BBA vs BCom: Which is Better?, Syllabus, Salary, Top Colleges, Job Opportunities

BBA vs BCom: Which is Better?, Syllabus, Salary, Top Colleges, Job Opportunities

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Abhishek
Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content
Updated on Sep 13, 2024 11:59 IST

BBA and BCom courses have similar eligibility criteria, leading to confusion when choosing a course after Class 12 Commerce. Check the exhaustive guide for BBA vs BCom here.

Difference Between BBA and BCom

BBA vs BCom: Confused about which course to pursue after completing Class 12 with Commerce stream? Major options one will get across include a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA). Almost all commerce students face difficulty when they have to choose between BBA or BCom. BBA course focuses on the professional aspect of business education. While the BCom course focuses on financial education.

The question of BBA vs BCom haunts every student as both courses have several common elements to offer. Read this article further to compare BBA and BCom courses comprehensively. Get the details on BCom vs BBA, including career scope, syllabus comparisons, similarities between the two, top colleges, and more.

Table of Contents

What is BBA?

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) is an undergraduate course that imparts business expertise to students. In India, the BBA program typically spans three years, divided into six semesters. However, in some countries, the duration extends to four years. The curriculum encompasses subjects that equip students with the necessary skills to oversee business operations and lays the groundwork for advanced studies in an MBA program.

BBA Course Highlights

The table below mentions the key highlights for BBA course:

BBA Course Features

BBA Course Details

Name of the course

BBA

BBA full form

Bachelor of Business Administration

BBA course duration

3 years

BBA eligibility

Class 12 pass, irrespective of the stream

BBA subjects

Management principles, Business economics, Finance, Human Resources, etc.

BBA fees

Maximum colleges have annual fees < INR 1 lakh

BBA selection process

Entrance based and merit-based

BBA entrance exams

CUET, IPU CET, LPU NEST, BHU UET, NPAT, UGAT, etc.

Also Read: Top BBA Entrance Exams You Can Take This Year

What is BCom?

BCom or Bachelor of Commerce is a UG course offered to increase the conceptual knowledge of business, economics, accounting, and finance. In India, a BCom degree course is offered with a course duration of three years. These three years are divided into six semesters. Common BCom subjects include Financial Accounting, Business Mathematics, Business Laws, Economics, Cost Accounting, etc. Typically, students who wish for a career path in Accounting consider BCom after Class 12. Some students opt for a BCom course while pursuing Chartered Accountancy.

BCom Course Highlights

BCom Course Features

BCom Course Details

Name of the course

BCom

BCom full form

Bachelor of Commerce

BCom course duration

3 years

BCom eligibility

Class 12 pass, irrespective of the stream. Commerce stream is preferred but not compulsory

BCom subjects

Financial Accounting, Corporate Accounting, Business Law, Economics, Statistics, Business Mathematics, etc.

BCom fees

Maximum colleges have annual fees < INR 1 lakh

BCom selection process

Entrance-based and merit-based

BCom entrance exams

CUET, IPU CET, NPAT, Jain University JET, Christ University Entrance Test, etc.

Difference Between BBA and BCom

The image below mentions major differentiating factors for BBA and BCom courses:

BBA vs BCom

Difference Between BBA and BCom

BBA Syllabus vs BCom Syllabus

The syllabus of BCom and BBA courses have similar elements. However, the teaching methodology plays an integral part in differentiating between BCom and BBA. The table below mentions some of the major topics included in a BBA and BCom degree courses:

