Choosing the right degree for yourself can determine how your future will shape. Deciding between the three primary streams- science, commerce, and humanities- is the first step toward planning your professional career. Humanities or Arts is an incredibly diverse stream. Whether you are interested in history, learning about political systems, studying social structures, understanding geographical formations, or knowing about the human psyche- the Arts cater to these diverse fields.
Upon graduating from school, you can decide to pursue a degree in the Arts or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. A bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate degree that forms the foundation of your professional career. It is the minimum requirement criteria for most jobs around the globe. Earning a bachelor’s degree from a reputed institution can open up endless possibilities for you, especially if it’s a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The Bachelor of Arts degree is a comprehensive undergraduate degree that includes a vast range of subjects under its wings. Naturally, the job possibilities after completing a BA course are both diverse and varied.
After class 12, students are mostly confused regarding their future career decisions like what stream they should choose and what subjects they should take. For students who possess a natural knack for arts and critical thinking, a Bachelor of Arts is the ideal way to go. This is because BA degrees are designed to instill and sharpen critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills while building a solid foundation in Humanities.
A Bachelor of Arts degree is a three-year college degree that covers a broad range of Humanities specializations. The subjects include Language Studies (English, Sanskrit, Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, etc.), History, Archaeology, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy, Social Work, Economics, Anthropology, Linguistics, Hospitality, Rural Studies, Journalism, Religion, and Communications.
The best aspect of choosing to pursue a BA course is learning how to critically analyze ideas, theories, and concepts and communicate them logically.
BA Salary in India: Specialization Streams
According to PayScale, the average salary of BA graduates in India is ₹436,168 LPA. However, it should be noted that the salary of any stream, including a BA degree specialization, depends on multiple factors, including the job profile, company size, base location, and the educational qualifications, skill set, and experience of a candidate.
Let’s look more closely at some influential factors that can affect your BA jobs salary:
- Educational qualification- What degree do you possess? Do you have a BA or a BA honours degree? Do you have a specialisation? Your credentials can negatively or positively impact your BA jobs salary package and choose your career trajectory.
- Field or Industry- A BA degree opens up diverse options. However, selecting the right industry or field of work will play an important role in determining your remuneration. For example, a degree in economics is positively valuable and so highly remunerative. Therefore, it is a given that any BA economics jobs salary per month will be higher compared to other degrees.
- Skill set- Each subject under the Arts stream requires specific skill sets which can set you apart from your peers and help you negotiate a higher salary. For example, knowledge of statistics and quantitative programs will benefit students across most subjects, while a BA economics jobs salary per month can be drastically affected depending on the skills you offer to your recruiter. Experience or knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research skills can also help you get jobs after BA and salary that is competitive in your field of choice. Soft skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, management, and leadership abilities are especially significant in how you perform in the job market.
- Employer- The employer you work for will play an influential role in deciding your salary package. Reputed and well-established employers will pay you a higher salary than other companies or organisations in the same field and industry. The company size also in this regard. Moreover, it will depend on whether you work in the private, public, or social sectors.
- Location- The place of your employment can factor into how much you earn from two perspectives. Firstly, an employer decides the HRA component of your salary by considering the cost of living in the city or place of your employment. Secondly, certain degrees and fields are more valuable in specific locations and in high demand. Therefore, you will have higher bargaining power in negotiating your salary in locations where your degree and specific skill sets hold value.
- Experience- One of the most critical factors influencing your BA job salary is prior work experience in the industry or field- it positively impacts your salary package. It is a given that freshers in any field earn less than those with experience. The more years you spend in the field, the higher your salary will be.
- Job Title- What rank do you hold in the company? Are you an Assistant, a Manager, or a Director? Your job title determines your job profile and responsibilities. More responsibilities and specialised your role is, the more valuable you will be to your employer. Consequently, your paycheck will directly reflect your role in the company.
Now that we have covered the different factors that will affect your salary package after completing your BA degree, you may be asking yourself, “How much are people actually earning?” We won’t keep you guessing.
Let’s take a look at the salary scale of some of the most popular BA specializations in India:
1. English
English is a prevalent choice for a BA degree as it has vast applications across different industries. English graduates can find job opportunities in both government and private sectors based on their expertise, knowledge, and skills.
Some of the most popular jobs for English graduates are Asst. Lecturer, Content Writer, Newspaper Editor, Translator, Public Relations Executive, Call Centre Executive, Bank Clerk, English Tutor, TV Anchor, Journalist, Script Writer, SEO Specialist, etc.
