The official JAMB cut off marks for 2026 are 150 for Universities and Colleges of Nursing and 100 for Polytechnics.
See the official national minimums and the departmental JAMB cut off marks for most competitive courses and universities, based on 2026 performance and admission data.
- ALSO SEE: HOW TO CHECK JAMB RESULT ONLINE
What does JAMB cut-off mark really mean?
JAMB cut off marks are national minimums, the lowest acceptable score for admission.
Individual schools and departments are still free to set their own cut offs above these figures, but never below.
So, a school accepting 150 for few Education courses does NOT mean Science department in that same school will take you at 150.
Official JAMB cut off marks for 2026/2027
Remember these are the minimum scores any institution can accept.
No school is permitted to admit a candidate below these figures.
| Institution | Cut Off Mark |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of Nursing | 150 |
| Polytechnics | 100 |
| Colleges of Education (NCE) | Not Required |
| Colleges of Agriculture (Non-Engineering) | Not Required |
Admission into NCE programs and non-Engineering Agriculture courses no longer require UTME.
So, you don’t need a JAMB score to apply for those programs.
JAMB cut off marks for some courses in 2026
JAMB sets the national minimum.
Each institution sets its own departmental cut offs on top of that.
The figures below show the competitive benchmarks based on 2026 performance and past admission patterns across Nigerian universities.
JAMB cut off mark for Medicine: (270 to 300+)
Medicine is the most competitive course in Nigerian universities.
Federal schools like UNILAG, UI, and UNN always demand scores above 270, with some departments setting the benchmarks even closer to 300.
If you’re applying for Medicine, anything below 270 reduces your chances at top federal universities.
- SEE HOW: DEPARTMENTAL CUT OFF MARK FOR MEDICINE WORKS
Candidates with very high scores in Medicine sometimes face a “result withheld” status while JAMB conducts extra ID verification.
If your result is withheld and you applied for Medicine, SEE WHY JAMB WITHHELD SOME RESULTS to understand what to do next.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Law: (250 to 280+)
Law is another highly competitive course.
Schools like UNILAG, OAU and ABU attract thousands of applicants for limited slots.
Departmental cut offs at federal universities often fall in the 250 to 280 range, with state universities sitting slightly lower.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Nursing: (240 to 270+)
Nursing has grown more competitive over the years.
Federal university departments are now demanding scores in the 240 to 270 range.
Note that the national minimum for Colleges of Nursing is 150, but individual institutions set much higher internal benchmarks.
Like Medicine, high-scoring Nursing candidates may also face verification holds.
CHECK OUR WITHHELD RESULTS GUIDE if that applies to you.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Pharmacy: (250 to 275+)
Pharmacy sits close to Medicine in terms of competitiveness.
Most pharmacy departments in FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES do not consider candidates below 250.
State universities may accept lower, but 240 is safer to aim for.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Computer Science: (210 to 240+)
Computer Science has become one of the fastest-growing COMPETITIVE COURSES IN NIGERIA.
Federal university departments at schools like UNILAG, OAU, and UI are pushing cut offs toward 230 and above.
State universities sit in the 200 to 220 range.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Engineering: (200 to 250+)
Engineering cut offs vary by department and institution.
Electrical, Mechanical and Chemical Engineering at top federal schools often demand 230 and above.
While Civil and Agricultural Engineering sit slightly lower.
Check specific department and school before drawing conclusions.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Accounting: (200 to 230+)
Accounting is competitive at federal universities but more accessible at state institutions.
Scores of 200 and above are workable at many schools.
But top institutions like UNILAG and UI push their departmental benchmarks closer to 230.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Mass Communication: (200 to 230+)
Mass Communication attracts high application volumes at popular schools.
Federal university departments want 200 and above, with some pushing toward 220 to 230 for their most sought-after campuses.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Microbiology: (180 to 210+)
Microbiology is quite competitive too.
State universities are often accessible at 180 and above.
While Federal university departments often want 200 and above, with some variation depending on the school’s carrying capacity.
2026 JAMB cut off mark for Marketing: (170 to 200+)
Marketing is one of the more accessible courses in the business faculty.
State universities may accept scores from 170 upward, while federal universities will want 200 and above.
JAMB cut off mark for some Universities in 2026
These are schools’ general minimum based on their competitiveness from popularity.
Remember that your department’s cut off will always be higher than the school’s general minimum.
