Is the conflict of BBA vs BCom going on in your head? Caught with a tough choice? Confused about which is easy between the two? Trying to select the fittest graduation course? Fighting to gather all info in one place? Well, we’ve won that battle for you right here.

The question here isn’t which is better out of the two; the question that you should ask is: which is a better choice for you?

To make a smart decision, understand one thing: your undergraduate degree is the basis of your further studies as well as your career. Take this for sure that whatever you aim to do in life will be affected by your undergraduate education, always.

BBA vs BCom: The Stepping Stones and the Dilemma

Burning your midnight oil to excel? Know this, both programs offer a large number of good career prospects in India, simultaneously allowing a good scope of higher studies too.

The choice is not at all easy to make and is highly debatable.

Although, Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) has become more popular than the traditional Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) these days, know that both have overlapping areas in their syllabi and curricula.

However, the approach of BBA vs BCom courses differs in more ways than one. As the demand of trained business administration professionals sees an upswing, we are witnessing more students flocking towards a business degree expecting to open doors wider for a future MBA.

In this post we have discussed the quintessential pointers, at length, including BBA vs BCom which is easy for a student, BBA vs BCom subjects during the courses, BBA vs BCom which proves better for banking, which proves better for MBA, and BBA vs BCom salary estimates (how much can you expect to earn in future).

Bachelor of Administration (BBA): Introduction

Bachelor of Administration (BBA) is one of the most common graduation choices made by students with a commerce background.

BBA is a 3-year undergraduate program that provides effective training in management education, communication skills, and entrepreneurship. 

During the 6 semesters, you will learn the concepts of sales, human resources, marketing, finance, business laws, marketing management, business management, etc.

The program has compulsory industrial visits, internships, interaction sessions with experts from the business industry that keep them updated with the ever-dynamic business world.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t study theory absolutely. Of course, yes. But rather than going for an over-stretched study of theory, BBA programs focus on the application of theory, outside a classroom.

Detailed syllabi (for both) are described in latter sections.

There are also different titles in use for this degree (BBA), such as BBM (Bachelor in Business Management)/ BMS (Bachelor in Management Science). These are the same degrees with different names and with similar curricula.

The names are chosen by the imparting institutes.

Top 18 BBA specializations in India:

1. Business Administration
2. International Business
3. Computer Application
4. Finance
5. Entrepreneurship
6. Hospitality
7. Human Resources
8. Information Systems
9. Global Business
10. Tourism
11. Human Resource Management
12. Marketing
13. Sports Management
14. Management
15. Hospital & Healthcare
16. Accounting
17. Supply Chain
18. Retail

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom): Introduction

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) is one of the most common educational choices for those with a commerce background.

BCom is a 3-year undergraduate program focusing on commerce and finance. Many colleges offer BCom as regular, part-time as well as distance education programs.

The curriculum consists of papers such as financial accounting, economics, company law, auditing, corporate tax, business management, etc.

Two types of BCom programs are available:

• BCom (General / Pass)
• BCom (Honors)

Unlike a BCom (Gen/Pass) student, BCom (Honours) students can opt for specialization in a particular subject such as accountancy or finance.

BCom (Gen/Pass) doesn’t offer specialization programs, though the eligibility criteria for both programs are the same.

There’s also a third: BCom LLB.

BCom LLB is actually a 5-year integrated law program offered by law schools in the country where you can choose subjects from both commerce and legislative law.

BCom LLB course includes subjects like Business Statistics, Auditing, Business Communication, Economics, etc.

We’d rather not include this third type within our present scope as it will complicate matters unnecessarily. You, as a Commerce student, would want to focus on BBA vs BCom (the first 2 types only).

BBA vs BCom: Course subjects in the curricula

Here in this section, we shall discuss the detailed syllabi in each case with lists of course subjects of the two undergraduate programs.

