Benue State University (BSU) Makurdi 2026: Cut-Off Mark, Courses, School Fees & Admission Guide
In the Middle Belt, where the Benue River cuts through the food basket of the nation, Makurdi is home to one of the region’s most established state universities. Benue State University has spent over three decades building a strong academic reputation — particularly in Medicine, Law, and the arts — and it remains the first-choice institution for thousands of students across Benue and the wider Middle Belt every single year.
Here’s the complete 2026 guide for BSU aspirants: the cut-off mark, departmental scores, the full course catalogue, a clear fee breakdown, and the route from JAMB to your first day on campus.
Benue State University In Brief
Benue State University, almost always called BSU (and sometimes BSUM to distinguish it from other “BSUs”), is owned by the Benue State Government and located in Makurdi, the state capital, in Nigeria’s North-Central / Middle Belt region. It was established in 1992, making it one of the more established state universities — over three decades of history give it a depth and reputation that newer state schools are still building.
The university operates from its campus in Makurdi and has grown into a comprehensive institution with a College of Health Sciences (and teaching hospital), a Faculty of Law, and faculties spanning the Sciences, Arts, Social Sciences, Management, Education, and Environmental Sciences. BSU is particularly well regarded for Medicine, Law, Mass Communication, Theatre Arts, and the social sciences — and it has a strong cultural and academic footprint across the Middle Belt.
For comparison with other institutions, our University of Ilorin guide covers a major federal university in the broader North-Central zone, and the UNIOSUN cut-off calculation guide explains the aggregate scoring BSU and other state universities apply.
BSU’s 2026 Cut-Off Mark
Benue State University set its general UTME cut-off at 160 for the 2026/2027 session — a step above the national minimum of 150 confirmed at JAMB’s May 11, 2026 Policy Meeting. That slightly raised baseline reflects BSU’s standing as one of the more established and competitive state universities in the Middle Belt.
The familiar reality check: 160 makes you eligible, but BSU’s flagship courses demand a good deal more. Medicine routinely needs 250+, with Law, Nursing, and Pharmacy not far behind. For many education, arts, agriculture, and social science programmes, though, a score around 160–185 is realistically workable.
BSU Departmental Cut-Off Marks For 2026 (Estimated)
The scores below reflect typical competitiveness. They’re estimates from past patterns and can move with each year’s applicant pool.
| Course/Department | Estimated JAMB Cut-Off | Aggregate Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) | 250 – 280 | 68+ |
| Nursing Science | 230 – 260 | 64+ |
| Pharmacy | 230 – 260 | 64+ |
| Medical Laboratory Science | 210 – 240 | 60+ |
| Anatomy | 190 – 220 | 56+ |
| Physiology | 190 – 220 | 56+ |
| Public Health | 180 – 205 | 53+ |
| Law (LLB) | 230 – 260 | 64+ |
| Computer Science | 200 – 230 | 58+ |
| Information Technology | 185 – 210 | 54+ |
| Accounting | 195 – 225 | 57+ |
| Banking and Finance | 180 – 205 | 53+ |
| Business Administration | 180 – 205 | 53+ |
| Economics | 190 – 215 | 55+ |
| Mass Communication | 210 – 240 | 60+ |
| Political Science | 180 – 205 | 53+ |
| Sociology | 175 – 200 | 52+ |
| Psychology | 180 – 205 | 53+ |
| Social Work | 170 – 195 | 51+ |
| Theatre Arts | 180 – 205 | 53+ |
| English and Literary Studies | 180 – 200 | 53+ |
| History | 165 – 190 | 50+ |
| Religious Studies | 160 – 180 | 50+ |
| Philosophy | 160 – 180 | 50+ |
| Languages/Linguistics | 160 – 185 | 50+ |
| Microbiology | 190 – 215 | 55+ |
| Biochemistry | 190 – 215 | 55+ |
| Chemistry | 170 – 195 | 51+ |
| Physics | 170 – 195 | 51+ |
| Mathematics | 165 – 190 | 50+ |
| Statistics | 165 – 190 | 50+ |
| Geology | 175 – 200 | 52+ |
| Architecture | 195 – 220 | 56+ |
| Estate Management | 175 – 200 | 52+ |
| Urban and Regional Planning | 165 – 190 | 50+ |
| Agriculture/Agric Economics | 160 – 185 | 50+ |
| Education (various) | 160 – 190 | 50+ |
If your score is in the 160–195 band, your realistic targets are the Education programmes, Agriculture, History, Religious Studies, Philosophy, Mathematics, Social Work, and some sciences. Medicine, Law, Nursing, and Pharmacy all sit at 230+ — be realistic about where your score lands.
BSU sets final admission on an aggregate of UTME and Post-UTME, calculated along the lines our UNIOSUN cut-off calculation guide describes.
