BBA Vs MBA: Scope, Salary, Colleges, Eligibility, Job Opportunities

Are you confused between choosing top management courses like BBA vs MBA ? Get insights about the course prospects, scopes and requirements of BBA and MBA.

Management studies are one of the most demanded streams of study in India. Plenty of courses are available when we consider management specializations in India. Students will often face a very big dilemma whether to pursue a management degree as a UG or PG degree. The debate escalates when it's between BBA vs MBA.

BBA is an undergraduate management degree for three years and can be pursued after completion of 12th. On the other hand, an MBA or Masters of Business Administration is a postgraduate business degree for two years that offers detailed and in-depth knowledge of business and management.

This article draws a comparison between BBA and MBA to help students understand the key differences between the programs and settle the debate between MBA vs BBA.

Table of contents

Key Highlights
Overview
Eligibility
Entrance Exams
Course Structure
Specializations
Job Opportunities
Higher Education
Top Colleges
Which One to Choose?

BBA vs MBA - Key Highlights

BBA and MBA are the most reputed business administration and management degree programs in India. While BBA is an undergraduate course, MBA is a postgraduate course in business management. Graduates after completing BBA will naturally opt for MBA as their higher education program. Some of the key highlights of the courses are given below:

Criteria	BBA	MBA
Full form	Bachelors of Business Administration	Masters of Business Administration
Duration	3 years	2 years
Fees	INR 25k - Rs. 8 LPA	INR 1.5 - 25 LPA
Average Salary	INR 3 - 6 LPA	INR 5 - 8 LPA
Eligibility	50% in class 12 in any stream. Clear entrance exams for specific institutes	50% in graduation from any stream Clear entrance exam such as CAT, XAT, SNAP

BBA vs MBA - Overview

BBA is a 3-year program that helps students gain a better understanding of all the workings of the business world. The course is offered full-time in most universities. Students learn about business from financial accounting, human resource management to marketing and general management. The course allows students to specialize in many fields such as marketing, finance, international business, etc. Students start at entry-level jobs after graduation, eventually moving to higher roles with experience and skill development.

Read More on BBA

MBA, on the other hand, is a two-year postgraduate program that students pursue after their graduation. The course is designed to provide students with specialized knowledge in the field of business. It covers various subjects such as corporate finance, marketing, strategy, organizational behavior, etc. Some popular specializations after graduation include operations management, finance, marketing, human resource management. In addition, students can pursue illustrious careers in consulting, management, product management, etc.

Read More on MBA

Both MBA and BBA are degrees in commerce and management that help students decide where they want to be in the future and pick a career path that suits them. In addition, being a management student helps them get a good idea of how businesses run, and students have a plethora of opportunities to explore after both degrees.

BBA vs MBA - Eligibility

BBA and MBA are both reputed programs for management students to hone their skills and become better future leaders in the corporate environment. Students from any stream can enroll for either of these courses as they do not have any prerequisite classes. The courses build the foundation in all subjects for the students. There are, however, certain criteria to be met for admissions, which are listed below.

To enter a BBA program, students must fulfill the following criteria.

At least 50% scores in their respective class 12 streams
There is a 5% relaxation for students who are SC/ST/OBC.
Some institutes have entrance exams for students aspiring for this course. Students must secure the required cut-off, following which admission is given on a merit basis.

For MBA programs, the process is a little more rigorous. Students must fulfill these requirements

At least 50% scores in their graduation in any stream
Sufficient scores in the entrance examination tests such as CAT, SNAP, XAT, NMAT, etc
Shortlisted students must appear for Group Discussion/Personal Interview rounds in the respective institutes to get admission.

BBA vs MBA - Entrance Exams

Entrance exams are a way for institutes to judge students' aptitude and understanding for studying the course. These tests study a students' quantitative, reasoning, and language skills required to complete the course.

Below is the list of some of the top entrance exams for BBA:

Students can study these exams using coaching/ self-taught methods. In addition, students can study for this examination while appearing for their 12th-grade exams as well.

Top Institutes such as IIMs, Symbiosis, etc. conduct their entrance exams for MBA students, which are listed below:

These exams are highly competitive, and students must aim for their highest possible scores to qualify for further processes. The rigor of preparation for these exams is a stepping stone towards a full-time residential program at a top B-school, and students must strive to target the best institute that suits their skills and interests.

BBA vs MBA - Course Structure

BBA is a bachelor's degree that takes three years to complete. Therefore, students must fulfill up to 120 credits to pass the course. On the other hand, MBA is a more concise course and is completed with 30 to 60 credits in 2 years. As a result, there is a difference in the depth of knowledge provided in each course and the teaching methods.

Teaching Methods

BBA provides students with full theoretical knowledge of businesses. The students are taught by one-way communication by lecturers, and exams are conducted at the end of the term to assess the students' capability.

An MBA, on the other hand, is based on practical knowledge and the application of concepts. The classroom relies on case studies, discussions, and debates, and the faculty only serves as a facilitator for the students. The assessments are also done through practical projects, and less focus is given to examinations. In addition, MBA includes interactions with industry experts, regular and frequent alumni networking, and a compulsory summer internship project that helps students become better equipped for the corporate world.

