Compare University
BBA vs BCom? Experts explain the differences between the two.
Jan 28, 2025
97 Views

BBA vs BCom? Experts explain the differences between the two.

Selecting the perfect undergraduate program is a crucial choice so one can substantially have an impact on your destiny professional route. If you are one among those students who have just completed or passed your intermediate or 12th board exams and are willing to pursue your further studies but are confused about the courses to continue with. However, this is not a new thing, but very common as both the courses are very popular and most sought-after among the student community around the globe. BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) and BCom (Bachelor of Commerce) are the most popular guides in control and trade. Although both colleges cater to one-of-a-kind talent sets and objectives, they offer capability job options.

To clear the confusion, we have written this comprehensive article that will assist you in making an informed preference. We can take a look at the important distinctions between the BBA and BCom programs, as well as their breadth and potential career paths.

What is the BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) Program?

The Bachelor of Business Administration, or BBA, is a professional undergraduate degree intended for people who are interested in pursuing professions in leadership, administration, and business management. The curriculum prepares students for the fast-paced corporate world by combining academic knowledge with real-world business skills. The duration of the program spans 3 years which is further organized into 6 semesters with an equal duration of 6 months each. However, several countries offer a 4 year BBA program. The comprehensive curriculum of the program encompasses several core subjects with the required skills to manage business operations and sets the benchmark for further studies in an MBA Program.

Course Overview: BBA

Key Features

Details

Course

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Course Level

Undergraduate level

Duration

3 years (6 Semesters)

Recognitions and Approvals

AICTE, UGC, DEB, and NAAC(A+

Eligibility Criteria

Intermediate (10+2) graduates from any recognized board of education with at least 50% to 60% aggregate marks.

BBA Entrance Exams

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

BBA Selection Process

Entrance-based and merit-based

Average Tuition Fee

INR 30,000* to INR 50,000*

Career prospects

  • Business Analyst
  • Financial Analyst
  • Marketing Manager
  • HR Manager
  • Operation Manager
  • Sales Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Entrepreneur
  • Project Manager
  • Business Development Executive, and more

Top Recruiters

  • Amazon
  • Google
  • Deloitte
  • Accenture
  • Microsoft
  • IBM
  • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
  • Infosys
  • Ernst & Young (EY)
  • PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)

What is the Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) Program?

The Bachelor of Commerce which is often referred to as the BCom Program is a professional undergraduate educational journey specializing in the domain of commerce, finance and banking. Candidates willing to upgrade their skills in the field of commerce should have cleared their intermediate (10+2) qualification with commerce steam from any recognized board of education. The comprehensive curriculum of the program encompasses several core subjects including economics, taxation, business law, accounting, and other core subjects with the required skills to oversee commerce and banking operations and laying the foundation for advanced studies in the domain with an MCom program. 

An Overview: Online BCom Program

Course Name

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)

Course Level

Undergraduate (UG)

Course Duration

3 Years (6 Semesters)

Eligibility Criteria

Intermediate (10+2) graduates with a commerce stream from any recognized board of education.

Approvals and Recognitions

AICTE, UGC, and DEB, NAAC, NIRF

Entrance Exams

DU JAT, IPU CET, CUET, SET, UGAT, NPAT

BCom Selection Process

Entrance-based and merit-based

BCom Program Specializations

  • General
  • Auditing
  • Accounting and Finance
  • Banking and Finance
  • Stock Markets
  • Law
  • Business Analytics
  • International Business
  • International Finance
  • E-commerce
  • Marketing
  • Banking and Insurance
  • Behavioral Finance

Course Fees

INR 30,000 to INR 1,50,000/ year

Career Opportunities

  • Auditors
  • Business Operations Manager
  • Chief Financial Officer
  • Budget Analysts
  • Certified Public Accountant
  • Investment Banker
  • Corporate Banker
  • Chartered Management Accountant
  • Business Consultants, and More.

Key Differences: BBA vs BCom

Type

BBA

BCom

Type of Course

Professional

Foundational

Education

Managerial

Financial

Teaching Methodology

Theoretical and Practical

Theoretical 

APT for

Students Interested in Entrepreneurial Skills

Students Interested in Financial Analysis

Career Opportunities

HR, Sales, Finance, Marketing, Operations, and More.

Accounting, Auditing, Analysis, and More.

