New Delhi: The admission season has come, with students after Plus Two will look for courses to become graduate. In India, professional courses- Engineering, Medical, Management cost a huge varies from Rs 5 to 25 lakh depending upon colleges. The BTech course fees for the top engineering colleges in India- IITs vary from Rs 8 to 10 lakh, while to become a MBBS, the candidates have to pay between Rs 10 to 25 lakh for private colleges.
Meanwhile, the MBBS course fees at All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) range from Rs 5,000 to 23,000. News9 has listed top 10 professional courses in India, the best colleges course-wise, course fees, campus placement and the experts advise for students on various aspects of the admission process.
– These are the average placement packages course-wise. Shared by industry experts.
Engineering
Top 5 government engineering colleges as per NIRF ranking 2023
Top 5 private engineering colleges as per NIRF ranking 2023
News9 had a word with professors, industry experts to know how professional courses had shaped in the last decade, and various aspects of admission, placement process relates to the course.
Q1. In the last three decades, have we added anything to our bouquet of professional courses for students to take up after class 12?
Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, National Educational Technology Forum (NETF)- “There have been large number of professional engineering courses added to the existing ones- Robotics, Drone technology, AI, DATA Science, Machine learning, quantum computing, Cloud computing, cyber security, Block chain, space science and technology, Business analytics, to name a few.”
Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore- “Over the last three decades, India has witnessed a significant evolution in its approach to professional education, especially for students post-class 12. This transformation has been pivotal in providing diverse opportunities for career growth and personal development. Three decades ago, professional education in India primarily revolved around traditional disciplines such as engineering, medicine, and law. There were limited options available for students after class 12, with fewer interdisciplinary programmes and holistic approaches to education. Additionally, career paths were often more rigidly defined, with less emphasis on developing a broad range of skills beyond technical expertise.
In line with this progressive shift, IIM Indore offers the unique five-year Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) tailored for students after class 12. What sets IPM apart is its holistic approach to preparing students for the dynamic business landscape. By integrating core business disciplines with subjects like microeconomics, calculus, statistics, sociology, philosophy, and language skills, IPM ensures a well-rounded education that fosters analytical thinking, creativity, and effective communication – crucial skills for success in today’s competitive world. Moreover, IPM’s curriculum goes beyond traditional business education, incorporating courses like dance, drama, and physical training to nurture talents across diverse domains. This evolution mirrors the changing trends in professional education, reflecting a broader emphasis on holistic development. The recent National Education Policy (NEP) further underscores this focus, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to education.”
Rajesh Dasari, Founder, Texas International Academy (TIA)- “A lot of professional courses have been added that can help students to take up undergraduate courses abroad. Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT) are a few. These fields are rapidly growing and to fill the talent gap the courses have been introduced in curriculums all over the world.”
Ramesh Batlish, Head, FIITJEE Noida- “In the last decade, students have opted for new programs like Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, Electronics and Communication, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, Mathematics and Computing, Robotics, Nanotechnology, Genetic Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Chemical Engineering.”
Pankaj Priya, Deputy Director and Dean Academics, BIMTECH- “With the rapid transformations in the technological ecosystem and the arrival of cutting-edge technologies such as generative AI, the curriculum of Indian higher education has taken a new turn. The year 2023 saw a 70% increase in the number of students opting for upskilling courses. There is a huge demand for competent professionals in the IT industry, Health Tech, Fintech, Retail tech and Insurtech. To meet the demands a large number of institutions are coming up with professional courses on artificial intelligence, data science, Marketing Analytics, Financial Analytics, Environmental Engineering, Pharmaceutical Marketing Management as well as the Strategic Claims Management.”
Q2. Considering that we will have to pay a huge sum of money for our children to get into a decent professional course to pursue graduation, what would you say is the best bet? Where can our children earn more than what they have spent on studying?
Anil Sahasrabudhe- “I think any discipline of studied with seriousness and one excels them the return on investment is huge. But in most cases students enter into the professional programs because of pressure from parents and relatives and continue in the program half hearted or without seriousness in which case such students don’t get good jobs. My appeal to students is to select any domain of knowledge which is of your taste, interest, passion and put in the best efforts and success will be yours.”
