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BBA vs BCom: Which Is Better Career Option After 12th

Author : Akash Kumar Singh

July 9, 2024

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Overview: Explore the BBA vs BCom debate to find the right degree for your commerce and management career goals. Our guide offers detailed comparisons and insights into career pathways for students from all backgrounds.

Selecting the right course after 12th commerce can significantly impact your career. BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) and BCom (Bachelor of Commerce) are popular choices for those interested in management careers.

This article compares the two, discussing career paths and key factors to consider, helping you make an informed decision based on your interests.

BBA VS Bcom - Primary Difference

There is a wide variety of courses and career choices open to students wishing to pursue their career in Management. However, BBA and BCom are among the top super career options that you can go for after the 12th.

Both BBA and Bcom are 3 year degree program which grants admission through entrance exams or directly based on merit.

Basis BCom BBA
Objective Focuses on theoretical aspects of Accountancy, Finance, Economics, etc. Prepares for management roles with skills in operations, marketing, and management.
Fee INR 20,000 to 1 lakh (Full Course) INR 1 lakh to 3 lakh (Full Course)
Difficulty Easy Moderate
Salary Offered INR 10,000 - 15,000 per month INR 20,000 - 35,000 per month

BBA VS Bcom - Eligibility Criteria

While the eligibility criteria vary from college to college, we have outlined some basic eligibility that most of the colleges have.

Basis Bcom BBA
Eligibility Candidates need an aggregate of 60% or more in English/Hindi and a combination of three best among the following subjects: Mathematics, Accountancy, Economics, and Business Studies/ Commerce Candidates need an aggregate of 60% or more in English/Hindi and a combination of three other subjects. Apart from commerce, other stream students are also eligible to apply.
Age There is no age bar The age should be between 17 to 25 years.

BBA VS Bcom - Admission Procedure

Basis Bcom BBA
Admission Procedure SRCC primarily admits students based on their performance in Class 12th board exams. They may also consider performance in interviews or group discussions if implemented. SSCBS generally requires candidates to clear the Joint Admission Test (JAT) conducted by Delhi University, followed by a personal interview and group discussion for final selection.

BBA VS Bcom - Subjects

The course structure of BBA and BCom is very similar. However, BCom emphasizes the academic parts of the topics rather than the professional and real-world applications.

BBA, on the other hand, involves practical applications, and students can learn through projects and case studies. To help students understand the curriculum, we have listed the important subjects of both BBA and BCom from SRCC and SSCBS.

Basis Bcom BBA
Subjects
  • Financial Accounting
  • Business Organization and Management
  • Macroeconomics
  • Corporate Laws
  • Taxation
  • Auditing
  • Cost Accounting
  • Financial Markets and Institutions

  • Financial Accounting
  • Business Economics
  • Quantitative Techniques for Management
  • Corporate Investment and Tax Planning
  • Financial Management
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Marketing Management
  • Operations Management

BBA Vs BCom - Top Colleges

Listed below are the top BBA and BCom colleges in India based on the NIRF Ranking:

Rank BCom Colleges BBA Colleges
1 Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) (University of Delhi) Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (SSCBS)
2 Hindu College NMIMS Anil Surendra Modi School of Commerce, Mumbai
3 Hansraj College Christ University
4 Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) Loyola College
5 Kirori Mal College Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
6 Loyola College (Autonomous) Mount Carmel College
7 SVKM's Narsee Monjee College of Commerce and Economics Madras Christian University
8 Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College (ARSD) Maharaja Surajmal Institute
9 Ramjas College CMS Bangalore
10 Madras Christian College (Autonomous) SRM Institute Kattankulathur

BBA vs BCom - Job Prospects

The primary distinction between BBA and BCom is in the employment opportunities provided by each course. While a BBA can lead to a well-established management job, BCom can lead to a broader range of career alternatives such as CA, CS, etc.

Students obtaining a BBA degree can find rewarding managerial positions in the following fields:

Basis Bcom BBA
Industries 
  • Banking
  • Consultancy
  • Finance
  • FMCG and Consumer Durable companies
  • IT companies
  • Advertising agencies
  • Banks
  • Consultancy firms
  • Tax Practitioner
  • Junior Accountant
  • Finance Sector

BBA vs BCom - Higher Studies

BBA

Students obtaining a BBA can advance their careers by pursuing an MBA or a Post Graduate Diploma in Management.

A key benefit of a BBA graduate taking an MBA is that they will be studying things they are already familiar with, although in greater depth.

To be eligible for an MBA program, students can take various management entrance exams in India, such as the CAT, XAT, and others, or they can pursue an International MBA bypassing the GMAT exam.

  • Students can choose between two types of MBA programs: generalized MBA and specialized MBA.
  • Accounting, Financial Management, Funds Management, Marketing Strategies, Operations Management, Human Resource Management, and other disciplines are typically covered in a generalized MBA curriculum.
  • Specialized MBA - It entails the study of essential management principles, similar to the Generalized MBA course, but with a concentration on a core subject. 
  • After completing their BBA, students can enroll in courses in other fields such as BBA LLB, CFA, Marketing courses, Certification Programs, Human Resource courses, and so on.

BCom

After graduation, BCom students can pursue an MCom degree. MCom courses cover disciplines such as business administration, accounting, and economics in greater depth.

There are also other lucrative alternatives for further education, some of them are-

  • Chartered Accountant(CA)

it is a title granted to an accounting professional who has earned certification from a statutory authority that he/she is eligible to take care of business accounting and taxation issues, such as file tax returns, audit financial statements, and operating practices, maintaining investment records, preparing and updating financial reports and documents. 

