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2023 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools

278 Colleges in the United States
16,778 Film Degrees Awarded
$24,170 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in film, video and photographic arts is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #62 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. So, you have a fair amount of options to choose from when looking for a school.

For its 2023 ranking, College Factual looked at 278 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for film, video and photographic arts students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 16,778 degrees in film, video and photographic arts to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Film, Video & Photographic Arts School

Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools The film program you select can have a big impact on your future. That's why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Film, Video & Photographic Arts rankings. For our Best Overall Film, Video & Photographic Arts School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Film
Bachelor's Degrees in Film
Master's Degrees in Film
Doctor's Degrees in Film

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. 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'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.

Read more about College Factual's methodology.

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

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the film degree levels they offer. 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 in Film

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
310 Film Degrees Awarded
$32,036 Median Starting Salary

University of Southern California is a wonderful choice for students interested in a degree in film, video and photographic arts. Located in the large city of Los Angeles, USC is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #18 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 310 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Those film, video and photographic arts students who get their degree from University of Southern California earn $7,866 more than the average film graduate.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from University of Southern California

2
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
3rd Most Popular In MO

Washington University in St Louis is a great choice for students interested in a degree in film, video and photographic arts. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Saint Louis. A Best Colleges rank of #24 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means WUSTL is a great university overall.

There were roughly 19 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at WUSTL in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Washington University in St Louis

3
NYU crest
New York University
New York, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
426 Film Degrees Awarded
$29,436 Median Starting Salary

New York University is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in film, video and photographic arts. NYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means NYU is a great university overall.

There were roughly 426 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at NYU in the most recent year we have data available. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from New York University get an earnings boost of around $5,266 over the typical income of film, video and photographic arts majors.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from New York University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
87 Film Degrees Awarded
12.6% Growth in Graduates

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a wonderful decision for students pursuing a degree in film, video and photographic arts. Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were approximately 87 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor earn a boost of approximately $5,654 over the average income of film, video and photographic arts majors.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

5
Emory crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
31 Film Degrees Awarded
54.8% Growth in Graduates

Emory is a large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Atlanta. This university ranks 2nd out of 69 colleges for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 31 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Emory in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the film, video and photographic arts major at Emory University make $12,538 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Emory University

6
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
75 Film Degrees Awarded
$34,730 Median Starting Salary

Columbia is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were approximately 75 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Those film, video and photographic arts students who get their degree from Columbia University in the City of New York receive $10,560 more than the average film graduate.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Columbia University in the City of New York

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
79 Film Degrees Awarded
$31,313 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #17 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were approximately 79 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from University of California - Berkeley earn a boost of approximately $7,143 above the typical earnings of film, video and photographic arts graduates.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from University of California - Berkeley

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
127 Film Degrees Awarded
17.3% Growth in Graduates

UCLA is a fairly large public university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #29 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were about 127 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. Those film, video and photographic arts students who get their degree from University of California - Los Angeles receive $3,160 more than the average film grad.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from University of California - Los Angeles

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In IL
7.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 14 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Northwestern University

10
Dartmouth crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$37,647 Median Starting Salary

Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Dartmouth is a great college overall.

There were about 14 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from Dartmouth College earn a boost of approximately $13,477 above the average earnings of film, video and photographic arts majors.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Dartmouth College

11
Yale crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
4th Most Popular In CT
10.0% Growth in Graduates

Yale is a large private not-for-profit university located in the city of New Haven. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,241 schools nationwide means Yale is a great university overall.

There were roughly 30 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Yale in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Yale University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
184 Film Degrees Awarded
9.8% Growth in Graduates

UCSB is a fairly large public university located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara. This university ranks 10th out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 184 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from University of California - Santa Barbara earn a boost of approximately $2,887 over the average income of film, video and photographic arts majors.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from University of California - Santa Barbara

13
Lafayette crest
Lafayette College
Easton, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$38,673 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large suburb of Easton, Lafayette is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 8th out of 117 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 13 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Lafayette in the most recent year we have data available. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from Lafayette College earn a boost of about $14,503 above the average earnings of film, video and photographic arts graduates.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Lafayette College

14
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
22nd Most Popular In PA

Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. A Best Colleges rank of #8 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means Carnegie Mellon is a great university overall.

