She "earned a degree" in biology from Stanford University."

What's a more formal way to say "earned a degree"?

For a more formal tone, you could say "obtained a degree" or "received a degree" which emphasize the act of being awarded the degree.

Is it correct to say "earned a degree at" instead of "earned a degree from"?

While "earned a degree at" might be used informally, "earned a degree from" is the more grammatically correct and widely accepted way to indicate the institution where the degree was obtained.

What can I say if someone started college but didn't finish and "earned a degree"?

If someone attended college but did not complete their studies, you could say they "attended college" or "studied at" a particular university without specifying that they graduated.