  • It is a highly coveted career path with lucrative earning potential.
  • One can pursue this course without mathematics but having a math background is beneficial.
  • Cost Management Accounting 

The CMA course will be a perfect option for someone who dreams of making it big in the accounting industry. In recent years, the program has become a common option amongst Commerce students or those wanting to join the business field.

CMA officers are responsible for budgeting, cost management, performance evaluation, and asset management within a company or organization. The CMA is a certification provided by the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI).

CMAs may hold top management positions in public and private sectors’ enterprises like Chairman cum Managing Directors, CFO and other important positions.

Note: Unlike fields in STEM, any of the commerce undergraduate degrees make you eligible for almost all of the higher degree courses, for example, you can do an MBA after B.Com as well and can pursue CA/CS/CMA after BBA.

The above information and suggestions are on the basis of what undergraduate degree is more helpful in nature to pursue which higher studies. i.e., a B.Com is better suited for someone who wants to do CA.

ipmat results

ipmat results

BBA vs BCom - Career Prospects

Choosing management as a career after the 12th will offer you the most exciting and rewarding career options.

BBA

After post-graduation, a BBA student can enter the management profession or the corporate workforce to undertake the following tasks in a firm. All career routes following an MBA can lead to well-paying jobs in reputable firms.

  • HR Manager - A Human Resource Manager's work in a firm is critical since he or she will be tasked with recruiting efficient staff and looking after employee interests. The Human Resource Manager can contribute to the organization's growth and increase worker efficiency.
  • Consultancy- It is generally offered to MBA students, but BBA graduates are also hired at entry-level positions. 
  • Operations Team Leader - The Operations Team Leader is in charge of the organization's customer services as well as the upkeep of the company's assets and resources.
  • Project Manager - The Project Manager oversees the work of the staff and reports to higher authorities on the development of the organization's initiatives.
  • Government Jobs- BBA students can also appear for government exams and enter the most secure jobs of the industry.
  • Business Development Executive – A Business Development Executive is responsible for studying market trends and preparing strategies to help the business grow.

BCom

After completing the necessary postgraduate courses, a BCom graduate can enter the following professions.

  • Chartered Accountant - A Chartered Accountant is in charge of maintaining an organization's accounts, auditing taxes, and offering financial advice to the firm. It is a highly paid and highly regarded position in any organization.
  • Cost Accountant - The duty of a Cost Accountant is to plan the firm's annual budget. It is also a highly sought-after job route that can lead to a prosperous career.
  • Cost and Management Accountants (CMA) - The job of a CMA entails developing plans for the company's growth and profit improvement.
  • Financial Manager– A Financial Manager is in charge of the company's financial resources and ensuring that they are used properly. They are also accountable for the company's profits and losses.

Both BBA and BCom degrees can assist students to access lucrative careers. However, having simply a Bachelor's degree does not ensure a well-paying job.

Students must take post-graduate or specialized studies in order to begin a successful profession.

After completing their undergraduate education, students with a BCom or BBA degree can also sit for government tests where their field of study does not influence their professional route.

How to Choose between BBA and BCom?

Consider your personality, professional ambitions, and future plans as you develop your career path in BBA or BCom. Use the factors mentioned below to find the perfect career choice which aligns with your interests.

Career objectives

Begin by evaluating and answering a few key questions. This will assist you in narrowing your options and in making informed decisions, such as 

  • What are my career goals?
  • What are my guiding principles?
  • What subjects interest me?
  • Is management or technical position appealing to me?

The answers to the preceding questions will assist you in developing a more solid career path. You should also examine your career goals to ensure they are still aligned with your preferences and remain attainable.

If you are aligned towards Finance, economics, Accountancy opt for BCom, and If you are aligned towards managerial and operational skills opt for BBA.

Desired Salary

While it is far-fetched to determine what career path will lead to how much salary, you can still estimate through the average salary packages of the college you aim for.

It is also not advised to make decisions only on the basis of prospective earnings in the future, as interest and fulfillment are more important for a successful career, but nevertheless it could very well be one of the important factor for you while making career decisions.

Skillset

Prepare a detailed list of your expertise areas, certifications, and current skills. Get feedback and opinions about your people management, interpersonal, and technical skills. Use this analysis to find a career that matches your strengths.

Sometimes, it is hard to determine the skills needed in the career in the future and if you have those skills, so an easier approach could be to look at your 12th Standard scores i.e, if you have performed exceptionally well in accounts subject, you could look at B.Com and then CA/CMA.

Career Plans

After you've narrowed down your options, you can set appropriate professional milestones. Find out where other professionals in your sector stand five and ten years into their careers.

Take note of their work titles and consider what advancements and jobs you want to pursue in the future. Following that, you must conduct research to determine how to fulfill those goals. 

Making a career choice is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make in your life, and thus, you need to give ample time to think and do in-depth research in the careers you want to advance in.

If you plan to make a career in the management domain, you can also consider IPM courses offered by top IIMs.

Key Takeaways:

  • Course Objectives: BBA focuses on management roles, while BCom emphasizes theoretical knowledge in finance and accounting.
  • Eligibility and Admission: Both require 60% in relevant subjects, but BBA accepts all streams and often involves entrance exams.
  • Course Structure: BBA includes practical projects, whereas BCom focuses on academic learning and professional certifications.
  • Career Prospects: BBA graduates have higher starting salaries and managerial roles, while BCom offers diverse finance-related careers.
  • Choosing the Right Degree: Consider career goals, skills, and interests; BBA for management and BCom for finance and accountancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BCom Better than BBA?

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What are the job opportunities after BBA and BCom?

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What are the Career Prospects after BBA?

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What are the opportunities of higher education after BCom?

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