BBA vs BA: Which One Should You Choose?

By Bhavya Thakkar
25 July 2022

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Considering the present conditions of the job market, both of the courses provide ample employment opportunities to students. This makes it tough for students to make a choice between BBA and a BA. That is why this article discusses BA vs BBA difference in detail so that it becomes easier for aspiring students to make an informed decision and propel their careers in the right direction.

Overview

Before going into the details of BBA degree vs BA degree, let us quickly go through the basics of each course. The Bachelor of Arts or BA is an undergraduate degree offered by several leading Universities across India in the domain of arts and humanities. It is a three-year programme offered in subjects such as English literature, political science, economics, history, and sociology, to name a few. The BA degree has an interdisciplinary approach which offers insight into various overlapping disciplines in the discourse of humanities.

On the other hand, the Bachelor in Business Administration or BBA is a three-year programme in commerce and business administration offered by leading business schools. It is focused on building business management acumen and imparting market and commercial knowledge among the students. BBA offers scope for specialisation in fields like finance, marketing, operations, supply chain and logistics, and human resource management, This course also makes the students ready for real-world industry jobs. While the BA course is more academically inclined, BBA is a professional degree programme. After a BBA degree, you can work as an Accounts Manager, Business Development Associate, Banker, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria of all the major undergraduate programmes in India are more or less similar. However, let's go through the subtle differences in the admission requirements for students applying for BA and BBA degrees.

To apply for a Bachelor of Arts degree a student must acquire a minimum of 40-50% in their 12th board examinations. However, the most prestigious institutions in India offering a BA course like Christ University or Delhi University demand a higher cutoff percentage which is usually above 90%. Candidates from reserved categories or persons with disabilities receive a relaxation of 5% as dictated by government regulations.

The eligibility criteria for BBA admission entail securing a minimum of 45-60% in 10+2 board examinations depending upon the institutions offering the degree. It is compulsory for students to have the subject of English and Mathematics in their 12th-grade syllabus. Students from Arts, Science, and Commerce streams can apply for BBA courses as well. The cut-off for the different streams may vary from one B-school to the other.

Average Course Fees

The average course fees for BA and BBA courses differ on the basis of the specialization chosen and the institutions offering the courses. Several colleges in India offer admission into both BA courses and BBA programmes. The average course fees for admission into BA courses range from INR 1,000- INR 5000 per semester at public institutions and state-subsidized Universities, while it can be much higher for top-end private colleges where it can range between 25000-65,000 per semester.

On the other hand, the average course fees for BBA courses range from INR 50000 to 100000 per annum at public B-schools and around 2-5 lakhs per annum at leading private colleges.

Specialisations offered

There are multiple opportunities for specialisation in both BA and BBA courses. While a BA degree offers specialisations in disciplines of arts and humanities, the specialization domains in a BBA course pertain to commercial studies and business administration.

A BA degree offers opportunities to specialise in streams such as English literature, Sociology, Economics, Political Sciences, History, Psychology, Geography, Linguistics, and Philosophy, to name a few. Most of these BA courses are inter-disciplinary in nature and offer the students a holistic and in-depth knowledge of the relevant social science fields in academia today.

Some of the significant specialisation domains in the top Business schools in India cover areas of expertise such as Marketing, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Logistics, Banking, Accounting, Human Resources Management and Business Analytics, among others. Besides, newer specialisations are coming up each passing week to meet the needs of the specialised industries such as a BBA in Aviation Management, BBA in eCommerce, BBA in Hospital Management, et al.

BBA vs BA: Advantages of pursuing the Course

There are a plethora of advantages to pursuing both the BBA and the BA degrees. A few of the major ones have been discussed in the paragraphs below:

Advantages of BA

BA is a degree which is suitable for a wide range of jobs and career opportunities. BA students develop critical thinking and qualitative skills and learn research methodologies which are required in the modern workplace. There are plenty of professional roles to pursue in each of the arts and humanities disciplines. These include the roles of public policy associates, archaeologists, historians, research associates, political or economic analysts, writers, etc. The other advantage of a BA degree includes theoretical knowledge and the multi-disciplinary nature of the courses.

