Many aspiring filmmakers worry about the cost of film school, but a cheaper price tag doesn't equal a lower quality education. Before you give up on your dream to study filmmaking, consider these nationally celebrated, highly affordable film schools that offer BA, BFA, and BS programs – including one Ivy League that provides free tuition for eligible students.
FilmSchool.org ranked these film school programs according to base tuition, room and board (for on-campus housing), the cost of living (including food and average rent for off-campus housing), community-based opportunities for filmmakers and film students, and reputation.
FSU CMPA regularly tops the ranks on FilmSchool.org for its outstanding quality of education and commitment to affordability. The film school enrolls only 215 BFA and MFA students annually taught by award-winning faculty. In 2021, filmmaker-in-residence Valerie Scoon was nominated for a 2021 Suncoast Regional Emmy Award® for her stunning documentary Invisible History: Middle Florida’s Hidden Roots.
FSU CMPA also receives praise for its far-reaching and accomplished alumni network, and its opportunities for underrepresented filmmakers. In 2020, FSU CMPA implemented a Diverse Voices in Cinema Grant and an Equity Scholarship.
The annual tuition costs $6,466 for Florida residents and $21,683 for non-Florida residents. Film equipment costs $350 for the academic year. Tallahassee’s cost of living is also 4% below the national average, according to Payscale. In addition, room and board per semester are only $3,510 for a shared suite or $3,970 for a single suite.
To learn how you can increase your chances of studying undergraduate film at FSU CMPA, read our exclusive interview with Paige Roberts, Head of Admissions.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to FSU CMPA in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
CSUN CTVA is located less than 40 minutes outside of Hollywood. It combines state-of-the-art facilities with high affordability. CSUN is also home to the Gallery of Film Poster Art, the largest and most comprehensive collection of film posters at a university in America. In 2020, CSUN CTVA alumni Arielle Kilker and Ryan Mallick received Emmy Awards for their work on RuPaul’s Drag Race and Cheer, respectively.
California residents taking seven-plus units per semester pay $7,314 in tuition per year, while non-California residents pay $10,086. CSUN's excellent location and lower cost of living also make it an excellent choice for cost-conscious undergraduate film students.
RentCafe calls Northridge the “the jewel of the San Fernando Valley" for good reason: the median household income is $68,000 and a one bedroom typically rents for $1,894 per month. Room and board for on-campus students only costs $5,924 per semester ( $1,481 per month).
The CTVA Scholarships and Awards Committee reviews scholarships in the spring of each academic year. Film school students are eligible for The Hollywood Foreign Press Association Film Scholarship, Abraham L. Polonsky Undergraduate Award in Screenwriting, and the Dean’s Award (exclusive to freshmen and juniors). Scholarships valued at $1,000 or more are distributed between the spring and fall semesters.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to CSUN CTVA in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
UNCSA School of Filmmaking in the School of the Arts is the underrated gem of East Coast film schools. In 2021, The Wrap ranked the School of Filmmaking no. 10 in its annual list of the top 50 film schools in America. The low cost of living combined with a rigorous conservatory setting make UNCSA a great choice for undergraduate film students eager to cut costs.
North Carolina’s film industry has also been making a comeback over the last year, with a record high of $416 million spent on in-state movie and television productions. UNCSA School of Filmmaking offers a BFA in Filmmaking across several concentrations and fully funds students' films. Thanks to the leadership of Dean Susan Ruskin, UNCSA's film program has grown by 23% in the past decade yet class sizes remain small. Undergraduate film students enjoy an on-campus movie lot and access to outstanding equipment; the university replicates the experience of studying in Los Angeles without the high price tag.
North Carolina residents pay $6,497 in tuition per year, while non-North Carolina residents pay $23,731. Equipment fees are slightly steep at $1,495 for the academic year, but film students enjoy unlimited access. Room and board are $4,200 annually for a shared suite, while a single occupancy suite is $4,800. The university also implemented a fixed tuition program to ensure that its undergraduate film program remains accessible for years to come.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UNCSA in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
Brooklyn College is excellent for undergraduate film school students interested in taking advantage of New York’s independent film scene while watching their budgets. The film school offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines intensive academic study with hands-on learning. Plus, the program connects undergraduate students to leaders in the industry. In spring 2022, Steven Speilberg talked about his feature film, West Side Story, in a semester-long educational series West Side Story: The Brooklyn Connection.
