Nowadays, which is more valuable, an MBA or PGDM?
This question has always created confusion in aspiring students who want to make careers in the business and management field. Both sound similar and have same features. Thus, both have a higher value, but which one to study abroad PGDM VS MBA?
Therefore, this blog will help you out if you are in search to choose one. Hence, this guide provides the core difference between PGDM and MBA. So, let’s get ready to choose the best program.
Table of Contents
Choosing the right after-graduation course could be challenging, especially when it comes to choosing a career in business management. Numerous students get confused in which to choose PGDM vs MBA,
Indeed, both are favourable options. But choosing the right one is vital to making a career in future. Thus, here is a small overview regarding the difference between PGDM and MBA through their meaning.
PGDM
Post Graduation Diploma in Management is PGDM full form. It is a diploma course offered by any autonomous institution. This institute must be approved bythe All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
It is a majorly industry-focused curriculum course designed to adapt to the latest industry trends. Moreover, students who studied this use a practical approach integrated with project-based learning. Also, the PGDM course duration is 18 months to 2 years.
MBA
MBA stands for Masters in Business Administration and is a postgraduate degree offered by a university or institution connected to the university. They must be accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
MBA courses are focused on the theoretical foundation that provides core management principles through academics. Hence, this is a degree offered by universities that can open several doors of opportunities for students. Also, you will find that many B.com, BBA, B.Tech and many more aspirants choose this filed.
This is the overall definition of these two programs that will help you to get an overview of the subject. But wait, it doesn’t end here, the core details about the MBA vs PGDM are in the following section. So, let’s navigate them.
Students who choose the business management field, often get into a dilemma about which is best. Therefore, in this section, we have shared the difference between PGDM and MBA. It will help you to know the difference between the two these courses in detail. So let’s have a look at the table.
| Parameters | MBA | PGDM |
| Full Form | Master of Business Administration | Post Graduate Diploma in Management |
| Course Level | Degree | Diploma |
| Duration | 2 years | 18 months to 2 years |
| Entrance Exams | Through national and state-level entrance examinations like CAT, MAT, XAT, CMAT, NMAT, etc. | Through CAT, MAT, XAT, ATMA and some state-level examinations like TSICET, MAH-CET, etc. |
| Accreditation | University Grants Commission (UGC) | All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) |
| Validity | Valid Post Graduate Degree. | Valid and equivalent to Post Graduate Degree. |
| Syllabus | The syllabus is equipped by universities and gets updated less often | Syllabus is vast and exceptional AICTE approved and gets updated regularly as per industry needs. |
| Course Fee (in INR) | INR 2 lakh to 27 lakh and above | INR 3 lakh to INR 15 lakh |
| Average Salary (in INR) | INR 5 lakh to 25 lakh per annum | INR 5 to INR 15 lakh |
| Specialisations | Sales and Marketing, Finance, , Operations, Human Resources, Digital Marketing, etc. | IT, Operations Management, Business Analytics, Marketing, HR, etc. |
| Eligibility | A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 60% marks from a standard university. | A bachelor's degree in any recognized institute. |
This is the major PGDM vs MBA Difference that every student must know who is going to opt for any one course. Thus, it must be a daunting task to choose the right management course which is good PGDM vs MBA. So, let’s understand some factors in the next section. Also, you can use PGDM and MBA Course Findertool, to choose the best course for yourself.
Confused which to pursue PGDM or MBA after bachelors?
It is important to choose the right management program to make a better career in future. Thus, both fields have parallel similarities. But while choosing any one path you should know the difference between PGDM and MBA. Therefore, consider the below mentioned factors to select one path for your career growth.
Both the program offers various benefits that is unique in itself. Thus, the choice depends on which professional career you want to choose. PGDM would be best for you if you desire to join the corporate world to learn leadership skills and apply your hands-on practical skills. On the other hand, if you want to get a degree for your future academic pursuit or opening own venture then MBA is an ideal program for you. Also, the PGDM VS MBA salary would be slightly similar in both career options.
Also read – MBA in Ireland
Your decision to choose the course plays an important role in which skills development you want to learn. Thus, PGDM provides hands-on practical skills teaching you skills of leadership and critical thinking that are trending nowadays. Meanwhile, MBA provides skills in strategic thinking and focusing on analytics that help you to get a well-managed approach in management.
