B.Com (Hons.) and Economics (Hons.) are some of the most desired courses at UG level. Both the courses have their own importance in the industry as they are different specializations. Find out the difference between the two courses below.
- B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons)
- B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Eligibility Criteria
- B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Selection Process
- B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Syllabus
- B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Areas of Employment
- B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Career Options
- B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Salary
- Top B Com (Hons) Colleges in India
- Top Economics (Hons.) Colleges in India
- Faqs

After completing class 12th, B.Com honours and Economics (Hons.) are both highly sought-after courses. Both the courses are at the undergraduate level in the colleges of India for a 3-year duration. Every year, institutions like Delhi University (DU) and others experience significant cut-offs for these programmes. Numerous commerce candidates are drawn to both of the above-mentioned courses in the field of commerce.
A B.Com (Hons.) in commerce gives students detailed knowledge in areas like finance, accounting, taxation, management, and law, among others. Basically, B.Com (Hons.) places a focus on business abilities and equips students with managerial skills by teaching them about commerce and accounting practices. Because the B.Com (Hons.) is a job-oriented degree, it provides career opportunities in the accounting and insurance industries. Leading firms like KPMG, Deloitte, E & Y, and PwC hire competent B.Com (Hons.) graduates almost every year from reputed institutions through campus placements or personal job interviews. Students who have earned a B.Com (Hons.) degree can pursue advanced courses like CA, CS, MBA, 3-year or 5-year LLB, etc., which can lead to even more profitable careers.
Economics (Hons.) undergraduate degrees offer subject specialization. The course's syllabus does not involve accounting subjects; instead, it includes topics like macroeconomics, microeconomics, international economics, statistics, algebra, the history of Indian economics, etc. Comparatively speaking, B.Com (Hons.) which covers and aids in gaining in-depth and practical information about commerce subjects, Economics (Hons.) is more of a theoretical course. Economists instead concentrate on the more significant implications of business rather than how one particular company operates or could be improved.
The demand for Economic (Hons.) degrees is rising in both the public and private sectors nowadays. You can find employment at banks, financial institutions, consulting firms, etc., with an economics (Hons.) degree. The majority of students choose post-graduation options because it provides access to careers in research-based employment, policymaking, and/ or college teaching at both private and public institutions. Students who complete a master's degree in economics (Hons.) typically hold more senior roles and hence earn greater salaries. You can work in Indian economic services if you have an MA in Economics (IES).
The majority of students struggle with the question of whether B.Com (Hons.) or Economics (Hons.) is preferable because these two courses are identical. Which course will give them the most opportunities for a career? Higher compensation? And a tonne of other queries. This article can assist you in making your decision to choose between B.Com (Hons.) and Economics (Hons.).
Also Read:Know the Difference Between B.Com and B.Com (Hons.)
B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons)
There are quite a few differences between the two courses despite some similarities and in the table below we have provided some of the major distinctions between the two commerce courses.Features | B.Com (Hons.) | Economics (Hons.) |
---|---|---|
Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
Course Type | Full-Time (Regular Course) | Full-Time (Regular Course) |
Course Level | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Course Fee | INR 20,000 to INR 2,00,000 | INR 25,000 to INR 3,00,000 |
Entrance Exams |
| |
Specialisations |
| None |
Syllabus | Business Organization & Management Financial Accounting Microeconomics - I Business Law Business Statistics Fundamental of Computer & Information Microeconomics - II Corporate Accounting Cost Accounting Human Resource Management Indian Economy-Performance and Policies Management Accounting Financial Management, etc. | Economics (Hons.) degree course does not involve accounting related subjects in its syllabus but include subjects like: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, International economics, Statistics Algebra The history of Indian economics, etc. |
Return On Investment | B.Com honours course involves both theory and practical subjects and it imparts an in-depth knowledge about accounting, finance, and other commerce related subjects which makes it more of a job-oriented course since it also entails various specializations that are industry-oriented and in-demand in the job market. | Economics (Hons.) degree course involves only theoretical subjects along with numericals. When compared to B.Com honours, an Economics (Hons.) degree is not much job-oriented, however, this degree has its own job market and Economics (Hons.) graduates can further pursue a Master’s degree in the same stream to get good jobs in fields/ profiles like teacher, research, economists, policymaker, etc. |
Eligibility Criteria | Candidates must have studied math and economics along with accountancy, business studies, and English as core subjects in class 12th. This eligibility criteria, however, may differ from college to college. There are a lot of reputed institutes that admit candidates from all streams (Science/ Commerce/ Arts) either through an entrance exam or on merit basis | Candidates from any stream are eligible to apply for the Economics (Hons.) degree course if they have secured a minimum aggregate percentage of 45% or above in class 12th or equivalent from a recognized school board. Candidates who have studied the economics subject in class 12th are preferred over other candidates for admission to this course. |
Top Colleges Offering the Course | University of Delhi (DU) Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Lady Shri Ram College for Women Christ University |
Salary Offered | B.Com honors graduates get a decent starting average annual remuneration between INR 3,50,000 and INR 6,00,000 | Economics (Hons.) graduates, especially after completing their post graduation from the same field, get a handsome pay package between INR 4,00,000 and INR 7,00,000. |
While choosing either of the courses mentioned above, you must consider your preferences carefully. If you are looking forward to a career in the accounting and taxation field then B.Com (Hons.) is the right programme for you. However, banking and finance aspirants will find Economics (Hons.) more productive.
