MCA Course: Fees, Duration, Admission, Distance & Online Learning

Updated on Jul 17, 2024 11:58 IST
Akansha Bisht

Akansha BishtContent Writer

Master in Computer Application or MCA is a 2-year post-graduate program specializing in the field of computer software and its applications, computer architecture, operating systems and other IT related fields. Some institutes like NITs also offer MCA as a 3-year duration program. MCA course is a very popular choice among students interested in IT, particularly in application software, operating systems and computer architecture.

Candidates having a BCA degree or any graduate degree in Mathematics/Science can take admission in the MCA course. Many institutes also allow non-science/BCA degree students to pursue the MCA program. The course can be pursued in regular as well as distance mode. The average course fee of the MCA program ranges from INR 30,000 to 50,000.

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Table of Contents
  1. MCA Course Highlights
  2. Types of MCA Courses
  3. Popular MCA Course Specializations
  4. MCA Degree Course
    • 4.1 Top Institute for MCA Degree Program
  5. Distance MCA Course
    • 5.1 Top Institutes for MCA Distance Program
  6. Online MCA Course
    • 6.1 Top Institutes for Online MCA Program
  7. Entrance Exams for Admission to MCA Course
  8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

MCA Course Highlights

Particulars

Details

Name of Course

Master in Computer Application (MCA)

Duration of Course

2 Years

3 Years

Mode of Education

Regular and Distance

Mode of Admission

Entrance Exam/Merit

Course Fee

INR 30,000-50,000

Types of MCA Courses

There are different types of MCA courses being offered by the institutes in form of regular, distance, online and part-time modes. Candidates can opt for any type depending upon their feasibility and choice.

Regular MCA Program: In this type of MCA course, candidates have to take admission in an institute and attend the classes regularly.

Distance MCA Program: Candidates opting for distance mode courses need not go to the college regularly. Candidates may be asked to attend a few important practicals and lab work at the college.

Online MCA Course: In an online course, candidates have to attend the classes through the internet and the complete course will be taught online.

Part-time MCA Course: This type of MCA course is preferred by working professionals who can not attend regular or distance programs.

Popular MCA Course Specializations

Master in Computer Application course has many specializations which students have to select in the last year of their program. Some of the popular MCA courses are

  • Application Software

  • Software Development

  • Troubleshooting

  • Hardware Technology

  • Systems Management

  • Management Information Systems (MIS)

  • Systems Development

  • Systems Engineering

  • Networking

  • Internet working

MCA Degree Course

The postgraduate degree program in computer application or MCA is the most popular and preferred course among students interested in learning software building, operating systems, hardware technology, networking etc. MCA course is a two-year degree program although many institutes also offer MCA of three years duration.

Top Institute for MCA Degree Program

S.No.

Name of Institute

1

Delhi University, Delhi

2

Banaras Hindu University, Vranasi

3

Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi

4

National Institutes of Technology (NITs) at Jamshedpur, Surat, Tiruchirapalli, Warangal

5

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi

6

Jamia Hamdard, Delhi

7

Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Delhi

8

University of Hyderabad

9

Aligarh Muslim University

10

PES University Bangalore

Distance MCA Course

Students who can not attend the regular MCA degree course can opt for distance mode. There are many good institutes that offer distance MCA programs at an affordable cost. In distance MCA courses, students have to attend the classes as per the pre-decided timetable. The annual/semester exams will have to take at the institute.

Top Institutes for MCA Distance Program

S.No.

Name of Institute

1

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi

2

University of Mumbai

3

Bangalore University

4

Annamalai University, Chennai

5

University of Madras

6

Madurai Kamraj University

7

Sikkim Manipal University

Online MCA Course

Many students nowadays are opting for online MCA programs. In this type of program, candidates can complete their course and examination online from the comfort of their home. Online programs are AICTE and UGC approved and are accepted all throughout in education and career field.

Top Institutes for Online MCA Program

S.No.

Name of Institute

1

SRM University Chennai

2

Manipal University Jaipur

3

Jain University Bangalore

4

Mysore University

5

SASTRA University

6

GNDU Amritsar

7

BSAU Chennai

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Entrance Exams for Admission to MCA Course

Admission to regular MCA courses is primarily through entrance exams or merit of marks in qualifying degree course. Students can appear in any of the below listed MCA entrance exam as per the college in which admission is desired.