BCom course subjects: Basic Structure & Distribution of Courses as prescribed by UGC

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 1

• Environmental Studies
• Financial Accounting
• Business Organisation and Management
• English Language

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 2

• Language: English/Hindi/Modern Indian Language
• Business Law
• Business Mathematics and Statistics
• Hindi/ Modern Indian Language

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 3

• Company Law
• Income Tax Law and Practice
• Hindi/ Modern Indian Language
• Computer Applications in Business

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 4

• Business Communication (English/Hindi)
• Corporate Accounting
• Cost Accounting
• E-Commerce

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 5

• Entrepreneurship
• Principles of Micro Economics
• Any one the following:

a. Human Resource Management

b. Principles of Marketing

c. Auditing and Corporate Governance

• Any one of the following:

a. Fundamentals of Financial Management

b. Indirect Tax Law

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 6

• Personal Selling and Salesmanship
• Indian Economy
• Any one of the following Discipline-Specific Electives

a. Corporate Tax Planning

b. Banking and Insurance

c. Management Accounting

d. Computerized Accounting System

• Any one of the following Discipline-Specific Electives

a. International Business

b. Office Management and Secretarial Practice

c. Fundamentals of Investment

d. Consumer Protection

BBA course subjects: Basic Structure & Distribution of Courses as prescribed by UGC

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 1

• Marketing Principles and Management
• Business Accounting
• Micro Economics
• Principles and Practices of Management
• Fundamentals of Business Statistics
• Fundamentals of Business Mathematics
• Commercial Law
• General English
• Fundamentals of Computers
• Environmental Studies

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 2

• Cost and Management Accounting
• Business Communication
• Macro Economics
• Mercantile Law
• Mathematics for Management
• Statistics for Management
• Export Management and Procedure
• Organization Behavior
• Professional Competencies in IT

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 3

• Basic Accounting
• Marketing of Services
• Operation Research
• Business Environment
• Research Methodology
• Business Laws
• Banking & Insurance
• Human Resource Management
• Personality Development

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 4

• Consumer Behavior
• Company Regulation
• Managerial Economics
• Production and Operation Management
• Basic informatics for Management
• Financial Management
• Corporate Law
• Operation Research
• Indian Financial System
• Cost Accounting

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 5

• Event Management
• Organizational Behavior
• Rural Marketing
• Intellectual Property Rights and Industrial Laws
• Stock Market Operations
• Industrial Relations
• Business Research Methods
• Brand & Product Management
• Operations Management
• E-Commerce
• Environment Science and Human Rights

BBA vs BCom: SEMESTER 6 (+6 MONTHS OF COMPULSORY INTERNSHIP)

• Introduction to computer and Management information system
• Retail concept and strategies
• Environmental management
• Entrepreneurship
• Strategic Management
• Communication Skills and Personality development

BBA vs Bcom: Which is easy?

There is no such thing as difficulty. It all depends on your interests and aptitudes. Also, why would you go for the easy one anyway? Then you’re future bosses will also take it easy at the time of your appraisals!

• BBA involves practical applications and students may learn with the help of projects and case studies. In most cases, a single degree is not usually sufficient. Students mostly go for a post graduation.
• On the other hand, BCom focuses on the theoretical aspects more than the professional and real-world applications of the subjects. Similarly here too, a single degree is not usually sufficient. So, students often prefer to pursue higher studies like M.Com, MBA, CA, CS or CMA.

You cannot draw out a clear inference by comparing things that are more or less similar. Both are subsidiaries of commerce. However, one thing you can do is – find & figure out your aptitudes. That will tell you, which is easy and fittest for you.

What matters here is your potential. Depending on what aptitudes you carry, the answer to the question ‘BBA vs BCom which is easy?’ will vary. Also, we do not want to generalize things, and choose out of these two for you.

Clearly, your answer may differ from your friend’s and still be the right choice for you. These two domains have very similar opportunities when we talk about the imminent future in the industry.

Our Verdict: The best advice that we have really is –

You’re really going to have to decide on this one based on all the things we’ve discussed above and your level of comfort with the curricula. Your aptitudes will speak volumes here.

Both BBA and BCom open similar career prospects.

