MBA vs MCA: What is Better after BCA?
Students are often confused about whether to go for an MBA or MCA after completing a BCA course. Here's a comparison of MBA vs MCA to help you understand both courses and take the right pick!
MBA vs MCA: The thought of pursuing a master’s degree after graduation can be quite overwhelming for many students. The future of their career depends mostly on what they choose to specialize in. Many BCA graduates often feel confused between MCA and MBA. Both Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Computer Application (MCA) are professional-degree programs that offer extensive areas of specialization. MCA and MBA graduates can find good job opportunities with great benefits in a wide range of public and private sectors. They both are great choices for postgraduation and in this case, the question that arises is whether is it equally beneficial to take up MBA or MCA after BCA.
Well, MBA is a better course for a candidate who is more inclined to take up leadership and managerial roles while MCA is more suited for a student who wishes to hone their technical skills. In this article, we have provided a comparison between the MBA and MCA to help you make the right choice. When choosing between the two courses, it is important that you first identify your interests and define your career goals. This will help you choose the right course between MBA and MCA after a Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) or any other graduate course.
Also Read: MBA vs MCom
MBA vs MCA: Reasons to Pursue the Courses
The reasons to pursue either an MBA or an MCA after BCA have been provided below.
Reasons to Pursue MBA After BCA
- Getting an MBA after finishing a BCA is one of the key benefits since you will be exposed to some of the top business concepts, both in terms of managing and developing them.
- Your ability to function in managerial roles in the business sector will improve with the aid of an MBA in Management.
- You gain subject-matter knowledge as well as analytical thinking, problem solving, leadership, interpersonal, and other crucial skills that prepare you for the workplace.
- An MBA makes a vast range of employment opportunities available. You can select from a number of specializations, such as Finance, Information Systems, HRM, Marketing, etc., depending on your area of interest. And pursue a career in it.
- You may advance to some of the best administrative jobs in the corporate sector with an MBA. Being one of the most sought-after postgraduate programmes, you may anticipate high salary packages as well.
- Obtaining an MBA from a reputable university aids in job advancement. An MBA will serve you well whether your goal is to advance in a particular industry or launch your own business.
Reasons to Pursue MCA After BCA
- This is the degree you should choose if you enjoy using technology and the sector highly interests you. An MCA is the best option if you believe that a career in computers and technology is what you want to pursue because it opens up a lot of options in that sector.
- An MCA programme obtained at a reputable industry will increase your pay scale.
- The IT sector has never experienced a downturn. Your chance to work in this fantastic sector may be through a career in computer applications. If you are willing to put in a lot of effort, you should be successful in your career.
- The need for IT specialists, who are provided with high-level positions and excellent wage packages, is increased by the rapidly spreading digitalization and the ever-evolving technology.
MBA vs MCA: Overview
Choosing the right course is as simple as aligning it with your career goals. Let's take a look at the comparison of various factors of the MBA vs MCA.
Features | MBA | MCA |
Stream | Management | Computer Application |
Types of Courses |
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Duration | 1-2 years | 2-3 years |
Top Specializations | Sales, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, IT, Operations, Digital Marketing, Business Analytics | Application Software, Software Development, Troubleshooting, Hardware Technology, Systems Management |
Eligibility |
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Admission Process | Entrance exam + GD/PI/WAT + merit-based | Entrance exam + merit-based |
Top Entrance Exams | CAT, XAT, CMAT, ATMA, MAT, NMAT by GMAC, SNAP, IIFT, MAH MBA CET | NIMCET, MAH MCA CET, BHU PET MCA, TANCET, WB JECA, JNU MCA, PAMCAT |
Popular Colleges | ||
Course Fees | INR 20,000 to INR 40 lakh | INR 15,000 to INR 35 lakh |
Top Job Opportunities | Marketing Manager, Project Manager, Product Manager, Business Development Executive/Manager, System Manager, Sales Manager, Financial Analyst, Business Analyst | Software Developer, Hardware Engineer, Database Engineer, Data Scientist, Web Designer and Developer, Cloud Architect, Technical Writer, IT Architect |
Top Recruiters | Tata Consultancy Services, Reliance, Cognizant, Wipro, ICICI Bank, Amazon, Apple, BCG, Deloitte, JP Morgan, Microsoft, Morgan Stanley, | Google, TCS, Capgemini, Hewlett Packard, Huawei, Cognizant, Samsung, Sony, Accenture, Deloitte, Toshiba |
Average Salary | Rs. 8.05 LPA | Rs. 8.01 LPA |
MBA vs MCA: About the Courses
Graduates looking to boost their careers and find better job opportunities should know about MBA and MCA in detail before stepping into any of these courses.