S.No.

Name of Exam

1

NIT MCA Common Entrance Test (NIMCET)

2

Maharashtra MCA Common Entrance Test (MAH MCA CET)

3

West Bengal Joint Entrance Exam for MCA (WB JECA)

4

Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET)

5

CUET (Central Universities Entrance Test)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Is MCA course worth doing?

A. MCA is a very popular course in IT with a very bright career prospects. As MCA course covers the software, operating systems, networking, students can easily get jobs in IT companies.   

Q. Which is better, regular or distance MCA?

A. Candidates can select among regular or distance depending upon their feasibility or choice. The course structure of MCA program is mostly the same around the institutes. 

Q. Which institute is best for MCA degree?

A. Candidates can go for JNU Delhi, BHU Varanasi, or Jamia Milia Islamia for MCA degree programs.

Q. How can I get admission in MCA program?

A. Admission in MCA program in most institutes is through entrance exams. Many institutes also offer admission on the basis of marks in qualifying degree.

Q. Which institute is best for distance MCA program?

A. Candidates can go for IGNOU which happens to be the preferred destination for many distance courses along with MCA.

Popular MCA (Master of Computer Applications) Specializations

Following are the most popular MCA (Master of Computer Applications) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

Popular MCA (Master of Computer Applications) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular MCA (Master of Computer Applications) Colleges in India. Learn more about these MCA (Master of Computer Applications) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
5.4 L - 11.2 L
3.6

MCA Applications open. Apply Now

1.84 L - 3.85 L
4.0
1 Course
4.38 L
6.14 LPA
1 Course
4.8 L
5.5 LPA

MCA Applications open. Apply Now

2.74 L - 8.36 L
4.3
4 Courses
2.5 L - 5.2 L
5.2 LPA

MCA Applications open. Apply Now

Popular Private MCA (Master of Computer Applications) Colleges in India

2.74 L - 8.36 L
4.3
3.44 L - 3.56 L
4.0

MCA Applications open. Apply Now

3.1 L
2.0

MCA Applications open. Apply Now

3.5 L - 8 L
4.0
1 Course
6.64 L

MCA Applications open. Apply Now

3.2 L
3.0

MCA Applications open. Apply Now

qna

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 3 hours ago

The number of students placed during ICFAI University Jaipur MCA placements over the past two years are presented below:

Particulars

MCA Placement Statistics (2023)

MCA Placement Statistics (2024)

Total students

6

15

Eligible students

5

9

Students placed

3

9

Placement rate

60%

100%

K

Krishnendu Chatterjee

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 hours ago

The placement rate recorded during ICFAI University Jaipur MCA placements over the past two years is presented below:

Particulars

MCA Placement Statistics (2023)

MCA Placement Statistics (2024)

Placement rate

60%

100%

M

Manashjyoti Piplani

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 hours ago

The highest and average package offered during ICFAI University Jaipur MCA placements over the past two years are presented below:

Particulars

MCA Placement Statistics (2023)

MCA Placement Statistics (2024)

the highest domestic package

INR 3.25 LPA

INR 2.4 LPA

Average package

INR 3.25 LPA

INR 2.4 LPA

S

Saakshi Malhotra

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 3 hours ago

The key highlights of ICFAI University Jaipur MCA placements over the past two years are presented below:

Particulars

MCA Placement Statistics (2023)

MCA Placement Statistics (2024)

the highest domestic package

INR 3.25 LPA

INR 2.4 LPA

Average package

INR 3.25 LPA

INR 2.4 LPA

Total students

6

15

Eligible students

5

9

Students placed

3

9

Placement rate

60%

100%

N

Nishtha Arora

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 4 hours ago

Yes, pursuing an MCA course from ICFAI University Jharkhand is a good choice if considering the placement opportunities. The key highlights of ICFAI University Jharkhand placements for the overall Class of 2023 are tabulated below:

Particulars

Placement Statistics (2023)

the highest package

INR 9.32 LPA

Average package

INR 6.75 LPA

Placement rate

76%

Top recruiters

Capgemini, Infosys, IDFC Bank, Wipro

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Shoaib Mehdi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 hours ago

 The fees for an MCA (Master of Computer Applications) programme vary depending on the university and college. Government institutions usually have lower fees compared to private ones.

