by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, film / cinema / media studies was the 142nd most popular major nationwide with 5,191 degrees awarded. This is approximately the same as the 5,210 graduates the prior year.
Our 2023 Best Film/Cinema/Media Studies Schools ranking analyzes 119 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for film / cinema / media studies students. Explore this or one of our many other custom film studies rankings further below.
Talking to others to convey information effectively has been highlighted as one of the most essential skills for careers related to film studies. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
film / cinema / media studies degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific film studies careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different film studies degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in film / cinema / media studies to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common film studies degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to film studies, with approximately 45.1% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for film studies workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 38.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 22.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13.9% |
| High School Diploma | 7.7% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 6.7% |
70.1% of film studies workers have at least a bachelor's. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in film / cinema / media studies careers have.
The education level required is different depending on the film studies career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your film studies degree? Film/Cinema/Media Studies careers are expected to grow 12.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to film / cinema / media studies.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | 151,200 | 12.2% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | 137,200 | 12.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for film studies graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for film / cinema / media studies graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers film studies grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Producers and Directors | $89,840 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Professors | $82,560 |
With over 390 different film studies degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased film studies school rankings to help you with this.
Film/Cinema/Media Studies is one of 4 different types of Film, Video & Photographic Arts programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Film & Video Production | 7,768 |
| Photography | 2,184 |
| Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts | 1,557 |
| Documentary Production | 78 |
