BE or BTech – As per the data suggested in media reports, India produces nearly 15 lakh engineers every year – making engineering one of the most sought-after career paths in the country. Now, with the advent of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, Data Science, and more, the rate of admission in engineering is at an all-time high.
According to a study by Statista, conducted across 993 universities, 38102 colleges, and 8631 stand-alone institutions, more than 28 lakh Indian students enrolled in engineering disciplines (Computer Science, Mechanical, Electronics, Civil, and Electrical) in 2020.
After considering the dataset presented above, one can’t argue with the fact that there is immense demand for engineering courses in India. In India, an engineering degree holds value in monetary, career growth as well as cultural terms.
Now, students who want to become engineers in India are vehemently confused between pursuing a BE degree or a BTech degree. On a fundamental level, both are bachelor courses in engineering. On a microscopic level though, there is a clear difference between the two.
This article intends to bring to light that very difference and help aspiring engineers to choose the best degree out of the two. To begin with, we will lay down the logistics of pursuing both the degrees and then chart down the differences between the two.
Students are advised to go through the whole article – to get the most out of our discussion and make an informed decision about which degree to pursue.
BE or BTech – Bachelor of Engineering (BE) – At a Glance
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) – Course Highlights
| Course Name | Bachelor of Engineering (BE) |
| Eligibility | Candidates must be Class 12 passed with physics, chemistry, and mathematics as mandatory subjects |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Fee | INR 15,000 to INR 4 lakh per semester* |
| Course Type | Theory-Based |
| Starting Salary | INR 15,000 to 70,000 per month (depending on college, some candidates make even more) |
| Employment | Government & Private Firms |
*The fee range depicted is mostly for reputed government colleges offering the degree. The fee at some private colleges is even higher than what has been depicted.
What is a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) Course?
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) is a four-year course and comprises eight semesters (two semesters each year). It is mainly a theory-based course and focuses on gathering theoretical knowledge about the engineering aspect of science.
Through a BE course, students get to understand the fundamentals of science and engineering, and can then become engineering graduates after completing their degrees.
A few popular BE courses are:
- BE in Mechanical Engineering
- BE in Computer Science Engineering
- BE in Information Technology
- BE in Civil Engineering
- BE in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- BE in Electronics and Communications Engineering
- BE in Automobile Engineering
- BE in Aeronautical Engineering
- BE in Production Engineering
- BE in Mining Engineering
- BE in Biomedical Engineering
- BE in Biotechnology Engineering
- BE in Marine Engineering
- BE in Chemical Engineering
- BE in Computer Engineering
- and many more
What does a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) Course Entail?
Students who enrol in a BE course learn about their subject as well as other related subjects (branches) of engineering.
This means that if a student is pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, he will also receive knowledge related to Mechanical Engineering and other engineering branches in the first few semesters. Later on, the focus will shift to only Civil Engineering (or whatever specialisation is chosen).
Note: The focus of a BE degree is to provide in-depth theoretical knowledge about the concerned area of engineering.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) Course?
- Students must have passed Class 12 from the science stream.
- Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) are mandatory subjects that one should have studied in their Class 12.
- In general, students need to score a minimum of 50% in Class 12. Some universities even require up to 75% in Class 12.
- Aspirants also need to crack entrance exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) or others to get into government colleges and other reputed colleges. Otherwise, students will have to pay inordinate amounts as fees to get admission in regular private colleges through management quota.
Note: Additional subjects like Computer Science, Biology, and Geography are also important in Class 12 for those students who want to opt for special BE courses like BE in Computer Science, BE in Biological Engineering, BE in Geological Engineering, among others.
What Salary Does a BE Graduate Receive?
As per Ambitionbox.com, the starting BE graduate salary in India, on an average, is INR 4.2 lakh per annum (LPA). However, the salary can be higher for skilled individuals and for students who are in specialised branches like computer science, metallurgy, geology, among others.
Which Colleges Offer a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) Course?
Bachelor of Engineering (BE) courses are offered by both universities that offer standard bachelor courses like BA, BSc, BCom, as well as specialised universities that only offer technical courses.
These include popular and reputed colleges/universities like:
- College Of Engineering, Anna University – [CEG], Chennai
- Jadavpur University – [JU], Kolkata
- Woxsen University, Hyderabad
- Panjab University – [PU], Chandigarh
- Government College Of Technology – [GCT], Coimbatore
- University Institute Of Technology, Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya – [UIT-RGPV], Bhopal
- L.D. College Of Engineering – [LDCE], Ahmedabad
- and many more
To know about some of the top-paying engineering branches in India, please click here.