B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Eligibility Criteria
Before starting the application process to their preferred college, candidates are advised to visit the official website of their chosen institution to check the precise eligibility requirements and if they are meeting the eligibility criteria set forth by the institution for admission to either B.Com (Hons.) or Economics (Hons.) degree course.Let’s check the eligibility criteria for both B.Com honours and Economics (Hons.) degree courses to get to know the differences of the eligibility criteria for both the degree programmes.
B.Com Honours Eligibility Criteria
The general eligibility criteria for the B.Com (Hons.) degree programme are as follows:
- Admission requirements for the Bachelor of Commerce (Honors) degree vary by college. For a B.Com (Hons.) degree from a recognised university, you must have at least a 50% overall score in the top four subjects of your class 12th exam. Candidates must be aware that each college may have different eligibility requirements.
- Candidates must have passed class 12th or equivalent from a recognised school board in India.
- Institutions have different minimum aggregate percentage requirements for class 12th or its equivalent.
- Candidates must have studied accounting, economics, business studies, math, and English as a requirement for B.Com (Hons.) degree course in class 12th.
- There is a 5% relaxation provided to reserved category candidates like the SC/ ST/ OBC/ PwD, etc.
- Candidates applying for the course must be citizens of India along with having a valid proof of the same as part of the admission requirements.
- There’s no prescribed maximum age limit to apply for the B.Com (Hons.) degree course, however, quite a few institutions do mention a prescribed age limit for admission to the concerned course.
The common eligibility criteria for the Economics (Hons.) degree programme are as follows:
- Candidates are eligible for admission to the BA Economics Hons programme if they received a qualifying exam (i.e. class 12th or equivalent aggregate score) aggregate score of at least 45% to 50%. Candidates must take the entrance exam to be eligible for the Economics (Hons.) degree course because admissions decisions may be made depending on the entrance exam score.
- The Economics (Hons.) course has no upper age limit.
- Candidates must be a citizen of India along with having a valid government issued ID proof of the same to submit during the admission process.
- Candidates from any stream (Commerce/ Science/ Arts) can apply for the course if they are meeting the eligibility criteria set forth by their preferred institution.
- Candidates who have studied Economics in class 12th are preferred during the admission process for this course because they already have their basic concepts cleared which make it easy for them to follow through the degree course.
B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Selection Process
To take admission to both B.Com (Hons) and Economics (Hons) courses, students must have completed their 10+2 board examination. The detailed selection process for both courses is given below.
B.Com (Hons) Selection Process
B.Com (Hons) is a top-rated course among students so check out how the colleges/universities select the candidates:
- Admission to most of the colleges is made on the basis of merit i.e marks obtained in Class XII.
- This B.Com (Hons) programme has a very high cut-off percentage such as 92% to 98% in colleges like Delhi University and other top colleges.
- Some colleges conduct their own entrance examinations to offer admission to the B.Com (Hons) programme.
Economics (Hons) Selection Process
Students are offered admission to the Economics (Hons) course either through merit-based or entrance examinations.