UNILAG JAMB cut off mark: 200+
UNILAG is one of the most selective universities in Nigeria.
Their general minimum is 200, but most departments push far above that.
Medicine, Law and Computer Science at UNILAG are the most competitive in the country.
So, don’t plan around the minimum score, aim higher.
- SEE HOW TO SCORE 300+ IN JAMB WITHOUT EXTRA LESSON
UI JAMB cut off mark: 200+
The University of Ibadan is ranked high as Nigeria’s most prestigious university.
Same with their cut-off.
The general minimum is 200, but competitive departments demand 250 and above.
UI is not a school you plan for with a minimum score.
OAU JAMB cut off mark: 200+
Obafemi Awolowo University runs a highly competitive admission process.
Its general minimum is 200, with science and professional course departments higher.
OAU also places strong weight on post-UTME performance in its aggregate calculation.
UNILORIN JAMB cut off mark: 180 to 200+
The University of Ilorin is competitive but quite more accessible than UNILAG or UI at the general level.
Their minimum sits in the 180 to 200 range, with higher scores for professional courses.
UNN JAMB cut off mark: 160 to 200+
University of Nigeria Nsukka has a broader range depending on faculty.
While Arts and Social Science courses may accept from 160 upward, Science and professional courses push to 200 and above.
ABU JAMB cut off mark: 180+
Ahmadu Bello University sets its general minimum around 180.
But like most federal universities, departmental cut offs for competitive courses are higher.
UNIPORT JAMB cut off mark: 150 to 180+
The University of Port Harcourt is another accessible federal university at the general level.
Their minimum sits between 150 and 180 depending on faculty, a realistic option for candidates with mid-range scores.
NDA JAMB cut off mark: 180 to 210+
Nigerian Defence Academy admission process involves more than just JAMB scores.
Serious physical and medical screening are also part of the process.
But the JAMB part often sits in the 180 to 210 range depending on the course of study.
OOU JAMB cut off mark: 160 to 180+
Olabisi Onabanjo University is a state university with a more accessible entry point.
Scores in the 160 to 180 range are competitive for most departments, making it a solid option for candidates with average scores.
FUOYE JAMB cut off mark: 150 to 170+
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti is among the NEWER FEDERAL UNIVERSITIES with accessible cut offs.
Their general minimum is within 150 to 170, with Sciences pushing higher.
What score is safe for admission in JAMB 2026?
A safe score is NOT the same as the minimum.
While JAMB may set 150 as the minimum, a safe score for admission into competitive universities is often 200 and above.
But if you’re targeting top schools like UI, OAU or UNILAG, aim for 250 and above to be safer, especially for Medicine, Law and Nursing.
Your chosen course and school of choice also determine your chances.
Because scores between 180 and 220 can still secure admission in less competitive courses or institutions.
Frequently asked questions on JAMB cut off mark 2026
The official national minimum for universities and Colleges of Nursing is 150.
For polytechnics, it is 100. Colleges of Education (NCE) and non-Engineering Agriculture programmes no longer require a UTME score.
But these are floors, not targets. Most departments want significantly more.
It depends on your course and institution.
At polytechnics and less competitive state universities, 150 may be enough for most courses.
But at federal universities and for competitive courses, 150 will not be sufficient.
You have two options. Apply for a CHANGE OF COURSE OR INSTITUTION through JAMB CAPS, targeting a course or school where your score of advantage.
Or start preparing to rewrite in 2028 with our structured JAMB STUDY PLAN.
No. JAMB sets the minimum and each institution puts its own cut-off on top of that minimum.
Departmental cut-off marks are always higher than the school’s general minimum.
Yes. The 2026 Policy Meeting confirmed that candidates seeking admission into NCE and non-Engineering Agriculture programs no longer need a UTME score.
This took effect from the 2026/2027 admission session.
Conclusion
Universities and Colleges of Nursing require 150, polytechnics require 100, while NCE and non-Engineering Agriculture candidates no longer need UTME score at all.
But the national minimum is just the starting point.
What matters is the departmental cut off, your post-UTME score and how fast you act on the CAPS portal.
If your score is above 250, start PREPARING FOR POST-UTME (if your school writes it).
If your score falls between 160 and 240, check your DEPARTMENTAL CUT-OFFS to see where you stand.
If your score is below 160, use JAMB CAPS to explore CHANGE OF COURSE or institution.
GOOD LUCK.
Want to know exactly what your chances are? Drop your JAMB score and course in the comments below.
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