Updated on Sunday, June 14th, 2026
The official JAMB cut off mark for 2026 has been released. JAMB announced the national minimum cut off marks at the Policy Meeting held on May 11, 2026, which had in attendance the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Tunji Alausa, vice-chancellors, rectors, registrars, and other stakeholders.
This guide covers the official national minimums, plus the expected departmental cut off marks for the most competitive courses and universities in Nigeria, based on 2026 performance trends and historical admission data.
If you have not checked your score yet, follow this step-by-step guide on how to check JAMB result 2026 to confirm where you stand.
Table of Contents
Official JAMB Cut Off Mark for 2026/2027
JAMB announced the national minimum cut off marks on May 11, 2026. These are the minimum scores any institution can accept. No school is permitted to admit a candidate below these figures.
| Institution Type | Minimum Cut Off Mark |
|---|---|
| Universities | 150 |
| Colleges of Nursing | 150 |
| Polytechnics | 100 |
| Colleges of Education (NCE) | No UTME Score Required |
| Colleges of Agriculture (Non-Engineering) | No UTME Score Required |
One major development from this year’s Policy Meeting: candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes and non-Engineering Agriculture courses are now fully exempted from UTME. You do not need a JAMB score to apply for those programmes.
These national minimums are floors, not targets. Individual schools and departments set their own internal cut offs above these figures, and those are almost always significantly higher. A school accepting a minimum of 150 does not mean your department will take you at 150.
JAMB Cut Off Mark 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 reflect competitive benchmarks based on 2026 performance trends and historical admission patterns across Nigerian universities.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Medicine 2026: 270 to 300+
Medicine is the most competitive course in Nigerian universities. Federal schools like UNILAG, UI, and UNN consistently demand scores above 270, with some departments setting internal benchmarks even closer to 300.
If you are applying for Medicine, anything below 270 puts you in a difficult position at top federal universities.
Candidates with very high scores in Medicine sometimes also face a “result withheld” status while JAMB conducts additional identity verification. If your result is withheld and you applied for Medicine, read our guide on why JAMB withheld some results in 2026 to understand what to do next.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Law 2026: 250 to 280+
Law is another fiercely competitive course. Schools like UNILAG, OAU, and ABU attract thousands of applicants for limited slots. Departmental cut offs at federal universities typically fall in the 250 to 280 range, with state universities sitting slightly lower.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Nursing 2026: 240 to 270+
Nursing has grown more competitive year on year. Federal university departments are demanding scores in the 240 to 270 range. Note that the national minimum for Colleges of Nursing is now 150, but individual institutions set much higher internal benchmarks. Like Medicine, high-scoring Nursing candidates sometimes face verification holds. Check our withheld results guide if that applies to you.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Pharmacy 2026: 250 to 275+
Pharmacy sits close to Medicine in terms of competitiveness. Most federal university pharmacy departments will not seriously consider candidates below 250. State universities may accept slightly lower, but 240 is still a safer floor to aim for.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Computer Science 2026: 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 typically sit in the 200 to 220 range.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Engineering 2026: 200 to 250+
Engineering cut offs vary significantly by branch and by institution. Electrical, Mechanical, and Chemical Engineering at top federal schools tend to demand 230 and above. Civil and Agricultural Engineering branches may sit slightly lower.
Check the specific department and school before drawing conclusions from the general range.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Accounting 2026: 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, with top institutions like UNILAG and UI pushing their departmental benchmarks closer to 230.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Mass Communication 2026: 200 to 230+
Mass Communication attracts high application volumes at popular schools. Federal university departments generally want 200 and above, with some pushing toward 220 to 230 for their most sought-after campuses.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Microbiology 2026: 180 to 210+
Microbiology is moderately competitive. State universities are generally accessible at 180 and above. Federal university departments typically want 200 and above, with some variation depending on the school’s carrying capacity.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Marketing 2026: 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 typically want 200 and above.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for Some Universities in 2026
These are institution-level competitive benchmarks. Your department’s internal cut off will almost always be higher than the school’s general minimum.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for UNILAG 2026: 200+ (Strict)
UNILAG is one of the most selective universities in Nigeria. Their general minimum sits at 200, but most departments push well above that. Medicine, Law, and Computer Science at UNILAG are among the most competitive in the country.