- The colleges that accept admission through merit-based completely depend on the student’s performance in their Class 12 board examination.
- Although most of the colleges offer the Economics (Hons) course, still there are colleges in India that do not offer this course. So, to get admission into one of the best colleges, candidates either have to perform very well in their Class 12 boards or clear the entrance examinations.
B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Syllabus
As both B.Com (Hons) and Economics (Hons) are UG level programmes, the duration of the courses are for 3 years that are further subdivided into 6 semesters. Get the detailed syllabus for both subjects from the table below.
B.Com (Hons) | Economics (Hons) |
---|---|
1st Year | |
Financial Accounting | Evolution and Definition of Economics |
Cost Accounting | Economies of Scale |
Business Mathematics | Nature & Scope of Economics |
Business Economics | Methods of Economics Analysis |
Business Communication | Concept of Revenue |
Business Laws | Accounting, Opportunity, Total Fixed and Variable Costs |
Corporate Laws | Utility Demand, Supply |
Corporate Accounting | Market Equilibrium |
Entrepreneurship | Cardinal (Marshal) and Ordinal Utility |
Finance for Non-Finance Executives | Monopolistic Competition |
2nd Year | |
Financial Management | Banking and Insurance |
Human Resource Management | Health, Nutrition, Education, Knowledge and Skills |
Business Statistics | Demographic Features |
Taxation | |
Fundamentals of Marketing | Population, Size, Sex, Rural-Urban Classification |
Investing in Stock Markets | Rural Credit |
Income Tax Law & Practice | Agricultural Situation in Economy |
Management Principles and Applications | Agricultural Marketing |
Insurance & Risk Management | Cropping Pattern |
Project Management and Techniques | Land Use Pattern |
E-Filling of Returns | Mechanization |
Cyber Crimes and Laws | Recent National Population Policy |
Business Research Methods & Analytics | Agro-Climatic Zones |
Computer Applications in Business | Production and Productivity of Main Corps |
Leadership and Team Development | Planning in India- Objectives, Types, Strategy |
Business Mathematics | Analysis of Current Five- Year Plan |
3rd Year | |
Principles of Marketing | Macro Variables- Stock and Flow |
Corporate Tax Planning | Public Finance and Public Economics |
Financial Markets, Institutions, and Services | Concept of National Income- GDP, GNP |
Financial Management | Principles of Public Expenditure |
Management Accounting | Keynesian Theory of Employment |
Organizational Behaviour | Classical Theory of Employment |
Advertising and Personal Selling | Effective Demand |
Business Statistics | Simple Investment |
Entrepreneurship Development | Fiscal Deficit |
Auditing and Corporate Governance | Factors Affecting Capital Formation |
Financial Reporting & Analysis | Aggregate Demand and Supply Functions |
International Business | Public Finance in India |
Fundamentals of Investment | Principle of Maximum Social Advantage |
Project Management & Techniques | Marginal Efficiency of Capital |
Compensation Management | Cash Transaction and Cash Balance Approaches |
Industrial Relations and Labour Laws | Deficit Financing and Deficit Budget |
Banking and Insurance | Inflation, Deflation, and Recession |
B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Areas of Employment
Candidates are pursuing B.Com (Hons) and Economic (Hons) courses to build a lucrative and stable career for themselves. The different employment sectors where candidates can get jobs are given below:
B.Com (Hons) - Job Sectors | Economic (Hons) - Job Sectors |
---|---|
Banking & Non-Banking Institutions | Finance and Banking Sector |
Finance | Trade Markets |
Management | Import and Export Industry |
Accounts | Agriculture |
Operations | Government Economics Department / Public Service Commission |
Sale & Excise Departments | Agriculture Sector |
Law | Commerce Sector |
Taxation | - |
Import- Export | - |
B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Career Options
A lot of career options are available for students after they have completed their graduation in B.Com (Hons) or Economic (Hons).