In 2021, Intelligent.com also named Brooklyn College VMPA the no. 1 Most Affordable film program in America in its annual list of the top 50 film degree programs.
For New York residents taking a full course load (12-plus credits), tuition is a steal at $3,465 per semester. Non-residents pay an extra $620 on each credit and owe $10,095 in tuition per semester. Room and board for all undergraduate film students costs $13,718 per year. CUNY Brooklyn offers excellent financial aid and 600-plus scholarships to help support students who need extra support. However, the trade-off to spending less is larger class sizes.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to Brooklyn College in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
View film school 323
UA TFT was ranked 27th on The Wrap’s annual list of the top 50 film schools in America. Notably, alumnus Scott Stuber became Head of Netflix Films and earned 60 Oscar nominations from 2019-21. Regular film screenings are open to the public, including senior thesis films. Alumni include John Matter (Post-Production Sound Editor — Game of Thrones, Grimm, CSI), and Jenny Faville (Coordinator in the Motions Picture Department at Worldwide Production Agency).
UA TFT is a steal for students who can establish Arizona residency. Fall and spring tuition costs $12,700 for residents and $37,200 for non-Arizona residents. Find out how to become a resident of Arizona and save thousands on your BFA film degree. Tuscon’s costs of living are also 20% lower than the national average. Each year, undergraduate students can expect to spend $13,650 for on-campus housing and only $11,100 for off-campus housing. Learn about other program costs and fees here.
UA TFT encourages students to fill out the FAFSA (Federal Application for Financial Student Aid), in addition to SFT program-specific scholarships. Freshmen, transfers, and change-of-majors are automatically considered for undergraduate scholarships.
Lower-division film students are considered for the J. Michael Gillette Scholarship, and upper division film students are considered for the Mark Corwin Memorial Film & Television Scholarship. Read the complete list on the official UV scholarships page.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UA TFT in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
Ranked 29th in The Wrap’s annual list of the top 50 film schools in America, San Francisco State University School of Cinema proves that the film industry is not limited to Los Angeles and Southern California. Their motto “One world. Many voices” reflects a longstanding commitment to equity and diversity and roots in “the political activism and artistic experimentation of the 1960s.” Alumni include Academy Award winner Christopher Boyes (Best Achievement in Sound Mixing for King Kong and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) and multi-award winner Delroy Linda (Da 5 Bloods, The Chicago Code).
Funding is plentiful, and BA students receive a high-quality education at a reasonable sticker price. In 2018, San Francisco State University received its largest endowment in history — $25 million from alumni George and Judy Marcus. This endowment goes to several department-specific scholarships, like the Gordon Thomas Scholarship for upper-division animation students.
California residents taking seven units or more per semester pay $7,484 in tuition, while non-residents pay $10,256. The real hang-up for many students is the cost of living. The Bay Area is one of the most expensive areas in the country: on-campus students pay $15,680 for room and board each year and off-campus students pay $18,270 or more. However, the university offers financial aid and additional support to undocumented and/or mixed-race families through its Dream Resource Center.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to SF State SC in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
UT Austin is considered the best university in the Lone Star state — and year after year, its film program in Moody College of Communication's Department of Radio-Television-Film earns national recognition for its excellence. In 2020, UT Austin ranked no. 11 on The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of the top 25 film schools in America, and Variety included the Southwestern film school in its list of the top 30 North American film schools for 2022.
Instructors in Moody College RTF teach undergraduate students the ins and outs of filmmaking and film analysis. In March 2022, Assistant Professor Iliana Sosa captured an SXSW award for her documentary What We Leave Behind. Alumni include Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club, Killer Joe, The Lincoln Lawyer) and award-winning director Mark Dennis (Strings).
UT Austin sets up students for success without unnecessary expenses. Pre-thesis films receive up to $1,000 in funding while thesis films receive $7,000 in funding. Room and board cost $6,384 per semester. The UTLA program allows BS students to spend a semester in Los Angeles without paying additional tuition.
