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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major

562 Ranked Colleges
16,778 Degrees Awarded
$39,400 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Film Major

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Film Major” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts is the 62nd most popular major in the country with 16,778 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, film, video and photographic arts graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $24,170 and had an average of $25,804 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Film Major” ranking analyzed 562 colleges that offered a degree in film, video and photographic arts. That schools that top this list have a program in film, video and photographic arts in which the largest percentage of students at the school are enrolled.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Film Major” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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Schools Highly Focused on Film Major

The colleges and universities below are the best for film students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts

1
Compass College of Cinematic Arts crest
Compass College of Cinematic Arts
Grand Rapids, Michigan

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Compass College of Cinematic Arts. The school came in at #1 for the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major. Compass College of Cinematic Arts is a small school located in Grand Rapids, Michigan that handed out 21 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Compass College of Cinematic Arts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

2
American Film Institute crest
American Film Institute Conservatory
Los Angeles, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend American Film Institute Conservatory. The school came in at #2 for the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major. This small school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 82 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at American Film Institute Conservatory

3
Columbia College Hollywood crest
Columbia College Hollywood
Tarzana, California

Out of the 562 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Columbia College Hollywood landed the #3 spot on the list. Columbia College Hollywood is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Tarzana, California. It awarded 135 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Columbia College Hollywood Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

4
Seattle Film Institute crest
Seattle Film Institute
Seattle, Washington

Out of the 562 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Seattle Film Institute landed the #4 spot on the list. Seattle Film Institute is a private for-profit institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Seattle Film Institute Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

5
New York Film Academy crest
New York Film Academy
Burbank, California

Out of the 562 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major that were part of this year’s ranking, New York Film Academy landed the #5 spot on the list. Burbank, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 355 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at New York Film Academy

6

University of North Carolina School of the Arts ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Film Major list. UNCSA is a small public school situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It awarded 88 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full University of North Carolina School of the Arts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

7

KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. KD Conservatory is a small school located in Dallas, Texas that handed out 16 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

8
SFAI crest
San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco, California

San Francisco Art Institute did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #8. Located in San Francisco, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 18 degrees to qualified ’s film students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at SFAI

9
LA Film School crest
Los Angeles Film School
Hollywood, California

Los Angeles Film School came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Hollywood, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 352 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at LA Film School

10
Emerson crest
Emerson College
Boston, Massachusetts

Emerson College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Emerson College is a medium-sized school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 356 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Emerson

11

With a ranking of #11, Colegio de Cinematografía Artes y Television did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major list. This small school is located in Bayamon, , and it awarded 86 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Colegio de Cinematografía Artes y Television

12
Five Towns College crest
Five Towns College
Dix Hills, New York

Five Towns College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Five Towns College is a private for-profit institution located in Dix Hills, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Five Towns College Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

13
SVA crest
School of Visual Arts
New York, New York

With a ranking of #13, School of Visual Arts did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major list. SVA is a private for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 194 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at SVA

14

Massachusetts College of Art and Design did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #14. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s film degrees to 93 students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Massachusetts College of Art and Design

15
CalArts crest
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, California

California Institute of the Arts ranked #15 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Film Major list. California Institute of the Arts is a small school located in Valencia, California that handed out 63 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at CalArts

16
Columbia crest
Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

Columbia College Chicago landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 234 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Columbia College Chicago

17
Woodbury crest
Woodbury University
Burbank, California

Woodbury University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #17. Woodbury University is located in Burbank, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 42 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Woodbury University

18

Columbus College of Art and Design landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. Columbus College of Art and Design is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 33 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full CCAD Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

19

The Art Institute of Atlanta did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #19. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Ai Atlanta

20

Atlantic University College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. This small school is located in Guaynabo, , and it awarded 28 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Atlantic University College

21

Savannah College of Art and Design ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Film Major list. Savannah College of Art and Design is located in Savannah, Georgia and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 390 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design

22

The Art Institute of Houston ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Film Major list. The Art Institute of Houston is a private for-profit institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a small population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Ai Houston Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

23
Art Center College of Design crest
Art Center College of Design
Pasadena, California

With a ranking of #23, Art Center College of Design did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major list. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s film degrees to 60 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Art Center College of Design

24

Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking, coming in at #24. Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s film degrees to qualified students.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

25
Academy of Art University crest
Academy of Art University
San Francisco, California

Academy of Art University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Film Major ranking. This medium-sized school is located in San Francisco, California, and it awarded 172 ’s film degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 5.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Academy of Art University Film, Video & Photographic Arts Report

Rest of the Best 50 in Schools Highly Focused on Film Major

Not only did these schools make the top 50 list, but they also landed in the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

26
Kansas City Art Institute crest
Kansas City Art Institute
Kansas City, Missouri
27
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, Florida
28
Montserrat College of Art crest
Montserrat College of Art
Beverly, Massachusetts
29
UArts crest
The University of the Arts
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
30
Living Arts College crest
Living Arts College
Raleigh, North Carolina
31
Moore College crest
Moore College of Art and Design
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
32
33
34
AAC crest
Art Academy of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
35
Villa crest
Villa Maria College
Buffalo, New York
36
Ithaca crest
Ithaca College
Ithaca, New York
37
SAE Institute - Atlanta crest
SAE Institute - Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
38
Nossi College of Art crest
Nossi College of Art
Madison, Tennessee
39
Chapman crest
Chapman University
Orange, California
40
RISD crest
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, Rhode Island
41
Hampshire crest
Hampshire College
Amherst, Massachusetts
42
Carnbrook Academy crest
Cranbrook Academy of Art
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
43
44
Purchase College crest
Purchase College
Purchase, New York
45
California College of the Arts crest
California College of the Arts
San Francisco, California
46
MMC crest
Marymount Manhattan College
New York, New York
47
48
49
VCFA crest
Vermont College of Fine Arts
Montpelier, Vermont
50

Rest of the Top 15% Colleges in Schools Highly Focused on Film Major

While not in the ‘top 50’, these schools make the top 15% of this year’s ranking:

Rank College Location
51 Occidental College Los Angeles, CA
52 Pratt Institute - Main Brooklyn, NY
53 Wheaton College Massachusetts Norton, MA
54 The Art Institute of Austin Austin, TX
55 Fairleigh Dickinson University - Florham Campus Madison, NJ
56 Pacific Northwest College of Art Portland, OR
57 Ringling College of Art and Design Sarasota, FL
58 Wesleyan University Middletown, CT
59 AI Miami International University of Art and Design Miami, FL
60 Biola University La Mirada, CA
61 Minneapolis College of Art and Design Minneapolis, MN
62 Greenfield Community College Greenfield, MA
63 Cornish College of the Arts Seattle, WA
64 Stephens College Columbia, MO
65 Point Park University Pittsburgh, PA
Rank College Location
66 Huntington University Huntington, IN
67 Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY
68 College for Creative Studies Detroit, MI
69 DePaul University Chicago, IL
70 Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA
71 Fitchburg State University Fitchburg, MA
72 The New School New York, NY
73 John Brown University Siloam Springs, AR
74 Lycoming College Williamsport, PA
75 Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NY
76 Whitman College Walla Walla, WA
77 Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZ
78 Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NY
79 San Francisco State University San Francisco, CA
80 Lawrence University Appleton, WI
81 Hollins University Roanoke, VA
82 Dillard University New Orleans, LA
83 Asbury University Wilmore, KY
84 Bard College at Simon’s Rock Great Barrington, MA
85 University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

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