BE or BTech – Bachelor of Technology (BTech): At a Glance
Bachelor of Technology (BTech) – Course Highlights
| Course Name | Bachelor of Technology (BTech) |
| Eligibility | Candidates must be Class 12 passed with physics, chemistry, and mathematics as mandatory subjects |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Fee | INR 15,000 to INR 4 lakh per semester* |
| Course Type | Theory-Based |
| Starting Salary | INR 15,000 to 70,000 per month (depending on college, some candidates make even more) |
| Employment | Government & Private Firms |
*The fee range depicted is mostly for reputed IITs, NITs, IIITs, and government colleges offering the degree. The fee at some private colleges is even higher than what has been depicted.
What is a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Course?
Bachelor of Technology (BTech), just like BE, is also a four-year course and comprises eight semesters (two semesters each year). However, the main difference is that BTech is mainly skill-based and focuses on gaining experiential knowledge of the concepts, and is also supremely specialisation focused.
Here are some of the BTech courses that students pursue:
- BTech in Mechanical Engineering
- BTech in Computer Science Engineering
- BTech in Information Technology
- BTech in Civil Engineering
- BTech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- BTech in Electronics and Communications Engineering
- BTech in Automobile Engineering
- BTech in Aeronautical Engineering
- BTech in Production Engineering
- BTech in Mining Engineering
- BTech in Biomedical Engineering
- BTech in Biotechnology Engineering
- BTech in Marine Engineering
- BTech in Chemical Engineering
- BTech in Computer Engineering
- and many more
What does a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Course Entail?
Students who enrol in a BTech course specialise in only their domain, and unlike BE, get to learn about other related subjects (branches) of engineering to a very limited extent. From the very first semester, they begin learning mostly about their own choice of engineering branch.
This means that if a student is pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering, the majority of knowledge he will receive will be related to Civil Engineering, and not of other-related branches. The skills that will be taught include planning, designing, construction, and management of industrial construction and maintenance of highways, roads, and railway tracks. This way, the student will be taught about the executional aspect of engineering. On the other hand, in BE, the student will be taught about the knowledge and theory aspect of engineering.
Note: The focus of a BTech degree is to provide in-depth practical and experiential knowledge about the concerned area of engineering.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Course?
- Students must have passed Class 12 from the science stream.
- Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM) are the mandatory subjects that one should have in their Class 12 boards.
- In general, students need to score a minimum of 50% in Class 12. Some universities even require up to 70% in Class 12.
- Aspirants have to crack entrance exams like the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), VITEEE, BITSAT, among others, to get into IITs, NITs, IIITs, government colleges, and other reputed colleges.
- For specialised fields like Computer Science Engineering, IT Engineering, and more, it is advisable to take Computer Science as a subject in Class 12. However, that is not an absolute requirement.
Note: Students who do not get admission in government colleges can get into private engineering colleges too, however, they will have to pay higher amounts as fees to get admission.
What Salary Does a BTech Graduate Receive?
Students have to note that there is not a lot of difference between BTech and BE salaries. As per Talent.com, the average starting salary for a BTech graduate in India is INR 3.37 LPA.
Note: This might seem lower than what BE graduates make in urban or Tier 1 cities. However, most of the reported salaries come from students across the country who have completed their engineering degrees from private universities. Plus, since BTech is a skill-based course, consistent upskilling and job experience will pave the way for a higher salary.
Which Colleges Offer a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) Course?
Bachelor of Technology (BTech) courses are offered mostly by special colleges and universities, which are classified as institutes of national importance and include IITs, NITs, and IIITs. Other government and private colleges also offer these courses.
Some of these colleges are:
- Indian Institutes of Technology
- National Institutes of Technology
- Indian Institutes of Information Technology
- Vellore Institute Of Technology – [VIT University], Vellore
- Indian Institute Of Engineering Science And Technology – [IIEST] Shibpur, Howrah
- Delhi Technological University – [DTU], New Delhi
- University Of Engineering And Management – [UEM], Jaipur
- Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University – [JNTUH], Hyderabad
- and many more
BE or BTech – Which One is Better?
After going through the information we provided in the earlier sections, candidates must have realised that there are not a lot of differences between the two degrees. This is why, none of the degrees is better than the other.
Then, the question arises – “Which one should I go for?”
The answer lies in the difference between the two degrees!
