Compare Diploma and MS: eligibility, entrance exams, salaries, recruiters, and FAQs.
Based on salary, fees, return on fees, admission routes and career options. Figures are midpoints of the ranges reported across colleges.
MS graduates report a higher typical average salary (₹ 14.0 L vs ₹ 4.6 L for Diploma).
Diploma is the more affordable option (typical fees ₹ 7.5 L vs ₹ 97.5 L for MS). Government colleges bring it to about ₹ 3.8 L.
One year of average salary for Diploma covers about 0.6× its average fees, compared with 0.1× for MS.
Diploma admits via CBSE Class 10 Exam, CUET and 2 more; MS admits via Neet PG, GATE and 5 more.
Comes out ahead on the most parameters in this comparison.
A good pick if its strengths match your priorities.
Match the choice to what matters most to you.
Diploma leads on lower average fees (₹ 7.5 L) and better salary-to-fees ratio (0.6×). MS has the edge on higher average salary (₹ 14.0 L). Weigh these against your eligibility, preferred entrance exams and career interests.
IIT
IIT Bombay
Fees: ₹ 3.5 L
Salary: ₹ 17.9 L
Courses: 2
College
AIIMS Delhi
Fees: ₹ 3.0 K - ₹ 20.2 K
Salary: ₹ 22.0 L - ₹ 3.4 Cr
Courses: 3
College
Vardhman Mahavir Medical College
Fees: ₹ 1.6 L
Salary: -
Courses: 5
IIT
IIT Delhi
Fees: -
Salary: ₹ 17.0 L
Courses: 4
College
PGIMER Chandigarh
Fees: ₹ 7.1 K - ₹ 20.3 L
Salary: ₹ 18.0 L
Courses: 5
Eligibility
10th/12th
Top Entrance Exams
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 16.8 K - ₹ 9.0 L
Median Salary
₹ 2.0 L - ₹ 10.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 650.0 - ₹ 15.0 L
Top Recruiters
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Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 1.6 L - ₹ 26.5 L
Median Salary
₹ 81.5 K - ₹ 3.4 Cr
Average Fees
₹ 3.0 K - ₹ 1.9 Cr
Top Recruiters
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For Diploma, the most frequently associated entrance exams (by programme–college hits) are: CBSE Class 10 Exam, CUET, CBSE Class 12 Exam, AP Polycet. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
For MS, the most frequently associated entrance exams are: Neet PG, GATE, NEET, INI CET, NEET SS, PGIMER, IMU CET. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
MS shows a higher midpoint within its salary span (₹1,63,000 – ₹26,46,000) than Diploma (₹16,826 – ₹9,00,000).
Diploma has a lower midpoint within its fees span (₹650 – ₹15,00,000) than MS (₹3,027 – ₹1,95,00,000).
The most common duration shown is 1 year for Diploma and 3 years for MS.