Both degrees, if pursued from a good college will fetch you great opportunities in the future. To determine your strengths (i.e. whether you really have a natural inclination towards numbers & analysis or to the other side), take an aptitude test with a professional test-administrator. Check conclusions for links.

Important thing to note here

Top choices for specializations

10 TOP SPECIALIZATIONS FOR BBA	5 TOP SPECIALIZATIONS FOR BCOM
Hospital and Healthcare Management	Economics
Sports Management	Law
Hospitality and Hotel Management	Accounts and Finance
Travel and Tourism Management	Marketing
International Business	Tourism and Travel Management
Integrated Marketing Communication
Event Management
Finance
Aviation Management
Communication and Media Management

BBA vs Bcom: Which is better for Banking?

If you ask this to a BCom or BBA student directly, she will find it hard to answer. Both programs are designed to equip students with a basic understanding of management, finance, and economics. In this case (for banking), what you opt for during graduation really doesn’t matter.

1. To get a job in a public sector bank, you have to appear for competitive exams such as IBPS PO, IBPS Clerk & Specialist Officers Exams, conducted by IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection).
   • For these, you will be eligible irrespective of whether you’ve done a BBA or BCom. Also, neither has an edge over the other in this case. So, the truth lies in the fact that, both stand at equal stead when we consider a candidate’s future in banking.
   • So regardless of your graduation degree (BBA vs BCom) you can coach & prepare for entrance exams and get into a good bank for a secured job.
2. Moreover, to get a job in private sector banks, consider completing courses specially designed for banking aspirants or take individual banking aptitude tests that each private bank conducts. Many private banks have started conducting paid courses which guarantees a job in their bank after completion.
   • You must mandatorily complete graduation for these paid courses by private banks. These invite applicants from various streams, so the fight of BBA vs BCom doesn’t really stand here too.

BBA vs BCom: Doesn’t really matter much in this case

Consider going for any of these Diploma/ Certificate courses to have an edge over the others, irrespective of whether you’ve just completed your BBA or BCom.

DIPLOMA:

• Diploma in Banking Laws
• Diploma in Banking Management
• Diploma in Home Loan Advising
• Diploma in Banking Services
• Diploma in Banking and Finance
• Diploma in Banking and Insurance
• Diploma in Banking and Insurance Management
• Advance Diploma in Urban Co-operative Banking
• Advanced Diploma Course in Banking Services
• Post Graduate Diploma in Bank Management
• Post Graduate Diploma in Banking
• Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Financial Management
• Post Graduate Diploma in Development and Investment Banking
• Post Graduate Diploma in Islamic Banking and Finance

CERTIFICATE COURSES:

• Certificate Course in Patent Searching & Drafting
• Certificate Course in Banking Management
• Certificate Course in Banking
• Post Graduate Certificate in Investment Banking

BBA vs BCom: Which is better for MBA?

Though you can pursue an MBA after a B. Com, a managerial MBA is better backed by a BBA background.

• BCom degree holders are free to enter management fields as well as extreme legal domains (better with BCom LLB) after post-graduation courses.

• But, the future prospects for a BBA student are limited and mainly restricted to MBA.

BBA vs BCom salary estimates: How much can you expect in each case?

Average entry level salary in case of a BCom graduate is around, Rs 1 lakhs per year to Rs 4 lakhs per year.

Average entry level salary in case of a BBA graduate is slightly higher around, Rs 2.5 lakhs per year to Rs 5 lakhs per year.

Harshest you can expect (common to both)

At entry-level you may earn around, Rs. 8,000 – Rs. 20,000 per month or more.

At the junior level with an experience of 2-8 years, you may earn around Rs. 12, 000 – Rs. 45,000 or more per month.

At the mid-level with an experience of 8-15 years, you may earn around Rs. 35,000 – Rs. 55,000 or more per month.

At the senior level with an experience of 15-20 years, you may earn around Rs. 65,000 – Rs. 1,50,000 or more per month.

Specific to Banking (common to both)

At the entry level, banks will hire you as a PO after graduation. The starting salaries will be Rs. 40,000 – 60,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 20,000-30,000 in private bank.

