Compare Ph.D. and MPA: 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.
Ph.D. graduates report a higher typical average salary (₹ 20.7 L vs ₹ 6.9 L for MPA). Its highest reported package goes up to ₹ 15.0 L.
MPA is the more affordable option (typical fees ₹ 2.3 L vs ₹ 30.9 L for Ph.D.). Government colleges bring it to about ₹ 86.8 K.
One year of average salary for MPA covers about 3.0× its average fees, compared with 0.7× for Ph.D.
Ph.D. admits via GATE, UGC NET and 8+ more; MPA admits via CUET.
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.
MPA leads on lower average fees (₹ 2.3 L) and better salary-to-fees ratio (3.0×). Ph.D. has the edge on higher average salary (₹ 20.7 L). Weigh these against your eligibility, preferred entrance exams and career interests.
College
IPS Academy
Fees: -
Salary: ₹ 3.5 L
Courses: 1
University
World University of Design
Fees: ₹ 3.1 L - ₹ 6.9 L
Salary: -
Courses: 4
University
Jain University Bangalore
Fees: -
Salary: ₹ 7.3 L
Courses: 2
University
Parul University
Fees: -
Salary: -
Courses: 3
University
Bangalore University
Fees: ₹ 10.5 K
Salary: ₹ 3.5 L
Courses: 4
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
₹ 3.6 L - ₹ 10.3 L
Median Salary
₹ 1.4 L - ₹ 18.0 L
Average Fees
₹ 2.5 K - ₹ 4.6 L
Top Recruiters
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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 MPA, the most frequently associated entrance exams are: CUET. Figures aggregate active college–programme mappings across all colleges for each course.
Ph.D. shows a higher midpoint within its salary span (₹20,68,000) than MPA (₹3,60,000 – ₹10,29,000).
MPA has a lower midpoint within its fees span (₹2,454 – ₹4,64,900) than Ph.D. (₹300 – ₹61,86,000).
The most common duration shown is 3 years for Ph.D. and 2 years for MPA.
