Can Online Degree Outpace Regular Degree?

Can Online Degree Outpace Regular Degree?

#MBA
Arushi PanditaUpdated on 17 Jul 2025, 05:26 PM IST

Anyone nowadays can access education from anywhere in the world with the growth of online learning. Several top universities offer online degree courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in diverse domains. But the question arises, can an online course outpace or compete with regular degrees? Do online degree courses have the same value as traditional courses?

Can Online Degree Outpace Regular Degree?
Online vs Regular Degree

An online degree is quite similar to a traditional degree in terms of curriculum and course outcomes. The mode of delivery differentiates these courses from each other. Online degree courses are fully conducted in virtual modes, and there is no requirement to attend in-person classes like traditional courses.

While on-campus courses provide structured modules of education where students get hands-on learning experience, online courses help students in career enhancement without putting their jobs on hold. Read this article to know the key difference between online vs offline degrees, are they competing with each other, and their pros and cons.

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Are Online Degrees Better Than Regular Degrees?

Online degree courses and offline courses are both UGC-recognised and approved by the employer. These programmes offer quality education, however, their goals and audiences are different. Online degree courses are best for remote students and working professionals, as they are not able to join in-person classes but want to gain knowledge and skills.

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Offline or traditional college degree courses are ideal for students seeking hands-on learning through regular classroom interactions with peers and professors. While online and offline degree courses share some similarities, they also differ significantly. Each mode has its own pros and cons, thus, students should choose based on their preferences, goals, and availability.

Also Read: Can I Apply for Jobs at MNCs with an Online Degree?

Online Degree vs Regular Degree: Key Differences

The following table highlights the quick differences between online degree and a regular degree.

Particulars

Online Degree

Regular Degree

Flexibility

More flexible and self-paced learning

Fixed schedules, require attendance and commitment

Cost

More affordable and saves money on commuting or campus facilities.

Comparatively expensive and expenses on tuition fees and living costs.

Networking

Limited interaction but a global network opportunity

More networking opportunities with fellow students, professors, and alumni

Recognition

Government-accredited and recognised by employers.

Holds government recognition and is valued by employers.

Learning Methodology

Live classes, recorded lectures, and digital learning resources.

Classroom learning, structured curriculum, hands-on learning, and physical learning resources.


Also Read: Can Online Degree Programs Help Get Into Management Roles at Deloitte?

Why Choose Online Degrees?

Online degree courses are offered in a completely virtual mode. These courses are delivered through live lectures, recorded sessions, online study material, case studies, and assignments. Exams for online courses are held in a technology-enabled, online-proctored mode. Online degree courses come with flexibility, accessibility, and affordability.

Pros of Online Degrees

  • Flexibility: Students can study at their own pace and convenience. They can access the study material, live lectures, and recorded sessions from any location.
  • Cost-Effective: Online courses have lower tuition fees compared to college degree courses. It saves money on various expenses such as commuting and college accommodation.
  • Accessibility: Anyone from anywhere can access online courses. Students should have a stable internet connection.
  • Diverse Specialisations: Online courses offer a variety of degree courses at UG and PG level with a range of specialisations.
  • Personalised Learning: Students can learn on their own according to their needs.
  • Improved Tech Skills: Online courses equip students with knowledge and various skills.
  • Career Advancement: An online degree helps students get employment in their desired fields. Working professionals can upskill themselves and get salary hikes and leading roles.
  • Global Networking: Connect with instructors and students globally.
  • Easy Access to Lectures: Students can attend live lectures. They can even watch recorded lectures.

Cons of Online Degrees

  • Lack of Interaction: There is limited interaction, as there is no physical presence in online learning. Students can connect with peers and faculty during live lectures.
  • Self-Discipline: Students need strong discipline. There may be a lack of motivation.
  • Technical Issues: Many times, students may face technical issues such as internet issues.
  • Less Practical Exposure: As there is no physical presence, students do not get practical exposure.
  • Isolation: Students may feel isolated as they have to study alone. They cannot get the feel of a campus learning environment.
  • Digital Fatigue: Sometimes, spending too much time on a laptop and mobile can be exhausting.
  • Distractions at Home: Students have to make a balance between study and personal commitments.

The comparison between online and offline degrees is not about which course is better. It is about the suitability of the course. Students must choose to pursue a course as per their convenience and affordability. In regular degree courses, students require physical presence, while in online courses they can study at their convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Do online degree courses have the same values as offline degree courses?
A:

Yes, as online degree courses are recognised by UGC, they hold the same values as traditional courses and provide the same quality of education.

Q: Does online degree hold UGC recognition?
A:

Yes, online degrees are UGC approved. Students should check the college and their programmes whether it is approved by UGC.

Q: Is an Indian online degree valid abroad?
A:

Yes, several foreign universities accept online degrees from accredited universities. Employers also value an online degree if it is earned from a recognised university.

