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Science vs Commerce
Which is Hard?
Some might say, science is more challenging than commerce, or some would suggest accountancy as the god of all. But, in reality, both streams demand equal attention, energy, and the will to study. But to make it easier for you, you can opt for either of them considering the following points:
Opt for Science –
- If you have a strong aptitude and interest in maths, physics, and chemistry.
- If you want to pursue technical careers in engineering, medicine, research, etc.
- If you enjoy analytical thinking and problem-solving challenges.
- If you want to develop valuable technical and quantitative skills sought by many industries.
- If you want to study highly specialised subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Opt for Commerce –
- If you are interested in business, finance, or economics, and have an analytical bent.
- If you are an aspiring entrepreneur or want to have a career in administration, banking, etc.
- If you can balance logic and creativity for careers in marketing, HR, etc.
- If you want to develop technical skills through subjects like accountancy and soft skills.
- If you want to start your own business or take up managerial roles in companies.
Which is Better?
The answer depends on your interests, strengths, weaknesses, and career goals. However, consider the following pros and cons of both streams for an easy decision.
Pros and Cons of Choosing Science
Pros | Cons |
Leads to lucrative career options in high-demand fields like engineering, medicine, and technology.Develops strong analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills, which are valuable for many careers.Prepares students well for technical careers requiring expertise in healthcare, research, quality control, etc.Offers opportunities for higher education in specialised fields both in India and abroad. | Subjects are conceptually tricky and demanding, requiring strong aptitude and dedication for abstract thinking. Heavy coursework can be stressful, leaving less time for other activities or well-rounded development. Students may find it harder to switch to unrelated fields later, unlike arts or commerce, which offer more flexibility in a career change. |
Pros and Cons of Choosing Commerce
Pros | Cons |
Provides skills required for various career options like banking, finance, entrepreneurship, business management, etc.Develops analytical abilities through subjects like statistics and a qualitative understanding of commerce.Balances both logical/quantitative skills and creativity, which is helpful for jobs in business.Potential for high-growth careers in expanding sectors like finance, retail, logistics, etc., with increasing job opportunities. | Career options are limited if you are not interested in business, administration, or related fields. Subjects like accountancy require a strong aptitude for numbers, which may not suit some. Students may find it harder to switch to non-commerce careers like engineering, medicine, arts, etc., later on. |
Also read: Top 5 courses after 10th you didn’t know about
What are the Benefits of the Science and Commerce Streams?
Science is primarily a theory & experimentation-oriented field concerned with understanding the world around us. This understanding is gained through detailed observations and experimentation.
On the other hand, commerce studies the business and trade industry, goods, and services exchanged regularly.
Benefits of choosing Science Stream | Benefits of choosing Commerce Stream |
Science is the right choice if you are looking for a practical-based career. | In the science vs commerce comparison, the commerce stream is recommended if you want employment with high remuneration. |
There are many STEM programs available if you want a career that directly contributes to the betterment of human life. | If you enjoy working with numbers, the commerce stream can give you skills in niches such as finance, economics, business, and accounts. |
If you want a career associated with solving complex problems across the world, then science is a good candidate. | Commerce is the right choice for you if you want to increase your financial assets with an understanding of stock markets, funds, and shares. |
Knowledge of commerce can also aid you in the skills needed to manage your finances at any point in time. |
Explore: Masters of Commerce | Know everything about it here
Science vs Commerce: Subjects
Science and commerce contain subjects that will help you gain the required knowledge and practical experience in the respective streams.
Under the science stream, the major subjects covered include-
- Physics
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- English
With a combination of the above subjects, you can conduct detailed scientific research on phenomena. As a science student, you will be trained to conduct experiments, prove hypotheses, and draw relevant conclusions.
Under the commerce stream, the primary subjects you will study include-
- Accountancy
- Economics
- Business Studies
- Mathematics
- Informatics
The commerce stream is one of the best if you seek financial security when comparing science and commerce. The subjects of this stream equip you with all the technical and numerical abilities needed for careers in the field.
As a commerce stream student, you must have an aptitude for the different subjects taught. Combining your interests with your aptitude for making sense out of numbers can propel you to excellent positions in the industry.