Comprehensive Syllabus (BBA vs BCom)

The comprehensive syllabus of both the BBA and BCom courses has several similar elements. However, the teaching methodology plays an important role in differentiating between both courses. Several core topics in both courses are mentioned in the tabular format:

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

Undergraduate courses lay the foundation for the postgraduate program or a worthy career opportunity. Candidates who make a poor choice while evaluating BBA or BCom may end up on a different academic or professional path than they had anticipated. The academic scope of BBA and BCom degree courses is mentioned in the area below:

BBA Scope for Higher Education

Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) emphasizes the path of an MBA degree program. Aside from an MBA, some postgraduate academic pathways include the following:

  • Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM)
  • Bachelor of Law (LLB)
  • PG Diploma in Banking
  • Master of Management Studies (MMS)
  • Master of Finance Management
  • Master of Commerce (MCom)

BCom Scope for Higher Education

The BCom course serves as the prerequisite for the MCom degree program. The following are some more postgraduate academic options available to someone with a BCom degree, though:

  • Chartered Accountancy
  • Company Secretary
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Actuarial Science Course
  • Cost and Management Accounting (CMA)
  • Academic opportunities in Finance and Accounting, and More.

BBA vs BCom: Career Opportunities

There are entry-level positions available in the banking, insurance, and finance industries for both BCom and BBA graduates. Additionally, BBA graduates can obtain employment in professional domains such as human resource management, event management, hotel management, etc. Unlike BBA, which offers professional work alternatives specific to a given field, BCom will offer job options that are not determined by the school.

Top firms that hire both BBA and BCom graduates for entry-level roles include KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, Accenture, Morgan Stanley, and BCG, among others.

BCom vs BBA Salary

Along with the conventional work alternatives, the table below details the compensation paid to BCom graduates:

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

BBA Jobs

BCom 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

Factors Affecting the Choice: BBA vs BCom

Various aspects can influence the decision of a BCom or BBA program after the intermediate (10+2) qualification. A few of them are mentioned below:

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

The aforementioned factors must be taken into account when students select a course that meets their selection criteria. Candidates choosing between a BCom and a BBA must take their goals and strengths into account. If they wish to work in a position that requires fieldwork, professional experience, entrepreneurial abilities, etc., they must enrol in a BBA degree program. However, if the person wants to evaluate an organization's performance based on its financial decisions or past performance, a BCom degree is necessary.

Candidates should also consider their goals and strengths, as well as the current and expected work opportunities after the course. Pursuing a degree program is largely pointless if future work prospects are deteriorating.

Market Demand and Trends

BBA Market Trends

The demand for Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) graduates is increasing with the rise of entrepreneurship and multinational corporations (MNCs). Industries like healthcare, IT, and e-commerce offer remunerative career opportunities for professionals in the management domain.

BCom Market Trends

Leading organizations across industries are always in search of skilled Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) graduates including finance, and insurance. Furthermore, the advent of data analytics and fintech opens doors to an ocean of career opportunities globally for commerce professionals.

Conclusion

Selecting a course between BBA and BCom depends on the career aspirations, interests, and skills of a candidate. If they are aligned towards leadership and management roles, a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) help candidates to equip themselves with advanced tools and techniques to dominate in a dynamic business environment. On the other hand, if you are someone who is drawn to economics, accounting, and finance, a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree offers a solid start in the finance and commerce domain.

However, we suggest candidates take some time to assess their strengths and weaknesses along with long-term objectives. Both BBA and BCom degree programs are pathways to promising career options, but accommodating their choice with their interests will ensure life-long success in their professional journey.

The BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) concentrates on business management and administration, specializing in leadership and management, marketing, and operations. The BCom (Bachelor of Commerce) focuses on accounting, economics, and taxation, delivering a comprehensive understanding and trade principles.

Graduates of both the (BCom and BBA) programs are allowed to pursue an MBA Program. However, a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program delivers an advanced and stronger foundation in management-related subjects, enabling students to with seamless experience throughout the MBA educational journey.

Indeed, a more natural option for those who want to become chartered accountants (CAs) is to pursue a BCom degree, which covers accounting, taxation, and auditing.

Eligibility criteria for both the program varies according to university or educational institute offering the programs. However, common eligibility criteria are mentioned below:

  • Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)
    • 50% of aggregate marks in intermediate (10+2) qualification with any stream.
    • Intermediate qualification should be from any recognized board of education.
    • Various institutes may also conduct entrance examinations.
  • Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)
    • Studied 10+2 with commerce stream.
    • 50% of aggregate marks in 10+2 qualification from any recognized board of education.
    • Various colleges accept candidates from other streams too.

Career Finder

(Career Suitability Test)

Explore and Find out your Most Suitable Career Path. Get Started with our Career Finder Tool Now!

Get Started