Nursing Cut Off Mark 2026: Full University List

Nursing Cut Off Mark: Compare Every Nigerian University in One Table

Introduction

If you're chasing a place to study Nursing Science in Nigeria this year, you've probably already discovered the frustrating truth: there isn't one single nursing cut off mark there are dozens, one for almost every university, and they range from as low as 150 to as high as 270 or more. Comparing them one school at a time, tab by tab, is exhausting, especially when you're also trying to figure out your own odds with a specific score.

This guide brings the comparison into one place. Below you'll find the nursing cut-off marks for federal, state, and private Nigerian universities side by side, what JAMB's actual national minimum is versus what individual schools demand for Nursing specifically, and how to realistically read your own score against these numbers including what to do if you're sitting just below a school's threshold.

A quick but important note before the tables: individual departmental cut-off marks are set by each university, not by JAMB, and they can shift slightly from one admission cycle to the next. The figures below are compiled from multiple current 2026 admission guides and institutional announcements. Where sources disagreed, that's noted directly rather than papered over always confirm the exact figure on your target school's official admission portal before making a final decision.

What Is the Official JAMB Cut Off Mark for Nursing in 2026?

JAMB itself doesn't set a course-specific cutoff it sets a national minimum, and then leaves each university's Nursing department free to set its own, usually much higher, threshold.

For the 2026 admission cycle, JAMB and heads of tertiary institutions approved a national minimum admissible score of 150 for universities and Colleges of Nursing Sciences, and 100 for polytechnics, agreed at the annual policy meeting held in May 2026. That 150 is the absolute floor no university can legally admit a candidate below it into a degree programme but in practice, almost no Nursing department admits anywhere near that low. Most sources agree the realistic range for actually being competitive sits between 180 and 200 at minimum, with federal universities and teaching-hospital-affiliated nursing programmes often demanding 220–270+.

In short: meeting JAMB's 150 minimum makes you technically eligible to sit post-UTME somewhere. It does not tell you anything about your odds at a specific, popular Nursing programme.

Nursing Cut Off Marks: Federal Universities (2026)

Federal universities generally carry the highest Nursing cut-offs, since they combine strong reputations, teaching-hospital partnerships, and heavy application volume.

Notable federal universities with published Nursing-specific figures from separate checks:

Nursing Cut Off Marks: State Universities (2026)

State universities tend to sit in a middle band competitive, but generally a little more accessible than the top federal schools.

State universities not yet independently confirmed in current 2026 guides including FUTMINNA, FUNAAB, FUTO, FUNAI, BUK, TASUED, COOU, PAAU, AAUA, and UST should be checked directly on AdmitNode's individual institution pages or each school's admission portal, since reliable, current figures for these weren't available across the sources checked for this guide. If you're an aspirant asking about one of these specifically, that's exactly the kind of institution-level FAQ we're building out on AdmitNode as requests come in.

One frequently cited example worth flagging: Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU) is commonly referenced across multiple admission guides as having one of the lowest Nursing cut-off marks in Nigeria, making it a common fallback option for candidates whose scores fall below the federal/state thresholds above. Confirm the exact current figure directly with PAAU before applying.

Nursing Cut Off Marks: Private Universities (2026)

Private universities are, on average, more accessible on JAMB score alone but they usually come with significantly higher tuition, which is worth weighing given how many aspirants are already looking at private options specifically because of cost pressure on their original choice.

Important caveat for Madonna University and similar private schools: private universities sometimes layer additional requirements on top of the JAMB score a screening interview, a minimum grade in Biology/Chemistry specifically, or an internal aptitude test that don't show up in a cut-off number alone. If you're considering Madonna (or any private university) for Nursing, check their specific screening requirements alongside the score.

Federal vs. State vs. Private: Quick Comparison

If your score sits comfortably above 240, you have realistic options across all three categories. If you're in the 200–220 range, state universities and mid-tier private schools are your strongest bet. Below 200, private universities and a small number of federal/state universities with lower thresholds (like PAAU, FULAFIA, or the newer Federal Universities of Health Sciences) are where most successful applicants are currently landing.

What If My Score Doesn't Meet My Target School's Nursing Cut-Off?

This is the exact situation a lot of aspirants find themselves in after results are released and it's worth spelling out the real options rather than just the cut-off table:

1. Look at schools further down the range. Use the tables above to find universities where your score clears the threshold comfortably, not just barely.
2. Consider a JAMB change of institution. If your current first choice doesn't match your score, JAMB's change of institution and course service lets you switch to a more realistic target before the correction window closes. Full step-by-step process, fees, and deadlines are covered in our JAMB change of institution guide.
3. Check departmental cut-offs, not just the university's general cut-off. A university's overall minimum score and its Nursing department's specific threshold are often very different numbers always check the course-specific figure, not the school-wide one.
4. Don't rely on the cut-off alone. Meeting the minimum only qualifies you for post-UTME screening it doesn't guarantee admission. O-level grades, post-UTME performance, and available slots all factor into the final list.

Required Subjects and O-Level Requirements for Nursing (All Universities)

Regardless of which university you're targeting, the core requirements are consistent across almost every Nigerian institution offering Nursing:

JAMB/UTME subject combination:

• English Language (compulsory)
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics

O-level requirements: at least five credit passes in WAEC, NECO, or NABTEB, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics obtained in not more than two sittings.

Direct Entry route (alternative to UTME): candidates typically need two A-Level passes in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics; an OND, HND, or NCE in Nursing or a related field; a Registered Nurse (RN) certificate; or completed IJMB/JUPEB with the relevant science subjects.

Why Are Nursing Cut-Off Marks So High Across Nigeria?

Nursing sits alongside Medicine and Surgery as one of the most tightly regulated, highest-demand courses in the country. Two forces push the cut-off marks up nationwide:

• Admission quotas set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN), which regulates how many students each accredited nursing programme can actually admit per year, regardless of how many qualified applicants apply
• Overwhelming applicant volume far more candidates apply for Nursing than there are available slots at almost every institution, pushing schools to raise their internal cut-off well above JAMB's national minimum simply to manage the numbers

This is exactly why the gap between JAMB's official 150 minimum and what schools like UNICAL (270) or UI (250) actually demand is so wide the national minimum reflects eligibility, not competitiveness.

Conclusion

The nursing cut off mark isn't one number it's a range that shifts significantly depending on whether you're looking at a federal, state, or private university, and even then, each school's Nursing department sets its own threshold separate from the general institutional minimum. Use the comparisons above to find where your specific score realistically fits, rather than anchoring to one school's figure alone and remember that meeting a cut-off only earns you a shot at post-UTME screening, not a guaranteed seat.

Since departmental cut-offs are set independently by each institution and can shift slightly every admission cycle, always verify the current figure for your specific target school before applying. Check verified, up-to-date admission requirements, fees, and cut-off marks for your target institution on AdmitNode and if your score falls short of your first choice, our guide on how to change your JAMB institution or course walks you through the process, fees, and deadlines for switching to a school that fits your score.