India's most popular career options have always been medical sciences or engineering. But what if you are not inclined toward either of them? What if your passion lies in learning about the literature and history of the human lineage? Or understanding the logic behind the physical world is what intrigues you. If this sounds close to your heart, you should consider BA or BSc.
These courses are splendid career options for employment opportunities and growth perspectives. While B.Sc. is a 3-year undergraduate program in sciences, BA is a three-year undergraduate degree in the liberal arts. You can understand that the science stream program would be inclined towards experimentation and practical application of scientific knowledge. On the other hand, the liberal arts deal with theories, literature, and creative thinking.
BA vs B.Sc - Key Insights
Before choosing between these two undergraduate programs, knowing what they are all about is important. Each of these degree programs belongs to a completely different basket of studies. Therefore, it is important to understand what each of these undergraduate programs entails and how it can benefit your career aspirations.
Full Form |
BA |
BSc |
Duration |
3 Years |
3 Years |
Eligibility |
50% in 10+2 from any stream. |
50% in 10+2 from the science stream. Students from either PCB/PCMB are eligible to opt for this course. |
Average Course Fees |
INR 10,000 to 1 LPA |
INR 10,000 to 2 LPA |
Entrance Exams |
IPU CET, BHU UET, CUET, TISSNET, etc. |
CUET, NPAT, SUAT, |
Average Salary |
INR 5 LPA |
INR 6.04 LPA |
BA vs B.Sc - Overview
A Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a 3 years undergraduate degree in liberal arts. The field has versatile areas that can be considered a specialization, such as psychology, philosophy, social sciences, English literature, etc. In a broader context, one can find subjects such as fine arts, classical music, etc. As these are undergraduate degree programs, the depth of study would not be enough to give you expertise in the subject matter.
On the other hand, a Bachelor of Science (BSc) is an undergraduate program offered to students pursuing a science stream in their 10+2 pattern. Science is a vast field of study. Zoology, biology, physics, chemistry, and statistical mathematics can be found. The list of subjects that can be offered in a bachelor of science degree is almost unlimited. With each passing year, we see additions to these undergraduate program offerings.
BA Vs B.Sc - Eligibility
Just like the differences in the curriculum and subject matter of the two undergraduate programs are different, their eligibility criteria are also distinct. One should remember that the admission process and specific eligibility criteria differ from University to University. Checking and verifying the same is the responsibility of the applicant.
BA Eligibility Criteria
B.Sc Eligibility Criteria
BA vs B.Sc - Benefits
Now that you know the basic eligibility criteria and program structure of BA and B.Sc, it is important to understand the benefits they can offer you. If you are thinking about b.sc or ba, which is better for IAS or any other competitive exams/job roles, then this analysis will help you. Each of these undergraduate programs is unique in its offerings, so their benefits vary. Let us try to understand the popular benefits students gain from pursuing these degrees:
Benefits of pursuing a BA
Some of the major benefits students can gain from pursuing a bachelor in arts are stated as follows:
Benefits of pursuing a B.Sc
B.Sc. is a classic undergraduate program for students interested in science. However, it has its own set of merits as well, which are:
BA vs BSc - Syllabus
To get a better consideration of what is taught and covered in the respective undergraduate programs, let us have a comprehensive look at the common subjects each of them would cover:
BA course subjects
B.Sc course subjects
BA vs B.Sc - Career Scope
If any other undergraduate program gets recruitment opportunities on the same level as engineering graduates, that would be BA and B.Sc. graduates. Due to the wide scope covered in both of these course programs, the graduates are suitable for various job profiles.
It is only natural that the employment areas and job profiles for BA and B.Sc. graduates are quite different. The specialization pursued the specific type of job the graduate would be suitable for. For example, a graduate with a BA in Economics would easily land a job as a rookie economist. And a B.Sc. in Computer science would be eligible to apply for programming analyst jobs.
To give you a short-term idea about the employment areas and the type of job designations you can expect from any of these courses, we have a table:
Particulars |
BA |
B.Sc |
Employment Areas |
Fine Arts, Civil Services, Advertising and Marketing, Journalism and Mass Media, Literature, Civil Services, Public Administration |
Research, Software Development, Healthcare, Pharmacology, Information Technology |
Job Designations |
Graphics Designer, Journalist, Area Sales Manager, Content Writer, Theatre Artist, Teacher or Lecturer, Business Development Manager, Advertising Head, Reporter etc |
Research Scholar, Physicist, Analytical Chemist, Software Developer, Operations Manager, Technology Consultant, Risk Analyst, Microbiologist, etc. |
BA Vs BSc Salary in India
BA and BSc graduates are eligible for amazing salary packages wherever they are hired. The basic salary package often depends on job assignment, work experience, specialization area, and work sector. As aspirants, it is natural that students want to know how much they can earn from investing in their respective courses. As experience in this area increases, graduates' remuneration level also increases.
BA graduates earn an average salary of INR 4.38 LPA in the current job market. Below are some of the main positions and the average salary scale for undergraduate graduates from these fields:
Job Role |
BA Average Salary |
Relationship Manager |
INR 3.68 LPA |
Customer Service Manager |
INR 5.68 LPA |
Operations Manager |
INR 6.78 LPA |
Administrative Assistant |
INR 4.2 LPA |
Copywriter |
INR 3.8 LPA |
To give you a basic idea, India's BSc Average Salary is INR 6.02 LPA. On the other hand, the average salary for B.Sc graduates varies according to the sector they are employed in. For example, salaries for analytical programmers are usually higher than for an entry-level chemist job.
Job Role |
Average Payscale |
Software Developer |
INR 3.95 LPA |
Operations Manager |
INR 8.39 LPA |
Area Sales Manager |
INR 7.46 LPA |
Data Scientist |
INR 8.36 LPA |
Assistant Professor |
INR 5 LPA |
BA vs B.Sc - Higher Studies Scope
After completing an undergraduate degree, graduates have many options for further studies. Some graduates might study a specialized MSc course in a relevant field, while others might pursue a PhD if they have a specific research interest. MSc and PhD degrees have great value regarding jobs and career prospects and often lead to high-paying jobs.
Besides specializing in technical studies, some B.Sc. graduates may also want to consider a management degree after completing their undergraduate degree. As a result, MBA programs after B.Sc. degrees are among India's most popular options for science graduates.
Similarly, more specialized graduates may pursue a Master of Arts degree or an MA. For example, those more interested in pursuing management studies may pursue an MBA after their BA. Graduating from college is a rite of passage for many young adults. After completing their undergraduate studies, some students pursue a Master's degree or an MA after completing their undergraduate studies. Others may choose to pursue a PhD depending on their interests.
BA vs B.Sc - Which is better?
The right choice of college degree always depends on the student's individual requirements and career aspirations. Before you set out to make your final decision, try to pin down what exactly you are trying to seek from this degree. Having a clear idea would make life easier after getting your college admission. If you are unclear about the type of reasons that can guide you in your decision-making, here are some to get you started:
A BA degree will teach you useful skills in almost any field. On the contrary, B.Sc. is a focused discipline that will only discuss the specific science stream you have chosen.
A versatile degree would naturally offer versatile job opportunities. For example, students often apply for government jobs and prepare for state-level administrative jobs after their BA degree. On the other hand, B.Sc. students either build their rapport using further education like M.Sc. or get into specialized employment.
Technical knowledge
As stated before, B.Sc. is a course focused on technical knowledge. Be it computer science or mathematics, you will learn it in detail. In addition, many universities now involve field work and live projects to train students with hands-on experience. It is very helpful if you seek employment after your undergraduate degree.