2027 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Southeast Region
Film, Video & Photographic Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 59 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for film, video & photographic arts students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall film, video & photographic arts education in the Southeast Region.
Top Schools in Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Our analysis ranked Belmont University the best school in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Nashville, Belmont University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Belmont University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Belmont University in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Belmont University earn a median of $30,188 early in their careers. Belmont University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Belmont University
Vanderbilt University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
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A rank of #3 makes Florida State University one of the top schools for film, video & photographic arts. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Florida State University awarded about 51 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $32,420. Students borrow a median of $20,476 to complete this degree.
See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Florida State University
A rank of #4 makes Wake Forest University one of the top schools for film, video & photographic arts. Located in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. About 10 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Wake Forest University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Wake Forest University graduates carry a median of $21,577 in student loans.
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George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts, ranking #5. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Mason University awarded about 50 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from George Mason University earn around $23,989 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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Emory University earned the #6 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. About 31 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Emory University earn around $67,840 in the first couple years of their career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans.
See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Emory University
University Of Georgia came in at #7 for film, video & photographic arts this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
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University Of Miami earned the #8 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. About 58 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of Miami earn around $35,485 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans.
See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of Miami
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #9 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 42 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $49,718 in the first couple years of their career. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans.
More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Central Florida ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. University Of Central Florida awarded about 280 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of Central Florida earn a median of $23,676 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree.
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The University Of Tennessee earned the #11 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 20 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $49,826 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,859 to complete this degree.
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Middle Tennessee State University landed the #12 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public institution. Middle Tennessee State University graduates 54% of students within six years. About 78 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Middle Tennessee State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $28,202. Typical student debt for the program is $19,270.
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Lipscomb University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best film, video & photographic arts schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Lipscomb University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 27 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Lipscomb University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Lipscomb University earn around $48,949 in the first couple years of their career. Lipscomb University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Lipscomb University
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #14 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. Virginia Commonwealth University awarded about 92 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University earn around $23,109 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #15 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 79 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $23,686 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans.
See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia
Valencia College landed the #16 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Orlando, Valencia College is a very large public institution. About 64 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Valencia College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Valencia College generally make around $16,635. Students borrow a median of $13,549 to complete this degree.
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Miami Dade College came in at #17 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Miami, Miami Dade College is a very large public university. There were roughly 183 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Miami Dade College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $21,599 in their early career. Miami Dade College graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans.
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Savannah College Of Art And Design landed the #18 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Savannah. About 69% of students finish within six years. Savannah College Of Art And Design awarded about 445 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $30,735 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Savannah College Of Art And Design
University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts came in at #19 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%. There were roughly 97 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts earn a median of $23,477 early in their careers. University Of North Carolina School Of The Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
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Freed Hardeman University came in at #20 for film, video & photographic arts this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Henderson. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Freed Hardeman University in the most recent year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of Freed Hardeman University earn a median of $54,530 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,479 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Freed Hardeman University
Liberty University landed the #21 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 60 film, video & photographic arts degrees were awarded at Liberty University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Liberty University earn around $20,512 in the first couple years of their career. Liberty University graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
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University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #22 for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. There were roughly 109 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film, video & photographic arts program make about $22,315 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $22,052 in student loans.
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Northern Virginia Community College landed the #23 spot for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 45 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at Northern Virginia Community College
Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach earned the #24 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Set in the city of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Palm Beach Atlantic University West Palm Beach generally make around $54,317. Typical student debt for the program is $24,787.
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Southern Adventist University earned the #25 position for film, video & photographic arts this year. Located in the suburb of Collegedale, Southern Adventist University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. Southern Adventist University awarded about 12 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film, video & photographic arts degree recipients from Southern Adventist University generally make around $61,366. Typical student debt for the program is $25,498.
See the full film, video & photographic arts program report for Southern Adventist University
Rest of the Top 50 Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
These schools also placed among the best for film, video & photographic arts this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 59 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