B.Com (Hons) | Economic (Hons) |
---|---|
Tax Consultant | Economists |
Sales Analyst | Sales Executive |
Auditor | Budget Analyst |
Financial Analyst | Investment Analyst |
Insurance Consultant | Operations Manager |
Payroll Administrator/ Specialists | Personal Financial Consultant |
Corporate and Financial Analyst | |
Financial Examiner | Marketing Manager |
Credit Manager | |
Credit Analyst | Investment Banker |
Business Analyst | Market Research Analyst |
Accountant | Auditor |
- | |
Business Consultant | - |
Banker | - |
B.Com (Hons) vs Economics (Hons): Salary
Initially the fresh graduates will get less paid but with experience, B.Com (Hons) and Economics (Hons) graduates salary will increase.
B.Com (Hons): Salary
The salary of B.Com (Hons) graduates will vary depending on their experience and skill set. Given below is the salary structure of B.Com (Hons) graduates:
B.Com (Hons) Jobs | B.Com (Hons) Salary |
---|---|
Tax Consultant | INR 5,00,000 LPA |
Sales Analyst | INR 7,00,000 LPA |
Auditor | INR 4,60,000 LPA |
Financial Analyst | INR 10,00,000 LPA |
Insurance Consultant | INR 3,00,000 LPA |
Payroll Administrator/ Specialist | INR 6,00,000 LPA |
Stock Broker | INR 3,95,000 LPA |
Financial Examiner | INR 7,00,000 LPA |
Export-Import Manager | INR 2,50,000 LPA |
Credit Analyst | INR 9,50,000 LPA |
Business Analyst | INR 9,00,000 LPA |
Accountant | INR 2,50,000 LPA |
Finance Consultant | INR 10,00,000 LPA |
Business Consultant | INR 8,00,000 LPA |
Banker | INR 3,70,000 LPA |
Economics (Hons): Salary
The initial salary of candidates who have just completed their Economics (Hons) degree will get something around INR 2,50,000 to 4,50,000 LPA. But, with experience, the salary of the candidates will then range between 6,00,000 to 15,00,000 per annum.
Also Read:Best Career Options After B.Com- Eligibility, Salary, Top Colleges
Top B Com (Hons) Colleges in India
Check out this list of top B Com Colleges in India, along with the courses on offer and their respective course fees.
Name of College | Course Offered | Admission Process | Annual Course Fees |
---|---|---|---|
B Com (Hons) | English Language Test + Personal Interview | ₹1,00,000/- | |
B Com (Hons) | Merit-Based | ₹91,000/- | |
B Com (Hons) | Entrance Based | ₹1,30,000/- | |
B Com (Hons), B Com (Hons) Financial Markets | Merit-Based | ₹35,000/- ₹60,000/- | |
B Com (Hons) | Written test+ GD/PI | ₹1,25,000/- | |
B Com (Hons) | Merit-Based | ₹58,000/- | |
B Com (Hons) | MRNAT entrance exams + GD/PI | ₹1,36,000/- | |
B Com (Hons) | Merit-Based | ₹76,000/- | |
B Com (Hons) | Entrance Test + GD/PI | ₹60,000/- | |
B Com (Hons) | SU Entrance Test | ₹94,600/- |
Top Economics (Hons.) Colleges in India
The list below provides the names of the top Economics (Hons) colleges in India:
Colleges | Courses | Annual Fee |
---|---|---|
BA (Hons.) in Economics with Royal Economics Society, UK + Association of Certified Chartered Economists, UK | NA | |
BA (Hons.) Economics | INR 30,000 | |
BA Economics | INR 12,000 | |
BA (Hons.) Economics | INR 47,000 | |
BA Economics | INR 33,000 | |
Jagan Institute of Management Studies (JIMS), Rohini Sector 5, Delhi | BA (Hons.) Economics | INR 1.08 Lacs |
B.Sc in Economics (With Banking), BA With (Hons.) in Economics, MA Economics | INR 27,500 - INR 34,800 | |
Economics (Hons.) | NA | |
BA (Hons.) Economics, MA Economics | INR 1.03 L, INR 86,000 | |
BA (Hons.) Economics, MA Economics | INR 30,000, INR 31,000 |
Set your priorities right, consult your teachers and analyse your skills before choosing your undergraduate programme. For more information on undergraduate programmes, visit CollegeDekho. If you are interested in pursuing either of the courses, i.e. B.Com (Hons) or Economics (Hons) courses in India, then you must fill out the Common Application Form available on our website, so that our counsellors can help you take admission to the course and college of your choice!
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