Having a tough time deciding between top-rated colleges and universities for your undergraduate film degree? Curious about whether you should pursue a BA, BS, or BFA in film? You’re not alone. America offers some of the best undergraduate film programs worldwide, and the film industry continues to expand outside of California. Today, it’s more realistic than ever before to study film outside of Hollywood while developing outstanding technical skills and a strong professional network.
Before you apply, take a look at our top 11 film undergraduate programs nationwide. Learn more about what your film schools of choice are known for, plus the cost of tuition and what you can expect in your courses.
The Undergraduate Film & Television department within the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television at NYU Tisch offers outstanding film training for undergraduates on the East Coast. Film students enjoy access to prolific filming locations in and around the Manhattan campus, plus independent film screenings and internships with major film and television studios. The university's emphasis on creativity, experimentation, and self-development shines through in the application process: Prospective students must provide a unique “tell us about yourselfie” portrait. To buffer the annual tuition of $66,388, students should apply for financial aid and scholarships. Alumni include director Talia Smith (Umama, winner of a Student Academy Award), writer-director-producer Wendy Calhoun (Empire, Nashville), and writer-director-producer M. Night Shyamalan (Knock At The Cabin, The Sixth Sense).
NYU Tisch offers four degree programs: a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television, a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Business/Film and Television, a BA in Cinema Studies, and a BFA in Dramatic Writing. Film courses in each degree program are divided into three stages: Fundamentals (freshman and sophomore years), Intermediate (junior year), and Advanced (senior year). The Core Production division requires the most coursework (four classes in total equalling 20 units). Film theory and criticism courses rotate each semester around changes in the film industry, and undergraduates are encouraged to take creative risks and an active role in mapping out their degree programs.
NYU Tisch’s Los Angeles Internship Program Summer transports undergraduates to the hub of the film industry. The Producing for Film and Television course and Media Internship both count towards the Tisch Minor in Producing, while the Media Internship satisfies the program-specific Craft requirement. Previous participants have interned for industry giants such as Disney, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Funny or Die.
FilmSchool.org user @anniewaits says: “My advisor was an editor for Spike Lee and now does documentaries for HBO. Definitely good for the name, better for the friendships and relationships you create and maintain for the next 20 years.”
Learn more about the application process and undergraduate degree requirements in FilmSchool.org's NYU Tisch application guide.
Columbia University School of the Arts
Columbia SOA's Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies Program combines film studies with hands-on filmmaking laboratories. Alumni include director Anna Boden (Captain Marvel, Half Nelson) and writer-director-producer Anna Wringer (Unorthodox).
Columbia's film program is open to undergraduate freshmen who successfully complete Introduction to Film and Media Studies (FILM UN1000) by the end of the year. In 2021, courses included Queer Cinema (GU4940), Topics in American Cinema: Cult (UN2190), and World Film Melodrama (GR4131). In addition, filmmaking laboratories were offered in Screenwriting, Fiction Filmmaking, and Writing Film Criticism.
If you want a diverse avenue of career opportunities, Columbia SOA helps rising filmmakers craft a strong toolbox of skills to work in film and adjacent industries. The film school is renowned for its history of producing noteworthy screenwriters and playwrights, and students graduate with a strong grasp on the fundamentals of compelling storytelling. The Hollywood Reporter consistently ranks Columbia SOA among the top five film schools in America for how its many high points, including writing classes that emulate a real writers' room and instruction on developing groundbreaking narrative films.
Undergraduate tuition is $60,087 per year. To offset the cost of attendance and high cost of living in New York City, Columbia University supplies generous financial aid. The average need-based grant for a Barnard College student is $46,836. Barnard College is exclusively for women, while other Columbia undergraduate students have access to $13 million in financial aid, some of which is available in scholarships. And students from households that earn less than $150,000 annually may be able to attend Columbia SOA for free.
Learn more about how to apply to Columbia University SOA for undergraduate film in FilmSchool.org's Columbia University SOA application guide.
Emerson’s Media Arts Production BA/BFA helps produce rising filmmakers, producers, and writers with a strong technical toolkit. The BFA track welcomes juniors with a 3.0 GPA or better and includes a one-year reel or portfolio project due by the end of the final semester. The Film Art Global BFA allows undergraduates to study film between Paris College of Art and Emerson College, in addition to completing one summer residency in the Netherlands. Both degree programs expose students to emerging trends in filmmaking, including games and virtual reality, along with anti-racist practices. Tuition for the Global Film BFA program costs $29,344 per year in year one, while tuition for the Media Arts Production BA/BFA costs $54,400 per year. To offset these expenses, Emerson offers a range of scholarships worth up to $40,000 per year.