Attending UT Austin for undergraduate film is highly affordable for Texas residents: tuition costs only $5,615 per semester whereas non-residents pay $19,878 in tuition per semester. All undergraduate students receive a tuition discount of 15% for the summer semester.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UT Austin in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
Peck School of the Arts receives praise from The Hollywood Reporter and other noteworthy organizations for its high-quality, high-value film training programs. Undergraduates can major in Film (BFA) or Animation (BA). Intelligent.com ranked UW-Milwaukee PSA as the Best Multidisciplinary Program in their annual list of the top 50 film programs in the country. Its BFA film program takes “a holistic approach” to preparing rising filmmakers to work in the industry.
Milwaukee may seem far removed from Hollywood, but the city combines affordability with a robust local film scene. UW-Milwaukee's Union Cinema theatre hosts the annual Milwaukee Film Festival. The Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance and Milwaukee LGBT Film Festival (presented by UWM) also give student filmmakers the chance to network and screen their films.
UW-Milwaukee's Midwest exchange program allows students from Illinois, Minnesota, and surrounding states to save over $5,000 on out-of-state tuition. Minnesota residents pay $9,610 per semester in tuition, while non-residents pay $21,475. BFA and BA undergraduate film students are encouraged to apply for university-wide aid grants, loans, and work-study. In 2019-2020, Peck School of the Arts distributed $22,000 in scholarships.
Learn about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
UNO prides itself on being the only film program in the New Orleans metropolitan area accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Their undergraduate film program offers Film Arts and Theatre Arts tracks. Film Arts touches on every aspect of the business while underscoring production, post-production, and beginning acting.
UNO has the best value theatre program in Louisiana, according to College Factual. Film students are in no short supply for talented student actors. UNO filmmakers have also appeared on the awards circuit. In 2021, four alumni screened their films at the Sundance Film Festival, while two alumni showed off their producing skills by screening their film at the internationally recognized Tribeca Film Festival.
Tuition is highly affordable for all undergraduates: Louisiana residents pay $9,354 per academic year, while non-residents pay $14,190. Room and board in a 4-bedroom shared suite costs $5,950 per academic year.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UNO in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
Innovation is the name of the game at ASU, a university well-known for its commitment to delivering top-quality courses at an excellent value. The Sidney Poitier New American Film School is no exception. Unlike other film schools, undergraduates can earn a Film and Media Production BFA or a Film Practices BA. According to student surveys, the BA has helped students become camera operators, talent directors, and producers. On the other hand, the BFA has helped students become artful storytellers as editors, directors, and videographers.
ASU offers countless scholarships and awards for Fine Arts students. The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Scholarships offers numerous awards. SPNAFS students can apply to the program-specific Vision and Voice and GG&B Scholarships. ASU also provides a Foster Youth tuition waiver to support foster youth by lowering the annual tuition. Film students from racially diverse and/or low-income backgrounds can apply to become Barack Obama Scholars and receive up to $28,091 in additional funding per year.
Arizona residents pay $10,710 per year in tuition, while non-residents pay $28,800. Room and board costs $14,398 per year for all undergraduate film students. After federal aid and university-based awards, the average ASU student pays only $2,200 for the total cost of attendance per year.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to ASU SPNAFS in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
Columbia University is widely known for its prestigious film MFA programs, but its BA in Film and Media Studies is an excellent option for undergraduates who want to master the critical analysis of film and core elements of filmmaking. BA alumni include J. Sean Smith ‘16 (CC), a winner of the 2021 Gotham Awards, and Peier Tracy Shen ’17 (CC), who in 2021 became featured in the debut film anthology Who Will Start Another Fire.
The Columbia School of General Studies, which houses the BA in Film and Media Studies, offers free tuition, but only for a select number of undergraduate arts and humanities students. To qualify, families need to earn under $150,000 annually. But families earning up to $250,000 may still receive financial aid. Use the university’s affordability calculator to predict if you'll receive free tuition.
