IGNOU or LPU: Which Online Degree Costs Less?
IGNOU and LPU – both are top choices to pursue online degrees in India. From an affordability point of view, however, IGNOU courses are cheaper than LPU courses by a big margin. IGNOU’s UG courses are about 64-65% cheaper than LPU’s, while PG courses are about 69% cheaper than LPU’s. For instance, IGNOU’s online MBA costs Rs 66,000, while LPU Online’s MBA is Rs 200,000. LPU’s advantages, on the other hand includes more specialisations and dual specialisations options. Both universities hold an A++ NAAC grade. Both universities are UGC approved. This page helps students compare specific online degrees from both universities.
Direct Links for LPU and IGNOU Online Course Pages
Here are the direct links to the official online course pages of LPU and IGNOU.
| University | Official Online Course Page |
|---|---|
| LPU Online | Click Here |
| IGNOU Online | Click Here |
IGNOU vs LPU Online Degrees: Quick Comparison
| Measure | IGNOU | LPU Online | On this measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degrees with a published fee | 7 of 12 | 5 of 8 | IGNOU |
| Cheapest degree on offer | Rs 5,000 | Rs 80,000 | IGNOU |
| Specialisations across all degrees | 19 | 31 | |
| NAAC grade | A++ | A++ | level |
| Approval bodies on record | 3 | 5 | LPU Online |
IGNOU vs LPU Online: Fee Comparison of Common Courses
The table below lists the common online courses available offered by LPU and IGNOU along with their fee comparisons:
| Program | IGNOU Online Fee Structure | LPU Online Fee Structure |
| MBA | ₹14,000/sem (₹16,000 for 3rd sem) → ₹58,000 Total | ₹2,00,000 Total |
| MCA | ₹50,800 Total (+₹2,000/bridge course if applicable) | ₹1,60,000 Total |
| BBA | Not offered in online mode | ₹20,400/semester → ₹1,22,400 Total |
| BCA | ₹54,000 Total | ₹1,50,400 Total |
| B.Com | ₹20,000 Total | Not offered in LPU |
| B.A. | ₹13,500 Total | ₹1,20,000 Total |
| M.Com | ₹20,400 Total (Rs. 300 Registration Fees) | ₹1,00,000 Total |
| M.A. (English / History / Pol Sci) | ₹32,800 Total | ₹65,600 Total |
| Registration & Exam Charges | ₹300 registration fee + ₹200/paper exam fee extra | ₹1,000 registration fee + ₹2,000/sem exam fee (included in semester fee) |
Which is More Affordable: IGNOU or LPU?
IGNOU online courses are much cheaper than LPU’s online programmes. Here is a quick overview:
| Category | IGNOU Average Fee | LPU Average Fee | Fee Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| UG Programmes | ₹54,000 | ₹1,50,400 | IGNOU is 64.1% cheaper |
| PG Programmes | ₹40,500 | ₹1,31,400 | IGNOU is 69.2% cheaper |
LPU vs IGNOU Online University: Approvals compared
Both IGNOU and LPU Online hold approvals from key regulatory bodies in India. Here is a side-by-side comparison of the same:
| Body | IGNOU | LPU Online |
|---|---|---|
| UGC | Approved | Recognized |
| UGC-DEB | not listed | Approved |
| NAAC | A++ | A++ |
| AICTE | Approved | Approved |
| WES | not listed | Recognized |
Recorded approvals. A body that is not listed for a university means no record here, not a refusal — check the current UGC-DEB list before you apply.
IGNOU vs LPU Online University: Specialisation depth
LPU Online offers a wider range of specialisations across its online degree programmes compared to IGNOU. LPU Online publishes 32 specialisations across 8 programmes, while IGNOU publishes 19 specialisations across 12 programmes.
For Master of Arts (MA) degrees, IGNOU lists 9 specialisations, including Economics, History, and Political Science. LPU Online offers 4 MA specialisations, such as English and Psychology. In Master of Science (M.Sc) degrees, LPU Online provides 4 specialisations, including Data Science and Cyber Security, which IGNOU does not publish.
