BBA vs BCOM - Which Should You Opt For?

Understanding B.Com vs BBA is the first step to making a wise career decision.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree is for students wanting to work in the management sector. The three-year BBA programme provides a solid foundation for every aspect of business. It includes practical skills that help build an entrepreneurial frame of mind.

The Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) is also a three-year honours degree. Graduates can choose financial, accounting, and administrative posts across industries. It is also a stepping stone for degrees like MBA, PGDM, and more.

Read on to know the difference between B.Com vs BBA and make an informed choice.

Reasons to Pursue: bba vs bcom

BBA

1. Professional degree

BBA is a complete professional degree that teaches business, management, and more. After receiving a BBA degree, a master’s degree is no longer essential. One can learn everything one need to know on the job.

2. Better salary scale

The ultimate goal is a good salary and work-life balance. One can pursue managerial and administrative careers with high pay, quick promotions, etc. with a BBA. If the confusion is between BBA vs B.Com salary, BBA degrees generally lead to attractive pay packages.

3. Networking opportunities

BBA students have a great cross-country network due to their seniors. This is because many BBA graduates start working in the corporate field right after their degrees. Hence, they can help their peers and classmates with various career advancement opportunities.

4. Affordable

BBAs are comparatively less expensive than MBAs and other similar programs in most Indian colleges. So, they promise a great return on investment.

B.Com

1. Versatile job prospects

After B.Com, students have a wide range of job options to consider. It allows students to explore many fields without limiting the scope of growth.

2. Thriving employment

Every firm needs a capable accountant or commerce specialist for a thriving business. B.Com graduates are important for managing finances and handling accounts in firms.

3. High salary

Commerce graduates make substantial money. Candidates with a few years of experience could make an excellent salary. The monthly pay for new hires may vary from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000, depending on the organization.

4. Career advancement

B.Com graduates are often selected for promotion within their company. This also depends on their dedication, endurance, self-control, leadership, and teamwork.

Major Differences: bba vs bcom

Which is better? Here’s a quick rundown of the major differences between B.Com and BBA:

Factor	BBA	B.Com
Nature of course	Professional course	Foundational course
Type	Focuses on managerial and business aspects	Focuses on financial and accounting aspects
Methodology	A confluence of theoretical and practical training	Includes purely theoretical training
Skills	Focuses on developing leadership and entrepreneurial skills	Focuses on developing financial and monetary skills
Field Opportunities	Marketing, HR, Aviation, Operations, Government	Analysis, Accounting, Auditing

Subjects: bba vs bcom

Let’s look at the subjects to make a better decision about BBA or B.Com:

BBA Subjects	B.Com Subjects
Principles of Management	Financial Accounting
Business Mathematics and Statistics	A business firm and Management
Introduction to Operations Research	Business Mathematics and Statistics
Business Economics	Business Laws
Financial and Management Accounting	Corporate Accounting
Production and 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

Scope: bba vs bcom

After BBA

Learning the scope of BBA will help one make a wise choice:

1. MBA

MBA (Master of Business Administration) is among the world’s most well-known professional degrees. It continues to be the favourite amongst BBA graduates. This intensive programme focuses on management and business skills development.

Students can study full or part-time while selecting from various MBA options. These include executive MBA programmes, global MBAs, distance learning MBAs, etc.

These prepare students for leadership roles in finance, marketing, HR, etc., based on the specialization. It also helps them guide big and small businesses towards success.

2. PGDM

The Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) is an intensive two-year diploma programme. It gives students the chief abilities needed in managerial positions across various industries. It is one of the most pursued courses by BBA graduates.

PGDM imparts management and leadership abilities. It also equips students with other crucial job skills. It mainly focuses on business, teamwork, and leadership.

BBA graduates can choose from several online and full-time PGDM courses.

3. Data Scientist

One of the more unconventional courses after PGDM is data science. This is most likely due to the boom in the IT space.

Data scientists take unstructured raw data and draw logical conclusions using structured processes. They are critical to firms. This is because they help in planning better and making well-informed decisions. The role involves learning tools like MS Excel and similar applications.

Data science students can become data scientists, data science analysts, business analysts, etc.

4. Bachelor of Law

Doing a 3-year law degree after a BBA degree is a great career option. Such candidates can work as legal associates in corporate and large business firms.

5. Digital Marketing

Today, every business is looking to invest in digital marketing. So, it is another great post-BBA option. The course curriculum includes copywriting, graphic designing, Google Ads, and social media marketing. It is one of the upcoming courses that has recently gained much popularity.

Job roles include digital marketer, copywriter, website developer, social media marketer, etc.

Related: Best Career Options for BBA Graduates

After B.Com

1. M.Com

Master in Commerce (M.Com) is one of the most popular courses after B.Com. The course comprehensively covers topics like:

• Accounting
• Taxation
• Business studies
• Statistics
• Economics
• Finance
• International business, etc.

Students can also specialize in business-related courses like finance, accounting, and economics. Other specializations include taxation, business studies, marketing, management, and statistics.

2. Chartered Accountancy

Chartered accounting is one of the most in-demand careers for commerce programme graduates. It involves accounting, auditing, taxation, and financial assessment for a person or company.

A chartered accountant (CA) manages an firm’s finances. This includes filing tax returns and auditing financial statements and business procedures. It also involves tracking investments and generating and analysing financial reports and records. Customer services and consulting are some of the other primary job roles.

Also Read: Salary of a Chartered Accountant in India

3. Company Secretary

After B.Com, being a company secretary (CS) is a well-liked job path that requires an accredited degree. A company secretary handles tax returns, legal compliances, and statutory requirements.