Emerson’s satellite Los Angeles campus is particularly strong: The college's alumni network, also known as the “Emerson Mafia,” has left an undeniable mark on Hollywood. In addition to the Daniels, prolific alumni include music editor David Klotz (American Horror Story, Game of Thrones), writer-director Tony Yacenda (American Vandal, Dave) and writer-comedienne Jen Kirkman (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). Undergraduate film students can also pitch their ideas to industry leaders at Emerson LA’s annual PitchFest competition.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org member says: “I loved my time at Emerson. I was a Screenwriting concentration, and once I got to the level where I could really take writing classes, I sunk my teeth in. The key to Emerson is drive — you get out what you put in. Since [attending] Emerson I have had two internships and a job, all of which I got through the school. I also loved living in Boston for college. Students definitely come out prepared for the real world.”
In 2021, RISD earned a spot in Variety’s top 50 film schools and instructors from around the world thanks to its top-notch digital editing, sound production, and sound mixing studios. The Bachelor of Fine arts in Film/Video/Animation prepares undergraduates for diverse film careers and offers excellent networking opportunities. The film school is only an hour by car to Boston, the cornerstone of the Hollywood East.
RISD produces filmmakers honored at the Oscars, Cannes, and other prolific film awards worldwide. Alumni include cinematographer Robert Richardson (Aviator, Hugo), director-producer Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, My Own Private Idaho), and animator-director Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad). Undergraduate tuition costs $58,690 per year; RISD helps buffer the cost by offering 600-plus grants, awards, and fellowships.
Freshman year teaches undergraduate students how to master the essentials of design, drawing, art theory, and history. By sophomore year, students can emphasize in Animation, Live-Action, or Open Media. Juniors and seniors screen their films for the public at popular local festivals. The spring and fall semesters end with Open Studios that feature films-in-progress. RISD FAV is arguably the top choice for aspiring animators located in the Northern US: The film school's Animation track offers stop-action animation studios with the latest cameras and equipment, plus post-production Apple workstations.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org user says: “[RISD] was a great place to develop [my] style/voice, learn the basics of filmmaking, and explore different concepts. I definitely left with a sense of being a jack of all trades, which is great in some ways because it opens up a lot of weird, cool opportunities.”
UNSCA School of Filmmaking is located in Winston-Salemn, North Carolina. Despite being thousands of miles outside of Hollywood, this Southern film school is an excellent choice for undergraduates looking to save money while developing stellar portfolios. 2021, TheWrap ranked UNSCA no. 10 in its annual list of the top 50 film schools, and FilmSchool.org named UNSCA runner-up for Best Affordable BFA Film School in 2022. The conservatory film program offers an impressive seven bachelor's degrees in film: Animation, Cinematography, Directing, Picture Editing & Sound Design, Producing, Production Design & Visual Effects, and Screenwriting.
The first two years of the program emphasize film theory, screenwriting fundamentals, production design, and other technical filmmaking concepts; passing these courses opens the door to being formally accepted into the undergraduate film program. For example, at the end of sophomore year, a second portfolio review determines whether undergraduates are formally accepted into the Directing, Screenwriting, or Producing program. Each film degree follows a similar structure of first- and second-year portfolio reviews.
In-state tuition is highly affordable at $6,497 per year while out-of-state tuition costs slightly more at $23,731 per year. UNCSA's fixed tuition program ensures tuition remains as affordable as possible for all students.
FilmSchool.org user @Julia L. says: “Gaining [experience] is not just expected, it’s required. We must work at least 12 hours in production and 12 in the art department before the end of each semester. You interview with the upperclassmen before they hire you for jobs on [their] thesis films. Overall this school is small […], but those who have to know just how talented and skilled our students are.”
FilmSchool.org honored FSU CMPA as the Best Affordable BFA Film School in 2022 thanks to its roster of affordable, highly impressive film training programs. In-state tuition costs $23,790 each year while out-of-state tuition costs $38,036 each year. FSU CMPA alumni have taken Hollywood by storm in the last decade — think director-producer Barry Jenkins (Moonlight) and director Wes Ball (the Maze Runner series).
