2026 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Belmont University
Nashville, TN

Our analysis ranked Belmont University the best school in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 43 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Belmont University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Belmont University earn around $30,188 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Belmont University

2

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. About 86% of students finish within six years. Florida State University awarded about 46 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $32,420 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,476 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Florida State University

3

Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Winston-Salem. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Wake Forest University awarded about 11 film, video & photographic arts degrees 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

4

University Of Kentucky
Lexington, KY

A rank of #4 makes University Of Kentucky one of the top schools for film, video & photographic arts. Set in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. University Of Kentucky awarded about 11 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $49,568 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,094 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Kentucky

5

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 12 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $77,997 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete this degree. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Vanderbilt University

6

Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 38 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Emory University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $67,840 in their early career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Emory University

7

High Point University
High Point, NC

High Point University earned the #7 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. High Point University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of High Point. High Point University graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at High Point University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from High Point University earn around $113,352 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,785 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at High Point University

8

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University landed the #8 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 45 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $23,989 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at George Mason University

9

Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN

Middle Tennessee State University earned the #9 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Middle Tennessee State University awarded about 116 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $28,202 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,270. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Middle Tennessee State University

10

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 37 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Georgia

11

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #11 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 57 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $35,485 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of Miami

12

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 37 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,348. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

13

Lipscomb University
Nashville, TN

Lipscomb University earned the #13 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Lipscomb University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Lipscomb University generally make around $48,949. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Lipscomb University

14

Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #14 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public institution. Virginia Commonwealth University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 106 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Virginia Commonwealth University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University earn a median of $23,109 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Virginia Commonwealth University

15

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. About 78% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 243 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Central Florida in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of Central Florida earn around $23,676 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of Central Florida

16

The University Of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee placed #16 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. About 13 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $49,826. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for The University Of Tennessee

17

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #17 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. 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. About 82 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $23,686. Students borrow a median of $25,750 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for University Of South Carolina Columbia

18

Valencia College
Orlando, FL

Valencia College came in at #18 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. Valencia College awarded about 66 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $16,635. Valencia College graduates carry a median of $13,549 in student loans. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Valencia College

19

Savannah College Of Art And Design
Savannah, GA

Savannah College Of Art And Design earned the #19 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah College Of Art And Design is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Savannah College Of Art And Design awarded about 447 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Savannah College Of Art And Design earn a median of $30,735 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Savannah College Of Art And Design

20

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts
Winston Salem, NC

University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts landed the #20 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Winston Salem, University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts awarded about 88 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn around $23,477 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts

21

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #21 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 99 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

22

Freed Hardeman University
Henderson, TN

Freed Hardeman University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the town of Henderson, Freed Hardeman University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Freed Hardeman University graduates 69% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,479. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Freed Hardeman University

23

Northern Virginia Community College
Annandale, VA

Northern Virginia Community College came in at #23 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. About 38 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $40,126 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Northern Virginia Community College

24

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL

Miami Dade College landed the #24 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. About 190 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Miami Dade College in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Miami Dade College earn a median of $21,599 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete this degree. Get the full film, video & photographic arts details for Miami Dade College

25

Southern Adventist University
Collegedale, TN

Southern Adventist University placed #25 among the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Southern Adventist 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 Southern Adventist University earn around $61,366 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Southern Adventist University