If you join in the management side after post-graduation, then you might start the career with Rs. 85,000 – 2,50,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 35,000 – 2,50,000 in Private banks. The higher salaries are for premier B-Schools’ postgraduates.

At the junior level after 3-8 years of experience, you will be earning anywhere between Rs. 80,000 – 90,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 40,000 – 300,000 in private bank.

At the middle level of 8-12 years of work experience, your earning will rise to Rs. 1,20,000-1,60,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 80,000- 400,000 per month in a private bank.

At the senior level after 15+ years of work experience, your earning will be between Rs. 1,80,000 to 2,20,000 per month in public bank and Rs. 1,50,000 to 12,00,000 per month or even more in private bank.

Specific to Management (higher for post graduates only)

The higher salaries can be expected by postgraduates of premier business schools. Range of salaries depends upon your qualifications, the size and type of the company you are working for, your work experience, and your work performance.

At junior level, with an experience of 2-8 years, you may earn around Rs. 15,000 – 4,00,000 or more per month.

At mid-Level, with an experience of 9-15 years, you may earn around Rs. 30,000 – 7,00,000 or more per month.

At senior level, with an experience of 16+ years, you may earn around Rs.50,000 – 10,00,000 or more per month.

In senior leadership roles in large organizations you may get much more. For example, the CFO of a Tata Group Company such as Tata Steel or Tata Motors could earn around 6 crore – 8 crore or even more per annum in terms of salaries, bonuses, incentives, and other benefits. Obviously, this would require much more than a mere graduation.

BBA vs BCom: Both offer job opportunities in –

• Multinational Companies
• Financial Organizations
• Banking sector
• Business Houses
• Educational Institutes
• Marketing Organizations
• Business Consultancies
• Export Companies
• Industrial Houses
• IT-ITES sector
• Finance / Human Resource Departments of enterprises
• Advertising / Media houses or firms
• Treasury / Foreign Exchange Department
• Hospitality Industry
• Manufacturing Industry
• Law
• Foreign Trade
• FMCG
• Consumer Durables

BBA vs BCom: You may find job roles in –

• Asset/ Risk Management
• Corporate Finance
• Fund Management
• Investment Banking
• Trading
• Insurance
• Retailing
• Sales
• Consumer Affairs
• Cash Handling / Teller Departments
• Client Management
• Corporate Compliance
• Marketing & Advertising
• Security & Fraud Auditory Processes

and many more..

BBA vs BCom: Final Thoughts & Conclusions

Now is the conflict of BBA vs BCom put to rest in your head?

I hope our illustrated analyses have widened your perspectives and have powered up your insights. We’ve discussed key elements about BBA vs BCom which is easy, comparative studies, the various course subjects in each case (UGC prescribed), which is better for banking, which is better for MBA as well as salary ranges you can expect after your graduation in any of these.

A good geared-up career is not based on your field of study, rather how much effort you put in.

Make sure that you invest time, effort and thought before taking any life-changing decision.

While BBA equips students with the necessary skills to thrive in the management field, BCom instills an in-depth understanding of commerce and related concepts.

The choice depends on your goals and aspirations. However, remember, understanding the intricacies of any career is not child’s play. It requires experiential assessment of your competencies (skills, abilities, knowledge & a lot more). So, career planning is an indispensable tool of your life and we can certainly help you with that. We are the leading test-administrator in career design. Plan now!

Must Check These

Resources as suggested by UGC:

• Competition Commission of India – Landing page (official portal)
• Department of Consumer Affairs – eBooks
• Bank of International Settlements – eBooks
• National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
• Legal Metrology
• Annual Reports – Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India
• Case Studies – Consumer VOICE

Further help for your doubts:

• Career in Accounting
• BBA as a Lucrative Career Option
• Become an Entrepreneur
• To do or not: MBA
• Online MBA: All about it
• How to crack MBA entrance exams?
• Career in Microfinance
• Career in Banking
• Career in Market Research
• Career in Equity Research
• Career in Insurance
• Career in Portfolio Management
• All courses without Maths