BBA Syllabus

BCom Syllabus

Principles of Management

Financial Accounting

Business Mathematics & Statistics

Business Organisation and Management

Introduction to Operations Research

Business Mathematics and Statistics

Business Economics

Business Laws

Financial & Management Accounting

Corporate Accounting

Production & Material Management

Income Tax Law and Practice

Investment Analysis and Portfolio Management

Company Law

International Finance

Cost Accounting

Consumer Behaviour

Human Resource Management

Personal Selling and Sales Force Management

Principles of Marketing

Training and Management Development

Corporate Tax Planning

Performance and Compensation Management Systems

Industrial Laws

Business Statistics and Applications

Indirect Tax Laws

Quantitative Techniques for Management

Training and Development

Business Economics-II

Auditing and Corporate Governance

BBA vs BCom: Higher Education

UG course acts as the foundation for the PG course or a suitable career path. Making a wrong decision while considering BBA or BCom may take the candidates to a different career or academic path than expected. The space below mentions the academic scope of BBA and BCom degree courses:

BBA Scope for Higher Education

BBA sets the foundation for an MBA degree course. Besides an MBA degree, some of the academic paths followed at the PG level are as follows:

BCom Scope for Higher Education

BCom acts as the foundation course for an MCom degree programme. However, some of the other academic paths at the PG level after a BCom degree are as follows:

Besides the above-mentioned courses, candidates who will pursue a BCom or BBA will have academic opportunities in the field of Finance as well as Accounting.

Also Read: Course options after B.Com

BBA vs BCom: Job Opportunities

Both BCom, as well as BBA graduates, have entry level job opportunities in the banking, insurance and finance sectors. BBA graduates can also find jobs in professional fields, including Hotel Management, Event Management, Human Resource Management, etc. BCom will bring in job options that are not defined by the education, while BBA brings in professional job options that are specified to a particular industry.

Top companies, including KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, Accenture, Morgan Stanley, and BCG, among others, hire both BBA as well as BCom graduates for their entry-level positions.

Also Read: Is BCom necessary to make a career in Banking and Finance?

BCom vs BBA Salary

The table below mentions the salary offered to BCom graduates along with the job options typically offered:

BCom Jobs

BCom Salary (in INR)

Account Executive

2.5 LPA

Business Executive

3 LPA

Financial Analyst

3.7 LPA

Tax Consultant

4.5 LPA

Financial Consultant

5 LPA

Accounts Manager

5.8 LPA

Business Consultant

9 LPA

*The salary data has been obtained from Payscale.com

Also Read:

The table below mentions the salary offered to BBA graduates along with the job options typically offered:

BBA Jobs

BBA Salary (in INR)

HR Executive

3.75 LPA

Marketing Executive

2.91 LPA

Marketing Manager

6.84 LPA

Sales Executive

2.44 LPA

Entrepreneur

7.44 LPA

Financial Advisor

3.83 LPA

Public Relations Manager

5.21 LPA

*The salary data has been obtained from Payscale.com

Also Read: Career After BBA

Similarities Between BCom and BBA

The confusion between BBA and BCom arises as these two courses have several similarities. The similarities lie in the eligibility criteria, selection process, level of course, etc. Additionally, the courses also encounter a similarity in the topics taught. However, the teaching methodology is the primary differentiating factor between these two courses.

BBA vs BCom: Factors Affecting the Choice

Several factors can affect the decision of a BBA or BCom course after Class 12. Some of these factors include:

  • Career aspiration
  • Study destination/ College preference
  • Score in Class 12
  • Score in BBA/BCom entrance exam
  • Mode of study
  • Scope of the course

Candidates must choose a course that fits their preferences and selection criteria based on the above-mentioned factors. To choose between BCom and BBA, candidates must look out for their strengths and goals. If they wish for a career that requires entrepreneurial skill, fieldwork, professional expertise, etc. they must go for a BBA degree course. In contrast, if the candidate aspires to evaluate the performance of an organisation based on the financial decisions or past records, they must go for a BCom degree.

Besides the strengths and goals, candidates must research the career options currently available after the course and the future projections. There is little to no point in pursuing a degree course if the career options are depreciating in the future.

