Cheapest & Most Affordable Online Degrees in India (Under ₹1 Lakh)
Compare the most affordable online degrees and universities in India — 19 UGC-entitled programs under ₹1 lakh from IGNOU, LPU, SMU, Sharda & Manav Rachna with real fees.
You can earn a UGC-entitled online degree from a NAAC-accredited Indian university for as little as ₹18,000 total. Price should never be the reason you skip higher education — some of India's most credible universities offer affordable online degrees well under ₹1 lakh.
Every program is verified against the UGC-DEB entitled list and is fully valid for employment, higher education, and government jobs.
At a Glance: All Degrees Under ₹1 Lakh
| Program | University | NAAC | Degree | Total Fees | Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.Com | IGNOU | A++ | PG | ₹18,000 | ₹9,000 |
| B.Com | IGNOU | A++ | UG | ₹24,000 | ₹8,000 |
| MBA | IGNOU | A++ | PG | ₹36,000 | ₹18,000 |
| B.Sc (IT) | IGNOU | A++ | UG | ₹36,000 | ₹12,000 |
| B.Com | SMU | A+ | UG | ₹75,000 | ₹25,000 |
| BA | SMU | A+ | UG | ₹75,000 | ₹25,000 |
| M.Com | SMU | A+ | PG | ₹75,000 | ₹37,500 |
| M.Com | LPU | A++ | PG | ₹81,600 | ₹40,800 |
| BBA | SMU | A+ | UG | ₹90,000 | ₹30,000 |
| B.Com | Manav Rachna | A++ | UG | ₹96,000 | ₹38,000 |
| M.Com | Manav Rachna | A++ | PG | ₹98,240 | ₹50,000 |
| MBA | Sharda | B++ | PG | ₹1,00,000 | ₹50,000 |
Most Affordable Online Universities in India
For the lowest total fees, IGNOU is the cheapest university in India for online degrees, followed by UGC-entitled private universities like SMU, LPU, Manav Rachna (NAAC A++, NIRF #96) and Sharda. Below are the cheapest online degrees from each — every program verified UGC-entitled with total fees under ₹1 lakh.
Most Affordable Postgraduate (PG) Degrees
1. IGNOU Online M.Com — ₹18,000 Total
The single cheapest postgraduate degree available online in India. At ₹750 per month, this is less than the cost of a mobile recharge plan.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| University | IGNOU (NAAC A++, NIRF #7) |
| Total Fees | ₹18,000 (₹9,000/year) |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Specialisations | Accounting & Finance, Management Accounting, Business Policy |
2. IGNOU Online MBA — ₹36,000 Total
The most affordable MBA in India from any accredited university — online or offline.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| University | IGNOU (NAAC A++, NIRF #7) |
| Total Fees | ₹36,000 (₹18,000/year) |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Specialisations | General Management, Finance, Marketing, HR |
For a full MBA comparison, see Best Online MBA Programs in India 2026.
3. SMU Online M.Com — ₹75,000 Total
Backed by the Manipal Group, SMU's M.Com is a solid private university alternative to IGNOU's M.Com.
4. LPU Online M.Com — ₹81,600 Total
The only NAAC A++ option in this price range outside IGNOU, with access to 300+ hiring partners.
5. Manav Rachna Online M.Com — ₹98,240 Total
A NAAC A++, NIRF #96 university in Haryana/NCR — one of the few A++ private options with a PG degree still under ₹1 lakh (₹50,000/year over 2 years).
Compare All Programs by Fees
Filter by degree type, university, and price — only verified UGC-entitled programs.
Most Affordable Undergraduate (UG) Degrees
1. IGNOU Online B.Com — ₹24,000 Total
At ₹667 per month over 3 years, IGNOU's B.Com costs less than a Netflix subscription.
2. IGNOU Online B.Sc (IT) — ₹36,000 Total
The most affordable tech degree in India — a stepping stone to an online MCA.
3. SMU Online BA — ₹75,000 Total
The lowest eligibility threshold (40%) makes this accessible to the widest pool of students.
4. SMU Online BBA — ₹90,000 Total
The cheapest BBA on DegreeCompare, with specialisations like FinTech and Business Analytics.
5. Manav Rachna Online B.Com — ₹96,000 Total
A NAAC A++, NIRF #96 university (Haryana/NCR) offering a UGC-entitled B.Com at ₹38,000/year — a credible A++ alternative to SMU's B.Com, still under ₹1 lakh total.
Budget Comparison: IGNOU vs SMU vs LPU vs Sharda
| Factor | IGNOU | SMU | LPU | Sharda |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAAC Grade | A++ | A+ | A++ | B++ |
| NIRF Rank | #7 | — | #37 | #120 |
| Cheapest UG | ₹24,000 (B.Com) | ₹75,000 (BA/B.Com) | ₹1,20,000 (BCA) | ₹1,00,000 (MBA only) |
| Cheapest PG | ₹18,000 (M.Com) | ₹75,000 (M.Com/MA) | ₹81,600 (M.Com) | ₹1,00,000 (MBA) |
| University Type | Central Govt | Private (Manipal Group) | Private | Private |
| Placement Support | Limited | Pan-India centres | 300+ hiring partners | Delhi NCR tie-ups |
| EMI Options | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Budget + govt jobs | Affordable + Manipal brand | Budget + placement | NCR-based students |
Also worth a look in the NCR belt: Manav Rachna Online (NAAC A++, NIRF #96, Haryana) — its cheapest UG is a B.Com at ₹96,000 total and its cheapest PG an M.Com at ₹98,240 total, making it one of the few NAAC A++ private universities with both a UG and PG degree under ₹1 lakh.
Are Cheap Online Degrees Worth It?
Yes — if the university is UGC-DEB entitled. A ₹36,000 MBA from IGNOU is legally identical to a ₹2,92,000 MBA from Manipal. The difference lies in placement infrastructure, learning experience, brand perception, and specialisation range.
Specifically interested in MBA options? See our full ranking: Best Online MBA Programs in India 2026. Not sure where to start? Read How to Apply for an Online Degree. For a head-to-head MBA comparison, see IGNOU vs Manipal vs Amity.
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The DegreeCompare editorial team verifies UGC-DEB entitlement status, NIRF rankings, NAAC accreditation, and program fees for every institution and program we cover.
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