 

Estimated MCA Fees:

Government Colleges/Universities – ?20,000 to ?1,00,000 per year

Private Colleges/Universities –

...Read more

g

guest Maratha

Beginner-Level 1

Answered Yesterday

If you meet the requirements, you can study a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) at Chaudhary Charan Singh University (CSJMU), Kanpur. Generally, the PGDCA program's eligibility requirements consist of:

  • A bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university is a requiremen

...Read more

N

Nidhi Kumari

Contributor-Level 10

Answered Yesterday

Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and Master of Science in Computer Science (MSc Computer Science) are both computer Science degrees that can lead to good career opportunities.

·        Let's break down the key differences to help you navigate your decision:

MCA

MSC of Computer Science

Masters of Computer Application Course.

Masters of Computer Science

Primarily aimed at practical applications in software development and IT management.

Covers a broader range of topics, including theoretical foundations, software engineering, system development, and artificial intelligence.

Admission is based on Entrance Exam or Merit Based.

Admission is based on Entrance Exam or Merit Based.

It is 2 year PG course 

It is a 2 year PG course

Career paths are Software development, IT management, and application design.

Career paths are Research, academia, deep technical roles

Average Fees for the course are INR 2-4 L

Average Fees for the course are INR 2-7L

The average Salary Range is INR 3-10 L

The average Salary Range is 4-16 L

Note: The information is taken from var

...Read more

N

Nikita Chauhan

Beginner-Level 5

Answered Yesterday

MAH MCA CET syllabus is divided into four sections, Mathematics and Statistics, Logical and Abstarct Reasoning, English Comprehension and Verbal Ability and Computer Concepts. MAH MCA CET Syllabus 2025 is designed by the Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra.

T

Tanisha Mahajan

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 2 days ago

If you've done your BSc Math well, then pursuing B.Tech CSE will be highly beneficial, and the chances of having a backlog in Math will be very low. Ultimately, it depends on you and what you want to achieve.

R

Ritesh Kumar Nishad

Beginner-Level 1

Answered 2 days ago

Yes, pursuing an MCA course from Chetan Business School Institute of Management and Research is a good choice if considering the placement opportunities. The key highlights of Chetan Business School Institute of Management and Research placements for the Class of 2024 are tabulated below:

Particulars

Placement Statistics (2024)

the highest package

INR 6 LPA

Average package

INR 4 LPA

Top  recruiters

DMart, ITC, TCS, Decathlon, Reliance Digital

39519231
Shoaib Mehdi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Aspirants need to pass UG degree with Mathematics at Class 12 or graduation level to apply for Amrita Ahead Online MCA programme. Students in their final year can apply with the last completed semester results. Candidates must hold the documents proving their eligibility for verification at the time

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Amrita Ahead Online admission to MCA programme is based on merit of the candidates in the last qualifying exam. Aspirants need to pass UG degree with Mathematics at Class 12 or graduation level to apply for MCA programme. Once selected, candidates need to pay the course fee to confirm their seat in

...Read more

N

Nishtha Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) Online

Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) offers UG, PG, and Diploma programs in an online mode through its SMU Online platform.

Key Features:

  • UG & PG Programs: MBA, MCA, BBA, BCA, etc.
  • UGC-Entitled: Approved by UGC-DEB for online education.
  • Flexible Learning: Online classes,

...Read more

S

Shiv Kumar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 days ago

The main requirements for MCA admission into Chandigarh University (CU) include:

Candidates must qualify with a minimum 50 percent aggregate from an accepted university for their BCA/B.Sc. IT/B.Sc. CS or comparable degree.
The admission requirement for MCA at Chandigarh University (CU) demands complet

...Read more

S

Shiv Kumar

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

To obtain admission to the MCA programme at JNTU Kakinada, students need to have a bachelor's degree with an aggregate percentage of at least 50%. They must qualify for the entrance exam conducted by APICET while seeking admissions to MCA. Once students receive a valid APICET score, they have to att