Do not plan around the minimum.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for UI 2026: 200+ (Very Competitive)
The University of Ibadan is consistently ranked as Nigeria’s most prestigious university. Their cut offs reflect that. The general minimum is 200, but competitive departments routinely demand 250 and above. UI is not a school you plan for with a borderline score.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for OAU 2026: 200+
Obafemi Awolowo University runs a highly competitive admission process. The general minimum is 200, with science and professional course departments pushing significantly higher. OAU also places strong weight on post-UTME performance in its aggregate calculation.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for UNILORIN 2026: 180 to 200+
The University of Ilorin is competitive but slightly more accessible than UNILAG or UI at the general level. Their minimum sits in the 180 to 200 range, with professional courses demanding higher scores.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for UNN 2026: 160 to 200+
The University of Nigeria Nsukka has a broader range depending on faculty. Arts and social science courses may accept from 160 upward, while science and professional courses push toward 200 and above.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for ABU 2026: 180+
Ahmadu Bello University sets its general minimum around 180. Like most federal universities, departmental cut offs for competitive courses go considerably higher.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for UNIPORT 2026: 150 to 180+
The University of Port Harcourt is one of the more accessible federal universities at the general level. Their minimum sits between 150 and 180 depending on faculty, making it a realistic option for candidates with mid-range scores.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for NDA 2026: 180 to 210+
The Nigerian Defence Academy admission process involves more than just JAMB scores. Physical and medical screening are part of the process. The JAMB component typically sits in the 180 to 210 range depending on the course of study.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for OOU 2026: 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.
JAMB Cut Off Mark for FUOYE 2026: 150 to 170+
The Federal University Oye-Ekiti is among the newer federal universities with relatively accessible cut offs. Their general minimum sits in the 150 to 170 range, with science departments pushing slightly higher.
Coming Soon: Comprehensive Post-UTME Past Questions for UNILAG, UI, and OAU.
What Score Is Safe for Admission in JAMB 2026?
A safe score is not the same as the minimum cut off. While JAMB may set 150 as the minimum, a safe score for admission into competitive universities is usually 200 and above.
If you are targeting top schools like UNILAG, UI, or OAU, aim for 250 and above to stay competitive, especially for courses like Medicine, Law, and Nursing.
Scores between 180 and 220 can still secure admission in less competitive courses or institutions, but strategy matters. Your course choice and school selection will determine your chances.
Frequently Asked Questions About JAMB Cut off Mark for 2026
What is the minimum JAMB score to gain admission in 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.
Can I gain admission with 150 in JAMB 2026?
It depends entirely on your course and institution. At polytechnics and less competitive state universities, 150 may be enough for certain courses. At federal universities and for competitive courses, 150 will not be sufficient.
What happens if my score is below the cut off for my chosen course?
You have two main options. You can apply for a change of course or change of institution through JAMB CAPS when the portal opens, targeting a course or school where your score is competitive. Alternatively, you can start preparing to rewrite in 2027 with our structured study plan.
Do all universities use the same cut off mark?
No. JAMB sets a national minimum, and each institution sets its own cut offs on top of that. Departmental cut offs are almost always higher than the school’s general minimum.
Are NCE and Agriculture students exempted from JAMB in 2026?
Yes. The 2026 Policy Meeting confirmed that candidates seeking admission into NCE programmes and non-Engineering Agriculture courses no longer need a UTME score. This takes effect for the 2026/2027 admission session.
Conclusion
The official JAMB cut off mark for 2026 is now out. Universities and Colleges of Nursing require a minimum of 150, polytechnics require 100, and NCE and non-Engineering Agriculture candidates no longer need a UTME score at all.
But the national minimum is just the starting point. What matters now is your school’s departmental cut off, your post-UTME performance, and how quickly you act on the CAPS portal.
If your score is above 250, start preparing for post-UTME at your target school immediately. If your score falls between 160 and 240, research the specific departmental cut offs for your course and find out if you are competitive. If your score is below 160, do not wait. Use JAMB CAPS to explore a change of course or institution the moment the portal opens.
Check our JAMB 2026 Latest Updates page for the latest post-UTME announcements as schools begin releasing their screening dates.
👉 Join our WhatsApp group for instant alerts when the official cut offs are released.
Drop your JAMB score and course in the comments and we will tell you exactly where you stand.