Himanshu Rai- “In India, the pursuit of a professional course after graduation often entails substantial expenses, prompting families to seek returns on their investment in the form of lucrative career opportunities. It is essential to assess not only the earning potential post-graduation but also the long-term career prospects and opportunities for growth. In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the landscape of professional education in India. Traditional courses such as engineering and medicine, while still prestigious, have faced saturation and heightened competition, resulting in challenges in securing high-paying positions. Conversely, emerging fields such as data science, artificial intelligence, finance, and digital marketing have witnessed a surge in demand, offering promising avenues for substantial returns on investment.
Various surveys clarify that professional courses have demonstrated consistent growth in terms of placement opportunities and salary packages. Moreover, with the advent of technological advancements and globalization, new opportunities have emerged in unconventional sectors such as e-commerce, renewable energy, healthcare technology, and sustainable development. These sectors not only offer competitive salaries but also provide avenues for innovation and societal impact, aligning with the aspirations of the younger generation. In addition to choosing the right field of study, students must focus on skill development and experiential learning opportunities. Employers increasingly value practical skills, adaptability, and a multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing the importance of internships, industry collaborations, and continuous upskilling. It is all about having a strategic approach that combines thorough research, alignment with market trends, and a focus on holistic development. This will help the students recoup their educational expenses and achieve prosperous careers that contribute meaningfully to society.”
Pankaj Priya- “The finances required to carry out higher education in India are quite high, therefore, it is advisable to opt for degrees that provide even higher ROI (return on investment). Looking at the current waves in the business arena, having expertise in new-age tech, healthcare (especially post-pandemic), finance, and entrepreneurship would give the student an upper hand. The current scenario suggests a chasm between the mushrooming demand for such proficient professionals and the bearish supply. This suggests that there would be higher ROI in the said sector. BIMTECH – Birla Institute of Management Technology has been integrating Technological applications in all courses. This apart, there are specific verticals focusing on analytics and digital embedment in the course.”
Ramesh Batlish- “Undoubtedly, IITs offer the best ROI. However, it all depends on the individual efforts and abilities of the student in enhancing their skills and abilities where they could pursue a similar Program from the other institutes like NITs, IIITs & CFTIs and still land up in their dream job and become successful.”
Rajesh Dasari- “There are institutions abroad that are pretty much competent when it comes to tuition fees compared to premium institutions in India. Also, the chances of gaining scholarships are better abroad than in India. These foreign-based academic institutions are also ranked better compared to top institutions in India.
Geographically, although studying in the US still tops the chart, it also depends on the particular courses. For example, if a student wants to pursue automobile or mechanical engineering then Germany would be a great fit.
There are several other countries in the EU or universities in the UK that offer the best business course curriculums. While considering the investment needed for professional courses that you are going to spend on your children, STEM fields, particularly Computer Science and Engineering, often offer the best return on investment.
Graduates in these fields now are in high demand globally and command one of the best salaries around the world. Recently, a study by PayScale highlighted that computer science graduates enjoy highly-paid salaries which are more than their initial education costs. At Texas International Academy (TIA), we prepare students for these high-earning jobs through in-depth teaching and also help them with scholarship opportunities in top universities abroad.”
Q3. Which professional course has the best strike rate ( most students who take up these courses land jobs)?
The following courses have helped students land up in high paying jobs- Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Data Science, Software Development, Artificial Intelligence, Project Management, UI/UX Design, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Digital Marketing, Blockchain, Web Development, Entrepreneurship.
Anil Sahasrabudhe- “Currently it appears to be computer science but it will also saturate sooner than later. But professions such as nursing and teaching will remain evergreen.”
Himanshu Rai- “I think several factors come into play here, including industry demand, skill relevance, and career growth prospects. While it is challenging to pinpoint a single course with the highest strike rate, certain trends in professional education shed light on areas where students have consistently secured employment opportunities. Courses focusing on people management, artificial intelligence, technology, and crisis management have witnessed considerable traction in the job market. According to industry reports and employment surveys, these fields offer promising prospects for graduates due to their relevance in today’s dynamic business landscape. While each of these professional domains presents promising career prospects, students need to align their interests, aptitudes, and career aspirations with the course they choose. Moreover, acquiring practical experience through internships, industry projects, and networking can significantly enhance job readiness and employability regardless of the chosen field.”