Courses Offered At BSU
BSU’s catalogue is comprehensive. By faculty/college:
College of Health Sciences
- Medicine and Surgery (MBBS)
- Nursing Science
- Pharmacy
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Public Health
Faculty of Law
- Public Law
- Private and Property Law
- Jurisprudence and International Law
Faculty of Science
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
- Biological Sciences
- Geology
- Industrial Chemistry
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
- Architecture
- Estate Management
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Surveying and Geoinformatics
- Building
Faculty of Social Sciences
- Economics
- Political Science
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Social Work
- Geography
Faculty of Management Sciences
- Accounting
- Banking and Finance
- Business Administration
- Marketing
Faculty of Arts
- English and Literary Studies
- History
- Religious Studies
- Philosophy
- Theatre Arts
- Mass Communication
- Languages and Linguistics
- Music
Faculty of Agriculture
- Agricultural Economics and Extension
- Animal Science
- Crop Production
- Soil Science
- Fisheries
- Food Science and Technology
Faculty of Education
- Educational Foundations
- Guidance and Counselling
- Science Education
- Arts and Social Science Education
- Human Kinetics and Health Education
- Library and Information Science
- Vocational Education
A Postgraduate School offers Masters and PhD programmes across the faculties, with notable strength in the social sciences, arts, and education.
BSU’s reputation in Mass Communication and Theatre Arts is especially strong — the university has a notable cultural and creative tradition that, combined with its medical and law programmes, gives it broad appeal across the Middle Belt.
BSU School Fees For 2026
As an established state university, BSU’s fees fall between low federal rates and higher private-university charges. The indigene versus non-indigene split applies, with Benue State indigenes paying less.
Freshers (100 Level) — Tuition Per Session
| Faculty/Course | Benue Indigene (₦) | Non-Indigene (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts/Education | ₦80,000 – ₦130,000 | ₦140,000 – ₦210,000 |
| Social Sciences | ₦100,000 – ₦150,000 | ₦160,000 – ₦230,000 |
| Management Sciences | ₦100,000 – ₦150,000 | ₦160,000 – ₦230,000 |
| Sciences | ₦120,000 – ₦180,000 | ₦190,000 – ₦270,000 |
| Computer Science | ₦140,000 – ₦200,000 | ₦210,000 – ₦290,000 |
| Environmental Sciences | ₦130,000 – ₦190,000 | ₦200,000 – ₦280,000 |
| Law (LLB) | ₦160,000 – ₦240,000 | ₦250,000 – ₦350,000 |
| Pharmacy | ₦200,000 – ₦290,000 | ₦300,000 – ₦420,000 |
| Nursing/Medical Lab | ₦180,000 – ₦270,000 | ₦280,000 – ₦400,000 |
| Medicine (MBBS) | ₦280,000 – ₦400,000 | ₦420,000 – ₦600,000 |
| Agriculture | ₦90,000 – ₦140,000 | ₦150,000 – ₦220,000 |
Returning Students (200 Level+) — Tuition Per Session
| Faculty/Course | Benue Indigene (₦) | Non-Indigene (₦) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts/Education | ₦60,000 – ₦100,000 | ₦110,000 – ₦170,000 |
| Social/Management Sciences | ₦80,000 – ₦125,000 | ₦135,000 – ₦200,000 |
| Sciences | ₦95,000 – ₦145,000 | ₦155,000 – ₦230,000 |
| Computer Science | ₦115,000 – ₦170,000 | ₦180,000 – ₦260,000 |
| Law | ₦135,000 – ₦200,000 | ₦210,000 – ₦300,000 |
| Pharmacy/Medicine | ₦230,000 – ₦350,000 | ₦360,000 – ₦520,000 |
| Nursing/Medical Lab | ₦150,000 – ₦230,000 | ₦240,000 – ₦350,000 |
Fees run per session. The indigene discount is substantial, often around half the non-indigene rate for the same course. Makurdi’s moderate cost of living helps keep the overall budget reasonable. For the federal comparison, our UNILAG 100-level fees guide shows where a federal university lands; BSU sits above federal but below private universities.
Other Costs At BSU
| Item | Estimate (₦) |
|---|---|
| Acceptance fee (freshers) | ₦30,000 – ₦55,000 |
| Post-UTME/screening fee | ₦2,500 – ₦4,000 |
| ICT/technology fee | ₦8,000 – ₦15,000 |
| Examination fee | ₦8,000 – ₦14,000 |
| Departmental/faculty dues | ₦5,000 – ₦12,000 |
| SUG dues | ₦2,000 – ₦5,000 |
| Hostel (per session) | ₦25,000 – ₦50,000 |
| Health/medical fee | ₦5,000 – ₦12,000 |
| ID card | ₦2,000 – ₦5,000 |
| Books & materials | ₦35,000 – ₦85,000 |
| Feeding (monthly) | ₦25,000 – ₦55,000 |
A non-medical indigene fresher should budget around ₦230,000 – ₦430,000 for the first session, with non-indigenes and medical students higher — medical freshers can run ₦500,000 – ₦700,000+ all-in.
