Private universities in Nigeria often surprise candidates. Many students assume that because these schools charge higher fees, they must accept lower JAMB scores in exchange. That assumption is wrong. Several private universities actually set some of the highest cut off marks in the entire country. Here is a full breakdown of what private universities expect for the 2026/2027 admission session.

General Cut Off Mark for Private Universities

At the 2026 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Abuja, private universities submitted their own approved minimum scores, and the range is wider than most candidates expect:

• Pan-Atlantic University — 220 (the highest cut off mark of any university in Nigeria, public or private)
• Covenant University — 200
• Afe Babalola University — 180
• Babcock University — 170
• Augustine University — 170
• BITS University — 170

Beyond this shortlist, most other private universities — including Bowen University, Bells University of Technology, Ajayi Crowther University, Al-Hikmah University, Bingham University, Caleb University, Fountain University, and Crawford University — typically fall between 150 and 180, depending on the programme and how competitive that school is within its region.

Why Some Private Universities Set Higher Cut Off Marks Than Public Ones

This surprises a lot of first-time applicants, but the logic makes sense once you understand how private universities operate:

• Smaller admission capacity — Private universities admit far fewer students per course than large federal universities, so demand per available seat is higher
• Stronger brand reputation — Schools like Covenant and Pan-Atlantic University have built a reputation for producing highly employable graduates, which drives serious, high-scoring applicants to choose them
• Selective culture — Private institutions often use JAMB score as a first filter before layering on additional entrance exams, interviews, or aptitude tests
• Consistent academic calendar — Because private universities rarely experience the disruptions that sometimes affect public institutions, more parents and candidates actively seek them out, increasing competition

Course-by-Course Cut Off Marks at Private Universities

Private universities generally apply one institutional cut off mark across most courses, unlike federal and state universities where departmental cut off marks vary widely. Still, a few patterns are worth noting:

• Medicine and Surgery (offered at Babcock, Bowen, Afe Babalola, Madonna) — Typically 240 to 280, similar to top public universities, since medical accreditation bodies demand strong academic performance
• Law — Usually matches or slightly exceeds the general institutional cut off, often 200 to 230
• Engineering and Computer Science — Generally in line with the general cut off, around 170 to 220
• Business Administration, Accounting, Mass Communication — Often set at the general institutional cut off mark, with little variation between courses
• Nursing and Pharmacy — 200 to 250 depending on the school’s accreditation standing

At schools like Pan-Atlantic University and Covenant University, the general cut off mark of 220 and 200 respectively applies fairly uniformly across faculties, meaning your target score does not change much regardless of which course you choose.

Full List of Notable Private Universities in Nigeria

Beyond the schools already mentioned, Nigeria’s private university landscape includes: Igbinedion University (Okada, Edo State), Madonna University (Okija, Anambra State), Benson Idahosa University (Benin City, Edo State), American University of Nigeria (Yola, Adamawa State), Al-Qalam University (Katsina State), Caritas University (Enugu State), Joseph Ayo Babalola University (Osun State), Achievers University (Ondo State), and many more spread across almost every geopolitical zone. Each sets its own cut off mark, so always confirm directly from the school’s admission office before applying.

Private University Admission: What Else Matters Besides the Cut Off Mark

Meeting the JAMB cut off mark for a private university is only the starting point. Most private institutions also require:

1. Payment of an acceptance and screening fee shortly after JAMB registration
2. An entrance examination or interview, especially for competitive courses like Medicine and Law
3. Verified O’level results with the required credit passes, including English and Mathematics
4. Proof of ability to pay tuition, since private universities do not offer the subsidised fees typical of federal and state schools

Candidates sometimes forget this last point. Meeting a private university’s cut off mark and even passing screening does not matter if a family cannot commit to the tuition structure for the full duration of the programme.

Private Universities vs Public Universities: Cut Off Mark Comparison

Category	Typical Cut Off Range
Top private universities (Pan-Atlantic, Covenant)	200 to 220
Mid-tier private universities (Afe Babalola, Babcock, Augustine)	170 to 180
Most other private universities	150 to 170
Top federal universities (UNILAG, UI, OAU)	200
Most state universities	150 to 195

This comparison shows that choosing a private university does not automatically mean a lower score requirement. In fact, the two most competitive institutions in the entire country for 2026/2027 — Pan-Atlantic University at 220 and Covenant University at 200 — are both private.

Final Thoughts

Do not assume a private university guarantees an easier route into higher education just because it charges tuition. Some of Nigeria’s most demanding cut off marks belong to private schools with strong academic reputations. Research your target institution’s exact figure, budget realistically for tuition, and prepare for additional screening steps beyond the UTME score alone.