IGNOU or Symbiosis: Which Is Better for an Online Degree?
IGNOU costs less for an online degree, with an MBA programme fee of Rs 66,000 compared to Symbiosis Online’s (SSODL) MBA fee of Rs 370,000. This lower fee does not include placement assistance or published salary data. This page helps students compare these two UGC-approved universities for online programmes.
Symbiosis Online (SSODL) offers online BBA, BCA, and MBA programmes, all approved by AICTE for the AY 2026-27. IGNOU’s online MBA programme is also AICTE approved. Both universities are UGC approved for online degrees.
IGNOU holds an A++ NAAC grade. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) has UGC-DEB approval to run online UG and PG degree programmes under the UGC (ODL and Online) Regulations 2020.
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) vs Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Online (SSODL) — compared on published total fee, specialisation count and recorded approvals.
| Measure | IGNOU | Symbiosis Online (SSODL) | On this measure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degrees with a published fee | 7 of 12 | 6 of 6 | IGNOU |
| Cheapest degree on offer | Rs 5,000 | Rs 100,000 | IGNOU |
| Specialisations across all degrees | 19 | not published | |
| NAAC grade | A++ | not listed | IGNOU |
| Approval bodies on record | 3 | 3 | level |
Decided only by published data. Where a university does not publish a figure the row says so. FindMyCollege does not rank universities.
IGNOU vs Symbiosis Online (SSODL): fees across every degree
The total programme fee for an online MBA from IGNOU is Rs 66,000, while Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes a total programme fee of Rs 370,000 for its online MBA. This means the IGNOU online MBA is significantly less expensive than the Symbiosis Online (SSODL) offering.
For undergraduate programmes, IGNOU publishes a B.A. total programme fee of Rs 5,000 and a B.Com total programme fee of Rs 15,000. Its BCA programme costs Rs 49,800. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes a BBA total programme fee of Rs 165,000, a BCA total programme fee of Rs 157,500, and a B.Sc (Economics) total programme fee of Rs 150,000.
At the postgraduate level, IGNOU publishes an M.Com total programme fee of Rs 20,400 and an MA total programme fee ranging from Rs 16,400 to Rs 21,000. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes an MA (Mass Communication) total programme fee of Rs 100,000, and M.Sc programmes ranging from Rs 140,000 to Rs 154,000.
Which degrees each university actually runs
If a student seeks a wider range of online degrees, IGNOU offers more options than Symbiosis Online (SSODL). IGNOU publishes fees for 11 online degrees, while Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes fees for 6 online degrees.
IGNOU’s online offerings include Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, and Master of Commerce. The total programme fee for an online B.A. at IGNOU is Rs 5,000. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) focuses on degrees like the BBA, BCA, and MBA. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes the total programme fee for its online MBA as Rs 370,000, which includes a scholarship for applicants with two years of work experience.
The table below details the specific online degrees and their published total programme fees from both universities.
| Degree | IGNOU total fee | Symbiosis Online (SSODL) total fee | IGNOU specialisations | Symbiosis Online (SSODL) specialisations | Lower fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BCA | Rs 49,800 | Rs 157,500 | 1 | — | IGNOU |
| MA | Rs 16,400 – Rs 21,000 | Rs 100,000 | 9 | — | IGNOU |
| MBA | Rs 66,000 | Rs 370,000 | 1 | — | IGNOU |
| B.A | Rs 5,000 | not offered | — | — | — |
| B.Com | Rs 15,000 | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| B.Lib | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| B.Sc | not offered | Rs 150,000 | — | — | — |
| BBA | not offered | Rs 165,000 | — | — | — |
| BFTTM | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| BSW | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| BTS | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| M.Com | Rs 20,400 | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| M.Sc | not offered | Rs 140,000 – Rs 154,000 | — | — | — |
| MCA | Rs 52,000 | not offered | 1 | — | — |
| MSW | not published | not offered | 1 | — | — |
Total programme fee for Indian students as published by each university. Semester, annual and EMI amounts are not shown. Verify the current fee with the university before you pay. Figures for IGNOU and Symbiosis Online (SSODL) are quoted from the university’s own published page, listed under “Where these figures come from” below.
Approvals compared
Both IGNOU and Symbiosis Online (SSODL) hold the necessary approvals for their online degree programmes. IGNOU publishes that it is approved by AICTE and UGC, and holds an A++ grade from NAAC. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes that it is approved by UGC for the July 2026 session, AY 2026-27, and by UGC-DEB to run online UG and PG degree programmes under the UGC (ODL and Online) Regulations 2020.
Symbiosis Online (SSODL) also publishes that AICTE has approved its MBA, BBA, and BCA programmes for AY 2026-27. The table below provides a full list of published approvals for both universities.
| Body | IGNOU | Symbiosis Online (SSODL) |
|---|---|---|
| UGC | Approved | Approved |
| UGC-DEB | not listed | Approved |
| NAAC | A++ | not listed |
| AICTE | Approved | Approved |
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.
Specialisation depth
Specialisation depth differs significantly between IGNOU and Symbiosis Online (SSODL) for online degrees. IGNOU publishes a wider range of specialisations across its programmes compared to Symbiosis Online (SSODL).
IGNOU offers 9 specialisations for its MA programme, which is the highest number published for any single degree across both universities. For example, its MA includes specialisations in Rural Development, Public Administration, and Psychology. In contrast, Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes no specialisations for any of its online degrees, including its MBA, BBA, and BCA programmes.