Syllabus

MBA and BBA are business-related courses and hence cover all aspects of business and corporates in their syllabus at various depths. The course is designed to lay the foundation for students about the core concepts of business and then develop a strong practical application.

A student studying BBA can expect the following subjects in their syllabus:

Economics
Principles of Management
Marketing
Human Resource manage
Finance and Accounting
Business Communication
International Business
Operations Management

Read More about BBA Syllabus and Subjects

A student studying MBA would cover all of the above courses in more depth and would also include additional subjects such as:

Strategic Management
Supply Chain Management
Business Research
Organizational Behaviour
Consumer Behaviour
Data Analytics

Read More about MBA Syllabus and Subjects

Students can also pick subjects according to their specialization and fields of interest in the second year. Specialization subjects make the course more intensively packed with knowledge and is filled with learning opportunities.

BBA vs MBA - Specializations

BBA offers numerous specializations in various fields of study. For example, management and business administration is vital for any commodity, and there are numerous specialization options offered to students under BBA.

Some of the top specializations include:

MBA allows students to pick more niche and diversified specializations, such as:

Students can pick their specialization and niche very specifically in an MBA, which gives them a more competitive edge and deeper knowledge of their chosen fields.

BBA vs MBA - Job Opportunities

On successful completion of the degrees, students can gain considerable knowledge from practical experience as well. After getting their degrees, students can now successfully become a part of the corporate world if they choose to. A great career awaits graduates from both fields.

After completing graduation in BBA, students get the opportunity to explore various entry-level jobs such as

Marketing executive
Sales executive
Research and development executive
Search and Development Manager
Human resource manager
Financial consultant
Operations manager
Business consultant

Students who have a Masters in Business Administration have an advantage over BBA graduates and can apply for positions such as:

Product Manager
Business Analyst
Financial Analyst
Credit Risk Management Analyst
Marketing Manager
Sales Manager
Human Resources Manager

People who have enrolled in their MBA program with some work experience may be considered for higher roles such as:

Ad Strategy Manager
Brand Partnership Manager
Marketing Director
Public Relations Officer
Digital Marketing Manager
Supply Chain System Manager

BBA vs MBA - Salaries

After completing their BBA, students can apply for entry-level positions in their desired fields. However, this employment is gainful; students must know that having only a graduate degree does not guarantee big pay. BBA graduates can expect to earn Rs. 2 - 3 LPA, depending on the company, role, and personal profile.

Read More on BBA Salary

Since MBA students have additional knowledge and are experts in their niche, their job roles are higher up in the hierarchy. They also have higher salaries ranging from Rs. 5-15 LPA. This depends on multiple factors such as the institute, student profile, job role, and the company itself. Top B-Schools provide students with opportunities to earn as much as Rs. 20 LPA or higher.

Read More on MBA Salary

BBA vs MBA -Higher Education

After pursuing BBA, students have plenty of options to pursue their higher education. But, first, they can opt for the conventional MBA that comes after BBA. The MBA helps solidify their existing knowledge and provides them with practical exposure to the field they want to pursue.

The other courses of higher learning are:

LLB
PGDM
Post Graduate Diploma in Banking
Financial Risk Management
VISA
Ph.D. in Management

Alternatively, students from either course can secure certifications in:

CFA
CA
NSE/BSE Certification in Financial markets

BBA vs MBA - Top Colleges

A good institute for studying BBA or MBA is important as it shapes the future path of the students. Institutes vary in terms of their teaching methods, examination pattern, student intake, and alumni networks. Being in the top colleges and institutes for BBA or MBA is beneficial for students as they can fully utilize the benefits of their course.

Below we have listed some of the top colleges for pursuing a BBA for students.

A great B-school is essential for students in an MBA program to help them gain access to great mentorship and a stellar alumni network. Better colleges also offer better placement opportunities after graduation and give students a career boost. Thus, they must aspire for the best institutes for their MBA, and the top MBA institutions are:

BBA or MBA - Which One to Choose?

BBA is an undergraduate course aimed at students who have little experience in management and familiarizes them with the various aspects of a business. On the other hand, an MBA is a postgraduate degree that equips students with more practical experience and knowledge about different business areas. Both programs aim to create industry professionals. Therefore, students can opt for a degree that suits their purpose more and helps them in their career path.

Course work: BBA covers the theoretical aspects of business and assigns students individual work to gauge their understanding of relevant theories and models. Thus, it lays the foundation for a student's entrance into the business world.

On the other hand, MBA is entirely focused on practical knowledge and current situation analysis with real-time feedback on performance.

Average Fees and Return on Investment: While it is significantly cheaper to enroll in a BBA course, students will start their careers after BBA in entry-level jobs. Students may have to wait for three years or more to see good returns. An MBA is a lot more expensive than a BBA, with most Tier 1 colleges charging 20+ lakhs in fees for two years. However, post MBA, students have a world of opportunities working in managerial roles with high returns. Most students can recover their course fees/ pay off student loans by the end of their second year of employment.

Thus, one can say that both BBA and MBA are essential for people studying business. Students looking for the knowledge and skills needed to run a business or be a part of a corporate environment are ideal candidates for the course.