Admission Requirements And Application Steps
BSU’s requirements follow the established state-university pattern. A 2026 UTME score of at least 160 (much higher for the competitive courses), with BSU as first choice. On O’Level, five credits in not more than two sittings including English and Maths, plus three subjects relevant to your course — the health sciences want Physics, Chemistry and Biology; Law wants Literature and Government; Mass Communication wants English and Literature; the management courses want Economics.
BSU runs a compulsory Post-UTME screening and accepts Direct Entry candidates with IJMB, JUPEB, A-Levels, ND, HND or NCE qualifications alongside the O’Level requirements.
The route: register and sit JAMB with BSU first → clear the cut-off and apply for Post-UTME on the BSU portal (bsum.edu.ng), paying the screening fee → sit the Post-UTME → check JAMB CAPS and the BSU portal for your offer and accept it → pay the acceptance fee → settle session fees, register, sort accommodation, and resume.
Strengthening Your BSU Application
As one of the Middle Belt’s more competitive state universities, BSU rewards genuine preparation. Aim well above the cut-off — 230+ for the strong courses, 250+ for Medicine — because the aggregate filters borderline candidates out fast. Take the Post-UTME seriously; it’s a major component of the final ranking. Keep your O’Level grades strong, especially the sciences for health-course applicants. List BSU first, and if you’re a Benue indigene you benefit from both cheaper fees and catchment consideration. If you’re drawn to BSU’s well-known creative strengths — Mass Communication, Theatre Arts — note these are moderately competitive, so a score around 210+ helps. And if your score is modest, BSU’s broad catalogue means there’s a solid programme within reach, so choose realistically rather than risking the whole session on Medicine.
For broader context, our University of Ilorin guide and ABSU cut-off guide show how other Nigerian universities handle admissions.
BSU Accommodation
| Hostel Type | Per Session (₦) |
|---|---|
| Male hostels | ₦25,000 – ₦45,000 |
| Female hostels | ₦30,000 – ₦50,000 |
| Postgraduate hostels | ₦45,000 – ₦65,000 |
| Off-campus (Makurdi) | ₦100,000 – ₦300,000 yearly |
On-campus bed space is limited relative to demand, so many students — particularly beyond first year — live off-campus around Makurdi, where accommodation is moderately priced compared to bigger cities. Areas around the campus and the wider Makurdi metropolis offer a good range of student housing.
BSU FAQs
Federal or state? State — owned by the Benue State Government, established 1992, located in Makurdi.
2026 cut-off? 160 general, with Medicine, Law, Nursing and Pharmacy requiring far higher departmental scores.
Can 160 get me in? For Education, Agriculture, History, Social Work and some sciences, yes. Medicine, Law and Pharmacy need 230+.
Does BSU offer Medicine? Yes — BSU has a College of Health Sciences with a teaching hospital, offering Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and related programmes.
Is there a Post-UTME? Yes — a compulsory Post-UTME screening for eligible candidates.
Indigene vs non-indigene fees? Benue indigenes pay considerably less — often around half the non-indigene rate.
Medicine fees? Roughly ₦280,000–₦400,000 (indigene) or ₦420,000–₦600,000 (non-indigene) per session in tuition, plus other costs.
What is BSU especially known for? Medicine and Law, plus a strong creative and cultural tradition in Mass Communication and Theatre Arts, and a solid social science profile.
How is admission decided? On an aggregate of UTME and Post-UTME, with O’Level and choice status factored in.
Is hostel guaranteed? No — bed space is limited, and many students rent off-campus in Makurdi.
Final Take
Benue State University has earned its standing over more than three decades — a comprehensive, established state university with a teaching hospital, a respected law faculty, and a genuinely strong creative tradition that sets it apart in the Middle Belt. For students across Benue and the surrounding states, it’s a serious, well-rounded choice.
For 2026, the 160 cut-off is your entry point, but the popular courses demand 230+, with Medicine reaching 250+. Budget around ₦230,000 – ₦430,000 for a first-year indigene in a non-medical course, more for non-indigenes and medical students. Aim well past the minimum for any competitive programme, give the Post-UTME your full effort, keep your O’Level grades clean, and list BSU first. As always, verify the latest cut-off marks, fees and Post-UTME dates on the official JAMB portal and the BSU portal before applying, since the numbers shift each session.
For an established, comprehensive state university with real strength in medicine, law, and the creative arts, BSU is one of the Middle Belt’s strongest options.
