State-owned universities admit a huge share of Nigerian undergraduates every year, and their cut off marks often catch candidates off guard because they vary more widely than federal universities. Some state schools sit close to the JAMB national minimum, while others — especially in Lagos State — rival top federal institutions. Here is a clear breakdown of what to expect course by course for the 2026/2027 admission session.
General Cut Off Mark by State University
State universities do not share one uniform figure. Based on the 2026 policy meeting and individual institutional announcements, here is how several major state universities compare:
- Lagos State University (LASU) — 195
- Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) — 195
- Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) — 185
- Rivers State University (RSU) — 160
- Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ogun State — 160
- Ekiti State University (EKSU) — 150 to 170, depending on the source and department
- Delta State University (DELSU) — 160
- Benue State University (BSU) — 160, with Medicine set at 200
- Abia State University (ABSU), Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA), Ambrose Alli University (AAU Ekpoma) — Around 180 at many of these institutions
Notice the gap between Lagos State schools (185–195) and universities in other states (150–180). Location and institutional reputation both influence how high a state university sets its bar. Always check your specific school’s current announcement, since figures shift slightly every admission cycle.
Course-by-Course Cut Off Marks (Typical Ranges)
State universities generally set their departmental cut off marks slightly lower than the most competitive federal universities, but the same course hierarchy applies:
- Medicine and Surgery — 250 to 280. EKSU, for example, sets Medicine as high as 260 to 276
- Law — 220 to 260
- Pharmacy — 220 to 250
- Nursing Science — 200 to 240
- Engineering (all disciplines) — 190 to 230
- Medical Laboratory Science — 200 to 230
- Computer Science — 180 to 220
- Accounting, Business Administration, Banking and Finance — 170 to 210
- Mass Communication — 190 to 220
- Architecture, Environmental Design — 180 to 210
- Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Public Administration — 160 to 190
- Agricultural Science — 160 to 200
- English, Linguistics, History, Theatre Arts — 150 to 180
- Education (all combinations) — 150 to 170
As with federal universities, meeting the general institutional cut off mark only qualifies you for Post-UTME screening. Your final admission depends on your departmental score and screening performance.
Examples From Specific State Universities
Ekiti State University (EKSU): General cut off ranges from 150 to 170 depending on the announcement cycle. Departmental figures for 2026/2027 include Medicine and Surgery at 260, Law at 250, Nursing at 230, Pharmacy at 240, Mass Communication at 200, and Agricultural Science at 200. Most other Education courses remain at the general minimum.
Lagos State University (LASU): General cut off mark sits at 195 across all courses. Candidates who choose LASU as their first choice and meet this score qualify for Post-UTME screening, though highly competitive departments still set stricter internal benchmarks.
Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH): Also pegged at 195 generally. Recent history shows individual courses like Mass Communication climbing as high as 220 in past admission cycles, reflecting strong demand for that programme.
Rivers State University (RSU): General minimum of 160, with Engineering and Medicine carrying noticeably higher departmental requirements than other courses.
Benue State University (BSU): General cut off of 160, but Medicine specifically requires 200, showing how much a single competitive course can outpace the general institutional figure.
Why State University Cut Off Marks Vary So Widely
A few reasons explain the wide spread between state universities:
- State government funding and popularity — Well-funded, well-known state universities like LASU attract more applicants, which pushes their cut off higher
- Regional demand — Universities in densely populated states see more competition than those in less populated regions
- Course availability — A state university without a Medicine or Law faculty naturally has a lower overall spread of cut off marks
- Catchment area policies — Many state universities give indigenes of that state an advantage, which can affect how non-indigene candidates should interpret the published cut off mark
How to Confirm Your State University’s Course Cut Off
- Check the official admission or Post-UTME portal of your specific state university
- Search for your exact faculty and department rather than relying on the general institutional figure
- Watch JAMB CAPS for updates once your chosen school uploads its official admission list
- Reconfirm every cycle — state universities revise their departmental cut off marks yearly based on applicant numbers
Final Thoughts
State universities offer a realistic and often more affordable path into higher education, but you cannot assume a lower general cut off mark automatically means an easier ride for every course. Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Pharmacy remain highly competitive even at state-owned institutions. Match your score honestly against your specific department’s figure, and if you fall short, consider a related course with a lower threshold at the same school rather than waiting an entire year to reapply.