The average salary of a BA English graduate in India is ₹413,822 LPA.
2. History
After obtaining a BA History degree, graduates can work in archaeology/survey/tourism departments, archives centers, historical parks, museums, research institutes, restoration & preservation centers, etc. As a History graduate, you can become a Historian, Archaeologist, Archivist, Museum Curator, Asst. Lecturer, History Teacher, Academic Librarian, and Conservation Officer, among other things.
The average salary of a BA History graduate in India is ₹2-4 LPA.
Read: Highest Paying Jobs For Freshers
3. Geography
Geography graduates can choose to work for public/private sector firms, agricultural and economic organizations, and research institutes, depending on their interests and specialization field. A Bachelor’s degree in Geography is excellent for building a career in travel and tourism.
You can become a Geography Teacher/Lecturer, Geographer, Climatologist, Urban & Regional Planner, Survey Officer, Geospatial Analyst, Cartographer, etc.
The average salary of a BA Economics graduate in India is ₹2,51,567 LPA.
4. Economics
Economics graduates can look for employment opportunities in economic research institutions, statistical research firms, banks/credit unions, trading agencies, stock exchanges, and financial services & insurance firms. The highest paying job profiles for Economics graduates are Economist, Market Analyst, Budget Analyst, Economic Writer, Economic/Finance Consultant, Teacher/Asst. Lecturer, Credit Analyst, etc.
The average salary of a BA Geography graduate in India is ₹7,00,000 LPA.
5. Political Science
With a Political Science degree, you can find employment opportunities in journalism, law, politics, social service, and education. Most importantly, you can choose to pursue a career in the Indian Civil Services such as IAS (Indian Administrative Services) and IFS (Indian Foreign Services).
Some of the top job roles in Political Science are Journalist, Political Consultant, Public Relations Specialist, Public Policy Analyst, Political Commentator, Customs Officer, Public Opinion Analyst, Diplomat, and Politician.
The average salary of a BA Political Science graduate in India is ₹456,814 LPA.
Also Read: Highest Paying Non-IT Jobs in India
6. Sociology
Sociology graduates can enter numerous fields and career lines. From public sector agencies and welfare organizations to large corporations and MNCs, Sociology skills are in high demand across industries.
As a Sociology graduate, you can find employment in education, rural & child welfare, criminology & criminal justice departments, management consultancies, marketing agencies, hospitals/medical aid institutions, and NGOs. Some of the top roles for BA Sociology graduates are Teacher/Asst. Lecturer, PR/Advertising Executive, HR Executive, Social Worker, and Journalist.
The average salary of a BA Sociology graduate in India is ₹6,90,000 LPA.
7. Psychology
The demand for Psychology graduates is steadily rising globally, thanks to increasing awareness about psychological and mental illnesses. The highest demand for Psychology majors arises from healthcare institutions, hospitals, mental health centers, social health service centers, rehabilitation centers, youth guidance centers, and schools.
BA Psychology graduates can opt for job roles like Counselor, Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatrist, and Clinical Social Worker, to name a few.
The average salary of a BA Psychology graduate in India is ₹401,036 LPA.
8. Anthropology
Anthropology is a one-of-a-kind field that can lead to many promising career opportunities in educational institutions, tourism/heritage departments, urban planning centers, community development centers, criminal investigation departments, environmental organizations, government agencies & PSUs (public sector undertaking), and NGOs. With an Anthropology degree, you can become an Anthropologist, Researcher, Teacher/Asst. Lecturer, Museum Curator, Archivist, and Field Investigator.
The average salary of a BA Anthropology graduate in India is ₹925,000 LPA.
9. Linguistics
If you have a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics, you can take a shot at some of the most versatile and unique career options. Linguistics graduates can take up roles in teaching, publishing, editing, computer programming, proofreading, speech, and language therapy.
Computational Linguist, Linguistics Professor, Translator, Forensic Linguist, Technical Writer, Lexicographer, Speech Therapist, and Dictionary Compiler are some of the most popular Linguistics roles.
The average salary of a BA Linguistics graduate in India is ₹6,00,000 LPA.
10. Journalism
Journalism graduates usually bag jobs in media houses, publishing houses, news agencies, advertising agencies, TV channels, radio stations, digital marketing companies, and broadcasting corporations.
The most popular and well-paying journalism job profiles include TV Reporter, Columnist, News Editor, Business Editor, Screen Writer, Content Writer, Photojournalist, Correspondent, and Investigative Journalist.
The average salary of a BA Journalism graduate in India is ₹3,61,472 LPA.
