COBOL (Common Business Oriented Language) is a powerful legacy programming language that has stood the test of time. Despite newer technologies, COBOL is still widely used in banks, insurance companies, government offices, and large enterprises. If you’re a student looking for COBOL project ideas for your mini or final-year submission, you’re in the right place.
In this blog, we’ve compiled 50 COBOL project ideas grouped by categories. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced student, you’ll find ideas that suit your skill level and interest. Each idea is practical, relevant, and gives you a chance to apply COBOL in real-world scenarios.
Also Read: 50 Latest Golang Project Ideas – Beginner to Advanced
What is COBOL and Why Use It?
COBOL is a high-level programming language designed for business data processing. It excels in handling large volumes of data and is known for its readability and maintainability. COBOL is primarily used in systems like banking transactions, payroll, inventory, and other business applications.
Despite being decades old, COBOL is still in use today, especially in financial institutions and government databases. Learning COBOL can give students an edge in understanding legacy systems and enhance career opportunities in enterprise computing.
How to Choose a COBOL Project Idea?
Before selecting a project, consider the following:
- Your skill level – Are you a beginner or an advanced student?
- The domain – Do you want to build something for banking, inventory, or payroll?
- Complexity – Some projects only use COBOL, while others may integrate with DB2, CICS, VSAM, or JCL.
Top 50 COBOL Project Ideas for Students
COBOL Projects for Beginners
- Student Marksheet Processing System
- Simple Payroll System
- Invoice Generator
- Basic Inventory Tracker
- ATM Transaction Logger
- Electricity Bill Generator
- Library Book Record System
- Customer Order Management
- Monthly Expense Tracker
- Product Price Updater
COBOL Projects for Banking & Finance
- Loan Repayment Tracking System
- Bank Account Statement Generator
- Credit Score Analyzer
- Bank Interest Calculator
- Fixed Deposit Management System
- Cheque Processing System
- Pension Distribution Manager
- Online Banking Simulation (COBOL + CICS)
- Automated ATM Reconciliation
- Mobile Recharge Simulation
COBOL Projects with File Handling
- Employee Record Maintenance System
- Hospital Patient Record Tracker
- Vehicle Registration File Processor
- Library Management System
- Fee Receipt Generator
- Student Attendance File System
- Inventory Update Tool
- Sales Report Generator
- School Admission File Handler
- Job Applicant Tracker
COBOL Projects Using DB2 / CICS
- Insurance Claim Management System
- Train Ticket Booking System
- Credit Card Fraud Detection
- Travel Expense Tracker
- Medical Store Billing System
- Bus Reservation System
- Loan Application System (DB2)
- File-Based POS System (CICS)
- Customer Complaint Tracker (DB2)
- Stock Entry with CICS
COBOL Projects for Real-World Simulation
- Old Age Pension Calculator
- University Admission System
- Municipal Water Billing System
- E-Challan Traffic Fine System
- Employee Performance Report Generator
- Land Record Management
- Voter Data Verification System
- Postal Service Management Tool
- Taxpayer Assessment System
- Ration Card Distribution Program
Tips to Make Your COBOL Project Stand Out
- Add database integration with DB2 or VSAM
- Use screen-based interface using CICS for interactivity
- Create multiple modules like login, admin panel, and reporting
- Comment your code properly for better readability
Conclusion
COBOL may be a legacy language, but it’s far from irrelevant. These 50 COBOL project ideas are designed to help students apply their knowledge to real-world business problems. By selecting the right project and giving it your unique twist, you can build something that not only meets academic requirements but also prepares you for enterprise-level job roles.
If you need help implementing any of these projects, feel free to explore our tutorials or leave a comment below. Happy coding!