Take note: Attending Columbia University to study film means you may have to budget. New York’s cost of living is 187% above the national average and room and board is $16,156 per year, only second to the Bay Area. Families that make more than $150,000 per year typically contribute to the annual tuition of $65,524 aside from additional expenses. Before you apply, read FilmSchool.org's guide on how to get into Columbia University to find out important dates and deadlines and the ins and outs of its BA in Film and Media Studies.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to Columbia in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
View film school 321
Earning your Bachelor’s degree from an affordable film school is one of the best ways to break into the industry. From mastering your voice as a filmmaker to developing invaluable industry connections, you’ll walk away with all the tools you need for success.
Have you applied to a budget-friendly undergraduate film program? Don’t forget to add your data to the FilmSchool.org Application Database. By sharing your application, you can help thousands of filmmakers get into their dream schools.
Do you know of another affordable film program? Be sure to leave a comment below about which affordable film school you think is best!
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FilmSchool.org ranked these film school programs according to base tuition, room and board (for on-campus housing), the cost of living (including food and average rent for off-campus housing), community-based opportunities for filmmakers and film students, and reputation.
Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts
FSU CMPA also receives praise for its far-reaching and accomplished alumni network, and its opportunities for underrepresented filmmakers. In 2020, FSU CMPA implemented a Diverse Voices in Cinema Grant and an Equity Scholarship.
The annual tuition costs $6,466 for Florida residents and $21,683 for non-Florida residents. Film equipment costs $350 for the academic year. Tallahassee’s cost of living is also 4% below the national average, according to Payscale. In addition, room and board per semester are only $3,510 for a shared suite or $3,970 for a single suite.
To learn how you can increase your chances of studying undergraduate film at FSU CMPA, read our exclusive interview with Paige Roberts, Head of Admissions.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to FSU CMPA in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
Florida State University - College of Motion Picture Arts
Extending well beyond the boundaries of field production, effective filmmaking requires research, planning, collaboration, dedication, both technical and business savvy and most importantly, an inspired story. The Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts has designed a Production...
- Category: Florida
California State University Northridge School of Cinema and Television Arts
CSUN CTVA is located less than 40 minutes outside of Hollywood. It combines state-of-the-art facilities with high affordability. CSUN is also home to the Gallery of Film Poster Art, the largest and most comprehensive collection of film posters at a university in America. In 2020, CSUN CTVA alumni Arielle Kilker and Ryan Mallick received Emmy Awards for their work on RuPaul’s Drag Race and Cheer, respectively.
California residents taking seven-plus units per semester pay $7,314 in tuition per year, while non-California residents pay $10,086. CSUN's excellent location and lower cost of living also make it an excellent choice for cost-conscious undergraduate film students.
RentCafe calls Northridge the “the jewel of the San Fernando Valley" for good reason: the median household income is $68,000 and a one bedroom typically rents for $1,894 per month. Room and board for on-campus students only costs $5,924 per semester ( $1,481 per month).
The CTVA Scholarships and Awards Committee reviews scholarships in the spring of each academic year. Film school students are eligible for The Hollywood Foreign Press Association Film Scholarship, Abraham L. Polonsky Undergraduate Award in Screenwriting, and the Dean’s Award (exclusive to freshmen and juniors). Scholarships valued at $1,000 or more are distributed between the spring and fall semesters.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to CSUN CTVA in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
Cal State Northridge (CSUN) - Department of Cinema of Television Arts
With seven programs of study, CTVA offers unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional training in a richly diverse environment.
Our faculty bring extensive professional experience to the classrooms, studios and labs, and are committed to instilling the knowledge, expertise...
- Reviews: 2
- Questions: 1
- Category: California
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
UNCSA School of Filmmaking in the School of the Arts is the underrated gem of East Coast film schools. In 2021, The Wrap ranked the School of Filmmaking no. 10 in its annual list of the top 50 film schools in America. The low cost of living combined with a rigorous conservatory setting make UNCSA a great choice for undergraduate film students eager to cut costs.
North Carolina’s film industry has also been making a comeback over the last year, with a record high of $416 million spent on in-state movie and television productions. UNCSA School of Filmmaking offers a BFA in Filmmaking across several concentrations and fully funds students' films. Thanks to the leadership of Dean Susan Ruskin, UNCSA's film program has grown by 23% in the past decade yet class sizes remain small. Undergraduate film students enjoy an on-campus movie lot and access to outstanding equipment; the university replicates the experience of studying in Los Angeles without the high price tag.
