IPM vs Traditional BBA + MBA: Which Path is Better?

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Assistant Manager- Content

Updated on Sep 30, 2025 11:44 IST

Confused about which path to choose between the Integrated Programme in Management and the Traditional BBA + MBA? Read the article below to know the comparison between course duration, costs, placement opportunities, career prospects, etc.

IPM vs Traditional BBA + MBA: Students planning to build a career in the field of business and management must carefully choose their education path, as it is a crucial decision for aspiring business leaders. The Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) and the traditional BBA + MBA are the two popular educational paths in India that students can choose from to begin their journey in business management.

Management education has gained considerable popularity over the years and has become one of the most sought-after career paths. Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have fueled this trend with their innovative five-year integrated programme in management (IPM), which is designed for students who have cleared Class 12. The IPM programme offers a blend of bachelor's and master’s degrees, wherein the students are offered an MBA degree at the end of the course. The prestigious Indian Institute of Management, Indore (IIM Indore), first offered the IPM programme in India.

Having said that, one dilemma that the students often face is, Is IPM better than BBA MBA?. Read the article below to know the Integrated Programme in Management benefits, BBA + MBA advantages and disadvantages, career prospects, etc.

Table of content

IPM vs Traditional BBA + MBA: What is the Difference?
IPM vs Traditional BBA + MBA Career Prospects and ROI
IPM vs BBA + MBA Advantages and Disadvantages

IPM vs Traditional BBA + MBA: What is the Difference?

IPM, or the integrated programme in management, is a dual degree programme that begins with a three-year bachelor’s degree (usually BBA/BBM) and rolls into a two-year post-graduation programme (MBA). It is, in all, a five-year programme in management studies specifically designed for students after Class 12. The programme is offered by some of the top institutes in India, such as IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Jammu, etc.

On the other hand, traditional BBA + MBA requires the students to complete one undergraduate degree (3 years), appear for an entrance exam such as CAT and then apply for the MBA degree (2 years). Students have to appear for BBA entrance exams such as SET, NPAT, CUET, etc. and then for MBA entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, SNAP, NMAT, GMAT, etc. The students have the option of gaining work experience in between degrees. Top institutes which offer BBA and MBA programmes include Delhi University, Christ University, NMIMS, Amity University, etc.

Feature	IPM	Traditional BBA MBA
Duration of the course	5 years	3 years + 2 years (may include 1 year of gap or placements)
Cost	High due to dual degree	Varies (lower than IPM because of a lesser number of years)
Curriculum	Foundational knowledge, such as social science, mathematics, psychology, etc., followed by specialized management education	BBA focuses on business basics such as finance, marketing, operations, etc., while MBA focuses on advanced management topics.
Pedagogy	Focus on holistic development with courses in communication, critical thinking and leadership	Focus on theoretical learning in BBA and practical exposure in MBA.
Admission Process	One entrance exam followed by GD/PI rounds	Multiple entrance exams for BBA and MBA followed GD/PI/WAT process for both
Flexibility	Less	More
Top Entrance Exams	IPMAT, IPMAT Rohtak, JIPMAT	SET, NPAT, CAT, XAT, CMAT, SNAP, NMAT, etc.
Top Colleges	IIM Indore, IIM Rohtak, IIM Shillong, IIFT, TAPMI, IIM Ranchi, IIM Sirmaur, IIM Amritsar, etc.	MBA programmes at IIMs, XLRI, Symbiosis University, NMIMS, etc.
Placement Opportunities	Placements by IIMs	Depends on the institute
ROI	High	Low
Global Exposure	Early advantage because of IIMs	Possible if pursuing global MBA

The IPM programme also has various similarities with the traditional BBA MBA path such as:

Both programmes focus on business administration.
Students can opt for specializations in fields including finance, marketing, business analytics, HR, etc.
Students develop leadership skills, analytical skills and strategic planning.

Also Read: Top integrated MBA programmes in India

IPM vs Traditional BBA + MBA Career Prospects and ROI

IPM is a longer haul as compared to the traditional path, which is perfect for someone who feels stuck in the job world and is looking to boss up or boost their expertise in a particular area. Read on to know the career prospects and ROI for IPM and traditional BBA MBA path:

Integrated Programme in Management (IPM) Career Prospects and ROI

The IPM programme offers the opportunity to enter the MBA programmes at IIMs directly, hence giving them access to placement opportunities as MBA graduates. Thus, IPM graduates can enter the workforce early.