FSU CMPA undergraduate film students can major in Production or Animation and Digital Arts. Both BFA programs offer students a well-rounded education, with one year of general education classes and three years of intensive film study. It prizes mentorship opportunities made possible by a small student-to-faculty ratio. In 2021, The Hollywood Reporter named FSU CMPA no. 15 in its annual list of the 25 best film schools in America thanks to its innovative Torchlight Center for filmmakers, high-tech equipment, and outstanding networking opportunities.
Production students take on different crew positions while learning how to navigate the film industry. Animation and Digital Arts students master the basics of filmmaking in their first semester before focusing on storytelling in 3D. To learn more about attending FSU CMPA for film, read FilmSchoool.org's exclusive interview with Paige Roberts, head of admissions.
FilmSchool.org currently needs student reviews of FSU CMPA’s BFA film program. Visit this page to share your experience.
Recognized as one of the top fine arts colleges in the South, Savanna College of Art and Design offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television at its Atlanta and Savannah campuses. This BFA film program has strong artistic roots: Foundation Studies in freshman year requires Drawing I: Form and Space (DRAW 100) and Color: Theory and Application (DSGN 101). The highly creative curriculum is an excellent fit for undergraduates seeking careers in production design, editing, costume design, and cinematography, along with post-graduate film studies.
SCAD prides itself on balancing technical instruction with conceptual coursework. In 2015, the film school celebrated alumnus Joseph Katz winning a Student Emmy award for Adventure Katz. And in 2022, SCAD BFA graduates participated in five films nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards, including Dune and Spiderman: No Way Home. In addition, SCAD student films have been screened at Cannes Film Festival.
Georgia is also considered a rising hub for film on the East coast. In 2022, four major film companies unveiled a 30,000-square-foot production facility in Atlanta, one of which helps coordinate the Academy Awards. SCAD students and alumni can network and share their creations at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival and the Atlanta Film Festival. Undergraduate tuition costs $39,105 per year. Although scholarships are mostly merit-based, Georgia is also vastly more affordable for the average film student compared to Los Angeles and New York City.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org user says: “I really enjoyed my time here and appreciate the foundation classes we were required to take because they trained us to become artists, technically and conceptually.”
UT Austin Moody College of Communication offers a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film (RTF) in the Southwest’s premiere location for filmmakers and cinephiles. Film students enjoy the nationally recognized SXSW Film Festival, the Austin Film Festival, the annual Longhorn Denius Student Film Showcase, and more. The university supplies excellent equipment and an impressive eight dedicated color stations, five surround sound dubstages, and a 70x20 dedicated green screen. By the end of the program, students are better prepared for careers in not only the film industry, but also in game design and academia. UT Austin RTF alumni include director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Fantastic Mr. Fox) and director Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise trilogy).
Another major selling point for undergraduates is the affordable annual tuition of $11,230 for Texas residents and $39,756 for Texas non-residents. And the Longhorn Fixed Tuition program for undergraduates enrolling at UT Austin for the first time helps cut down costs across the four-year degree program.
UT Austin may be in the Southwest, but students are well-connected to central locations in the industry. The University of Texas Semester in Los Angeles program (UTLA) places undergraduate RTF students in the hub of the film industry. UTLA is open to all undergraduate majors and offers hands-on training at Hollywood internships and courses taught by industry professionals. RTF students have interned at the Producers Guild of America and major production studios behind major motio pictures, such as Color Force (American Crime Story, The Hunger Games trilogy). For students interested in independent filmmaking or filmmaking on the East Coast, RTF students can also pursue the University of Texas Semester in New York.
RTF students also have plenty of opportunities to network and grow their skills on the UT Austin campus by working at Texas Student Television (TSTV). TSTV is the only student-run, FCC-licensed, digitally broadcasting college television station in America and allows RTF students to experiment with directing, producing, writing, camerawork, and marketing. Many alumni got a boost from working at TSTV, including producer Paul M. Leonard (Battlestar Galactica, Defiance). For-credit internships in media studies in and around Austin are also highly encouraged.
CalArts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Video in Valencia, California, roughly 45 minutes by car from downtown Los Angeles. The film school's mission is to help students “think critically about their chosen mediums, and to guide their artistic growth as they experiment with different forms of cinematic expression.” Indie and arthouse lovers rejoice: FilmSchool.org students who attended CalArts can attest that CalArts’ curriculum emphasizes experimental and artistic filmmaking. Tuition for all undergraduates is $56,074 in 2023-2024.