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
MBA is a management course that imparts and nurtures managerial and administrative skills in a candidate. The course provides in-depth knowledge to a student about how by using various logical and analytical methods, they can help a business manage its various resources such as Finance or HR.
Master of Computer Applications (MCA)
MCA is a core technical course. It provides advanced knowledge in the core technical aspects related to computer applications. An MCA course involves the study of subjects including software development, database management, networking, various programming languages, etc.
A large fraction of the students considering the choice between MBA and MCA are those with some level of work experience. It is common knowledge that having work experience is recommended for an MBA degree (it is even mandatory for some colleges or courses). There is no such conception about MCA, even though work experience before MCA is desirable for better results.
Also Read: MBA Fees in India: Check Fees of Top MBA Colleges in India
MBA vs MCA Specializations
Here are some of the top specializations for MBA and MCA in India.
MBA Specializations | MCA Specializations |
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Also Read: Best MBA Specializations in India
MBA vs MCA: Course Curriculum
The exact course curriculum of the MBA and MCA depends upon the specialization. Here is a comparison of some of the subjects included in MBA (IT) and MCA courses.
MBA Curriculum | MCA Curriculum |
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MBA vs MCA: Career Scope
An MBA makes you eligible for some of the top-level administrative positions in the business. MBA is one of the most in-demand courses today and MBA graduates earn some of the best salary packages in any industry. Plus, since subjects such as Finance, Accounting, Marketing, etc. are common across industries, MBA is a very versatile degree and can open up career prospects in a wide range of sectors.
Top MBA Job Profiles with Average Annual Salary
MBA Job Profile | MBA Average Annual Salary |
Rs. 6.95 lakhs | |
Finance Manager | Rs. 9.94 lakhs |
Rs. 5.99 lakhs | |
Rs. 3.56 lakhs |
The case with MCA is quite different since it is a highly specialized course that targets technical aspects of the software development and IT industry. MCA graduates are hired for roles that include writing software, providing custom software solutions for a client's needs, taking care of the networking requirements of a client, managing the IT department of a business, etc. MCA graduates are generally hired in tech-based or software development companies.
Top MCA Job Profiles with Average Annual Salary
MCA Job Profile | MCA Average Annual Salary |
Software Developer | Rs. 4.94 lakhs |
Rs. 2.82 lakhs | |
Rs. 5.29 lakhs | |
Database Manager | Rs. 14.15 lakhs |
Network Engineer | Rs. 3.24 lakhs |
Also Read: MCA vs MSc IT: Which Is Better?
MBA vs MCA: Salary
The salary prospects for MBA and MCA courses are compared in the table below.
Course | Entry-Level | Mid-Level | Top-Level |
MBA | Rs. 5 - 6 LPA | Rs. 10 - 13 LPA | Rs. 13-40 LPA |
MCA | Rs. 4 - 5 LPA | Rs. 9 - 12 LPA | Rs. 12-35 LPA |
Quick Facts About MCA vs MBA
- The MCA employment market is expanding, with over 2,05,000 new job vacancies each year and an annual growth rate of 7.7%.
- Applicants who complete the MCA can expect a quick job placement with a starting salary of INR 4 lakh per annum.
- Promising MCA candidates may also expect to get hired by the world's greatest corporations and IT organizations, such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and others, where their INR 13lpa minimum pay will grow tremendously over time.
- According to the current situation, many students go for an MBA program to obtain the skills needed to establish a business/start-up/become an entrepreneur.
- The MBA provides a solid foundation for a career and contributes to a wide range of professional development and abilities.