Also Read: Career and scope of BBA in India and abroad

BBA vs BCom: Top Colleges in India

Candidates must consider a top college to pursue a BCom or a BBA degree course. In case a candidate has been selected for admission into a mediocre BCom college and a top-ranking BBA college, he/she must consider a BBA course from the top college. The space below mentions some of the top BBA and BCom colleges based on their popularity:

Top BBA Colleges in India

There are more than 4,800 BBA colleges in India. Some of the top BBA colleges in terms of popularity are as follows:

  1. Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, University of Delhi
  2. Christ University
  3. Loyola College
  4. MCC - Madras Christian College
  5. Mount Carmel College
  6. Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research, Symbiosis International, Pune
  7. Department of Management, J.D Birla Institute
  8. JIMS Rohini (PGDM) - Jagan Institute of Management Studies
  9. KIIT School of Management, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology
  10. Ethiraj College for Women (Ethiraj)

Also Read: Top Ranking BBA Colleges in India

Top BCom Colleges in India

There are more than 10,000 BCom colleges in India. Some of the top BCom colleges in terms of popularity are as follows:

  1. Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi
  2. Hindu College, University of Delhi
  3. Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of Delhi
  4. Hansraj College, University of Delhi
  5. Loyola College
  6. MCC - Madras Christian College
  7. Christ University
  8. Ramjas College, University of Delhi
  9. Narsee Monjee College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai
  10. Mithibai College

Also Read:

Courses Other Than BCom and BBA After 12th

Commerce students have several options other than BBA and BCom after Class 12. Here are some of the popular courses after Commerce stream in Class 12:

  • BCA
  • BBA LLB
  • Chartered Accountancy (CA)
  • Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC)
  • BHM
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Banking and Insurance (BBI)
  • BA Banking
  • Bachelor of Economics (BE)
  • Bachelor of Commerce in Financial Market
  • Bachelor of Accounting and Finance (BAF)

Read More:

FAQs on BBA vs BCom

Q: BCom or BBA, which is better for MBA?

A: Both the courses can lead to similar job roles. However, BBA has wider career options as compared to BCom. BBA imparts both practical as well as theoretical knowledge, while BCom deals majorly in theoretical knowledge. Jobs after both courses can provide lucrative salaries; the choice of the course shall depend on the interest and future goals of the candidate.

Q: Which course between BBA and BCom is better for business?

A: BBA provides entrepreneurial skills as compared to BCom. Therefore, candidates aiming to become a business person must opt for a BBA degree course.

Q: Which course between BBA and BCom is better to learn accounting?

A: Candidates who wish to learn accounting and financial analysis must opt for a BCom degree course after Class 12.

Q: Which course is easy among BBA and BCom?

A: Both the courses have similar difficulty in terms of the course curriculum. BBA course curriculum will include both professional knowledge as well as interpersonal knowledge. The BCom course curriculum will only include the professional knowledge required for analysis and auditing.

Q: Can I pursue MBA after BCom?

A: Yes. Candidates can pursue MBA after completing a BCom degree course.

Q: Can I go for Chartered Accountancy after BBA?

A: Yes. BBA candidates interested in becoming a CA can pursue the ICAI CA course.

Q: BBA or BCom, which is better for a career in Banking?

A: Candidates can get jobs in the Banking sector after completing any of the courses among BCom and BBA. However, a BCom graduate tends to have more professional knowledge required to get a job in the Banking sector.

Q: Can I pursue MCom after completing a BBA degree course?

A: Yes. Eligibility criteria for an MCom degree is not limited to the candidates who have completed bachelor’s with a Commerce degree. Candidates having a BBA degree can also pursue MCom.

Q: Can I do BCom and BBA together?

A: Yes. As proposed by UGC under the NEP 2020, one can pursue two degrees at the same time. However, one degree must be in the regular mode of education while the other must be in an open learning/online format.

Q: Is the admission criteria for BCom and BBA similar?

A: Yes. Admission to BCom and BBA courses are based on the entrance as well as merit. The admission criteria can vary across institutes.
About the Author
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Abhishek Dhawan
Assistant Manager – Editorial Content

With a creative soul, Abhishek is inclined towards anything in the creative space be it drawing, painting, craft, or writing. He has been working in the ed-tech industry since he started his career. Besides creative... Read Full Bio

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