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2024 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools

248 Colleges in the United States
11,759 Bachelor's Degrees
$23,937 Avg Early-Career Salary
Film, Video & Photographic Arts is above average in terms of popularity with it being the #42 most popular bachelor's degree program in the country. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 248 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for film, video & photographic arts students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Combined, these schools handed out 11,759 bachelor's degrees in film, video & photographic arts to qualified students.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Film, Video & Photographic Arts School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools Your choice of film, video & photographic arts for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. Important measures of a quality film program can vary widely even among the top schools. Below we explain some of the most important factors to consider before making your choice:

Overall Quality Is a Must

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Average Early-Career Salaries

Average early-career salary of those graduating with their bachelor's degree is one indicator we use in our analysis to find the schools that offer the highest-quality education. After all, your bachelor's degree won't mean much if it doesn't help you find a job that will help you earn a living.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for film, video & photographic arts students working on their bachelor's degree.

More Ways to Rank Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Film Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The film school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we've developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of the Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools.

To further help you make the college decision, we've developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Film, Video & Photographic Arts in the United States

The following list ranks the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in film, video & photographic arts. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Film

1
158 Annual Graduates
$35,793 Median Starting Salary
$21,687 Median Student Debt

It is difficult to beat University of Southern California if you want to pursue a bachelor's degree in film, video & photographic arts. USC is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Los Angeles.

Bachelor's recipients from the film, video & photographic arts degree program at University of Southern California make $11,856 more than the standard graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of Southern California

2
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
372 Annual Graduates
$30,874 Median Starting Salary
$22,250 Median Student Debt

Any student pursuing a degree in a bachelor's degree in film, video & photographic arts has to look into New York University. Located in the large city of New York, NYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population.

Those film, video & photographic arts students who get their bachelor's degree from New York University earn $6,937 more than the average film grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from New York University

3
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Any student who is interested in a bachelor's degree in film, video & photographic arts needs to look into Emory University. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.

Those film, video & photographic arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Emory University earn $12,771 more than the standard film graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Emory University

4
19 Annual Graduates

Washington University in St Louis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a bachelor's degree in film, video & photographic arts. Located in the suburb of Saint Louis, WUSTL is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Washington University in St Louis

5
111 Annual Graduates
$33,357 Median Starting Salary
$19,123 Median Student Debt

Chapman is a large private not-for-profit university located in the midsize city of Orange.

Those film, video & photographic arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Chapman University make $9,420 more than the average film grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Chapman University

6
75 Annual Graduates
$31,313 Median Starting Salary
$15,693 Median Student Debt

UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley get an earnings boost of approximately $7,376 over the average earnings of film, video & photographic arts graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of California - Berkeley

7
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
16 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of New Haven, Yale is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Yale University

8
84 Annual Graduates
$29,824 Median Starting Salary
$19,760 Median Student Debt

U-M is a very large public university located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor receive an earnings boost of around $5,887 over the typical earnings of film, video & photographic arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

9
182 Annual Graduates
$27,057 Median Starting Salary
$15,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the medium-sized suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts bachelor's degree recipients from University of California - Santa Barbara earn a boost of approximately $3,120 over the typical income of film, video & photographic arts majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of California - Santa Barbara

10
37 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

11
167 Annual Graduates
$28,145 Median Starting Salary
$16,300 Median Student Debt

UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the large city of Irvine.

Bachelor's recipients from the film, video & photographic arts major at University of California - Irvine get $4,208 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of California - Irvine

11
4 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Carnegie Mellon University

12
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
28 Annual Graduates

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of Pennsylvania

13
26 Annual Graduates
$25,409 Median Starting Salary
$19,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the film program report average early career earnings of $25,409.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of California - Los Angeles

14
Dartmouth crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth is a medium-sized private not-for-profit college located in the town of Hanover.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Dartmouth College receive an earnings boost of around $13,710 above the average income of film, video & photographic arts graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Dartmouth College

15
177 Annual Graduates
$24,155 Median Starting Salary
$16,439 Median Student Debt

UC Santa Cruz is a large public university located in the small city of Santa Cruz.

After graduating, film bachelor's recipients usually make around $24,155 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of California - Santa Cruz

16
51 Annual Graduates
$32,016 Median Starting Salary
$12,000 Median Student Debt

BYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the medium-sized city of Provo.

Those film, video & photographic arts students who get their bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University - Provo make $8,079 more than the average film graduate.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Brigham Young University - Provo

17
27 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Dallas, SMU is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Southern Methodist University

18
69 Annual Graduates
$29,075 Median Starting Salary
$23,250 Median Student Debt

Loyola Marymount is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University receive an earnings boost of around $5,138 above the average income of film, video & photographic arts graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Loyola Marymount University

19
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA

Lafayette is a small private not-for-profit college located in the suburb of Easton.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Lafayette College receive an earnings boost of about $14,736 above the typical earnings of film, video & photographic arts graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Lafayette College

20
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
173 Annual Graduates
$23,947 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Philadelphia, Temple is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the film program state that they receive average early career income of $23,947.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Temple University

21
238 Annual Graduates
$24,940 Median Starting Salary
$17,850 Median Student Debt

SFSU is a very large public university located in the city of San Francisco.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the film program make an average of $24,940 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from San Francisco State University

22

Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts bachelor's degree recipients from Brandeis University get an earnings boost of approximately $20,415 above the typical earnings of film, video & photographic arts graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Brandeis University

23
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA
64 Annual Graduates
$26,443 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Iowa is a fairly large public university located in the city of Iowa City.

Those film, video & photographic arts students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Iowa make $2,506 more than the standard film grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from University of Iowa

24
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
17 Annual Graduates

Vanderbilt is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Nashville.More information about a bachelor’s in film, video & photographic arts from Vanderbilt University

Rest of the Top Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools

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27
28
29
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
30
31
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
32
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

33

34
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA
35
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
36
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
37

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Film, Video & Photographic Arts students that almost earned our Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
38 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
39 Seattle University Seattle, WA
40 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
41 Mount Saint Mary’s University Los Angeles, CA
42 The New School New York, NY
43 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
44 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
45 School of Visual Arts New York, NY
46 Maryland Institute College of Art Baltimore, MD
47 Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MA
48 DePaul University Chicago, IL
49 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL

Film, Video & Photographic Arts by Region

View the Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Film, Video & Photographic Arts is one of 10 different types of Visual & Performing Arts programs to choose from.

Film Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Film & Video Production 5,084
Film/Cinema/Media Studies 4,231
Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts 1,260
Photography 1,159
Documentary Production 25

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 24,602
Design & Applied Arts 19,770
Music 15,362
Drama & Theater Arts 13,117
General Visual & Performing Arts 3,794
Arts & Media Management 3,065
Dance 2,676
Other Visual Art 492
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 71
Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art 9

Notes and References

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