North Carolina residents pay $6,497 in tuition per year, while non-North Carolina residents pay $23,731. Equipment fees are slightly steep at $1,495 for the academic year, but film students enjoy unlimited access. Room and board are $4,200 annually for a shared suite, while a single occupancy suite is $4,800. The university also implemented a fixed tuition program to ensure that its undergraduate film program remains accessible for years to come.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UNCSA in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
University of North Carolina - School of the Arts
In your first two years at UNCSA, you will direct and shoot as many as six digital films as you take hands-on courses in every facet of modern film
- Reviews: 2
- Questions: 1
- Category: North Carolina
CUNY – Brooklyn College School of Visual, Media and Performing Arts
Brooklyn College is excellent for undergraduate film school students interested in taking advantage of New York’s independent film scene while watching their budgets. The film school offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines intensive academic study with hands-on learning. Plus, the program connects undergraduate students to leaders in the industry. In spring 2022, Steven Speilberg talked about his feature film, West Side Story, in a semester-long educational series West Side Story: The Brooklyn Connection.
In 2021, Intelligent.com also named Brooklyn College VMPA the no. 1 Most Affordable film program in America in its annual list of the top 50 film degree programs.
For New York residents taking a full course load (12-plus credits), tuition is a steal at $3,465 per semester. Non-residents pay an extra $620 on each credit and owe $10,095 in tuition per semester. Room and board for all undergraduate film students costs $13,718 per year. CUNY Brooklyn offers excellent financial aid and 600-plus scholarships to help support students who need extra support. However, the trade-off to spending less is larger class sizes.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to Brooklyn College in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
View film school 323
University of Arizona School of Theatre, Film & Television
UA TFT was ranked 27th on The Wrap’s annual list of the top 50 film schools in America. Notably, alumnus Scott Stuber became Head of Netflix Films and earned 60 Oscar nominations from 2019-21. Regular film screenings are open to the public, including senior thesis films. Alumni include John Matter (Post-Production Sound Editor — Game of Thrones, Grimm, CSI), and Jenny Faville (Coordinator in the Motions Picture Department at Worldwide Production Agency).
UA TFT is a steal for students who can establish Arizona residency. Fall and spring tuition costs $12,700 for residents and $37,200 for non-Arizona residents. Find out how to become a resident of Arizona and save thousands on your BFA film degree. Tuscon’s costs of living are also 20% lower than the national average. Each year, undergraduate students can expect to spend $13,650 for on-campus housing and only $11,100 for off-campus housing. Learn about other program costs and fees here.
UA TFT encourages students to fill out the FAFSA (Federal Application for Financial Student Aid), in addition to SFT program-specific scholarships. Freshmen, transfers, and change-of-majors are automatically considered for undergraduate scholarships.
Lower-division film students are considered for the J. Michael Gillette Scholarship, and upper division film students are considered for the Mark Corwin Memorial Film & Television Scholarship. Read the complete list on the official UV scholarships page.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UA TFT in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
University of Arizona - The School of Theatre, Film & Television
The Film Production Division trains future directors, producers, screenwriters, cinematographers, editors, sound designers and other industry leaders with filmmaking courses taught by a faculty of internationally recognized and award-winning filmmakers. Alumni of the program work throughout the...
- Category: Arizona
San Francisco State University School of Cinema
Ranked 29th in The Wrap’s annual list of the top 50 film schools in America, San Francisco State University School of Cinema proves that the film industry is not limited to Los Angeles and Southern California. Their motto “One world. Many voices” reflects a longstanding commitment to equity and diversity and roots in “the political activism and artistic experimentation of the 1960s.” Alumni include Academy Award winner Christopher Boyes (Best Achievement in Sound Mixing for King Kong and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King) and multi-award winner Delroy Linda (Da 5 Bloods, The Chicago Code).
Funding is plentiful, and BA students receive a high-quality education at a reasonable sticker price. In 2018, San Francisco State University received its largest endowment in history — $25 million from alumni George and Judy Marcus. This endowment goes to several department-specific scholarships, like the Gordon Thomas Scholarship for upper-division animation students.