- Experienced professionals enroll in an MBA program and change careers.
- MBA programs enhance innovative thinking.
- MBA graduates get access to network with the finest in the business.
- An MBA degree provides you with a certain brand value.
MBA vs MCA: Which Is Better?
Now that we have seen how the basic aspects of each course compare, let's analyze which course is better suited for which type of candidate.
Feature | MBA | MCA |
Type of Job | MBA jobs are more outgoing in nature and can range from a variety of tasks including
| MCA jobs can be considered to have more of a desk job feel as compared to the MBA. It is a good course for a technically-sound candidate and includes the following tasks:
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Ideal Skill Set |
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Hiring Sectors |
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Returns | MBA is generally an expensive course but offers good returns straight from the start. The starting salary for MBA graduates can be pretty decent if you do it from a good college. | MCA is a generally inexpensive course with almost equal salary prospects as MBA. While the starting salaries can be a bit low but it does increase quite a bit with experience. |
It is very important to consider each and every aspect of a course before making a final choice. Carefully analyze your interests, and skills and think of where you see yourself working down the line. Here are some other articles to help you choose the right postgraduate course.
If you have doubts, ask our experts on the CollegeDekho QnA Zone. For help with admissions, fill out our Common Application Form (CAF) or call our toll-free student helpline number 1800-572-9877.
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FAQs
What are the eligibility criteria for MBA vs MCA?
The eligibility criteria for MBA is a bachelor's degree in any specialisation with at least 50% marks. Students also have appeared for an MBA entrance test. On the other hand, MCA can be pursued by students who hold a BSc or BCA from a recognised university. They must have Maths as a subject in their higher secondary.
What are the skills required for MBA vs MCA?
The skills required for MBA and MCA are quite different from each other. Technical skills and knowledge of programming languages are required in MCA whereas leadership skills, management skills, problem-solving skills, analysing power and good communication skills are the forte of MBA aspirants.
What are the top specialisations of MBA vs MCA?
Both MBA and MCA courses have several specialisations which students can master. The top specialisations of MBA are marketing, finance, human resource, information technology, supply chain management, entrepreneurship and international business. The popular MCA specialisations are system management, system development, cloud computing, hardware technology, networking, troubleshooting and internet working.
Which course gives better returns MBA or MCA?
Both MBA and MCA qualifications are important in today’s corporate world driven by technology. The job prospects and returns for the streams are equally good. Though MBA is an expensive course that requires an investment of a huge amount of money in form of tuition fees, the starting salary is high which assures good returns. MCA, on the contrary, is not as costly as MBA but the salary scale is lower than MBA. However, in both fields salary starts increasing with experience.
Who are the top recruiters for MBA vs MCA?
With both MBA and MCA degrees, you can get jobs at reputed national and multinational firms in and outside India. The top recruiters for MBA are Reliance, Cognizant, Wipro, ICICI bank, Deloitte, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley. The MCA graduates are recruited by Google, Capgemini, Infosys, Infotech, IBM, HCL and Toshiba.
What is the difference between MBA and MCA?
MBA and MCA are two very different courses in all aspects though both of them are professional degree programmes. MBA is a course that delves into business management and administrative skills but the MCA course is more focused on imparting technical skills to a candidate.
Is MBA a more difficult course or MCA?
Both MBA and MCA are challenging courses with a stringent curriculum. For candidates who have studied BCA, MCA will seem to be an easier course because of similar curriculum. Similarly, MBA will sem to be an easier course after BBA. MBA on the other hand will add newer dimensions to their learning and prepare them for business administration roles.
Does MBA pay better or MCA?
The average salaries after MBA and MCA are very similar. However, generally speaking, MBA is higher-paying course as compared to MCA. Therefore students interested in business roles can opt for MBA after BCA if they want to get paid well.
Which types of jobs are available after MBA vs MCA?
After completing an MBA degree, the available job profiles are more towards working in administrative roles, solving business and administrative problems and more outgoing roles. Job opportunities are MCA, on the other hand, have more desk-time attached to them.Some of the popular roles are data analyst, system analyst, software developer, web designer and full stack developer.