Advantages of BBA

BBA is a professional degree programme with a 3-year course in commerce and business management. It teaches the students about the key industry practices and market trends. It also offers the BBA aspirants specialization opportunities in several domains of business such as marketing, finance, human resource management, banking and accounts, and business analytics, to name a few. This course is a stepping stone towards a corporate career or for aspirants who want to elevate their roles with an MBA in the long term.

BBA vs BA: Job opportunities

Students have the freedom to choose their subject of specialization in both BA and BBA degrees which give them autonomy over their careers. The most prominent professional roles available after a BBA degree include Operations Associate, Human Resources Manager, Executive Assistant, Marketing Executive, Business Development Associate, Corporate Accountant, and Accounts Manager, among others.

For a BA graduate, the specialisation dictates the type of job one can get as well. The most common placement opportunities include the roles of a research associate, social analyst, political analyst, and economic analyst, among others. There is also a way to leverage a BA degree, to further pursue an MA and finally, a PhD in the relevant field. This opens the doors to becoming a full-time academician, scholar or professor.

Average Salary

The average salary of BA and BBA graduates majorly depends on their specialisations, institute of graduation, and domain knowledge. The average salaries for some major career roles after BA are:

Political Analyst: INR 3-6 LPA
Content Writer: INR 3-6 LPA
Research Associate: INR 2-4 LPA
Senior Research Associate: INR 4-8 LPA

Some of the average salaries for the various jobs after a BBA degree are:

Marketing Executive: INR 3-6 LPA
Operations Executive: INR 3-6 LPA
Financial Analyst: INR 4-7 LPA
Business Development Associate: INR 3-8 LPA

Top Colleges of India

The premier institutions in India offering BA degrees are as follows:

Delhi University
Jadavpur University Kolkata
Loyola College Chennai
St. Xavier's College Mumbai
Presidency University Kolkata

The best institutions offering a BBA degree to students in India include:

Symbiosis International University Pune
St. Xavier's College Kolkata
Christ University Bengaluru
Deen Dayal Upadhyay College Delhi
Keshav Mahavidyalaya Delhi

Which one to choose?

In the battle of ba vs bba degrees, there is no clear winner. Both come with their innate advantages, specialisations and approaches to education. There is comprehensive learning in the 3-years of the courses, training with the industry, inter-disciplinary modules and career prospects post successful completion of the courses.

If students wish to pursue managerial positions and venture into the corporate world it is advisable to go for a BBA programme. The BA course is more theory-based and academic-oriented. While there are several benefits of pursuing both BA and BBA, students should carefully consider their aptitude and career preferences before applying to either of these degree courses. For more accurate information on both these degree programmes and to consult with a leading mentor in the field, visit the official Sunstone website today.

About Sunstone

Sunstone is a leading higher education services provider that works with academic institutions in upskilling students for employability. Sunstone offers career-oriented training interventions for undergraduate and postgraduate students at 40+ institutions across 30+ cities.

Sunstone’s training programs are industry-endorsed to enhance employability. These programs are designed for hybrid delivery with an unparalleled focus on soft skills and personality development. Sunstone’s focus is to provide students with a holistic educational experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BBA better than BA?

If you want to pursue a career in business administration, management or commerce then BBA is a better choice than BA. Else, it is best to perform a cost benefit analysis or consult an expert for direction.

Which is easy, BBA or BA?

There is no one correct answer to this question. Both the courses have easy portions and cumbersome subjects. However, if you have a mathematical or technical background, you may find the BBA course easier. The BA course is suitable for students with theoretical prowess.

What is the difference between BBA and BA?

In short, BBA is a 3-year undergraduate programme in business, commerce and management while BA is a 3-year undergraduate programme specialising in various social science streams.