Film Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 108 schools to find the best for film studies students.
Where you study film studies matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Film Studies rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Film Studies Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Film Studies in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the film studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 69 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $28,561 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,481.
More information about a degree in film studies from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Students looking for a strong film studies program will find one at Chapman University, which ranked #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 10 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Chapman University earn around $32,314 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,123 to complete this degree.
Read more about the film studies program at Chapman University
Students looking for a strong film studies program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 16 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $53,666 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete this degree.
Read more about the film studies program at University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 24 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies 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 studies program at Purdue University Main Campus
A rank of #5 makes University Of Chicago one of the top schools for film studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 13 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of Chicago earn around $81,002 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
Read more about the film studies program at University Of Chicago
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best film studies schools. 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. About 17 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies 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.
More information about a degree in film studies from University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor placed #7 among the best film studies schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 92 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $25,565. Typical student debt for the program is $19,760.
Read more about the film studies program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Dartmouth College placed #8 among the best film studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Dartmouth College awarded about 20 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
More information about a degree in film studies from Dartmouth College
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot for film studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 157 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $28,608. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
See the full film studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Southern California placed #10 among the best film studies schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 108 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $30,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,687 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film studies from University Of Southern California
Wesleyan University placed #11 among the best film studies schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Middletown. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Wesleyan University awarded about 35 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125.
See the full film studies program report for Wesleyan University
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #12 spot for film studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 film studies degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $38,508. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans.
Get the full film studies details for Rutgers University New Brunswick
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #13 position for film studies this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 110 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $34,825 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full film studies details for University Of California Los Angeles
American University landed the #14 spot for film studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. American University awarded about 56 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from American University earn around $39,108 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film studies from American University
Fordham University landed the #15 spot for film studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. About 82% of students finish within six years. Fordham University awarded about 56 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Fordham University earn around $36,704 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full film studies program report for Fordham University
Vanderbilt University earned the #16 position for film studies this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 12 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
Read more about the film studies program at Vanderbilt University
University Of Missouri Columbia placed #17 among the best film studies schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $29,613 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,833.
Get the full film studies details for University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of California Berkeley placed #18 among the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. About 141 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $29,011 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,693.
See the full film studies program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Davis earned the #19 position for film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 76 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $19,258 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
Read more about the film studies program at University Of California Davis
Loyola Marymount University landed the #20 spot for film studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 36 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $26,106 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full film studies program report for Loyola Marymount University
Yale University landed the #21 spot for film studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 20 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Read more about the film studies program at Yale University
Washington University In St Louis came in at #22 for film studies this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. About 10 film studies degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Film Studies graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
See the full film studies program report for Washington University In St Louis
Brandeis University came in at #23 for film studies this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $47,783. Typical student debt for the program is $25,653.
Get the full film studies details for Brandeis University
University Of Nebraska Lincoln ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best film studies schools. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 12 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $31,172. Typical student debt for the program is $22,386.
Get the full film studies details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Johns Hopkins University landed the #25 spot for film studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 29 film studies degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
See the full film studies program report for Johns Hopkins University
Rest of the Top 50 Film Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for film studies this year:
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 · 108 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