The networks you make by enrolling in a management program can be greatly valuable in your career. Therefore, PGDM and MBA offer opportunities to make connections with industry leaders, peers, and alumni.
Learning theories in management education is not the only factor, another factor is developing useful insights that can be utilized in solving real-world problems. Thus, the MBA program provides a rigorous academic framework that helps to get a deep understanding of the business. PGDM focuses on the adaption of market trends and needs that help you stay updated with the latest industry trends. Thus, PGDM VS MBA has high curriculum flexibility.
You must be thinking, about why learning style matters most in choosing the right management program for career growth. Hence both follow different pedagogy to teach these programs. Learning style helps you to learn skills and gain knowledge during PGDM VS MBA duration. MBA follow theoretical foundations by using research approaches, and PGDM follows practical and hands-on learning that makes students industry-ready. Thus, here making a decision is vital. So, choose according to your learning style.
Lastly, things to consider are cost and duration of course. The cost of an MBA ranges from around INR 2,00,000 – INR 25,00,000. Conversely, PGDM costs INR 2,00,000 to INR 35,00,000. It depends on the course you choose. However, the PGDM VS MBA duration is the same which is 2 years. Thus, choose the program that comes under your pocket and is worth every penny for you to make a successful career.
These are some of the factors that you should remember while choosing the right management program. Now, know what are the major career options, PGDM VS MBA Salary and more in the next section. So let’s have a look.
Need expert guidance on choosingbetween MBA and PGDM?
Making a career in the management field can lead you to a wide range of job opportunities. Moreover, many students have an interest in opening their ventures. On the other hand, some students choose to join corporate to first learn some skills and working experience.
Thus, students who have bachelor’s degrees in any field can enrol in any management course to add a layer to their professional development. Therefore, here is the table of the job options popular in PGDM and MBA. So let’s have a look.
Job opportunities for MBA
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary |
| Accounting Manager | INR 7,21,000 |
| Human Resource Manager | INR 6,60,000 |
| Marketing Manager | INR 7,00,000 |
| Business Development Manager | INR 5,70,000 |
| Senior Business Analyst | INR 11,60,000 |
Job opportunities for PGDM
| Job Profile | Average Annual Salary |
| Business Consultant | INR 9,40,000 |
| PR Officer | INR 2,50,000 |
| Strategic Manager | INR 19,88,000 |
| Brand Manager | INR 12,00,000 |
| International Sales Manager | INR 10,00,000 |
After analysing the table, it is evaluated that the PGDM vs MBA Salary have slight differences. However, if you have good working experience, subject knowledge and robust skills you can get a good package salary.
Also Read- MD vs MS
In short, PGDM VS MBA both are post-graduation programs, but the difference is MBA is a degree and a PGDM is a diploma course. These two fields are best for this student who wants to make a career in the business management field. Moreover, the PGDM VS MBA duration is slightly different, one is for 2 years, and the other lasts for 1 to 2 years. Thus, choosing one could be an uphill battle. Therefore, to help you in this situation our study abroad consultant at Gradding is here. They will help you to choose the one according to your educational background. Also, you can use their tool University Finder for PGDM and MBA. It will give you the best options for choosing a college to pursue these two programs.
PGDM is a diploma course provided by an autonomous institution approved by AICTE. It is an industry-focused learning and practical approach course. An MBA is a degree offered by universities that is integrated by UGC. It provides theoretical and detailed knowledge of the business subject. Both are best in their place but the demand for an MBA is more.
Yes, it can be considered equivalent to an MBA, however it depends upon the institution offering it.
Yes, you can pursue a Ph. D. after completing PGDM because it is also a PG degree and anyone can pursue a doctoral degree.
If you want to pursue entrepreneurship, then studying PGDM over than MBA would be a better idea. Thus, in a short time, you can get industry-focused learning. Also, get hands-on practical skills.
PGDM is more industry-relevant than MBA. The reason behind this is that PGDM courses are inclined to be deliberate with a robust focus on practical learning and a frequently updated curriculum to replicate the latest market trends.
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