Comparing PGDCA and MCA: Course Details, Career Prospects, and Top Colleges in India

With technological advancements and the demand for IT professionals increased if your career in computer applications, then two courses MCA (Master of Computer Applications) and PGDCA (Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Application) are there. Choosing between a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications (PGDCA) depends on some factors like career goals, time availability, and educational background.

What is a PGDCA or MCA course?

PGCDA is a specialized program that is designed to get skills in various aspects of computer applications with a duration of one year. MCA stands for the master two-year professional program in Computer Applications and is designed to equip students for success in the corporate IT landscape with practical and theoretical aspects.

Graduates of PGDCA programs find opportunities in various sectors such as IT, software development, banking, finance, healthcare, education, and government agencies where Graduates with an MCA degree can expect to access top-tier job opportunities with attractive salaries.

While considering MCA vs PGDCA, The table below shows a PGDCA vs MCA comparison on various factors.

Factors	PGDCA	MCA
Full Form	Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications	Master of Computer Application
Degree Type	PG Diploma	Masters
Depth	Provides foundational knowledge and skills in computer applications.	Provides in-depth knowledge in computer science and applications
Duration	1 year	2-3 years
Modes	Offline and distance	Online, Offline, Distance
Eligibility	10+2+4 or Bachelor's degree from a recognized institution	Math must be a fundamental subject in 10+2 and Bachelor Courses in computers
Entrance Exam	CUET, NEST, LPUNEST, GSET	NIMCET, MAKAUT CET, MAH MCA CET, TANCET, BIT MCA Entrance Exam
Course Focus	Introductory computer applications & programming concepts.	In-depth advanced computer and programming concepts.
Curriculum	It has a rigid curriculum focusing on practical applications.	MCA covers a wider range of topics.
Average Fee	INR 2 lakhs	INR 35K to 2 lakhs
Job Options	Entry-level positions	IT industry jobs
Average Salary	INR 7 lakhs	INR 3 to 10 lakhs
Job Roles	Technical Architect, Software Developer, UX Developer, Programmer, System Analyst, Database Administrator, Independent Consultant, etc.	System administrators, computer scientists, software developers, chief information officers, and more.
Curriculum	Operating systems, database management systems, web programming, and more.	Modern computer technologies, software & app development, UX design, and programming languages.
Top Recruiters	Accenture, TCS, Infosys, Oracle, Tech Mahindra etc.	Accenture, Cisco Systems, Alcatel, BSNL, Amazon
Top College	Jamia Millia Islamia, Madras Christian College, Lovely Professional University	Amity University, Christ University, Chandigarh University, Shoolini University, Madras Christian College, Jain University

PGDCA Syllabus

PGDCA Syllabus

2nd Semester

Object-oriented programming

Software Engineering

Computer Networks

Data Structure

Web Programming

MCA Syllabus

MCA Syllabus
Semester 1	Semester 2
Introduction in IT	Info Systems Analysis Design & Implementations
Computer Organisation & Architecture	Operating Systems
Programming & Data Structure	Oral and Wireless Communications
Introduction to Management Functions	Accounting and Management Control
Mathematical foundations	Probability & Combinatorics
IT Lab	Business Programme Lab
Programming Lab	Unix & Windows Lab
Semester 3	Semester 4
Data Base Management Systems	Network Programming
Computer Communication Networks	Software Engg. I
Object Oriented Analysis and Design	Elective I
Management Support System	Organizational Behaviour
Statistical Computing	Elective 2
DBMS Lab	Network Lab
Statistical Computing Lab	CASE Tools Lab
A.I and Applications	Project
Software Engineering II	Seminar
AI & Application lab	Optimization Techniques

Top 10 MCA Colleges in India

Institute	Total Fee Structure	Admission Fees	Miscellaneous Fees
Chandigarh University	INR 1.4 LPA	-	INR 21,500 PA
Jain University	INR 2 LPA	INR 1,000	INR 32,000 PA
Christ University	INR 1.8 LPA	INR 5,000	INR 43,394 PA
Amity University	INR 50,000 PA	INR 20,000	-
SRM Institute of Science and Technology	INR 1 LPA	-	INR 1.02 LPA
JNU, Delhi	INR 3.71 PA	INR 1,000	INR 2500
University of Hyderabad	INR 37,630 PA	INR 3,000	INR 8,775
Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi	INR 8,500 PA	INR 500	INR 4,500
NIT, Trichy	INR 70,000 PA	INR 5,000	INR 12,000
NIT, Warangal	INR 62,500 PA	INR 1,000	INR 8,000
Sharda University	INR 1.54 LPA	INR 5,000	INR 6,000
UPES	INR 1.10 LPA	INR 1,000	INR 3,500
VIT Vellore	INR 1.4 LPA	INR 3,000	INR 1,000
SRM Institute of Science and Technology	INR 1 LPA	INR 10,000	INR 8,000
GLA University	INR 1.38 LPA	INR 1,000	-

Top BCA Colleges in India

College Name	Total Tuition Fee
Christ University	INR 6.60 lakh
St. Joseph's University	INR 3 lakh
SICSR Pune	INR 5.05 lakh
Kristu Jayanti College	INR 2.70 lakh
Loyola College	INR 2.94 lakh
MCC	INR 1.02 lakh
PSGCAS	INR 1.57 lakh
Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication	INR 89,270
Government Arts College Salem	INR 1,545