Schools That Accept 140–160 JAMB Scores in 2026

Scoring between 140 and 160 in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) does not mean you’ve lost your chance of gaining admission. What matters most is how you apply and the choices you make.

Many students assume only high scores guarantee admission, but that’s not true. Admission depends on:

Your chosen school

Your course (some are more competitive than others)

Your overall strategy

Official Cut-Off Benchmarks (2026)

These are general minimum scores set by JAMB:

Federal universities: 150

State universities: 140

Private universities: 140

Polytechnics: 100+

Colleges of education: 100

⚠️ These are just minimums—some courses require much higher scores.

Where You Can Apply With 140–160

1. Federal Universities (Mostly 160+)

Some schools may accept 160 for less competitive courses, including:

Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE)

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike (FUNAI)

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK)

University of Jos (UNIJOS)

University of Uyo (UNIUYO)

👉 Competitive courses like Medicine or Law will still require higher scores.

2. State Universities (140+)

Many state universities accept 140 and above, such as:

Ekiti State University (EKSU)

Delta State University (DELSU)

Osun State University (UNIOSUN)

Kwara State University (KWASU)

3. Polytechnics (100+)

Polytechnics are a strong option if your score is lower:

Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)

Federal Polytechnic Ilaro

Federal Polytechnic Nekede

4. Private Universities (140+)

Private institutions are often more flexible:

Covenant University

Babcock University

Afe Babalola University

5. Colleges of Education (100+)

You can also consider colleges like:

Adeyemi College of Education

Smart Admission Strategy

If you scored 140–150

Focus on polytechnics or colleges of education

Apply to less competitive university courses

If you scored 150–160

Target state universities

Try federal universities with less competitive courses

If you scored 160+

You have better chances, but still avoid highly competitive courses like:

Medicine

Law

Nursing

Engineering

Key Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing only “big-name” universities

Ignoring less competitive courses

Waiting too late to upload your O’Level results

Bottom Line: Admission is not just about your score—it’s about strategy. Students who stay flexible with their course and institution choices have a much higher chance of gaining admission.