However, before that, here are the similarities in both degrees:
| BE AND BTECH – SIMILARITIES | |
| SUBJECT KNOWLEDGE | Both are bachelor degrees in the realm of engineering |
| RECOGNITION | The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has granted equal recognition to both of them |
| ELIGIBILITY | The eligibility criteria is similar for both courses |
| FEE | The college fees for both courses are nearly the same |
| ENTRY-LEVEL SALARY | The salary a graduate engineer earns after BTech or BE is also approximately the same |
| AVAILABILITY | Both degrees are offered by government and private colleges |
| BE AND BTECH – DIFFERENCES | ||
| BE | BTECH | |
| Knowledge-based curriculum | Skill-based curriculum | |
| Internships and industrial trainings are optional | Internships and industrial trainings are mandatory | |
ALSO READ: WHAT TO DO AFTER BTECH? CAREER OPTIONS, HIGHER STUDIES, UPSKILLING & MORE
How Should One Choose Between BE and BTech?
Once the differences between the two are clear, here are the two defining factors that will determine which degree a student should go with.
These are:
- Student’s Interest
- College/University
Student’s Interest
Whether one should choose a BE degree or a BTech degree depends first and foremost on one’s interest.
When to go for a BE degree?
When to go for a BTech degree?
That said, ultimately, there is not much difference between the two degrees and candidates will find themselves with equal opportunities in their chosen fields. That is precisely why most companies also do not differentiate between candidates having a BTech or BE degree.
Even the jobs offered to candidates having the two degrees are the same. Some of the positions offered include:
JOB POSITIONS FOR BE & BTECH GRADUATES
| Computer Science Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | IT Engineer |
| Ceramic Engineer | Civil Engineer | Production Engineer |
| Automobile Engineer | Robotics Engineer | Chemical Engineer |
| Electrical Engineer | Geological Engineer | Construction Engineer |
| Aerospace Engineer | Telecommunication Engineer | Aeronautical Engineer |
College/University
Due to the fact that organisations give equal weightage to both degrees, the one factor that can make or break a student’s career is the college or university chosen.
Experts believe that students should choose colleges instead of courses – when it comes to the two degrees.
A highly reputed college – like an IIT or a tier-1 government institute – will have the best faculty, great learning facilities, intelligent peer group, and a supremely effective placement cell. All of this translates into better campus placements for students – as the top companies in India visit these colleges.
Some of these top recruiters are:
TOP INDIAN COMPANIES FOR BE AND BTECH GRADUATES
| TCS | Apple | Microsoft | |
| HCL Technologies | IBM Global Services | Infosys Technologies | Wipro |
| Cognizant | Hindustan Unilever Ltd | Intel | Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd |
| Deloitte | Amazon | American Express | Schlumberger |
Thus:
- One should go with any one degree as per their interest
- Or, go with the better college they are getting with any of the two degrees
Both options are equally good!
BE or BTech – Final Comparison
| Bachelor of Engineering (BE) | Bachelor of Technology (BTech) |
| Curriculum
Knowledge-based course |
Curriculum
Internship mandatory |
| Eligibility
|
Eligibility
|
| Course Fee INR 15,000 to INR 4 lakh per semester (and more – depending on college) |
Course Fee INR 15,000 to INR 4 lakh per semester (and more – depending on college) |
| Average Starting Salary
INR 4.2 LPA |
Average Starting Salary INR 3.37 LPA |
| College Government and Private Both |
College Government and Private Both |
| Which One to Choose? Choose BE to work in fields that require the knowledge of systems, technologies, domains, and industries from end-to-end.Other than that, choose based on interest and college. |
Which One to Choose? Choose BTech to work in fields that require one to create systems, technologies, domains, and industries. Other than that, choose based on interest and college. |
FAQs
Are BE and BTech the same?
BE stands for Bachelor of Engineering, while BTech stands for Bachelor of Technology. The major difference between the two is that BE is more knowledge-based while BTech is more skill-oriented.
Which is more valuable, BE or BTech?
Currently, there is not much difference between the two and both are considered equally important.
Is BTech harder than BE?
Both degrees acquaint the students with the basic and advanced concepts of engineering. Since BE is more theoretically inclined and BTech is more practical, both are not considered easy to pursue and the student has to study sincerely to excel in any of the two domains.
What course offers more salary and scope, BE or BTech?
BE and BTech are both bachelor engineering degrees with similar fees and salary packages. Thus, it depends more on what the student prefers to pursue and less on which course offers better salary – as both are considered equivalent in value as far as career prospects and salary packages are concerned.
Which course is best in BTech?
In BTech, as per Statista.com, more than 28 lakh students enrolled in engineering in 2020 in the following five disciplines – Computer Science, Mechanical, Electronics, Civil, and Electrical. Apart from these, students also pursue Information Technology with equal zest. Thus, these six courses are considered the best and the most sought-after when it comes to engineering.
