JAMB Cut-Off Marks for All Private Universities 2026

Private universities in Nigeria admit at lower JAMB cut-offs than federal universities, with most institutional cut-offs sitting at 180 to 200. The filter at private universities is tuition (₦700,000 to ₦3.5 million per session) rather than JAMB score. Even so, working cut-offs at the most popular private universities for Medicine, Law and Engineering sit at 220 to 250 because of internal screening and admission selectivity.

Last updated: May 2026 Nigeria has over 100 accredited private universities, ranging from established schools like Babcock (1959 missionary college, university 1999), Covenant (2002), Bowen (2001), ABUAD (2009), to newer institutions established in the last decade. This guide groups the major private universities by tier and lists the working cut-offs for popular courses alongside the tuition cost.

Confirm specific cut-offs on each school’s admission portal each cycle.

Tier 1: Established premium private universities

The premium private universities have the highest tuition and the strongest reputation. They run internal screening that filters the applicant pool beyond JAMB.

University	JAMB min	Medicine working	Tuition (₦/session)
Covenant University, Ota	180-200	240	1.2m to 2.5m
Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo	180-200	240	1m to 2.5m
Pan-Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki	180-200	not offered	1.8m to 3.5m
Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti	180-200	230	1.5m to 3m
American University of Nigeria (AUN), Yola	180-200	not offered	3m to 5m (USD)

Tier 2: Established faith-based and missionary universities

University	JAMB min	Medicine working	Tuition (₦/session)
Bowen University, Iwo	180	230	800k to 2m
Madonna University, Elele	180	230	800k to 1.5m
Bingham University, Karu	180	220	800k to 1.5m
Redeemer’s University, Ede	180	not offered	700k to 1.5m
Lead City University, Ibadan	180	220	700k to 1.2m
Igbinedion University Okada	180	230	1m to 1.8m
Caleb University, Lagos	180	not offered	800k to 1.5m
Crawford University, Igbesa	180	not offered	700k to 1.2m

Tier 3: Other accredited private universities

University	JAMB min	Working cut-offs	Tuition (₦/session)
Achievers University, Owo	180	200-220 most	700k to 1m
Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji	180	200-220 most	600k to 1m
Augustine University, Ilara-Epe	180	200-220 most	800k to 1.2m
Wesley University, Ondo	180	200 most	600k to 1m
Veritas University, Abuja	180	200-220 most	700k to 1.2m
Edwin Clark University, Kiagbodo	180	200-220 most	600k to 1m
Pan-African University, Port Harcourt	180	200 most	500k to 800k
Glorious Vision University	180	200 most	500k to 800k

How private university cut-offs work

Private universities work differently from federal and state universities on admission. Most accept JAMB scores from 180 upwards, with the institutional minimum at this level. The headline filter for who actually gets in is the school’s own internal screening (entrance exam, aptitude test, interview) plus the family’s ability to pay tuition.

The internal screening at premium private universities (Covenant CUES, Babcock entrance exam, ABUAD entrance test) is serious and can derail a candidate with a strong JAMB but weak performance on the school’s exam. Strong screening can also lift a 200 JAMB candidate into Medicine at the same school where a 230 candidate fails screening.

For Medicine specifically, MDCN accredits a subset of private universities. Babcock (Benjamin S. Carson Sr. College of Medicine), ABUAD, Bowen, Madonna, Bingham, Igbinedion all run MDCN-accredited MBBS programmes. Graduates from these schools write the same licensing exam as federal university graduates.

Working cut-offs at the top tier reach 240 for Medicine because the candidate pool at those schools is dominated by candidates with strong JAMB plus family ability to pay tuition. At the lower tier, Medicine working cut-offs sit at 220-230 because the candidate pool is smaller.

The tuition factor

Tuition is the dominant filter for private universities. Even at the lowest-tier accredited private universities, tuition runs ₦500,000 to ₦1 million per session, far above the federal university charges of ₦60,000 to ₦150,000. At the premium private universities (Covenant, Babcock, ABUAD, Pan-Atlantic), tuition runs ₦1.5 million to ₦3.5 million per session.

Over a four-year degree, the difference is substantial. A federal university degree at UNILAG totals roughly ₦400,000 to ₦600,000 in school fees. A degree at Covenant totals ₦6 million to ₦10 million. The gap is 10 to 20x.

For Medicine, the picture is more extreme. Federal medicine total: ₦1 million to ₦2 million over six years. Private medicine: ₦12 million to ₦18 million over six years. The licensing exam at the end is the same, and graduates compete in the same job market.

This makes private universities a real choice for families with the financial capacity, especially when JAMB scores do not reach federal-tier cut-offs, but a difficult fit for families on tight budgets. Scholarships exist at most premium private universities but cover only a small share of admitted candidates.

Frequently asked questions

Do private universities accept low JAMB scores?