LPU Online publishes 13 specialisations for its online MBA programme, covering areas like Finance, Marketing, and Human Resource Management. IGNOU publishes 1 specialisation for its MBA. For the Master of Computer Applications (MCA) degree, LPU Online lists 6 specialisations, while IGNOU offers 1 specialisation.
| Degree | IGNOU specialisations | LPU Online specialisations |
|---|---|---|
| B.A | None | 1 |
| B.Com | 1 | — |
| B.Lib | 1 | — |
| BCA | 1 | 1 |
| BFTTM | 1 | — |
| BSW | 1 | — |
| BTS | 1 | — |
| M.Com | 1 | 1 |
| MA | 9 | 4 |
| MBA | 1 | 13 |
| MCA | 1 | 6 |
| MSW | 1 | — |
LPU vs IGNOU Online Courses: Duration and Programme Structure
Most online degrees from both IGNOU and LPU Online have a duration of 24 or 36 months. Bachelor’s degrees typically require 36 months, while master’s degrees are generally completed in 24 months.
IGNOU publishes that its Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B.Lib) is an exception, with a 12-month duration. For bachelor’s programmes, IGNOU offers degrees like the B.A., B.Com, and BCA, all spanning 36 months. LPU Online also lists its B.A., BBA, and BCA programmes as 36 months long.
At the master’s level, IGNOU’s M.Com, MA, and MBA programmes each take 24 months. Similarly, LPU Online’s M.Com, M.Sc, and MBA programmes are also 24 months in duration, as shown in the table below.
| Degree | IGNOU duration | LPU Online duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.A | 36 months | 36 months |
| B.Com | 36 months | not offered |
| B.Lib | 12 months | not offered |
| BBA | not offered | 36 months |
| BCA | 36 months | 36 months |
| BFTTM | 36 months | not offered |
| BSW | 36 months | not offered |
| BTS | 36 months | not offered |
| M.Com | 24 months | 24 months |
| M.Sc | not offered | 24 months |
| MA | 24 months | 24 months |
| MBA | 24 months | 24 months |
| MCA | 24 months | 24 months |
| MSW | 24 months | not offered |
Minimum published duration. Both universities run online programmes under the UGC (ODL and Online) Regulations 2020.
IGNOU or LPU Online Courses: Who should pick which?
If going purely on affordability, students must choose IGNOU online courses. However, there are separate benefits of choosing either universities. Here is a quick overview:
| Choose IGNOU if you: | Choose LPU Online if you: |
|---|---|
| Want a lower-cost online degree | Want more specialisation options |
| Prefer programmes with lower overall fees | Want a wider range of online programmes |
| Are considering MBA, MCA, B.Com or M.Com at a lower fee | Want dual or multiple domain options in programmes such as MBA and MCA |
| Need established options across UG and PG programmes | Prefer a broader specialisation portfolio |
| Are comfortable with IGNOU’s published programme structure and support model | Want additional career, placement and industry-oriented support |
| Want programmes such as B.Lib, BFTTM, BSW, BTS or MSW, which LPU does not offer online | Want programmes such as BBA and M.Sc, which are not listed by IGNOU in the comparison above |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the cheaper option among LPU and Amity Online Degrees?
IGNOU is generally more affordable than LPU Online. Its comparable UG programmes are about 64% cheaper, while PG programmes are approximately 69% cheaper overall.
Which LPU online courses cost the least?
Among the listed LPU Online programmes, the MBA costs ₹2,00,000, MCA ₹1,60,000, BCA ₹1,50,400, and B.A. ₹1,20,000, making B.A. the least expensive.
What is the MBA fees at LPU and IGNOU Online University?
IGNOU’s online MBA costs ₹58,000 based on the listed fee structure, while LPU Online’s MBA costs ₹2,00,000 for the complete programme.
Which University has more online courses – LPU or IGNOU?
IGNOU publishes 12 online programmes in the comparison, while LPU Online lists eight. However, LPU offers more specialisations across its listed online degrees.
What is the LPU Online MCA fees?
The LPU Online MCA programme costs ₹1,60,000 in total. The programme has a 24-month duration and offers six specialisation options for students.