Pankaj Priya- “The current business landscape is highly volatile due to the rapid advancements in the digital ecosystem with respect to the AI and machine learning. Scrutinizing the future market, the Indian government is heavily investing in the IT sector and bringing in schemes and aids such as the National Digital Library of India and Virtual Labs. Seeing the new-age technologies, there is a surge in the demand for leaders capable of handling and contributing to the said sector. By 2026, India will need 30 million digitally skilled professionals. Therefore, it is only smart to opt for courses offering digital upskilling. However, ROI and the student’s aspirations must be kept in mind while opting for the professional course. Keeping the above aspects in mind BIMTECH has been revising its course to make them relevant to the demands of the industry after due consultation with Industry experts.”
Q4. Please tell us one ballpark figure (in rupees) that parents or guardians will have to save for their children to become a graduate?
Anil Sahasrabudhe- “This changes with time and policy of the government. There are few regulations and there are scholarships too. Hence any figure depends on nature of institute, program private or govt merit or ma nagement seat or location of institute. Hence it may range from a thousands of rupees to several lakh of rupees.”
Himanshu Rai- “The cost of education in India has been on an upward trajectory over the past decade, posing financial challenges for parents and guardians. According to data from Edu Fund, between 2012 and 2020, the cost of private school education in India witnessed an average annual increase of approximately 10-12 percent. This notable rise encompasses not only tuition fees but also additional expenses such as transportation, examination fees, textbooks, and other academic essentials. Typically, parents should anticipate saving between Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 15 lakh for their child’s undergraduate education at a reputable institution. This estimation covers various expenses such as tuition fees, accommodation, textbooks, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs over the course duration. For prestigious universities or specialized professional courses like engineering, medicine, or management, expenses may exceed Rs. 15 lakh, potentially reaching Rs. 30 lakh or more. If a student opts for education abroad, costs can escalate significantly, often surpassing Rs. 50 lakh or even a crore, depending on the destination and institution. Periodic increases in tuition fees, coupled with rising operational costs and infrastructural investments by educational institutions, contribute to the overall inflation in educational expenses.
As the cost of education continues to rise, proactive measures such as early financial planning, exploring investment options, and seeking scholarships or financial aid become imperative for parents. By staying informed about trends in educational costs and managing finances diligently, parents can better prepare for the financial demands associated with their children’s educational journey.”
Pankaj Priya- The total cost of higher education depends on multiple elements like the nature of the course, location, institution, and other variable factors. However, to throw a rough estimate, parents or guardians require approximately 10 – 20 lakh rupees of savings for their child to complete a higher education degree in India. The amount can be higher in the case of prestigious international institutions.
The rising cost of education has made it cumbersome for financially weaker students to pursue their higher education. However, scholarship scheme being offered by the institutions as well as the government schemes such as Dr. Ambedkar Scheme, National Fellowship for OBC Students, and Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) are working towards inclusive and affordable higher education for all. BIMTECH offers range of scholarships based on merit cum means category to its students for the last few years.”
Q5. Will foreign universities be a cheaper option then?
Anil Sahasrabudhe- “In India there is a wide range of institutes from very less cost to high cost. There are scholarships too for poor needy SC ST OBC that makes it almost free education to many. There are private scholarships from industry CSR alumni etc. too. On the other hand even of fee is less in some countries one has to spend high amounts on accommodation food and transport air fare to and fro to that country and return during vacation etc. So Indian education is affordable and accessible easily.”
Himanshu Rai- “Opting for foreign universities in less expensive countries offers a more economical alternative than pursuing higher education in countries with higher living costs. Countries like Germany, France, Taiwan, Norway, Poland, South Africa, etc. often provide quality education at relatively lower tuition fees and living expenses compared to popular destinations like the United States or the United Kingdom.
Moreover, with the proliferation of online learning platforms and distance education programmes, students can now access quality education from foreign universities without the need to relocate, further reducing costs associated with accommodation and living expenses.
However, it’s essential for students and their families to carefully evaluate the overall cost-benefit analysis, considering factors such as currency exchange rates, visa regulations, job prospects post-graduation, and the quality of education and accreditation offered by foreign institutions.
Furthermore, the trend of foreign universities setting up campuses in India has now gained momentum. This development will not only provide Indian students with access to world-class education within the country but also contribute to the internationalization of higher education and promotes cultural exchange and collaboration.”
Pankaj Priya- “Studying abroad is a dream for many Indian aspirers providing them with an opportunity to broaden their horizons. Certain countries including China, Germany, and Malaysia do offer relatively lower tuition costs and living expenses for international students as compared to India. However, other essential factors such as the ROI, quality of academics, language barriers, financial aids and cultural differences should be taken into consideration. Additionally, the overall costs also depend on the nature of the course and the country.”