Undergraduate film students have numerous opportunities to collaborate with graduate students and visiting artists. In the past, the Film and Video department hosted groundbreaking filmmakers such as director Lourdes Portillo (Missing Young Woman) and writer-director Chantal Akerman (Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles). Walt Disney founded the school in 1961, so it’s no surprise that CalArts ranks highly for animation. In 2019, CalArts alumni dominated the Academy Awards’ Best Animated Feature category with nominations for Ralph Breaks the Internet, Incredibles 2, and Spiderman: No Way Home.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org user says: “I learned a lot of filmmaking theory while at CalArts through watching making films and dissecting the filmmaking styles I liked and disliked. It was a formative three years that taught me a lot about filmmaking and the filmmaker I wanted to be.” (Photo: Rafael Hernandez)
FilmSchool.org named LMU SFTV runner-up for its Best Producing Program in 2022. The university also offers other noteworthy BA programs in Screenwriting; Animation; Film, TV, and Media studies; and Recording Arts for aspiring film composers. SFTV is situated on one of the most scenic campuses in the nation: Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach are less than a half hour away by car. Undergraduate tuition is $55,441 in 2023-2024.
LMU SFTV offers small undergraduate courses in a highly collaborative environment. Undergraduate film students take a hands-on approach to storytelling through film and retain full rights to their work. More than 400 partner companies provide internship opportunities and entry-level roles, and 83% of students find jobs six months after graduating
College is one of the best times to travel, and immersing yourself in a new culture can help you grow as a filmmaker and a person. LMU SFTV offers three exciting study abroad programs in filmmaking: International Documentary Program in Bonn, Germany; Screenwriting Program at the Budapest Film Academy in Budapest, Hungary; and SFTV Summer in Bologna, Italy. Each study abroad program exposes undergraduate film students to world-renowned film festivals and intensive workshops.
FilmSchool.org currently needs student reviews of LMU’s BA film programs. Visit this page to share your experience.
USC SCA is the oldest film program in America and offers arguably the strongest connections to Hollywood. It's also one of the most competitive with an acceptance rate of only 3% (compared to FilmSchool.org's member acceptance rate of 33%).For more than 90 years, USC SCA has helped emerging filmmakers develop essential skills underscored by advanced theoretical knowledge. By the end of sophomore year, students can master the basics of directing television, documentaries, and dramatic narratives to shift into hands-on coursework.
The SCA Network is notoriously tight-knit and filled with award-winning filmmakers, such as writer-producer Brett Baer (Happy Family, New Girl, 30 Rock), writer-director-producer Beau Bauman (The Umbrella Academy, Match) and most notably, writer-director-producer George Lucas (Star Wars, Indiana Jones). USC SCA graduates also dominated the 2021 Emmy Awards, with 40 nominees in all categories. The incredible success of its undergraduate and graduate alumni make the annual tuition of $63,468 a worthwhile investment.
FilmSchool.org user @JHD says: “By being an SCA student, numerous internship opportunities will arise. There is a weight to that title that provokes the image of a certain type of character who is diligent, knowledgeable, and always up to the task. The alumni network is full of impressive artists who are constantly working and looking to help out fellow Trojans. I greatly enjoyed my time at USC and SCA [and] wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
To help increase your chances of attending USC SCA for undergraduate film, read FilmSchool.org's exclusive interview with a USC SCA Admissions Officer.
Columbia College Chicago is located in one of the best spots for filmmakers in the country. In 2022, Condé Nast Traveler ranked Chicago the no. 1 best big city in America, and the city's film industry continues to see tremendous growth thanks to low production costs and dynamic film shoot locations. Columbia College Chicago offers three undergraduate degree programs: a Film and Television BA/BFA and a Documentary BA. Undergraduate film students can intern at studios such as Showtime Network, Metro Chicago, and Bigfoot Media and learn from industry professionals for an annual tuition of only $15,367. In the past three years, upwards of 20 alumni received Emmy nominations for major motion pictures and television series. Honorees include cinematographer Jeff Jur (for Bridgerton) and visual effects producer Phillip Hoffman (for The Umbrella Academy).