The table below details the specific specialisations each university publishes for its online degrees. IGNOU also publishes one specialisation each for its B.Com, B.Lib, BCA, BFTTM, BSW, BTS, M.Com, MBA, MCA, and MSW programmes.
| Degree | IGNOU specialisations | Symbiosis Online (SSODL) specialisations |
|---|---|---|
| B.A | not published | not offered |
| B.Com | 1 | not offered |
| B.Lib | 1 | not offered |
| BCA | 1 | not published |
| BFTTM | 1 | not offered |
| BSW | 1 | not offered |
| BTS | 1 | not offered |
| M.Com | 1 | not offered |
| MA | 9 | not published |
| MBA | 1 | not published |
| MCA | 1 | not offered |
| MSW | 1 | not offered |
Duration and how the programmes are structured
Most online degrees from both IGNOU and Symbiosis Online (SSODL) are 24 or 36 months long. The specific duration depends on whether the programme is undergraduate or postgraduate.
IGNOU publishes that its online Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Computer Applications, Bachelor of Tourism and Travel Management, and Bachelor of Social Work programmes are 36 months in duration. Its postgraduate programmes, such as the Master of Commerce, Master of Arts, Master of Business Administration, Master of Computer Applications, and Master of Social Work, are 24 months long. The Bachelor of Library and Information Science is an exception at 12 months.
Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes that its online Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Computer Applications, and Bachelor of Science programmes are 36 months long. Its Master of Business Administration, Master of Science, and Master of Arts programmes are 24 months in duration, as shown in the table below.
| Degree | IGNOU duration | Symbiosis Online (SSODL) duration |
|---|---|---|
| B.A | 36 months | not offered |
| B.Com | 36 months | not offered |
| B.Lib | 12 months | not offered |
| B.Sc | not offered | 36 months |
| 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 | not offered |
| M.Sc | not offered | 24 months |
| MA | 24 months | 24 months |
| MBA | 24 months | 24 months |
| MCA | 24 months | not offered |
| MSW | 24 months | not offered |
Minimum published duration. Both universities run online programmes under the UGC (ODL and Online) Regulations 2020.
The cheaper route, degree by degree
IGNOU offers a cheaper route for online degrees compared to Symbiosis Online (SSODL). For example, an online MBA from IGNOU has a total programme fee of Rs 66,000, while Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes a total programme fee of Rs 370,000 for its online MBA.
IGNOU publishes its B.A. total programme fee at Rs 5,000 and its B.Com total programme fee at Rs 15,000. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes its BBA total programme fee at Rs 165,000. For an online BCA, IGNOU publishes a total programme fee of Rs 49,800, whereas Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes Rs 157,500.
At the postgraduate level, IGNOU publishes its M.Com total programme fee at Rs 20,400. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes its M.Sc total programme fees between Rs 140,000 and Rs 154,000, depending on the specialisation. IGNOU’s MA total programme fee ranges from Rs 16,400 to Rs 21,000, while Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes its MA (Mass Communication) total programme fee at Rs 100,000.
Who should pick which
Choosing between IGNOU and Symbiosis Online (SSODL) depends on programme cost and specialisation options. IGNOU offers a significantly lower total programme fee for an MBA at Rs 66,000, compared to Symbiosis Online (SSODL)’s published fee of Rs 370,000.
IGNOU is better for students prioritising affordability and a wider range of MA specialisations. IGNOU publishes nine specialisations for its MA programme. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) is better for those seeking specific undergraduate and postgraduate degrees with AICTE approval for MBA, BBA, and BCA for AY 2026-27.
IGNOU publishes a B.A. total programme fee of Rs 5,000, while Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes a BBA total programme fee of Rs 165,000. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes an M.Sc. total programme fee ranging from Rs 140,000 to Rs 154,000, while IGNOU publishes an M.Com. total programme fee of Rs 20,400.
What neither university publishes
Neither IGNOU nor Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes placement rates for their online degree programmes. No average salary or highest package figures are published by either university. This means students cannot directly compare career outcomes based on these metrics.
Students can, however, check the approvals for each institution. IGNOU holds an A++ NAAC grade, recorded in 2026, and is UGC and AICTE approved. Symbiosis Online (SSODL) is UGC approved for the July 2026 session and UGC-DEB approved to run online UG and PG degree programmes under the UGC (ODL and Online) Regulations 2020. AICTE approval is specifically for MBA, BBA, and BCA for AY 2026-27.
For programme-specific information, IGNOU publishes its MBA total programme fee at Rs 66,000, while Symbiosis Online (SSODL) publishes its MBA total programme fee at Rs 370,000. These figures allow for a direct comparison of programme costs.
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Which is better, IGNOU or Symbiosis, for an online degree? | Symbiosis Online (SSODL) is approved by UGC for the July 2026 session, AY 2026-27, and by AICTE for MBA, BBA, and BCA for AY 2026-27. IGNOU holds an A++ NAAC grade and is approved by AICTE and UGC. |
| Can I get an online MBA from Symbiosis Pune? | Symbiosis Online (SSODL) offers an online MBA programme. The programme duration is 24 months, with a total fee of Rs 370,000. |
| Is an online MBA from Symbiosis approved in India? | Yes, the online MBA from Symbiosis Online (SSODL) is approved by AICTE for AY 2026-27. UGC-DEB has also approved Symbiosis to run online UG and PG degree programmes under the UGC (ODL and Online) Regulations 2020. |
| What is the fee for an online MBA from Symbiosis? | The total programme fee for an online MBA from Symbiosis Online (SSODL) is Rs 370,000. This 24-month programme does not list any specialisations. |
Where these figures come from
| University | Published by | Source | Read on |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGNOU | Indira Gandhi National Open University | https://www.ignou.ac.in/schools/programme/<programme> | 2026-09-22 |
| Symbiosis Online (SSODL) | Symbiosis School for Online and Digital Learning | https://ssodl.edu.in/ug-pg-fees | 2026-09-22 |
Figures for these universities are not held in the FindMyCollege database and are quoted from the university’s own published page on the date shown. Fees change – check the source before you pay.
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