Which is better, BBA vs BDES: Admission Criteria, Jobs, Salary in 2026
Published by Shikha Kumari on May 19, 2025
BBA and BDes are both very lucrative courses in India, each offering high prospects for the future. However, their fields are very different. BBA is focused on administration and business management, while BDes deals with various kinds of design. In this blog, we are going to compare both courses to help you understand which might suit you better.
BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) Course
The BBA full form is Bachelor of Business Administration. BBA Admission 2026 start date depends on the college, but generally applications open early in the year.
BBA Admission Process 2026
Admission is mostly through entrance exams like CUET UG, SET, and other entrance exams. Top colleges include Amity University and Symbiosis.
| Degree Name | Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) |
| Academic Level | Undergraduate program |
| Program Duration | Typically 3 years |
| Study Modes | Available as full-time, part-time, distance learning, and online formats |
| Eligibility Criteria | Completion of 10+2 or equivalent from a recognised institution; candidates awaiting final results may also apply |
| Minimum Academic Requirement | A minimum aggregate score of 50% in any discipline or stream |
| Age Criteria | Candidates must be at least 17 years old |
| Admission Prerequisites | General and OBC category candidates require at least 45% marks; SC/ST candidates require a minimum of 40% in qualifying exams |
| Admission Process | Selection is based on entrance examination scores and/or merit list rankings |
| Common Entrance Exams | Includes CUET UG, SET, IPMAT (Indore and Rohtak), Christ University Entrance Test, AIMA UGAT, NMIMS NPAT, and MAH BBA CET |
| Leading Institutions | Prominent colleges include Amity University, Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, IMS Noida, and Shaheed Sukhdev College |
| Popular Specializations | Sales & Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, International Business, and Entrepreneurship |
| Tuition Fees | Varies from Rs. 54,000 to Rs. 11.62 lakh depending on the institution and mode |
BBA Career Scope 2026
Jobs after BBA and salary per month vary depending on the role and experience. A BBA fresher’s salary per month usually starts around Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 28,000. For those pursuing BBA+MBA salary in India per month increases significantly, often doubling or more. Overall, BBA offers a good start, but growth depends on skill and further education.
| Career Title | Average Annual Salary (Rs) |
| Sales Executive | 2,52,267 |
| Digital Marketer | 3,34,436 |
| Business Administrator | 2,19,642 |
| Process Analyst | 3,43,634 |
| Business Consultant | 4,79,558 |
| Marketing Manager | 4,58,506 |
| Human Resource Manager | 5,02,855 |
| Senior Finance Executive | 4,84,467 |
| Business Analyst | 5,60,145 |
| Product Manager | 8,56,384 |
BDes (Bachelor of Design) Course
The B.Des eligibility requires completion of Class 12 with at least 50% marks. The program duration is four years and is mostly full-time on campus.
BDes Admission Process 2026
Top colleges include NIFTs, Pearl Academy, and Srishti Manipal. Tuition fees range from Rs. 15 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh for the entire course. This process looks standard, but demands serious preparation for the entrance exams.
| Degree Name | Bachelor of Design (BDes) |
| Academic Level | Undergraduate |
| Program Duration | 4 years |
| Study Modes | Full-time (primarily campus-based; part-time or distance modes are generally uncommon) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Completion of Class 12 (or equivalent) from a recognised board |
| Minimum Academic Requirement | Minimum aggregate of 50% marks in Class 12 examinations |
| Admission Prerequisites | Fulfilment of academic qualifications and entrance exam eligibility |
| Admission Process | Selection based on a combination of merit and performance in entrance examinations |
| Common Entrance Exams | UCEED, CUET, NIFT Entrance Exam, NID DAT, FDDI AIST |
| Leading Institutions | National Institutes of Fashion Technology (NIFTs), Amity University, Pearl Academy, Srishti Manipal Institute of Art & Design, NIDs, World University of Design, IMS Design and Innovation Academy, MIT Institute of Design |
| Popular Specializations | Fashion Design, Graphic Design, UI/UX Design, Textile Design, Product Design, Industrial Design, Art Direction |
| Tuition Fees | Approximately INR 15 lakh to INR 20 lakh for the full program |
BDes Career Scope 2026
The B.Des salary per month in India varies by city, with Bengaluru offering the highest average at Rs. 80,133, followed by Pune at Rs. 69,898. The B Des scope and salary can also improve with government jobs after B Des and from top institutes like IIT, where the salary packages tend to be higher. While international salaries are not listed here, they are generally better. Overall, the B Des salary package depends on location and experience, but the field offers steady growth if skills are developed well.
| City | Average Monthly Salary (Rs) |
| Bengaluru, Karnataka | 80,133 |
| Pune, Maharashtra | 69,898 |
| Hyderabad, Telangana | 41,248 |
| Sonipat, Haryana | 27,348 |
| Noida, Uttar Pradesh | 25,732 |
| Delhi, Delhi | 23,521 |
| Thane, Maharashtra | 22,221 |
| Ahmedabad, Gujarat | 21,357 |
| Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu | 19,368 |
Comparison between BDes vs. BBA
The difference between BBA and BDes starts with duration; BBA usually takes 3 years, while BDes ranges from 3 to 4 years. Both require 10+2 for admission, but BDes often needs entrance exams like UCEED or NID, whereas BBA admissions are mostly merit-based with some exams. Career paths differ: BDes leads to roles like product or graphic designer, while BBA focuses on business roles such as marketing or HR. Job prospects for BDes are strong, especially in tech and branding, while BBA offers moderate to high opportunities depending on specialisation and internships. Postgraduate options also differ, with BDes focusing on design masters and BBA on MBA programs.
| Criteria | BDes (Bachelor of Design) | BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration) |
| Common Admission Requirements | 10+2 (any stream), minimum percentage required by the college | 10+2 (any stream), minimum percentage required by the college |
| Duration | 3 – 4 years | 3 years |
| Common Entrance Exam | UCEED, NID Entrance, or College-specific | Mostly merit-based; some colleges have entrance exams |
| Career Pathways | Product Designer, Graphic Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interior Designer | Business Manager, Marketing Executive, HR Executive |
| Job Prospects | High, especially with tech-related design and branding companies | Moderate to High, depending on specialisation and internships |
| Postgraduate Options | MDes, Master’s in Design, or specialisations like UX/UI, Industrial Design | MBA or other business-related master’s programs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Which is better, BBA or BDes?
A: BBA is better for students interested in business, management, and corporate roles. BDes is better for creative students interested in design fields like UI/UX, fashion, product, or interior design. The better choice depends on your skills and career goals.
Q2. Is a BDes degree worth it?
A: Yes, a BDes degree is worth it for creative students. It offers strong career opportunities in design studios, tech companies, startups, and freelancing. Growth depends on skills and portfolio quality rather than marks alone.
Q3. What is the salary of BDes?
A: Fresh BDes graduates earn around INR 3–6 LPA. With experience and in-demand specializations like UI/UX or product design, salaries can grow to INR 10–20 LPA or more.
Q4. Which institute is best for BDes?
A: Top institutes for BDes in India include National Institute of Design (NID), IIT Bombay, IIT Guwahati, and IIT Hyderabad.
Q5. Which institute is best for BBA?
A: Some of the best institutes for BBA in India are Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies (SSCBS), NMIMS University, Christ University, and Symbiosis International University.
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