JAMB Cut Off Marks 2027/2028 for All Schools

If you are preparing for university admission in Nigeria for the 2027/2028 academic session, one of the first figures you are likely to encounter is the JAMB cut-off mark.

However, there is an important distinction that every UTME candidate should understand: JAMB’s national minimum score is not the same thing as the score that guarantees admission into a particular university or course.

For the 2027 admission exercise, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), together with heads of tertiary institutions and other stakeholders, approved 150 as the minimum admissible UTME score for universities. The benchmark is 150 for Colleges of Nursing Sciences, while 100 applies to polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, colleges of agriculture and Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs).

This means that a candidate who scores 150 has reached the national minimum for university consideration, but 150 does not automatically translate into admission. Universities are permitted to establish higher institutional or programme-specific requirements, provided they do not go below the national minimum.

JAMB 2027/2028 National Minimum Cut-Off Marks

The 2026 policy decision established the following minimum admissible UTME scores:

Type of Institution	2026 Minimum Admissible UTME Score
Universities	150
Colleges of Nursing Sciences	150
Polytechnics	100
Monotechnics	100
Colleges of Education	100
Colleges of Agriculture	100
Innovation Enterprise Institutions (IEIs)	100

JAMB’s official website currently confirms these 2026 minimum tolerable admission scores.

The decision was reached at the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions into Tertiary Institutions, held in Abuja on 11 May 2026. Reports from the meeting indicate that the benchmarks followed deliberations and voting involving heads of tertiary institutions.

What Does 150 Actually Mean?

A score of 150 should be regarded as an eligibility threshold, not an admission guarantee.

For example, consider two candidates:

Candidate A scores 150 and applies to a highly competitive university.
Candidate B scores 245 and applies to the same university.

Even though both candidates satisfy JAMB’s national minimum, Candidate B may have a much stronger position when the institution applies its own screening, aggregate calculation, programme requirements and available admission quota.

JAMB Cut Off Mark for Federal Universities 2027/2028

Below is the complete list of federal universities in Nigeria, along with their approved JAMB cut off marks for the 2027/2028 academic session.

Federal Universities	JAMB Cut Off Marks
Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU)	150
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (ABU)	150
Bayero University, Kano (BUK)	150
Federal University Gashua, Yobe (FUGASHUA)	150
Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE)	150
Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA)	150
Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUTMINNA)	150
Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO)	150
Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State (FUD)	150
Federal University, Dutsin Ma, Katsina (FUDMA)	150
Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State (FUKASHERE)	150
Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State (FULAFIA)	150
Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State (FULOKOJA)	150
Alex Ekwueme University, Ndufu Alike, Ebonyi State (FUNAI)	150
Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa (FUOTUOKE)	150
Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State (FUOYE)	150
Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State (FUWUKARI)	150
Federal University, Birnin Kebbi (FUBK)	150
Federal University, Gusau Zamfara (FUGUS)	150
Michael Okpara University of Agricultural Umudike (MOUAU)	150
Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH)	150
National Open University of Nigeria, Lagos (NOUN)	150
Nigeria Police Academy Wudil (NPA)	150
Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna (NDA)	150
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (UNIZIK)	150
Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife (OAU)	150
University of Abuja, Gwagwalada (UNIABUJA)	150
Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB)	150
University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM)	150
University of Benin (UNIBEN)	150
University of Calabar (UNICAL)	150
University of Ibadan (UI)	150
University of Ilorin (UNILORIN)	150
University of Jos (UNIJOS)	150
University of Lagos (UNILAG)	150
University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID)	150
University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)	150
University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT)	150
University of Uyo (UNIUYO)	150
Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDUSOK)	150
Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko, Delta State (NMU)	150
Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna (AFIT)	150
Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB)	150
Federal University of Health Technology, Otukpo, Benue State (FUHSO)	150
Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State (FUAZ)	150
Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State (FUTB)	150
Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State (FUTIA)	150
Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State (FUHSA)	150
Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State (FUHSI)	150
David Nweze Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences, Uburu (DNUUMS)	150
Admiralty University Ibusa, Delta State (ADUN)	150
Federal University of Transportation Daura (FUTD)	150
African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU)	150

JAMB Cut Off Mark for State Universities 2027/2028

Below is the complete list of all state universities in Nigeria and their approved JAMB cut off marks for the 2027/2028 academic session.

