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2027 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools

214 Colleges in the United States
12,069 Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degrees Awarded
$35,636 Avg Early-Career Salary

Film, Video & Photographic Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 214 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for film, video & photographic arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in the United States

Below are the best film, video & photographic arts schools at the bachelor’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Film, Video & Photographic Arts

1

Leading the list is Chapman University, our #1 school for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. There were roughly 159 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Chapman University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $35,795 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,123. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Chapman University

2
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Students looking for a strong film, video & photographic arts program will find one at Marquette University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 30 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Marquette University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Marquette University earn around $60,443 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,122 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Marquette University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the top schools for film, video & photographic arts. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. There were roughly 186 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of Southern California earn around $34,187 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,687 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of Southern California

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 66 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $28,561 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

5
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 28 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Yale University

6
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Students borrow a median of $17,034 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Purdue University Main Campus

7

University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Chicago

8

University Of Maryland College Park landed the #8 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 17 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $57,901 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of Maryland College Park

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 90 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $25,565. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,760 in student loans. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

10
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College earned the #10 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Dartmouth College

11

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #11 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 155 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $28,608 in their early career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of California Santa Barbara

12
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 29 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $31,689 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,476. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Florida State University

13
Wesleyan University crest
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University came in at #13 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 35 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Wesleyan University

14

Southern Methodist University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Southern Methodist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dallas. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 20 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Southern Methodist University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Southern Methodist University generally make around $70,632. Typical student debt for the program is $20,712. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Southern Methodist University

15

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 44 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $38,508 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

16
Emerson College crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA

Emerson College placed #16 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Boston, Emerson College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Emerson College awarded about 483 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $27,032 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,250 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Emerson College

17
Belmont University crest
Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Belmont University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Belmont University awarded about 46 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $30,188 early in their careers. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Belmont University

18

Fordham University earned the #18 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 56 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Fordham University earn a median of $36,704 early in their careers. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Fordham University

19
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University came in at #19 for film, video & photographic arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Vanderbilt University

20

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #20 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 82 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $30,697 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

21

University Of Missouri Columbia placed #21 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $29,613. Students borrow a median of $19,833 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Missouri Columbia

22

University Of California Berkeley came in at #22 for film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 139 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $29,011 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,693. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for University Of California Berkeley

23
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit institution. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 69 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of American University earn a median of $26,767 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at American University

24

Loyola Marymount University came in at #24 for film, video & photographic arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 134 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $24,561 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Loyola Marymount University

25

University Of California Davis ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 76 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $19,258. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of California Davis

Rest of the Top 50 Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong film, video & photographic arts education:

26
27
28
29
30
31
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
32
33
Denison University crest
Denison University
Granville, OH
34
Connecticut College crest
Connecticut College
New London, CT
35
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
36
Xavier University crest
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
37
38
Whitman College crest
Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA
39
40
41
42
43
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
44
Middlebury College crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT
45
46
47
48
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
49
50

Honorable Mentions

A few more film, video & photographic arts schools worth a look:

Other Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degree Levels

Explore the best film, video & photographic arts schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Associate's Degrees in Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Master's Degrees in Film, Video & Photographic Arts

View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 214 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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