California residents taking seven units or more per semester pay $7,484 in tuition, while non-residents pay $10,256. The real hang-up for many students is the cost of living. The Bay Area is one of the most expensive areas in the country: on-campus students pay $15,680 for room and board each year and off-campus students pay $18,270 or more. However, the university offers financial aid and additional support to undocumented and/or mixed-race families through its Dream Resource Center.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to SF State SC in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
San Francisco State University (SFSU) - School of Cinema
Our faculty places a high premium on fostering the creative voice of the individual student. Although we teach the “rules” of fictional, documentary, experimental and interactive cinema using all media platforms – from 16mm celluloid to high definition digital video; from screenwriting to...
- Reviews: 2
- Category: California
The University of Texas at Austin Moody College of Communication (Department of Radio, Television and Film)
UT Austin is considered the best university in the Lone Star state — and year after year, its film program in Moody College of Communication's Department of Radio-Television-Film earns national recognition for its excellence. In 2020, UT Austin ranked no. 11 on The Hollywood Reporter’s annual list of the top 25 film schools in America, and Variety included the Southwestern film school in its list of the top 30 North American film schools for 2022.
Instructors in Moody College RTF teach undergraduate students the ins and outs of filmmaking and film analysis. In March 2022, Assistant Professor Iliana Sosa captured an SXSW award for her documentary What We Leave Behind. Alumni include Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club, Killer Joe, The Lincoln Lawyer) and award-winning director Mark Dennis (Strings).
UT Austin sets up students for success without unnecessary expenses. Pre-thesis films receive up to $1,000 in funding while thesis films receive $7,000 in funding. Room and board cost $6,384 per semester. The UTLA program allows BS students to spend a semester in Los Angeles without paying additional tuition.
Attending UT Austin for undergraduate film is highly affordable for Texas residents: tuition costs only $5,615 per semester whereas non-residents pay $19,878 in tuition per semester. All undergraduate students receive a tuition discount of 15% for the summer semester.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UT Austin in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
University of Texas at Austin - Department of Radio-Television-Film
Our undergraduate program is one of the most dynamic and highly regarded media programs in the country, and we take great pride in the impressive work done by our current students and alumni. Our undergraduates have won numerous awards at international, national, and regional film festivals, and...
- Reviews: 1
- Questions: 2
- Category: Texas
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts
Peck School of the Arts receives praise from The Hollywood Reporter and other noteworthy organizations for its high-quality, high-value film training programs. Undergraduates can major in Film (BFA) or Animation (BA). Intelligent.com ranked UW-Milwaukee PSA as the Best Multidisciplinary Program in their annual list of the top 50 film programs in the country. Its BFA film program takes “a holistic approach” to preparing rising filmmakers to work in the industry.
Milwaukee may seem far removed from Hollywood, but the city combines affordability with a robust local film scene. UW-Milwaukee's Union Cinema theatre hosts the annual Milwaukee Film Festival. The Milwaukee Filmmaker Alliance and Milwaukee LGBT Film Festival (presented by UWM) also give student filmmakers the chance to network and screen their films.
UW-Milwaukee's Midwest exchange program allows students from Illinois, Minnesota, and surrounding states to save over $5,000 on out-of-state tuition. Minnesota residents pay $9,610 per semester in tuition, while non-residents pay $21,475. BFA and BA undergraduate film students are encouraged to apply for university-wide aid grants, loans, and work-study. In 2019-2020, Peck School of the Arts distributed $22,000 in scholarships.
Learn about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts
Film, Video, Animation and New Genres at UW-Milwaukee earned recognition as one of Hollywood Reporter’s “Top 25 American Film Schools” and Variety’s “Best Film Schools” in 2017, 2018, and 2019 because of the program’s deep commitment to transforming students into expressive filmmakers with a...
- Category: Wisconsin
University of New Orleans School of the Arts
UNO prides itself on being the only film program in the New Orleans metropolitan area accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. Their undergraduate film program offers Film Arts and Theatre Arts tracks. Film Arts touches on every aspect of the business while underscoring production, post-production, and beginning acting.