State Universities	JAMB Cut Off Marks
Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU)	150
Adamawa State University Mubi (ADSU)	150
Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA)	150
Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden	150
Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma (AAU)	150
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli (COOU)	150
Bauchi State University, Gadau (BASUG)	150
Benue State University, Makurdi (BSU)	150
Yobe State University, Damaturu (YSU)	150
Cross River State University of Technology, Calabar (CRUTECH)	150
Delta State University Abraka (DELSU)	150
Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki (EBSU)	150
Ekiti State University (EKSU)	150
Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu (ESUT)	150
Gombe State Univeristy, Gombe (GSU)	150
Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai (IBBU)	150
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni (IUAE)	150
Imo State University, Owerri (IMSU)	150
Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, Jigawa (SLU)	150
Kaduna State University, Kaduna (KASU)	150
Kano University of Science & Technology, Wudil (KUST)	150
Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero (KSUSTA)	150
Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba (PAAU)	150
Kwara State University, Ilorin (KWASU)	150
Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso (LAUTECH)	150
Ondo State University of Science and Technology Okitipupa (OAUSTECH)	150
Rivers State University (RSU)	150
Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye (OOU)	150
Lagos State University, Ojo (LASU)	150
Niger Delta University Yenagoa	150
Nasarawa State University Keffi (NSUK)	150
Plateau State University Bokkos (PLASU)	150
Tai Solarin University of Education Ijebu Ode (TASUED)	150
Umar Musa Yar’ Adua University Katsina (UMYU)	150
Osun State University Osogbo (UNIOSUN)	150
AbdulKadir Kure University, Minna Niger State (AKUM)	150
Kogi State University, Kabba (KSUK)	150
Sa’adatu Rimi University of Education (SRUE)	150
Emanuel Alayande University of Education Oyo	150
University of Ilesa, Osun State (UNILESA)	150
Shehu Shagari University of Education, Sokoto (SSUES)	150
Lagos State University of Science and Technology Ikorodu (LASUSTECH)	150

JAMB Cut Off Mark for All Polytechnics 2026/2027 (Private and Public)

Below are the some polytechnics in Nigeria and their approved JAMB cut off mark for the 2027/2028 academic session:

Polytechnics	JAMB Cut Off Mark
Ajayi Polytechnic, Ara Ekiti	100
Al Hikma Polytechnic, Karu	100
Allover Central Polytechnic, Sango Ota	100
Ashi Polytechnic, Anyin	100
Bellarks Polytechnic, Kwale	100
Best Solution Polytechnic, Akure	100
Bolmor Polytechnic, Ibadan	100
Brainfill Polytechnic, Ikot Ekpene	100
British Transatlantic Polytechnic, Akure	100
Calvary Polytechnic, Owo Oyibu, Delta State	100
Citi Polytechnic, Abuja	100
Coastal Polytechnic, Badagry	100
Covenant Polytechnic, Aba	100
Federal Polytechnic, Offa	100

JAMB Cut Off Mark For Colleges of Education 2026/2027

Below are the various colleges of education in Nigeria and their JAMB cut off mark for the 2026/2027 academic session:

College of Education	JAMB Cut Off Mark
Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba	100
Federal College of Education, Kano	100
Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo	100
College of Education, Gindiri	100
College of Education, Hong	100
Tai Solarin College of Education, Ijebu Ode	100
College of Education, Ikere Ekiti	100
Ebonyi State College of Education, Ikwo	100
College of Education, Warri	100
Federal College of Education, Pankshin	100
Federal College of Education, Yola	100
Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo	100
Federal College of Education, Obudu	100
Federal College of Education, Katsina	100
Federal College of Education (Technical)	100
Federal College of Education (Technical), Bichi	100
Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka	100
City College of Education, Mararaba	100
College of Education, Waka BIU	100
Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afahansit	100
Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa	100
Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu	100
Aminu Sale College of Education, Azare	100
Zamfara State College of Education, Maru	100

Departmental Cut Off Marks for Competitive Courses

Your JAMB SCORE must meet or exceed the departmental cut off mark for your chosen course. Here are the typical departmental cut off marks for competitive courses across Nigerian universities for 2027/2028.

Course	Federal Universities	State Universities	Private Universities
Medicine and Surgery	150 to 320	150 to 280	150 to 250
Law	150 to 300	150 to 260	150 to 220
Pharmacy	150 to 280	150 to 250	150 to 220
Nursing	150 to 270	150 to 240	150 to 200
Engineering (All Branches)	150 to 260	150 to 220	150 to 180
Computer Science	150 to 240	150 to 200	150 to 170
Mass Communication	150 to 260	150 to 220	150 to 180
Accounting	150 to 240	150 to 200	150 to 170
Economics	150 to 240	150 to 200	150 to 170
Political Science	150 to 230	150 to 190	150 to 160
Biochemistry	150 to 220	150 to 180	150 to 150
Microbiology	150 to 220	150 to 180	150 to 150
Industrial Chemistry	150 to 200	150 to 170	150
Physics	150 to 190	150 to 160	150
Mathematics	150 to 190	150 to 160	150

This distinction is particularly important for competitive courses such as Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, Pharmacy, Law, Engineering, Computer Science and other high-demand programmes.

