2026 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California

1

Chapman University
Orange, CA

Chapman University tops our 2026 ranking of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 295 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Chapman University earn a median of $32,314 early in their careers. Chapman University graduates carry a median of $19,123 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Chapman University

2

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts, ranking #2. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 202 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $28,608 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of California Santa Barbara

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong film, video & photographic arts program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. University Of Southern California awarded about 336 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $30,515 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $21,687 in student loans. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 130 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $34,825. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Loyola Marymount University graduates 79% of students within six years. About 198 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $26,106 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Loyola Marymount University

6

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #6 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California Davis awarded about 68 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of California Davis earn around $19,258 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of California Davis

7

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #7 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 93 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $29,011 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $15,693 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of California Berkeley

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #8 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 204 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $18,654. Typical student debt for the program is $17,850. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from San Francisco State University

9

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento placed #9 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. California State University Sacramento awarded about 101 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $24,618. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $16,205 in student loans. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from California State University Sacramento

10

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #10 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 135 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $21,397 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,300. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of California Irvine

11

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 230 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $50,982 in their early career. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for California State University Long Beach

12

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 185 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of California Riverside earn around $24,840 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for University Of California Riverside

13

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills earned the #13 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This large public university is located in the city of Carson. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. About 45 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at California State University Dominguez Hills in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from California State University Dominguez Hills generally make around $52,683. California State University Dominguez Hills graduates carry a median of $15,886 in student loans. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from California State University Dominguez Hills

14

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #14 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Cruz. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 170 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $23,614 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $16,439 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for University Of California Santa Cruz

15

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College came in at #15 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 24 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Occidental College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Occidental College generally make around $30,526. Occidental College graduates carry a median of $20,804 in student loans. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Occidental College

16

Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, CA

Santa Rosa Junior College landed the #16 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Junior College is a very large public university. There were roughly 14 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Santa Rosa Junior College in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Santa Rosa Junior College earn a median of $80,047 early in their careers. Santa Rosa Junior College graduates carry a median of $14,692 in student loans. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Santa Rosa Junior College

17

Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA

Diablo Valley College earned the #17 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill. About 11 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Diablo Valley College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Typical student debt for the program is $9,205. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Diablo Valley College

18

Biola University
La Mirada, CA

Biola University earned the #18 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of La Mirada. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 61 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Biola University in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Biola University earn a median of $45,003 early in their careers. Biola University graduates carry a median of $25,308 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Biola University

19

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College landed the #19 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 41 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $8,978. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Orange Coast College

20

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from California Baptist University generally make around $25,031. California Baptist University graduates carry a median of $26,988 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for California Baptist University

21

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College landed the #21 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 170 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Santa Monica College in the most recent data year. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Santa Monica College

22

Santa Barbara City College
Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara City College placed #22 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara City College awarded about 20 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. Typical student debt for the program is $21,090. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Santa Barbara City College

23

Cypress College
Cypress, CA

Cypress College earned the #23 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Cypress. Cypress College awarded about 10 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Cypress College

24

College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

College Of The Canyons placed #24 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. There were roughly 29 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at College Of The Canyons in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Students borrow a median of $9,776 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from College Of The Canyons

25

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco landed the #25 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. There were roughly 78 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for City College Of San Francisco