Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO)

Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi (JOSTUM), formerly known as the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi (FUAM), is a federal university established in 1988 by the Federal Government of Nigeria. It was renamed in honour of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka (1932–1980), the revered Tiv nationalist politician and founding figure of the United Middle Belt Congress. JOSTUM is located in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State — the "Food Basket of the Nation" — and is one of three federal universities of agriculture in Nigeria. The university is renowned for its strong programmes in agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, engineering, and food technology, and conducts pioneering research in tropical agriculture, animal sciences, and environmental management. JOSTUM is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and maintains active research farms and a veterinary teaching hospital on its expansive campus.

University of Mkar, Mkar (UNIMKAR), formerly known as Hilltop University, is a private Christian university established on June 6, 2005 by the Church of Christ in Sudan among the Tiv (NKST), the largest indigenous Protestant denomination in Benue State and one of the biggest in Nigeria. Located in Mkar, near Gboko in central Benue State, the university is rooted in the faith tradition and educational values of the NKST church, which has operated schools in Benue State since the early 20th century. UNIMKAR offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in arts, sciences, social sciences, management and education, grounded in Christian values and community service. The university is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

The Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh (BUAST) is a newly established state university in Ihugh, Benue State, approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and created to expand higher education access in Benue State, particularly in the Oju/Obi axis of southern Benue. The university focuses on agriculture, applied sciences and technology, aligning with Benue State's identity as the "Food Basket of the Nation." It was established to decentralise higher education access beyond Makurdi and train graduates in agricultural production, food science, and applied technology relevant to the farming communities of Benue State.

Father Adasu University, Makurdi (FAUM), formerly Benue State University (BSU), is the premier state university of Benue State, established in 1992 by the Benue State Government under the administration of its founder and namesake, Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu, the second civilian governor of Benue State. The university was originally named Benue State University, Makurdi (BSU/BSUM) before being renamed Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM) in December 2024, and subsequently shortened to Father Adasu University, Makurdi (FAUM) by the Benue State House of Assembly in September 2025. Located along Gboko Road in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, the university has grown from two founding faculties to 13 faculties and remains the most comprehensive public university in the state. It is fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and has a student population of over 35,000.