JAMB itself has made it clear that institutions which previously established higher minimums are allowed to retain those higher requirements. However, institutions cannot admit candidates below the national minimum approved for their category.

University Cut-Off Mark vs Departmental Cut-Off Mark

These two terms are often used interchangeably online, but they can represent different stages of the admission process.

1. National minimum admissible score

This is the benchmark approved at the national policy level.

For 2026/2027:

University minimum = 150

A university cannot use a UTME score below this national threshold to admit a candidate.

2. Institutional screening threshold

A university can require a candidate to score higher than 150 before the candidate is eligible to participate in its admission screening.

For example, the University of Lagos (UNILAG) stated in its official 2026/2027 Post-UTME notice that candidates who chose the university as their first choice and scored 200 or above in the 2026 UTME were eligible to apply for its Post-UTME screening. UNILAG also specified relevant O’Level requirements.

This illustrates why simply seeing “JAMB cut-off mark = 150” should not lead a candidate to assume that every university will accept a 150 UTME score.

3. Departmental or programme cut-off

The final competitive threshold can be even higher for individual programmes.

The University of Ibadan (UI) provides a particularly useful example. Its published 2026/2027 programme cut-off figures show substantial differences between courses. For instance, the university lists a merit aggregate cut-off of 80.00 for Medicine and Surgery, 75.375 for Software Engineering, 74.125 for Computer Science, 71.00 for Law, and 70.375 for Pharmacy. Other programmes have lower aggregate thresholds.

These figures demonstrate an important point: there is no single UTME score that can accurately be described as the final admission cut-off for every course in a university.

Examples of 2027/2028 University Requirements

The following examples show why candidates should check the admission requirements of their chosen university rather than relying solely on the national 150 benchmark.

University	2027/2028	What It Shows
University of Lagos (UNILAG)	200 UTME	Candidates with 200+ were eligible for 2026/2027 Post-UTME screening
University of Ibadan (UI)	200 UTME minimum for consideration	UI’s admission information identifies 200 as its UTME minimum
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU)	200 UTME	Candidates with 200+ who chose OAU as first choice were eligible for its 2026 screening
University of Ibadan	Programme-specific aggregate cut-offs	Different courses have different final competitive thresholds

UNILAG’s official notice confirms the 200-point screening threshold for 2027/2028.

The University of Ibadan’s undergraduate admissions information states that UTME candidates are expected to obtain a minimum of 200 out of 400, in addition to satisfying the university’s O’Level requirements.

OAU likewise announced that candidates who selected the university as first choice and scored 200 or above in the 2026 UTME were eligible for its 2027 Post-UTME screening exercise.

Why Your JAMB Score Alone May Not Determine Admission

University admission in Nigeria is more complicated than simply comparing a UTME score with 150.

Depending on the institution, the selection process may take into account:

UTME performance
Post-UTME performance or screening score
O’Level results
Choice of institution
Choice of course
Programme-specific requirements
Catchment considerations where applicable
Educationally Less Developed States (ELDS) considerations where applicable
Available admission quota
Number and quality of competing applicants
JAMB and institutional admission requirements

The University of Ibadan’s 2027/2028 cut-off publication provides a clear illustration of this approach because its programme thresholds are presented separately for Merit, Catchment and ELDS categories.

Therefore, a candidate should avoid statements such as:

“I scored 200, so I must be admitted.”

A more accurate conclusion is:

“My score may make me eligible for consideration, but admission depends on the requirements and competitive selection process of my chosen institution and programme.”

Is 150 a Good JAMB Score for University Admission?

Technically, 150 meets the 2026 national minimum for universities.

Competitively, however, the answer depends on where and what you want to study.

A 150 score may satisfy the national threshold, but it can be inadequate for universities that establish a higher screening threshold. For example, both UNILAG and OAU required 200 or above for their respective 20267/2028 Post-UTME screening exercises, while UI’s admission information also specifies 200 as its UTME minimum.

This is why candidates should think of the 150 benchmark as the floor rather than the target.

If your goal is a competitive university or course, a substantially higher UTME score generally gives you more options.

What About Medicine, Law, Pharmacy and Engineering?

Candidates applying for highly competitive programmes should be particularly careful.

A university may permit candidates with a particular UTME score to participate in screening, but the eventual programme cut-off can be considerably higher because admission is competitive.

The University of Ibadan’s 2026/2027 figures illustrate this clearly:

Programme	Merit Aggregate Cut-Off
Medicine and Surgery	80.00
Software Engineering	75.375
Computer Science	74.125
Nursing Science	74.50
Law	71.00
Pharmacy	70.375
Electrical & Electronics Engineering	71.25
Mechanical Engineering	70.00

These are institutional aggregate cut-off figures, not JAMB UTME scores out of 400. This distinction is essential when publishing or interpreting university cut-off information.