The university's Los Angeles program helps undergraduate film students expand their professional networks beyond the Midwest. Courses take are taught at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in the heart of Hollywood. Los Angeles Speakers Series (CINE 362) teaches the ins and outs of networking, while Advanced Topics: Negotiation for Film and Television (MEDI 382B) teaches rising filmmakers how to negotiate script deals and navigate production and distribution. Undergraduate students who want to specialize in screenwriting without getting their master's degree can also beef up their studies with a minor in Writing for Television and Video Production.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org user says:
"Columbia College Chicago is a great film school for many reasons: different levels of courses allows you to explore your preference for filmmaking step by step as well as teaching various aspects in film production process, so that you would gain [a lot] of experience and become a professional in terms of thinking and executing. Professors there are great as they do respect students' ideas and who you are, and as a big school with students from all over the world they respect all the cultural differences."
Did you earn your BA, BS or BFA from any of the film schools on our list? Be sure to log your application in our Application Database. We also encourage you to include a comment about what you found the most accurate or interesting from our ranking.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include the Southwest (UT Austin Moody College of Communications) and Emerson College.
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Before you apply, take a look at our top 11 film undergraduate programs nationwide. Learn more about what your film schools of choice are known for, plus the cost of tuition and what you can expect in your courses.
North
New York University Tisch School of The Arts
The Undergraduate Film & Television department within the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television at NYU Tisch offers outstanding film training for undergraduates on the East Coast. Film students enjoy access to prolific filming locations in and around the Manhattan campus, plus independent film screenings and internships with major film and television studios. The university's emphasis on creativity, experimentation, and self-development shines through in the application process: Prospective students must provide a unique “tell us about yourselfie” portrait. To buffer the annual tuition of $66,388, students should apply for financial aid and scholarships. Alumni include director Talia Smith (Umama, winner of a Student Academy Award), writer-director-producer Wendy Calhoun (Empire, Nashville), and writer-director-producer M. Night Shyamalan (Knock At The Cabin, The Sixth Sense).
NYU Tisch offers four degree programs: a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television, a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Business/Film and Television, a BA in Cinema Studies, and a BFA in Dramatic Writing. Film courses in each degree program are divided into three stages: Fundamentals (freshman and sophomore years), Intermediate (junior year), and Advanced (senior year). The Core Production division requires the most coursework (four classes in total equalling 20 units). Film theory and criticism courses rotate each semester around changes in the film industry, and undergraduates are encouraged to take creative risks and an active role in mapping out their degree programs.
NYU Tisch’s Los Angeles Internship Program Summer transports undergraduates to the hub of the film industry. The Producing for Film and Television course and Media Internship both count towards the Tisch Minor in Producing, while the Media Internship satisfies the program-specific Craft requirement. Previous participants have interned for industry giants such as Disney, 3 Arts Entertainment, and Funny or Die.
FilmSchool.org user @anniewaits says: “My advisor was an editor for Spike Lee and now does documentaries for HBO. Definitely good for the name, better for the friendships and relationships you create and maintain for the next 20 years.”
Learn more about the application process and undergraduate degree requirements in FilmSchool.org's NYU Tisch application guide.
NYU Tisch Kanbar Institute of Film & Television
As one of the best film schools on the East coast, the Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & Television at New York University Tisch School of the Arts gives film students the chance to turn iconic landscapes into low-budget film shoots and connect with world-renowned industry players.
In 2022...
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- Category: New York
Columbia University School of the Arts
Columbia SOA's Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies Program combines film studies with hands-on filmmaking laboratories. Alumni include director Anna Boden (Captain Marvel, Half Nelson) and writer-director-producer Anna Wringer (Unorthodox).
Columbia's film program is open to undergraduate freshmen who successfully complete Introduction to Film and Media Studies (FILM UN1000) by the end of the year. In 2021, courses included Queer Cinema (GU4940), Topics in American Cinema: Cult (UN2190), and World Film Melodrama (GR4131). In addition, filmmaking laboratories were offered in Screenwriting, Fiction Filmmaking, and Writing Film Criticism.
If you want a diverse avenue of career opportunities, Columbia SOA helps rising filmmakers craft a strong toolbox of skills to work in film and adjacent industries. The film school is renowned for its history of producing noteworthy screenwriters and playwrights, and students graduate with a strong grasp on the fundamentals of compelling storytelling. The Hollywood Reporter consistently ranks Columbia SOA among the top five film schools in America for how its many high points, including writing classes that emulate a real writers' room and instruction on developing groundbreaking narrative films.