UNO has the best value theatre program in Louisiana, according to College Factual. Film students are in no short supply for talented student actors. UNO filmmakers have also appeared on the awards circuit. In 2021, four alumni screened their films at the Sundance Film Festival, while two alumni showed off their producing skills by screening their film at the internationally recognized Tribeca Film Festival.
Tuition is highly affordable for all undergraduates: Louisiana residents pay $9,354 per academic year, while non-residents pay $14,190. Room and board in a 4-bedroom shared suite costs $5,950 per academic year.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to UNO in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
University of New Orleans School of the Arts
The Department of Film and Theatre houses a Bachelor of Arts degree where students can choose from two courses for study: Film Arts or Theatre Arts.
The Department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre. The Bachelor of Arts Degree is a four-year/120 credit hour degree...
- Category: Louisiana
Arizona State University Sidney Poitier New American Film School
Innovation is the name of the game at ASU, a university well-known for its commitment to delivering top-quality courses at an excellent value. The Sidney Poitier New American Film School is no exception. Unlike other film schools, undergraduates can earn a Film and Media Production BFA or a Film Practices BA. According to student surveys, the BA has helped students become camera operators, talent directors, and producers. On the other hand, the BFA has helped students become artful storytellers as editors, directors, and videographers.
ASU offers countless scholarships and awards for Fine Arts students. The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts Scholarships offers numerous awards. SPNAFS students can apply to the program-specific Vision and Voice and GG&B Scholarships. ASU also provides a Foster Youth tuition waiver to support foster youth by lowering the annual tuition. Film students from racially diverse and/or low-income backgrounds can apply to become Barack Obama Scholars and receive up to $28,091 in additional funding per year.
Arizona residents pay $10,710 per year in tuition, while non-residents pay $28,800. Room and board costs $14,398 per year for all undergraduate film students. After federal aid and university-based awards, the average ASU student pays only $2,200 for the total cost of attendance per year.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to ASU SPNAFS in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
Arizona State University - The Sidney Poitier New American Film School
The Sidney Poitier New American Film School inspires the next generation of diverse filmmakers and storytellers. Like Walter Cronkite and Sandra Day O’Connor, luminaries within their disciplines for whom ASU’s School of Journalism and College of Law are named respectively, Sidney Poitier is a...
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Columbia University School of the Arts
Columbia University is widely known for its prestigious film MFA programs, but its BA in Film and Media Studies is an excellent option for undergraduates who want to master the critical analysis of film and core elements of filmmaking. BA alumni include J. Sean Smith ‘16 (CC), a winner of the 2021 Gotham Awards, and Peier Tracy Shen ’17 (CC), who in 2021 became featured in the debut film anthology Who Will Start Another Fire.
The Columbia School of General Studies, which houses the BA in Film and Media Studies, offers free tuition, but only for a select number of undergraduate arts and humanities students. To qualify, families need to earn under $150,000 annually. But families earning up to $250,000 may still receive financial aid. Use the university’s affordability calculator to predict if you'll receive free tuition.
Take note: Attending Columbia University to study film means you may have to budget. New York’s cost of living is 187% above the national average and room and board is $16,156 per year, only second to the Bay Area. Families that make more than $150,000 per year typically contribute to the annual tuition of $65,524 aside from additional expenses. Before you apply, read FilmSchool.org's guide on how to get into Columbia University to find out important dates and deadlines and the ins and outs of its BA in Film and Media Studies.
Learn more about the total cost of attendance.
Currently, there aren’t enough applications to Columbia in FilmSchool.org's Application Database to provide an accurate estimated acceptance rate. If you’ve applied, click here to add your data.
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Earning your Bachelor’s degree from an affordable film school is one of the best ways to break into the industry. From mastering your voice as a filmmaker to developing invaluable industry connections, you’ll walk away with all the tools you need for success.
Have you applied to a budget-friendly undergraduate film program? Don’t forget to add your data to the FilmSchool.org Application Database. By sharing your application, you can help thousands of filmmakers get into their dream schools.
Do you know of another affordable film program? Be sure to leave a comment below about which affordable film school you think is best!
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