Post-UTME Still Matters

Meeting a university’s UTME threshold does not necessarily mean that admission is guaranteed.

For institutions that conduct Post-UTME examinations or screening, candidates must complete the required process within the announced period.

For example, UNILAG’s 2026/2027 Post-UTME notice required eligible candidates to complete online registration and also specified O’Level requirements.

OAU similarly opened a 2027 Post-UTME screening process for eligible UTME and Direct Entry candidates.

Candidates should therefore monitor their chosen university’s official admission portal after the UTME results are released.

JAMB CAPS and Your Admission

Another important part of the process is the JAMB Central Admissions Processing System (CAPS).

Candidates should not assume that an offer from an unofficial source is genuine simply because somebody claims that a university has admitted them.

JAMB’s policy documentation states that institutions are expected to process admissions through the Central Admissions Processing System and warns that admissions conducted outside the approved system are not recognised.

Candidates should therefore:

Monitor their JAMB admission status.
Monitor their chosen university’s admission portal.
Check CAPS when admission processing begins.
Accept an admission offer on CAPS when one is offered.
Print the appropriate admission documentation after acceptance.
Complete the university’s clearance and registration requirements.

JAMB 2027/2028 Cut-Off Mark: What Candidates Should Remember

The most important facts are as follows:

150 is the 2027 national minimum admissible UTME score for universities.
150 is also the minimum for Colleges of Nursing Sciences.
100 is the minimum for polytechnics, monotechnics, colleges of education, colleges of agriculture and IEIs.
Universities can set higher institutional requirements.
A university’s screening threshold may be higher than JAMB’s national minimum.
Different departments can have different competitive cut-offs.
Aggregate scores should not be confused with UTME scores.
Meeting a minimum cut-off does not guarantee admission.
O’Level requirements remain important.
Candidates should follow the official admission instructions of their chosen institution.
JAMB CAPS remains central to the recognised admission process.

What Should You Do If Your Score Is Below Your University’s Requirement?

Do not panic.

If your UTME score is below the screening threshold of your first-choice university, investigate your options before making any decision.

Depending on the rules applicable to the admission year, you may consider:

Changing your institution where permitted.
Choosing a less competitive programme where appropriate.
Considering another university with a suitable requirement.
Exploring polytechnics or other tertiary institutions.
Checking whether your preferred institution announces supplementary opportunities.
Confirming whether you meet the subject combination and O’Level requirements for an alternative course.

However, do not pay anyone who promises to “upgrade” your JAMB score or guarantee admission through unofficial means.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the JAMB cut-off mark for universities in 2027/2028?

The national minimum admissible UTME score for universities is 150 for the 2026 admission exercise.

Can I gain admission with 150?

It is possible to be considered because 150 is the national minimum, but 150 does not guarantee admission. Individual universities and programmes may require higher scores.

What is the JAMB cut-off mark for polytechnics in 2027?

The national minimum admissible UTME score for polytechnics is 100.

What is the cut-off mark for Colleges of Nursing Sciences?

The 2026 national minimum admissible score for Colleges of Nursing Sciences is 150.

Is 200 a good JAMB score?

A score of 200 is above the national university minimum and meets the 2026 screening threshold announced by some competitive universities, including UNILAG and OAU. However, whether it is sufficient for admission depends on the institution, course and competitive aggregate.

Does 250 guarantee university admission?

No. A 250 UTME score is strong compared with the national minimum, but admission is still determined by the university’s requirements, programme competition, screening/aggregate system, O’Level requirements and available spaces.

Does JAMB set the departmental cut-off mark?

JAMB establishes the national minimum admissible benchmark, while individual institutions can establish higher requirements for their admission processes and programmes.

Final Advice for 2026/2027 UTME Candidates

The biggest mistake a candidate can make is to treat 150 as the universal admission score for every Nigerian university and course.

The evidence from current 2027/2028 admission notices shows otherwise. JAMB has established 150 as the national minimum, but universities can require higher scores, and individual programmes can have significantly higher competitive aggregate thresholds. UNILAG and OAU, for example, set 200 as the UTME threshold for their 2027 screening exercises, while UI’s published programme cut-offs show substantial variation across courses.

Therefore, the best strategy is to target a score comfortably above the national minimum, research the specific requirements of your preferred university and course, prepare seriously for any Post-UTME screening, and monitor both your institution’s admission portal and JAMB CAPS.

Most importantly, always verify cut-off marks from the official university admission portal or JAMB before making decisions about admission.