When a student in the science stream completes 12th, the most common dilemma is their career path. Should it be Science Vs Arts Vs Engineering the best degree option for their future.
It can be a difficult and mind-bending choice to take blindly. So how can you decide? Don’t worry; we have devised a guide below that takes you through the pros and cons of Science, arts, and engineering.
This guide will help you decide your path based on your interests, passion, and aptitude and which stream is the right fit for your career. Put those doubts aside, and let’s dive right into what to study after 12th : Science Vs Arts Vs Engineering.
Science: Pros and Cons
Science has many degree options for students after 12th. There are a variety of specialisations under Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics. If you are interested in developing your logical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, then a science degree might be just what you need.
Let’s take a look at the Pros and Cons of a degree in Science.
Pros of Science Degrees
- Can open doors to high-paying career options in the engineering, medicine, and technology industries
- Helps you develop powerful analytical, problem-solving and quantitative skills that are valuable in many careers
- Science Vs Arts Vs Engineering, Science degrees prepare students for technical careers in research, quality control, healthcare, etc.
- Opens doors to specialisation opportunities in India and abroad
Cons of Science Degrees
- Science subjects can be tricky to grasp. They require a strong aptitude and dedication for abstract thinking.
- The coursework required for a science degree can be stressful and time-consuming. You will have less time for extracurriculars that instil well-rounded personality development.
- Switching fields after a degree in Science can be difficult.
Arts: Pros and Cons
Arts degrees are a great choice for students to develop a sharper view of the world around them. Degrees like geography, politics, literature, history, etc., improve your understanding of human behaviour, culture, societal tendencies, etc.
Pros of Arts Degrees
- Art degrees can help you nurture your communication skills, and creative thinking, and help you to develop an appreciation for literature, art, languages, etc.
- These degrees are flexible, allowing you to explore options like culture, history, psychology, etc. that can open doors to diverse paths in your career
- Art degrees can help you develop your public speaking, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which can be useful for many careers.
- Arts degrees are perfect for students looking to make a future in fields like advertising, media, event management, corporate communication, etc.
Cons of Art Degrees
- If the student is not interested in creative field or teaching, career options are quite limited
- Offers limited exposure to technical skills, resulting in difficulties in securing jobs outside of their domain.
- Arts subjects are more conceptual in nature and require students to use reasoning and understanding rather than relying on quantitative and analytical skills.
Engineering: Pros and Cons
Engineering is not a single career path. Rather, it is an umbrella that has many sub-branches and specialisations under it. Unlike Science and Arts degrees that are limited to very few industries, engineering is a necessity across almost every industry. Science Vs Arts Vs Engineering, If you choose to walk the path of an engineer, your career options are endless. Popular engineering disciplines are:
- Computer Science Engineering
- Electrical and Electronics Engineering
- Electronics Communication Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- B. Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Data Science
There are numerous other specialisations, like robotics engineering, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, etc., that are also viable options for high-paying careers.
If you want more details about Engineering Click Here
Pros of Studying Engineering
- Engineering provides many diverse career opportunities like civil, aerospace, electrical, mechanical, and more.
- Technological innovations create a growing demand for competent engineering professionals. This offers job security and opportunities for career growth.
- Engineering opens doors to global career opportunities.
- Careers after engineering offer competitive salaries and countless benefits.
Cons of Studying Engineering
- Engineering requires extensive use and reliance on scientific concepts and maths
- Careers in engineering are prone to high pressure and responsibilities
- A competent engineer is required to stay updated on the latest advancements in their field throughout their entire career.
Major Differences between Science, Arts, and Engineering at a Glance
Now that we know about various the pros and cons of Science, Arts and Engineering. It is time to compare a few key differences side-by-side for Science Vs Arts Vs Engineering.
At a glance, we can see the following differences between these three, and these differences can be beneficial in making a decision that suits your interests and aptitude.
Particular | Science | Arts | Engineering |
Focus | Focuses more on technical & scientific knowledge, research, and experimentation | Focuses more on critical thinking, creativity & expression, cultural understanding, etc. | Engineering focuses on the practical application of scientific concepts to solve real-world problems. |
Career Paths | Opens up careers in education, quality control, research, etc. | Arts degrees lead to careers in education, media, advertising, etc. | Wide open doors to careers in AI, Machine learning, data science, aerospace engineering, civil engineering, robotics engineering, software engineering, and more. |
Work Environment | Hospitals, Labs, Research centres, IT companies, etc. | Media agencies, art studios, schools, publishing houses, etc. | Offices, manufacturing plants, construction sites, laboratories, etc. |
Mailam Engineering College: The Best College for an Engineering Career in Tamil Nadu
Mailam Engineering College is a top autonomous engineering college in Tamil Nadu. Affiliated with Anna University, MEC is also accredited by AICTE and the National Board of Accreditation.

Our curricula are focused on various popular engineering courses from timeless disciplines like civil engineering all the way up to the recent advancements in artificial intelligence and data science.
It is our vision at MEC to create talented, competent engineers with the capability to become leaders across industries. That is why we have crafted a career placement program with 108+ companies that have recruited top talents from MEC’s student community. In the 2022-2023 academic year, we had a career placement record high of 87%.
MEC offers the following programs
Undergraduate Programs | Postgraduate Programs |
BE Civil EngineeringBE Computer Science EngineeringBE Electrical and Electronics EngineeringBE Electronics and Communication EngineeringB.Tech Information TechnologyBE Mechanical EngineeringB.Tech Artificial Intelligence and Data ScienceB.Tech Computer Science and Business Systems | Master of Business Administration (MBA)Master of Computer Application (MCA)ME Power Electronics and DrivesME Communication systemsME Computer Science EngineeringME Engineering Design |
If you want more details about Mailam Engineering College(MEC), Click Here
Takeaway
There are many choices for further education after completing 12th. Science Vs Arts Vs Engineering, These choices can be confusing if you try to choose blindly.
Science degrees are great if you want to be involved in research, quality control, or education. However, switching fields after degree completion can be difficult.
Arts degrees are great for creative careers like media, publishing, advertising, etc. However, outside of creative fields and teaching, the career options for arts majors are limited.
Engineering is the most versatile career choice for students after 12th standard. Streams like Computer Science Engineering, Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, etc., are disciplines that open the door to many career paths and industries upon graduation.
Mailam Engineering College is one of the best engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu. With a legacy of moulding passionate engineers, we always strive to create competent and capable professionals. If your aptitude and passion lie in Engineering, then contact us at MEC to learn more about your eligibility.
FAQs
1. Which is better, engineering or arts and Science?
There is no question of which is better because it depends on the individual. If you are trying to decide between engineering, arts and Science, you should consider your interests, passion and aptitude to get a better understanding of which path is right for you.
2. Which is better, Science or engineering?
It depends on your aptitude. Science degrees are great for students interested in research or careers in education. On the other hand, engineering offers many sub-branches and specialisations from which to choose. Engineering has wider career opportunities.
3. Is engineering in high demand?
Yes. With modern innovation happening at a fast rate, the need for qualified engineers is higher than ever, and their demand is expected to rise.
4. Does engineering have more career options than Science?
Yes, because engineering has many sub-branches and specialisations under its umbrella. Even after specialising in a certain engineering discipline, many career options will become available to you.
For example, studying electronics engineering can open doors to careers like Wireless Communications Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Robotics Engineer, Software Analyst, and more.
5. Can I do engineering if I fail in physics?
No, in order to be eligible for admission to an engineering program, you must pass 12th with no less than 50% marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.