Most private universities accept JAMB scores from 180 upwards, the published institutional minimum at this level. The real filter at private universities is the internal screening plus tuition affordability, not the JAMB score itself. Candidates with 180 JAMB can be admitted to private universities for courses where federal universities (at 200 minimum) would not consider them. The trade-off is the tuition cost, which is substantial.

Which private universities run MDCN-accredited Medicine?

The currently MDCN-accredited private medical schools include Babcock (Benjamin S. Carson Sr. College of Medicine), Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Bowen, Madonna, Bingham, Igbinedion, Niger Delta University (state-private hybrid), and a handful of others. The list updates each year on the MDCN website. Always verify accreditation on mdcn.gov.ng before enrolling; an unaccredited medical school’s graduates cannot register with MDCN to practise.

How does a private university degree compare with a federal university degree?

Accreditation-wise, they are equal: both are NUC-accredited and the qualifications carry the same legal weight. Employer perception varies; the first-generation federal universities (UI, UNILAG, OAU, UNN) carry strong employer signal across most sectors. Premium private universities (Covenant, ABUAD, Babcock) have built strong reputations in Engineering, Computing, Business, and Health Sciences. For Medicine, the MDCN licensing exam is the same regardless of school, so the career outcome is functionally identical. The choice often comes down to your JAMB score, family budget, and personal fit.

Are private universities residential by default?

Most established private universities are fully residential. Covenant, Babcock, Bowen, ABUAD, Redeemer’s, Madonna and others require students to live on campus throughout the degree. Pan-Atlantic offers more flexibility, with some students commuting from Lagos. The residential model is part of the campus culture and is tied to faith ethos at the missionary schools. Tuition usually includes accommodation; check the breakdown in each school’s offer letter.

What is the cheapest accredited private university in Nigeria?

Tuition at the lower-tier private universities starts around ₦500,000 to ₦700,000 per session, with schools like Pan-African University Port Harcourt, Glorious Vision, and a few others at this band. This is still many times the cost of federal universities (₦60,000 to ₦150,000 first-year fees, no tuition after) but more affordable than the premium private universities. The infrastructure and reputation at the lower-tier schools is less established; programmes are still building.

Can scholarships make private universities affordable?

Scholarships exist at most premium private universities but cover only a small share of admitted candidates. Merit scholarships at Covenant, Babcock, ABUAD typically go to candidates with very high JAMB scores (270+) and strong internal screening, plus strong O Level grades. Need-based assistance is more limited. The realistic plan for most families is to budget for the full tuition; scholarships are a bonus rather than a primary funding strategy. State government scholarships, federal scholarships, and corporate-sponsored programmes can also help.

How to choose between private universities

The decision between private universities rests on four factors: tuition fit, programme reputation, faith environment, and geographic preference. Tuition ranges from ₦500,000 at lower-tier private schools to ₦3.5 million at the premium ones. Pick a school whose tuition your family can sustain across the full degree, not just the first year.

Programme reputation varies. Covenant is strong on Engineering and Computing; Babcock on Medicine and Law; Bowen and Madonna on Medicine; ABUAD on a broad set including Medicine and Law; Pan-Atlantic on Business and Media; Redeemer’s on Sciences. Match the school to your career direction.

The faith environment is a real factor for daily life. Covenant (Living Faith, Christian, strict dress code, chapel required), Babcock (Adventist, sabbath observance, vegetarian dining), Bowen (Baptist), Redeemer’s (RCCG), Madonna (Catholic), ABUAD (non-denominational) all differ in how the faith ethos shapes daily life on campus. Visit a school or talk to current students before committing.

Geographic preference matters because most private universities are residential. You will live on the campus for four to six years. Covenant and Babcock are within an hour of Lagos. ABUAD is in Ekiti. Bowen is in Iwo, Osun. Madonna is in Elele, Rivers. Pan-Atlantic is in Lekki, Lagos. Pick a location your family can visit and you can travel from for breaks.

Related guides

• JAMB Cut-Off Marks for All Federal Universities 2026
• JAMB Cut-Off Marks for All State Universities 2026
• How to gain admission into Covenant University
• How to gain admission into Babcock University

Private university timelines compared with federal

Private universities run more flexible admission timelines than federal schools. Where federal universities depend on JAMB CAPS uploads in August and September, private universities typically open their own application portals earlier (April or May) and admit candidates through their internal screening on a rolling basis. This can mean accepting an offer at a private university while still waiting on federal CAPS status.

The trade-off is that accepting on CAPS at a private university closes your federal admission window. If you accept on CAPS at Babcock in July, you cannot then move to UNILAG if a CAPS offer arrives in September. Plan around this: either commit to a private school early or wait for the full federal cycle before deciding.

Most established private universities run two intake cycles each year (September and January), giving candidates a second chance in the same year if they missed the September intake. Federal universities run one intake cycle per JAMB cycle.

Sources

JAMB official portal; private university admission portals (Covenant, Babcock, ABUAD, Bowen, Madonna, Bingham); National Universities Commission; MDCN accreditation list.