Q: What is the course duration of online degrees?
A:

The duration of online degrees at the UG level is three years, whereas online PG courses last two years.

Q: Do employers accept online degrees?
A:

Yes, UGC-approved online degree courses are accepted for various careers in India and abroad, including both private and government jobs.

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Questions related to MBA

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Yes, with an 89 percentile in CAT, your daughter has a good chance of securing admission in several reputed MBA colleges in India, though top IIMs may be difficult unless she has strong academic diversity, category reservation, or exceptional profile factors. At this percentile range, many well-known Tier-2 and upper Tier-3 management institutes consider candidates for their flagship MBA/PGDM programs.

Institutes such as IMI New Delhi, IMT Hyderabad, XIMB HRM, GIM Goa (certain programs), FORE School of Management, LBSIM Delhi, TAPMI Manipal (borderline), IFMR GSB, Great Lakes (PGDM) and several reputed university MBA programs actively shortlist candidates around the 85–90 percentile range. Final selection does not depend on CAT score alone; academic background, work experience, diversity, performance in GD/PI/WAT also play a significant role.

To maximise chances, she should apply to a balanced mix of colleges, prepare well for interviews, and highlight strengths such as internships, certifications, leadership roles, or work experience. If her profile is average and she aims for higher-ranked institutes, she may also consider repeating CAT with focused preparation to push her percentile above 95.

With 71.52 percentile in CAT as an SC category candidate, getting admission to NIT Trichy (DOMS) for MBA is possible but not guaranteed. NIT Trichy generally has lower CAT cut-offs for reserved categories, and in recent years, the SC cut-off has ranged approximately between 65–75 percentile, depending on the applicant pool and seat availability. Since your score falls within this range, you may get shortlisted for the PI round, especially if you have decent academic consistency and meet the minimum eligibility criteria. However, final admission will depend on performance in the personal interview, academic background, and availability of SC category seats. You should definitely apply to NIT Trichy, but also keep options open by applying to other NITs like NIT Warangal, NIT Surathkal, NIT Calicut, and central universities, where your percentile gives you a better conversion probability. Preparing well for the interview can significantly improve your chances of securing a seat.

With an overall CAT percentile of around 80 and belonging to the NC-OBC category, you do have a fair set of MBA college options in India, including some IITs, though the top IIMs and older IIT MBA programs will be difficult at this score.

At the IITs, you can realistically consider the newer and mid-tier MBA programs. IIT Jodhpur (MBA), IIT Bhilai, IIT Jammu, and IIT Dharwad are among the IITs where candidates with 75–85 percentile in CAT and category reservation like NC-OBC have received calls in previous admission cycles. These institutes generally place more weight on CAT score combined with academic background, work experience, and performance in the personal interview. However, IIT Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur, Kanpur, and Roorkee usually require much higher percentiles, even for reserved categories, so chances there are quite low at 80 percentile.

Apart from IITs, several good government and semi-government MBA institutes are strong options at your percentile. You should definitely consider colleges like NIT Trichy (DOMS), NIT Warangal (SOM), NIT Calicut (SOM), and NIT Durgapur, as NITs often have slightly lower CAT cutoffs for NC-OBC candidates compared to IIMs. Universities such as Jamia Millia Islamia (MBA), Aligarh Muslim University, University of Hyderabad, and Delhi School of Management (DTU) can also be explored, depending on sectional cutoffs and your academic profile.

In the private institute space, there are many reputed B-schools where 80 percentile with NC-OBC reservation gives you a reasonable chance. These include IMT Nagpur and Hyderabad, GIM Goa (for some programs), TAPMI Manipal, FORE School of Management, K J Somaiya (Mumbai), BIMTECH Greater Noida, IRMA Anand (depending on profile), and IFMR GSB Krea University. These colleges focus strongly on interviews, SOPs, and overall profile, so good communication skills and clarity of goals can significantly improve your chances.

Overall, your strategy should be to apply broadly. Prioritise newer IITs and NITs first, then reputed private B-schools with consistent placement records. Make sure you prepare well for the personal interview and group discussion rounds, as at this percentile, final selection depends heavily on how well you perform beyond CAT.

https://bschool.careers360.com/cat-college-predictor

Hello,

Both Bengal Institute of Business Studies (BIBS) and United World School of Business (UWSB) have strong placement records in Kolkata. with specific data suggesting BIBS has a slightly higher potential higher salary package. While the UWSB provides a higher placement rate.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Hello

With an NMAT score of 205, you have decent chances in good mid-tier MBA colleges.
You may get calls from NMIMS Hyderabad or Indore, but the Mumbai core is usually slightly higher.
Colleges like SDA Bocconi Asia Centre, BML Munjal, and IBS Hyderabad are realistic options.
Some reputed private B-schools may also consider you if sectional cutoffs are clear. Overall, 205 is a fair score that can lead to a solid MBA college with good planning.

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