2027 Best Film Studies Schools in the Southeast Region
Film Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for film studies students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Film Studies in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall film studies education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Film Studies
Vanderbilt University tops our 2027 ranking of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. There were roughly 12 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
See the full film studies program report for Vanderbilt University
Emory University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #2 spot this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Atlanta. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Emory University generally make around $67,840. Typical student debt for the program is $19,431.
See the full film studies program report for Emory University
University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film studies, ranking #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 16 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
More information about a degree in film studies from University Of Georgia
The University Of Tennessee is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 20 film studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $49,826 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans.
More information about a degree in film studies from The University Of Tennessee
Lipscomb University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film studies, ranking #5. Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 10 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
See the full film studies program report for Lipscomb University
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best film studies schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $23,686 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans.
Read more about the film studies program at University Of South Carolina Columbia
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #7 position for film studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 29 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Northern Virginia Community College earn around $40,126 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete this degree.
See the full film studies program report for Northern Virginia Community College
The University Of Tampa landed the #8 spot for film studies this year. Located in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 film studies degrees were awarded at The University Of Tampa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $26,641. The University Of Tampa graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Read more about the film studies program at The University Of Tampa
Georgia State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best film studies schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 256 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Georgia State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Georgia State University earn around $22,588 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,755.
Get the full film studies details for Georgia State University
University Of Louisiana Lafayette came in at #10 for film studies this year. University Of Louisiana Lafayette is a large public school located in the city of Lafayette. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Louisiana Lafayette in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $42,873 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,373.
See the full film studies program report for University Of Louisiana Lafayette
Regent University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best film studies schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 10 film studies degrees were awarded at Regent University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Regent University generally make around $44,205. Regent University graduates carry a median of $29,451 in student loans.
See the full film studies program report for Regent University
Dillard University came in at #12 for film studies this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit university. Dillard University graduates 43% of students within six years. Dillard University awarded about 20 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $37,305 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $33,177 to complete this degree.
Get the full film studies details for Dillard University
Full Sail University placed #13 among the best film studies schools. Located in the suburb of Winter Park, Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. About 488 film studies degrees were awarded at Full Sail University in the most recent year. Film Studies graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of $24,058 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,343 to complete this degree.
See the full film studies program report for Full Sail University
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 13 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.