...Read more

a

abhishek gaurav

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

As per the latest report, the participating recruiters placed 13 students from the MCA course, in the academic year 2023-2024. The same is tabulated below:

Particulars

Placement Statistics (2023)

Placement Statistics (2024)

Total students placed

13

10

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Shoaib Mehdi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

The highest package offered to MCA students during the 2024 placement drive at Chaitanya University stood at INR 4 LPA. The highest package offered between 2023 and 2024 are tabulated below:

Particulars

Placement Statistics (2023)

Placement Statistics (2024)

the highest package

INR 5 LPA

INR 5 LPA

39519231
Shoaib Mehdi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

MCA is one of the most popular courses of Chaitanya University. When it comes to the placements, the institute offers decent placements annually. The key highlights of Chaitanya University placements for the Class of 2024 are tabulated below:

Particulars

Placement Statistics (2024)

the highest package

INR 5 LPA

Minimum package

INR 3 LPA

Total students placed

10

39519231
Shoaib Mehdi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Both the University of Rajasthan and the Poddar Group of Institution are good options to pursue MCA. However, in terms of affordability, UNIRAJ is more affordable since the tuition fees to pursue MCA at the University of Rajasthan is INR 96,80 to INR 1.21 lakh, and the tuition fee to pursue MCA at t

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

To know which college to choose, students can compare the options based on significant factors such as fees. To help,  presented below is a comparison between the MCA courses at the University of Rajasthan and Poddar Group of Institution, based on fees:

Institute/University

Course Fee

University of Rajasthan

INR 96,80 to INR 1.21 lakh

Poddar Group of Institution

INR 18.06 lakh

Note: The abovementioned information is as per

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

To know which is a better choice, students must weigh both options based on important factors such as fees and median package. As per official sources, the fees to pursue MCA at the University of Rajasthan range from INR 96,80 to INR 1.21 lakh, and the fees to pursue MCA at Suresh Gyan Vihar Univer

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

The Rajasthan University generally opens the admission portal for the MCA admission process in March of the current academic year. Thus, the university is expected to commence the MCA admissions in March 2025. Once the portal is open, candidates seeking admission must apply for the preferred course.

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Yes, as per the University of Rajasthan's official brochure, the university has defined the seat reservation policy to be followed for alloctaion of M.Tech seats. As per the brochure, the university reserves seats for several underserved categories to promote fair opportunity in admissions. The belo

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

To seek admission in a University of Rajasthan MCA programme, a candidate must first perform an eligibility check. Those who satisfy the eligibility requirements must register for the URATPG exam conducted by the university itself. Next, they must appear for the exam at the scheduled date.

Once the U

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

The University of Rajasthan MCA fee structure is a constitution of various fee elements such as tuition fees, hostel fees, exam fees, security deposits, etc. Upon adding all, the total fees to pursue this programme range from INR 1.31 Lacs to INR 1.63 lakh. Tabulated below is the breakdown of this f

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Yes, students who complete their MCA degrees from the University of Rajasthan can seek out job opportunities in the government sector of India. Those who are willing to work in a Public Sector Undertaking can take various government exams, such as UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) Exams, Staff

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

The University of Rajasthan offers a comprehensive MCA programme. Upon completing this course, students have a broad career scope. Fresh MCA graduates can pursue jobs with titles such as AI Specialist, Software Developer, Quality Analyst, and more. The below table showcases various job profiles for

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

Yes, as per Univeristy of Rajasthan MCA reservation policy, admissions to the programme are subject to the rules of reservation. As per the policy, a total of 28% of seats are reserved for the SC/ST candidates. Out of this 28%, 16 percent of seats are reserved for candidates belonging to the Schedu

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 days ago

As per the University of Rajasthan's NIRF report 2023, a total of 242 students were placed out during the PG two-year placements held in the year 2022.Moreover, the median package offered to PG-two-year students stood at INR 6.35 LPA. To learn more, check out the below-mentioned comparison of 20221

...Read more

S

Shailja Rawat

Contributor-Level 10

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