BA vs BCom: Which Degree Should You Choose?

Even though professional courses like MBBS, BTech, LLB, and Architecture get students' limelight and attention as the most preferred UG courses, the humble traditional programmes like Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) are nowhere behind. Every year, thousands of bright students prefer to choose one of these courses to pursue careers in several interesting fields. Although BA and BCom may not be professional programmes, they pave the way for many other courses and career choices you can pursue after graduation.

However, the confusion of choosing from one of these traditional courses – BA vs BCom – is the main hurdle that the student has to clear first.  In this post, we are giving an overview of both these courses and the career opportunities that they present so that students can make a better and more informed decision about choosing the degree programme that aligns with their interests and aspirations.

BA vs BCom Degrees: Understanding the Courses

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Is a BA degree worth it? This is a common question that many students and their parents ask after their children complete high school.

BA is an undergraduate degree that comprises a wide range of disciplines and a diverse curriculum. Getting a bachelor’s degree in Arts will let students choose from among the various specialisations such as Literature, Psychology, History, Geography, Sociology, Fine Arts, Political Science, Anthropology, and Economics, among others.

Students after completing this three-year course have the option to pursue further studies like a PG in Master of Arts (MA) or Ph.D.  This opens avenues to pursue careers in teaching as professors/faculty and researchers. Moreover, many options in the public sector can also be explored. Students can use the vast knowledge gained through their education to appear for competitive and civil service exams, which again opens doors to a range of government jobs as civil servants. Other options like a career in media, communication, PR, and social work are also available to try after a bachelor of arts degree. All you need is to choose a PG programme after a BA that aligns with your career choice.

Apply Here For Best BA (Bachelor of Arts) (BA) Program

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom)

Is a BCom degree worth it? Like BA, BCom students also face this common question from peers and family members.

To state the fact, BCom is a highly sought-after degree course in India and it offers wide opportunities for students to pursue jobs or further studies after completing a UG course in BCom. Commerce graduates can look for entry-level jobs in the marketing, accounts, finance, and banking sectors. FMCG, telecommunications, retail, and Education are some industries where commerce graduates can seek jobs. Chartered Accountancy (CA), Company Secretary (CS), Master of Computer Application (MCA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Commerce (MCom) are some programmes that BCom graduates can pursue after completing their bachelor’s degree. All these options present many lucrative career choices for commerce students.

Apply Here For Best BCom ( Bachelor of Commerce) Program

Which One is Best BA or BCom?

To further analyse which course you can choose for your undergraduate degree, let's compare the pros and cons of pursuing a BA degree with that of a BCom degree.

Pros of BA

·        The curriculum of BA allows students to explore a wide range of subjects to suit their interests

·        These students get the option to choose from versatile sectors like media, education, research, and public service to pursue a career

·        A degree in BA helps them enhance their communication, creativity, and critical thinking skills

·        Students get the option to customise their career as per their goals and aspirations

Cons of BA

·        Being a non-professional degree, students might have to study further after a BA to get better jobs and salaries

·        There is cut-throat competition in government and civil service exams and job opportunities. Only the best can get through

·        The salary of BA graduates might be very low when starting a career

Pros of BCom

·        Helps students acquire detailed knowledge in commerce subjects seeked in many industries and sectors

·        A BCom degree can help students obtain knowledge to join their family business or be an entrepreneur

·        Commerce is a sought-after field and has good demand in the industry

·        The programme focuses on providing practical skills

Cons of BCom

·        Your career is limited to commerce and business

·        There is severe competition and graduates may require added degrees to get good jobs

·        Hardly any scope for creativity as the curriculum is structured

Some Important Guidelines to Validate Your Choice

Let your choice of which degree to pursue be based on your interests and preferences for a dream career and not on any pressure to earn a handsome salary or reach the top of a career. Unless you are happy studying or pursuing a profession, there is no point in enrolling in a course for any other reason. Hence, ask yourself, which profession you would love to pursue, and based on your answer choose the degree to align with your choice.

Here are some points/ guidelines to remember:

·        Assess your interests/passion for a career

·        Check your strengths. Do you think you have the qualities required for the particular field

·        You must do a job that you love and not one that you are forced to love

·        Analyse if you want to pursue a PG or equivalent course further to reach the career you are aiming for

·        Evaluate the job market and see which jobs you are interested in and which course can get you there

·        Take help and guidance from parents, teachers, and experts to analyse options better

Also Read:- 10 Investment-Worthy Online Degree Courses

Conclusion

The ultimate choice of opting for an online BA vs BCom UG degree depends on the career option that students prefer to enter as well as the kind of job positions they wish to get. Once students have this clarity the choice of a degree becomes easy. Moreover, the availability of several online courses makes the selection easier for students.

For more information on online courses in BA, BCom, B.Sc, and several other professional programmes, visit Amity Online today.

Check Out Our Top Online Degree Programs

UG Programs	PG Programs
BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration)	MBA (Master of Business Administration)
BCA (Bachelor of Computer Application)	MCA (Master of Computer Application)
Bcom (Bachelor of Commerce)	MA (Master of Arts Public, Policy and Governance)
BA (Bachelor Of Arts)	Mcom with Financial Management
BAJMC Bachelor Of Arts (Journalism and Mass Communication)	MAJMC Master Of Arts (Journalism and Mass Communication)