There were about 4 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Carnegie Mellon University

15
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In WA
38 Film Degrees Awarded

UW Seattle is a very large public university located in the city of Seattle. This university ranks 1st out of 51 schools for overall quality in the state of Washington.

There were about 38 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

16
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
190 Film Degrees Awarded
$29,593 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Orange, Chapman is a private not-for-profit university with a medium-sized student population. This university ranks 32nd out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 190 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Chapman in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from Chapman University earn a boost of about $5,423 over the average earnings of film, video and photographic arts majors.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Chapman University

17
The American University crest
American University
Washington, DC
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
69 Film Degrees Awarded
$35,870 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Washington, The American University is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 8 colleges for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were about 69 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at The American University in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from American University get an earnings boost of approximately $11,699 above the average income of film, video and photographic arts graduates.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from American University

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
167 Film Degrees Awarded
25.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 14th out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 167 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent year we have data available. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from University of California - Irvine earn a boost of around $3,975 over the average earnings of film, video and photographic arts graduates.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from University of California - Irvine

19
Syracuse crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
60 Film Degrees Awarded
$27,741 Median Starting Salary

Located in the medium-sized city of Syracuse, Syracuse is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 9th out of 143 schools for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 60 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Syracuse in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the film, video and photographic arts major at Syracuse University make $3,571 more than the average graduate in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Syracuse University

20
UPenn crest
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In PA
10.7% Growth in Graduates

UPenn is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Philadelphia. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,241 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were approximately 28 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from University of Pennsylvania

21
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In TX
25.9% Growth in Graduates

SMU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large suburb of Dallas. This university ranks 4th out of 116 schools for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 27 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at SMU in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Southern Methodist University

22
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
104 Film Degrees Awarded
$29,807 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. This university ranks 21st out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 104 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University receive an earnings boost of around $5,637 above the typical earnings of film, video and photographic arts majors.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Loyola Marymount University

23
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$44,352 Median Starting Salary

Brandeis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Waltham. This university ranks 13th out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Massachusetts.

There were about 19 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Brandeis in the most recent data year. Those film, video and photographic arts students who get their degree from Brandeis University earn $20,182 more than the typical film graduate.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Brandeis University

24
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
172 Film Degrees Awarded
$35,466 Median Starting Salary

Academy of Art University is a moderately-sized private for-profit university located in the large city of San Francisco. This university ranks 22nd out of 170 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 172 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Academy of Art University in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the film, video and photographic arts degree program at Academy of Art University get $11,296 more than the typical college grad with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Academy of Art University

25
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
53 Film Degrees Awarded
$32,016 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 14 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were about 53 film, video and photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent year we have data available. Film, Video & Photographic Arts degree recipients from Brigham Young University - Provo get an earnings boost of around $7,846 above the typical income of film, video and photographic arts majors.

More information about a degree in film, video and photographic arts from Brigham Young University - Provo

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

25
26
27
Temple crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA
28
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN
29
30
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, MA
31
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

32

33
34
35
36
Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
37
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
38
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA
39
40

41

Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools award.

Rank College Location
42 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
43 Columbia College Chicago Chicago, IL
44 Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA
45 Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH
46 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
47 Florida State University Tallahassee, FL
48 University of California - Davis Davis, CA
49 Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD
50 Wellesley College Wellesley, MA
51 DePaul University Chicago, IL
52 University of Arizona Tucson, AZ
53 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
54 University of Kansas Lawrence, KS
55 University of Oregon Eugene, OR

Film, Video & Photographic Arts by Region

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

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 10 majors within the Visual & Performing Arts area of study, Film, Video & Photographic Arts has other similar majors worth exploring.

Film Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Film & Video Production 7,768
Film/Cinema/Media Studies 5,191
Photography 2,184
Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts 1,557
Documentary Production 78

View All Film Concentrations >

Related Major Annual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts 37,413
Design & Applied Arts 36,301
Music 25,910
Drama & Theater Arts 17,341
General Visual & Performing Arts 6,355
Arts & Media Management 4,788
Dance 3,288
Other Visual Art 912
Crafts, Folk Art & Artisanry 119
Community/Environmental/Socially-Engaged Art 10

View All Film Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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