Check out: A comprehensive list of best business courses after 12th
Science vs Commerce: Jobs & Salary
Both science and commerce fields provide remarkable career opportunities. As a student of the science stream, some of the careers you can consider include-
Data Science – Average salary – INR 14 lakhs per annum
- Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning – Average salary – INR 9 to 11 lakhs per annum
- Full-Stack Developer – Average salary – INR 6 to 8 lakhs per annum
- Business Analytics – Average salary – INR 9 to 12 lakhs per annum
- Big Data Engineer – Average salary – INR 9 to 10 lakhs per annum
As a student of the commerce stream, some of the careers you can consider include-
Business Accountant & Taxation – Average salary – INR 6 to 7 lakhs per annum
- Chartered Accountant – Average salary – INR 6 to 7 lakhs per annum,
- Human Resource Manager – Average salary – INR 7 to 15 lakhs per annum
- Actuary – Average salary – INR 10 to 14 lakhs per annum
- Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) – Average salary – INR 12lakhs per annum
Commerce Stream Careers | Avg. Annual Salary (USD) | Science Stream Careers | Avg. Annual Salary (USD) |
Chartered Accountant | $85,000 – $120,000 | Data Scientist | $105,000 – $165,000 |
Investment Banker | $95,000 – $150,000 | Software Engineer | $90,000 – $140,000 |
Financial Analyst | $75,000 – $110,000 | Machine Learning Engineer | $100,000 – $160,000 |
Business Consultant | $80,000 – $130,000 | Biomedical Engineer | $85,000 – $125,000 |
Marketing Manager | $70,000 – $120,000 | Research Scientist | $75,000 – $120,000 |
Corporate Lawyer | $90,000 – $160,000 | $95,000 – $145,000 | |
Business Intelligence Analyst | $75,000 – $115,000 | Cloud Solutions Architect | $120,000 – $180,000 |
Risk Manager | $85,000 – $130,000 | Environmental Engineer | $75,000 – $115,000 |
Management Consultant | $90,000 – $140,000 | Medical Device Engineer | $85,000 – $130,000 |
Financial Manager | $95,000 – $150,000 | $80,000 – $125,000 | |
Digital Marketing Specialist | $65,000 – $100,000 | DevOps Engineer | $95,000 – $145,000 |
Cost Accountant | $70,000 – $100,000 | Quantum Computing Researcher | $110,000 – $170,000 |
Business Development Manager | $80,000 – $125,000 | AI Engineer | $100,000 – $160,000 |
Supply Chain Manager | $75,000 – $120,000 | $90,000 – $140,000 | |
Actuary | $85,000 – $140,000 | $75,000 – $115,000 |
Note: These salary ranges are estimates and can vary significantly based on location/region, experience level, company size, individual skills and specialisations and economic conditions.
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Different Undergraduate Programs to Consider
The science stream and its incredible scope of application are so vast that apart from the professions mentioned above, you can aim for the following programs-
- BPT (Bachelor of Physiotherapy)
- B.Sc – Nutritions & Dietetics
- BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery)
- B. Tech (Bachelor of Technology)
- B. Arch (Bachelor of Architecture)
On the other hand, if you are a commerce stream student, some of the best undergraduate programs for you to consider include-
- BBA (Bachelor of Business Administration )
- BMS (Bachelor of Management Science)
- BEM (Bachelor of Event Management)
- BJMC – Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication
- BBD – Bachelor of Business Studies
Learn more: Top 10 highest paying jobs in the world
Key Takeaways
- Choosing between the science and commerce streams can be difficult without the correct information.
- A comparative study of science vs commerce based on benefits, opportunities, salaries, and undergraduate programs can be helpful.
- Remember to make your final decision, taking your innate talents, interests and professional goals into consideration. This can help you find a career ideally suited to your requirements.
We hope you found this blog informative. Don’t forget to comment below and share your thoughts! You can also get in touch with us for more information on studying abroad.
Liked this blog? Read: Science stream subjects you should know about
FAQs
Ques 1: What is a BTTM program?
Answer 1: A BTTM program is a Bachelor of Travel and Tourism Management degree. Commerce students often consider it.
Ques 2: Can I apply to a medical school after completing 10+2 in the commerce stream?
Answer 2: No, if you are seeking admission to a medical program, a background in science is compulsory.
Ques 3: What does an actuary do?
Answer 3: An actuary analyzes past data and uses the information to determine how much finances must be set aside to cover potential financial losses.
Ques 4: Which is better, science or commerce after 10th?
Answer 4: Consider the following factors before choosing any of the streams:
- Aptitude and interests- Evaluate your strengths in subjects like Maths or Sciences. Choose the stream aligned to your natural aptitudes and interests.
- Career aspirations- Be clear about your preferred career goals – doctor, engineer, teacher etc. Pick the relevant stream for your dream job.
- Workload and time management- Science may be workload intensive. Consider your extracurricular interests and ability to manage time.
- Academic performance- Consider your 10th board scores in relevant subjects and the entry criteria for desired undergraduate programs.
- Long-term growth prospects- Research emerging opportunities in different fields and industries while choosing your specialisation.
- Flexibility and adaptability: Consider the ease or difficulty of changing fields later if interests/goals change. Some streams offer more flexibility than others.
Ques 5: Which is easy, science or commerce?
Answer 5: Well, commerce is considered easier than science because commerce has more theoretical scoring subjects, whereas Science has technical and math-oriented subjects that can be more difficult to master.
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