Conclusion
A BA degree can open up a wide world of opportunities and options to those with a knack for critical thinking. With a specialisation in any of the subjects under the Arts, you will be a force to reckon with. But as with any field, a stream’s career prospects and salary considerations play a very real and consequential role in deciding if the degree is worth pursuing. In this article, we have outlined the most important jobs after BA and salary.
To conclude, the salary of BA graduates ranges between ₹4-5 LPA. Bachelor of Arts is a fantastic choice as a career option since you have so many opportunities to pursue. BA graduates enjoy a plethora of choices – from academia and research institutions to working in established government agencies. The key to building a successful career with a BA degree is to choose a specialization that aligns with your interests and career aspirations.
If you are determined to go down this road, we recommend you pursue an online Bachelor of Arts (Journalism & Mass Communication) degree from Chandigarh University via upGrad. The 6-semester course comprises personalized learning tracks for students looking to pursue jobs, self-employment, or competitive exams after graduation.
Apart from earning a UGC-recognised degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from a reputed, NAAC A+ accredited university, students can pursue internship opportunities to acquire industry-relevant skills and benefit from doubt resolution and teaching assistant support. upGrad’s meticulously designed curriculum consists of 450+ hours of learning content, 80+ live classes taught by top-class faculty, exposure to 30+ case studies and field projects. Among the top-paying skills students stand to acquire are Creative Advertising and Reputation Management, Photography and Videography, Social Media Content and Marketing, Mass Media Industry & Management, to name a few.
upGrad’s 40,000+ global learners base also offers opportunities to peer learning and increase your networking circle. Don’t wait, contact us today!
We hope this helps!
What is the difference between BA and BA honours?
BA and BA Honours both are 3-year undergraduate programs with the same eligibility criteria. The difference lies in the subject of specialisation. In BA, there is no specific subject that a student will study deeply and earn a differentiation. In BA honours, there are various optional subjects from which a student may choose anyone and make it the subject of specialisation. The fee for BA is not as much as BA honours. In terms of the salary too, BA honours gain on BA. Job opportunities are similar in both the courses, though preference would be given to BA honours graduates over BA graduates. If you are considering undergoing the UPSC preparation, BA is advised over BA honours.
How to choose the right specialisation in BA honours?
Picking up the right specialisation after deciding to pursue BA honours is the biggest challenge. Due to the plethora of options available, it is deemed nebulous. While selecting the area of specialisation, clearly identify your area of interest. Culling the subject one likes and will not get bored of is the lion’s share in determining the subject. If the career goal is already fixed, choose a specialisation that leads you there. Coming under peer pressure or the influence of mob mentality is the most terrible blunder one can commit. Take your time, get advice from seniors, someone who has considerable knowledge in this field, or a career counsellor, and then decide.
What to do after BA?
One’s preference for earning or further learning determines the course of action. There is no lack of jobs for a BA graduate. Earning opportunities exist in all private, government, and social sectors; one must apply and prepare. If the preference is to continue learning, one can go for a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Masters or PG Diploma in Digital Marketing, LLB, Bachelor of Education (BEd), creative writing courses, etc.
What is the difference between BA and BA honours?
BA and BA Honours both are 3-year undergraduate programs with the same eligibility criteria. The difference lies in the subject of specialisation. In BA, there is no specific subject that a student will study deeply and earn a differentiation. In BA honours, there are various optional subjects from which a student may choose anyone and make it the subject of specialisation. The fee for BA is not as much as BA honours. In terms of the salary too, BA honours gain on BA. Job opportunities are similar in both the courses, though preference would be given to BA honours graduates over BA graduates. If you are considering undergoing the UPSC preparation, BA is advised over BA honours.
How to choose the right specialisation in BA honours?
Picking up the right specialisation after deciding to pursue BA honours is the biggest challenge. Due to the plethora of options available, it is deemed nebulous. While selecting the area of specialisation, clearly identify your area of interest. Culling the subject one likes and will not get bored of is the lion’s share in determining the subject. If the career goal is already fixed, choose a specialisation that leads you there. Coming under peer pressure or the influence of mob mentality is the most terrible blunder one can commit. Take your time, get advice from seniors, someone who has considerable knowledge in this field, or a career counsellor, and then decide.
What to do after BA?
One’s preference for earning or further learning determines the course of action. There is no lack of jobs for a BA graduate. Earning opportunities exist in all private, government, and social sectors; one must apply and prepare. If the preference is to continue learning, one can go for a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Masters or PG Diploma in Digital Marketing, LLB, Bachelor of Education (BEd), creative writing courses, etc.
