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2026 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Master’s Degree Schools

36 Colleges in the United States
1,994 Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,975 Avg Early-Career Salary

Film, Video & Photographic Arts programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 691 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for film, video & photographic arts students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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

Below are the best film, video & photographic arts schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Film, Video & Photographic Arts

1

Chapman University tops our 2026 ranking of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Chapman University awarded about 98 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Chapman University earn around $28,832 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,123. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Chapman University

2

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 96 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of California Los Angeles

3

University Of Southern California is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Southern California awarded about 167 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $26,843. Typical student debt for the program is $21,687. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of Southern California

4
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

A rank of #4 makes Florida State University one of the top schools for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Florida State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Florida State University earn around $33,151 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,476 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Florida State University

5
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Wake Forest University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Wake Forest University

6
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University came in at #6 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. About 29 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at American University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from American University earn around $51,449 in the first couple years of their career. American University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for American University

7

Loyola Marymount University came in at #7 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 94 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $27,650 in their early career. Loyola Marymount University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Loyola Marymount University

8

Quinnipiac University landed the #8 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Hamden. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 24 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Quinnipiac University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Quinnipiac University earn around $29,253 in the first couple years of their career. Quinnipiac University graduates carry a median of $24,864 in student loans. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Quinnipiac University

9

San Francisco State University landed the #9 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 20 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $18,654 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,850 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for San Francisco State University

10

Johns Hopkins University landed the #10 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 26 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Johns Hopkins University

11
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University earned the #11 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 10 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $60,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Stony Brook University

12

Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #12 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Cuny Brooklyn College graduates 54% of students within six years. About 122 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $33,095 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,622 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Cuny Brooklyn College

13
Lipscomb University crest
Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University placed #13 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 20 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Lipscomb University earn a median of $48,949 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,529. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Lipscomb University

14
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #14 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 130 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of New York University earn a median of $15,801 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for New York University

15
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #15 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 11 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Yale University

16

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #16 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 99 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $31,087 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York

17
Depaul University crest
Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University earned the #17 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Depaul University awarded about 35 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $23,892 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,717. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Depaul University

18

University Of Georgia placed #18 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 37 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $53,546 in their early career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of Georgia

19

Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #19 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Savannah. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 103 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Savannah College Of Art And Design in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Savannah College Of Art And Design generally make around $37,493. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Savannah College Of Art And Design

20

Ohio University Main Campus placed #20 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $49,736 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Ohio University Main Campus

21
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

The New School landed the #21 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of New York, The New School is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The New School awarded about 46 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from The New School earn around $21,523 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,829 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at The New School

22
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University landed the #22 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Syracuse University awarded about 15 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Syracuse University earn around $26,331 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Syracuse University

23

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #23 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. About 14 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $22,315. Typical student debt for the program is $22,052. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

24
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University came in at #24 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Howard University graduates 70% of students within six years. Howard University awarded about 10 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Howard University earn a median of $58,495 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,498. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Howard University

25

Columbia College Chicago came in at #25 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Columbia College Chicago in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $35,483 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Columbia College Chicago

Rest of the Top 36 Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong film, video & photographic arts education:

26
27
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
28
29
30
31
Mount St Marys College crest
Mount St Marys College
Los Angeles, CA
32
33
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA
34
Academy Of Art University crest
Academy Of Art University
San Francisco, CA
35
36
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Other Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degree Levels

Explore the best film, video & photographic arts schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Associate's Degrees in Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Bachelor's Degrees in Film, Video & Photographic Arts
View All Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 691 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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