Compare Ph.D. and B.E: 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.
B.E and Ph.D. show similar average salaries (around ₹ 21.1 L), so salary alone shouldn't decide this.
B.E is the more affordable option (typical fees ₹ 13.0 L vs ₹ 30.9 L for Ph.D.). Government colleges bring it to about ₹ 13.0 L.
One year of average salary for B.E covers about 1.6× its average fees, compared with 0.7× for Ph.D.
Ph.D. admits via GATE, UGC NET and 8+ more; B.E admits via JEE Main, KCET and 7 more.
Comes out ahead on the most parameters in this comparison.
A good pick if its strengths match your priorities.
B.E leads on lower average fees (₹ 13.0 L) and better salary-to-fees ratio (1.6×). None of the compared parameters favour Ph.D., though it may still be the right fit for you. Weigh these against your eligibility, preferred entrance exams and career interests.
Private
BITS Pilani
Fees: ₹ 23.2 L - ₹ 23.8 L
Salary: ₹ 16.1 L - ₹ 18.0 L
Courses: 10
College
CU Mohali
Fees: ₹ 4.0 L - ₹ 14.8 L
Salary: ₹ 7.5 L
Courses: 24
University
Aligarh Muslim University
Fees: -
Salary: ₹ 6.0 L
Courses: 3
Private
BITS Goa
Fees: -
Salary: ₹ 17.6 L
Courses: 4
College
College of Engineering Guindy
Fees: ₹ 3.4 L
Salary: ₹ 7.5 L
Courses: 7
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 20.7 L
Median Salary
₹ 50.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 300.0 - ₹ 61.9 L
Top Recruiters
Key Metrics
Average Salary
₹ 21.1 L
Median Salary
₹ 50.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 6.0 K - ₹ 26.0 L
Top Recruiters
For Ph.D., the most frequently associated entrance exams (by programme–college hits) are: GATE, UGC NET, CSIR NET, CEED, SET Exam, CAT, GRE, GMAT, SITEEE, IUET. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
For B.E, the most frequently associated entrance exams are: JEE Main, KCET, MHT CET, CUCET, MAH MBA CET, COMEDK UGET, TNEA, KMAT Karnataka, uGNET. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
B.E shows a higher midpoint within its salary span (₹21,13,989) than Ph.D. (₹20,68,000).
B.E has a lower midpoint within its fees span (₹6,000 – ₹26,00,000) than Ph.D. (₹300 – ₹61,86,000).
The most common duration shown is 3 years for Ph.D. and 4 years for B.E.
