Top Ranked Film Universities in United States

Students interested in writing, producing and directing films can find many undergraduate and graduate degrees in film studies or filmmaking, often with concentrations in areas such as cinematography, postproduction editing, sound design or screenwriting. Keep reading for more information on the top-ranked film schools in the U.S.

View 8 Popular Schools »

Top Film Schools

1. Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University (FSU) is a public research university that enrolled 40,383 students during the 2010 Fall semester. The university was ranked 47th among the U.S. News & World Report's Top Public Schools in 2011. FSU's faculty is comprised of two Nobel Laureates and two Pulitzer Prize winners. At the Film School, instructors have received 12 nominations and earned two Academy Awards.

FSU's College of Motion Picture Arts offers a number of degrees in film. Undergraduates can earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Production, a BFA in Animation and Digital Arts or a minor in film studies. Graduate degrees consist of a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Production and an MFA in Writing. The school also offers the graduate, non-degree-granting Torchlight Program, which provides students with education and internship opportunities in film business.

2. New York University in New York, NY

Founded in 1831, this private university's main campus is located in Greenwich Village, which was once home to some of the nation's most well-known artists. In 2011, the Princeton Review listed the college as a Best Northeastern College.

Within the Tisch School of the Arts, the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film and Television offers students a BFA in Film and Television, an MFA in Filmmaking or dual Master of Business Administration/Master of Fine Arts (MBA/MFA) in Producing. Additionally, the Skirball Center for New Media offers a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies.

3. University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA

In 2011, the University of Southern California (USC), a private research institution, was ranked 23rd among national universities by U.S. News & World Report. USC's School of Cinematic Arts offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in film and television production, film and television writing, film studies and producing.

Both retired and practicing directors, writers, editors, producers and other filmmaking professionals make up the school's film faculty. This film school provides numerous state-of-the-art production centers, including sound and scoring stages, digital arts and animation studios, and editing rooms.

List of Ten Good Film Universities in the United States

College/University Name Distinction Location
Boston University Offers the student-run Hothouse Productions company Boston, MA
California Institute of the Arts Joint program at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City Valencia, CA
Columbia University Master of Fine Arts with a creative producing concentration New York, NY
Florida State University Alumni earned the most Student Oscars and College Television Awards in a single year Tallahassee, FL
New York University Six nominations for the 2011 Student Academy Awards New York, NY
Temple University Los Angeles internship program open to undergraduate and graduate students Philadelphia, PA
University of California - Los Angeles Offers an MFA in Cinematography program Los Angeles, CA
University of North Carolina School of the Arts The MFA program includes a concentration in film music composition Winston-Salem, NC
University of Southern California Includes the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts for film students Los Angeles, CA
University of Texas - Austin The city sponsors several internationally known film festivals Austin, TX
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8 Popular Schools

  • Minimum eligibility requirements:
    • Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
    School locations:
    • Online Learning
    • Florida (1 campus)

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  • Minimum eligibility requirements:
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  • Minimum eligibility requirements:
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    School locations:
    • Florida (1 campus)
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  • Minimum eligibility requirements:
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    School locations:
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    Classroom-Based Programs

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  • School locations:
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    • Arizona (2 campuses)
    • California (8)
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    • Florida (4)
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    Online and Classroom-Based Programs

    • Master
        • Master in Film
    • Bachelor
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        • Associate in Digital Filmmaking & Video Production
        • Associate of Arts in Photographic Imaging
        • Associate of Science - Video Production
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        • Associate in Audio Production
    • Non-Degree
        • Certificate in Audio Production
        • Certificate in Photography
        • Certificate in Digital Workflow
        • Certificate in Portrait Photography
        • Certificate in Studio Photography
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  • Minimum eligibility requirements:
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Other Schools:

  • School locations:
    • New York (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at Syracuse University include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Non-Degree: Certificate
      • Post Degree Certificate: Post Master's Certificate, Postbaccalaureate Certificate
      • Undergraduate: Associate, Bachelor
    • Visual and Performing Arts
      • Design and Applied Arts
      • Drama and Theatre Arts
      • Fine Arts and Studio Art
      • Musical Arts
      • Photography, Film, and Video
        • Cinematography and Film Production
        • Photography
  • School locations:
    • Iowa (1 campus)
    Areas of study you may find at University of Iowa include:
      • Graduate: Doctorate, First Professional Degree, Master
      • Undergraduate: Bachelor
    • Visual and Performing Arts
      • Dance
      • Drama and Theatre Arts
      • Fine Arts and Studio Art
      • Musical Arts
      • Photography, Film, and Video
        • Cinematography and Film Production
        • Film and Cinema Studies

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