A CS also manages records, counsels the directors’ board, and ensures that the company conforms.

4. Financial Risk Management

Financial risk managers can get certified by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP). This is an internationally recognized designation in the financial markets.

The course offers training for accounting firms, insurance businesses, asset management, and risk assessment.

5. Certified Investment Banking

CIB is a well-known global certificate taken by many bankers. It covers B&F sub-sections such as financial statement analysis, CDF, IPO, listing, and fundraising.

Other roles include leverage buyouts, transactions analysis of company valuation, mergers and acquisitions, etc.

Related: Career after BCom: Jobs, Courses, Scope and Salary

Jobs: bba vs bcom

B.Com or BBA graduates can find entry-level jobs in banking, insurance, and finance. Hotel management, event planning, human resource management, etc., also take in BBA graduates.

But one must acknowledge the difference between BBA and B.Com.

BBA gives professional career alternatives exclusive to an industry. Whereas, B.Com will deliver work options not defined by schooling. Check out the best career options after BBA here for a more detailed account.

BBA

Entrepreneurship

Graduates have several employment opportunities after a BBA in Entrepreneurship. These include Assistant Manager, Business Consultant, Business Reporter, System Manager, Finance Controller, etc.

The BBA in Entrepreneurship has a vast course of content. The typical salary scale is between 5 and 10 LPA.

Marketing Manager

A marketing manager works with product managers to execute new or changed programmes. The aim here is to build better business growth and development strategies.

A marketing manager handles many important roles. This includes:

• Creating market research studies
• Analyzing the results
• Optimising marketing strategies and programmes for the company’s goods and services

The salary range begins at around 7-9 LPA on average.

Consultant

Businesses often face challenges in:

• Launching new products
• Modernising operations
• Expanding into new markets
• Reorganising the organisational structure, etc.

This requires the expertise of a consultant. Their average salary scale is 10-12 LPA.

Event Manager

Event management involves using management techniques to organize, prepare, and promote events. BBA graduates can work as event managers for:

• Corporate events
• Exhibits
• Conferences
• Sporting events

The pay range is between 3-8 LPA.

Real Estate

Real estate and urban infrastructure are rising industries. There are fast-tracked career growth avenues here due to rapid expansion and urbanisation. The pay range is 4-6 LPA on average.

Related: Exciting Jobs To Watch For After BBA

B.Com

Account Executive

Account executives manage daily operations and ensure client satisfaction. They connect the advertising agency or financial services provider and the client. Their average salary scale is around 2-3 LPA.

Financial Analyst

This is a remarkable career for B.Com graduates to pursue. Analysts study external factors, like changes in economic legislation or policy. This helps them predict and explain how an event would affect the company stock. The salary scale ranges from 3-4 LPA.

Tax Consultant

A tax consultant or advisor assists people and firms in filing their taxes. They know tax law, tax observance, and tax strategy. They help to optimise long- and short-term taxes for persons and business owners.

The salary scale ranges between 4-5 LPA.

Financial Risk Manager

A financial risk manager spots and studies dangers to a company’s resources, earnings potential, or success. They work in sales, loan origin, trading, marketing, financial services, private banking, etc. The salary scale is 5-6 LPA.

Auditor

Auditors set up and review a business’ financial records. After an auditing course, candidates can find attractive and well-paying jobs in the private or public sectors. These includes roles like budget analysts, financial analysts, financial managers, etc. The average yearly pay for auditors in India is up to 5 LPA.

Which One to Choose?

The decision between which is better, BBA or B.Com, might be very difficult. Knowing these basic differences can help one choose between BBA or B.Com:

1. Com focuses more on business-related subjects than BBA. So, it is the best choice for studying business, management, and leadership in the commercial world and global companies.
2. BBA is ideal for pursuing a specific management specialization in certain fields. These include media and communication, banking and finance, digital marketing, HR management, etc.
3. Students who want to work in core commerce, like accounting and financial management, must opt for a B.Com.
4. However, some may want management roles in media and communication, banking and finance, HR, etc. Such people are more suited for a BBA.

An Opportunity with Chegg

The B. Com vs BBA debate is mainly concerned with candidates aged between 18 and 35 years.

Entrepreneurs can take up the career trajectory of a BBA. Those looking to revamp their career or pursue entrepreneurship can take up a specialized BBA degree.

With Chegg, one can use all these skills on one platform. Chegg Expert Hiring allows B.Com and BBA degree holders to earn by freelancing and becoming Q&A experts. It gives them a chance to add to their resumes and enhance their careers. Experienced and entry-level professionals, job seekers, and even freelancers can do the same.

Chegg Expert Hiring is here to help everyone become a Q&A expert in their job domain! Just sign up and become an expert.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is better, BBA or B.Com Hons?

Ans. The answer differs depending on your further course of action in your career. For instance, if you want to get into the accounts and finance sector, then B.Com Hons is a great field. It opens opportunities such as CA, CMA, ACS, and more. On the other hand, if you want to pursue an MBA, then BBA is the better option.

Q2. Which is best, B.Com or BBA for MBA?

Ans. BBA is a more lucrative choice for MBA, especially if you are taking up courses such as MBA in HR or marketing. But if you are looking for an MBA in finance, then B.Com has a more well-rounded syllabus that supports finance better. BBA also offers a complete understanding of project management, strategy understanding and more. Hence, it is the right choice for an MBA.

Q3. Which course between BBA and B.Com is better for your own business?

Ans. Generally, BBA provides a more well-rounded skill set that makes it ideal for managing your own business. For instance, planning, project management, and office management are all covered in BBA. But if your business has a finance-based inclination, B.Com is a better option. It covers finance and commerce-related subjects in greater detail.