At IIM Indore, the highest package stood at INR 70 LPA as per the placement report 2025. Over 225 recruiters participated in the placement drive, and the average package stood at INR 29.57 LPA. The median salary offered was INR 27 LPA. The top recruiters included companies such as Accenture, Boston Consulting Group, Deloitte, E&Y, KPMG, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Adani Group, Airtel, Amazon, Ola, Microsoft, PhonePe, Pepsico, Hindustan Unilever, etc.

The IPM programme is a flagship programme at IIM Indore and brings with itself a strong network of the IIM alumni, international exchange opportunities and credibility in the corporate world because of the IIM brand. The average package after pursuing the IPM course is approximately INR 30.2 LPA.

The IPM fees vary between INR 30 lakh and INR 35 lakh for the five-year programme. This can be considered a much higher fee as compared to the traditional BBA degree. Even though the fee is higher, the programme offers the opportunity of premium placements and long-term brand value. Students can recover their investment gradually with three to five years of work experience.

Also Read:

Traditional BBA + MBA Career Prospects and ROI

After completing BBA, students have the option of choosing higher studies (MBA) or stepping into the workforce and later pursuing higher education. Students can apply to a reputed MBA institute after two to three years of work experience through an entrance exam.

BBA alone does not offer a much higher pay scale. The average salary of a BBA graduate falls between the range of INR 4 LPA and INR 6 LPA. Pursuing MBA from a renowned B-school in India such as XLRI, IIMs, FMS, ISB, etc., can give an edge to the students in the field and help them with the best jobs in the market. The average salary packages at such colleges and universities range between INR 20 LPA to INR 30 LPA.

If a student pursues an MBA from a mid-tier or third-tier B-school, the average package falls around INR 7 LPA to INR 12 LPA. The cost of pursuing the BBA and MBA programme can vary from one institute to another. BBA fees are approximately between INR 3 lakh and INR 10 lakh, and those of an MBA are between INR 10 lakh and INR 25 lakh in India.

The better the institute, the higher the return on investment (ROI) for the traditional path. Top B-schools in India, such as IIMs, FMS, XLRI, etc,. offer high ROIs as they are known to offer the best MBA placements. On the other hand, placements in the tier 2 and tier 3 B-schools is mediocre.

Also Read:

IPM vs BBA + MBA Advantages and Disadvantages

Check the table below to know the advantages and disadvantages of IPM and traditional BBA + MBA programmes:

Aspect	IPM	Traditional BBA + MBA
Advantages	Direct entry into IIMs after Class 12 Seamless transition from undergraduate degree to MBA (no CAT later) Strong placement support Early exposure to management subjects Dual degree (BBA + MBA) in 5 years	Flexibility to choose MBA college later Opportunity to gain work experience before MBA Choice to study abroad for MBA Lower upfront cost compared to IPM Specialization choices available at both the BBA and MBA levels
Disadvantages	High fees Limited flexibility once enrolled No scope to explore other careers after joining Requires clarity at the Class 12 level	BBA alone has a limited job scope ROI depends heavily on the MBA college tier Requires cracking competitive exams like CAT/GMAT - Longer and uncertain journey if MBA is not from a top institute

Both IPM and traditional routes offer handsome career prospects in the field of management and business, but the right choice depends on the students’ goals and aspirations. If the student is certain that they wish to pursue management as a career right after Class 12, along with the IIM advantage with strong placement opportunities, then IPM is the ideal course. On the other hand, the traditional BBA + MBA can suit someone who prefers flexibility and is looking for a chance to gain work experience after graduation.

From the ROI perspective, an IPM course offers high returns on investment as it gives seamless progression into an MBA and high salaries. A traditional BBA + MBA can also offer high ROI or better placements if a student secures admission in a top-tier B-school.

In other words, students should weigh their options, know their long-term goals, review finances, and career aspirations before choosing the education path between IPM vs traditional BBA+ MBA before making the final decision.

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About the Author

Saumya Jain

Assistant Manager- Content

Saumya brings over seven years of editorial experience, with more than five years of wielding pen (and keyboard) at Shiksha. A graduate in English Literature from Delhi University, she is a storyteller at heart. A t Read Full Bio