upGrad vs Scaler
Updated onCompare upGrad and Scaler side-by-side. See how they stack up on features, pricing, and target market.
upGrad
Provider of university-backed online degrees, certificate programs and career-oriented bootcamps across technology and business domains.
vs
Scaler
Scaler is an online tech upskilling platform (by InterviewBit) that offers mentor-led software engineering, data science, and related programs for students and working professionals.
Starts at $500
Which should you choose?
upGrad
Choose upGrad if you want a university‑issued credential (degree or diploma) or a study‑abroad pathway with online + on‑campus transfer options toward a U.S. university degree.
Scaler
Choose Scaler if you want an intensive, mentor‑led, live‑class program focused on software/data roles with 1:1 mentorship and structured placement support.
Typical cost comparison
Scenario: One U.S.-based learner comparing mid‑level data programs starting late‑2025, paying upfront for a single 8–12 month track (non‑degree for Scaler; non‑degree PG Diploma for upGrad).
upGrad
$5000 per year
Scaler
$4700 per year
Scaler saves you $300 per year in this scenario.
Key differences
| Category | upGrad | Scaler | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | For non‑degree options, both sit in the low‑to‑mid four‑figure USD range (upGrad PG Diploma at $5,000; Scaler DS program ~₹389,000 ≈ $4,700), though upGrad’s degree/abroad tracks can be much higher due to university tuition and living costs. | ||
| Breadth of Catalog | upGrad spans 200+ courses across tech, business, and study‑abroad degrees with many university partners, whereas Scaler concentrates on tech upskilling (software, DS/ML, DevOps). | ||
| Credential Type & Recognition | upGrad delivers university‑issued degrees and diplomas via 80+ global university partnerships and U.S. pathway programs, while Scaler’s core is non‑degree upskilling with an optional ECTS‑accredited master’s via Woolf (Neovarsity). | ||
| Teaching Model & Mentorship | Scaler emphasizes live cohort classes, structured DSA/system‑design curriculum, 1:1 mentorship and placement support; upGrad provides career coaching and webinars with format varying by program. | ||
| Time to Credential | Scaler’s non‑degree tracks are typically completed within months, while upGrad degree pathways often run 12–24 months (e.g., 20‑month UNLV data analytics path with online + on‑campus). |
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