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2023 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts

101 Ranked Colleges
1,610 Degrees Awarded
$31,916 Avg Salary
Schools for a Master's Highly Focused on Film Major

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 16,778 people earned their degree in film, video and photographic arts, making the major the 62nd most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, film, video and photographic arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $24,170 and had an average of $25,804 in loans still to pay off.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,610 film, video and photographic arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $58,425 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major” ranking analyzed 101 colleges that offered a degree in film, video and photographic arts. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their film, video and photographic arts program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for master’s degree film students.

Top 25 Most Focused Master’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts

1
American Film Institute crest
American Film Institute Conservatory
Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Film Institute Conservatory. The school came in at #1 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major. American Film Institute Conservatory is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 73 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at American Film Institute

2
New York Film Academy crest
New York Film Academy
Burbank, California

Out of the 101 schools in the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major that were part of this year’s ranking, New York Film Academy landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Burbank, California, this small private for-profit school handed out 145 diplomas to qualified masters’s film students in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at New York Film Academy

3
CalArts crest
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of the Arts. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major. CalArts is a private not-for-profit institution located in Valencia, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 36 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California Institute of the Arts

4
Seattle Film Institute crest
Seattle Film Institute
Seattle, Washington

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Seattle Film Institute. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major. Seattle Film Institute is a small private for-profit school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 4 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Seattle Film Institute

5

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina School of the Arts. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. This small school is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and it awarded 21 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of North Carolina School of the Arts

6
Carnbrook Academy crest
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

With a ranking of #6, Cranbrook Academy of Art did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. Carnbrook Academy is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. It awarded 4 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Carnbrook Academy

7
SVA crest
School of Visual Arts
New York, New York

School of Visual Arts did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #7. School of Visual Arts is located in New York, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 58 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at SVA

8
VCFA crest
Vermont College of Fine Arts
Montpelier, Vermont

Vermont College of Fine Arts did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #8. Vermont College of Fine Arts is located in Montpelier, Vermont and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at VCFA

9
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University ranked #9 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. San Francisco, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 5.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Academy of Art University

10

With a ranking of #10, Maryland Institute College of Art did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified masters’s film students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Maryland Institute College of Art Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

11
Asbury crest
Asbury University
Wilmore, Kentucky

With a ranking of #11, Asbury University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. Asbury University is located in Wilmore, Kentucky and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 masters’s film degrees to qualified students.

Full Asbury University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

12
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

Art Center College of Design ranked #12 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 17 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Art Center College of Design Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

13

Savannah College of Art and Design ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. This fairly large school is located in Savannah, Georgia, and it awarded 93 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full SCAD Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

14
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California

Chapman University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Orange, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 79 students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Chapman University

15

With a ranking of #15, Atlantic University College did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. Atlantic University College is a small school located in Guaynabo, that handed out 6 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Atlantic University College

16
Regent crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Regent University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Virginia Beach, Virginia is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 42 students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Regent

17
Hollins crest
Hollins University
Roanoke, Virginia

Hollins University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Hollins University is a small school located in Roanoke, Virginia that handed out 4 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Hollins University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

18
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California

California College of the Arts ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. Located in San Francisco, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified masters’s film students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at California College of the Arts

19
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida

Full Sail University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #19. Full Sail University is a private for-profit institution located in Winter Park, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 79 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Full Sail University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

20
Loyola Marymount crest
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, California

Loyola Marymount University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 35 degrees to qualified masters’s film students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Loyola Marymount Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

21
Lipscomb crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, Tennessee

Lipscomb University ranked #21 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. Lipscomb University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Nashville, Tennessee. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Lipscomb

22
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Columbia is a medium-sized school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 13 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Columbia College Chicago

23
MSMU crest
Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, California

Mount Saint Mary’s University ranked #23 on this year’s Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major list. Mount Saint Mary’s University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 7 masters’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Mount Saint Mary’s University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

24
USC crest
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California

University of Southern California did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #24. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s film degrees to 143 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Southern California

25

Massachusetts College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Master’s Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #25. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Notes and References

References

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