Undergraduate tuition is $60,087 per year. To offset the cost of attendance and high cost of living in New York City, Columbia University supplies generous financial aid. The average need-based grant for a Barnard College student is $46,836. Barnard College is exclusively for women, while other Columbia undergraduate students have access to $13 million in financial aid, some of which is available in scholarships. And students from households that earn less than $150,000 annually may be able to attend Columbia SOA for free.
Learn more about how to apply to Columbia University SOA for undergraduate film in FilmSchool.org's Columbia University SOA application guide.
Columbia University's School of the Arts
In 2022, Columbia University SOA was ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the no. 6 best global university. Its Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies Program combines film studies with hands-on filmmaking laboratories. Alumni include director Anna Boden (Captain Marvel, Half Nelson) and...
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- Category: New York
Emerson College
Located in the heart of Boston, Emerson College offers undergraduates the full experience: vibrant filmmaking courses, a robust urban campus surrounded by iconic shooting locations, and the opportunity to take film courses worldwide. In 2022, TheWrap ranked Emerson College no. 7 in its annual list of the top 50 film schools. And in 2023, Emerson College made headlines by winning the Oscars thanks to Daniel Kwan (’10) and Daniel Scheinert's (’09) surreal, smash-hit film Everything Everywhere All At Once. The Daniels’ success as writers, directors, and producers speaks to Emerson College’s artistic and experimental foundations — undergraduate film students are encouraged to work hard and think outside the box.Emerson’s Media Arts Production BA/BFA helps produce rising filmmakers, producers, and writers with a strong technical toolkit. The BFA track welcomes juniors with a 3.0 GPA or better and includes a one-year reel or portfolio project due by the end of the final semester. The Film Art Global BFA allows undergraduates to study film between Paris College of Art and Emerson College, in addition to completing one summer residency in the Netherlands. Both degree programs expose students to emerging trends in filmmaking, including games and virtual reality, along with anti-racist practices. Tuition for the Global Film BFA program costs $29,344 per year in year one, while tuition for the Media Arts Production BA/BFA costs $54,400 per year. To offset these expenses, Emerson offers a range of scholarships worth up to $40,000 per year.
Emerson’s satellite Los Angeles campus is particularly strong: The college's alumni network, also known as the “Emerson Mafia,” has left an undeniable mark on Hollywood. In addition to the Daniels, prolific alumni include music editor David Klotz (American Horror Story, Game of Thrones), writer-director Tony Yacenda (American Vandal, Dave) and writer-comedienne Jen Kirkman (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). Undergraduate film students can also pitch their ideas to industry leaders at Emerson LA’s annual PitchFest competition.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org member says: “I loved my time at Emerson. I was a Screenwriting concentration, and once I got to the level where I could really take writing classes, I sunk my teeth in. The key to Emerson is drive — you get out what you put in. Since [attending] Emerson I have had two internships and a job, all of which I got through the school. I also loved living in Boston for college. Students definitely come out prepared for the real world.”
Emerson College (BA/BFA)
At Emerson’s Department of Visual and Media Arts, the process of transforming your vision into reality is fast-paced, exciting, and rewarding. You’ll dive right in and start working with talented mentors, collaborators, and crew members from day one.
We're all about learning by doing. Is your...
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- Category: Massachusetts
Rhode Island School of Design
In 2021, RISD earned a spot in Variety’s top 50 film schools and instructors from around the world thanks to its top-notch digital editing, sound production, and sound mixing studios. The Bachelor of Fine arts in Film/Video/Animation prepares undergraduates for diverse film careers and offers excellent networking opportunities. The film school is only an hour by car to Boston, the cornerstone of the Hollywood East.
RISD produces filmmakers honored at the Oscars, Cannes, and other prolific film awards worldwide. Alumni include cinematographer Robert Richardson (Aviator, Hugo), director-producer Gus Van Sant (Good Will Hunting, My Own Private Idaho), and animator-director Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad). Undergraduate tuition costs $58,690 per year; RISD helps buffer the cost by offering 600-plus grants, awards, and fellowships.
Freshman year teaches undergraduate students how to master the essentials of design, drawing, art theory, and history. By sophomore year, students can emphasize in Animation, Live-Action, or Open Media. Juniors and seniors screen their films for the public at popular local festivals. The spring and fall semesters end with Open Studios that feature films-in-progress. RISD FAV is arguably the top choice for aspiring animators located in the Northern US: The film school's Animation track offers stop-action animation studios with the latest cameras and equipment, plus post-production Apple workstations.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org user says: “[RISD] was a great place to develop [my] style/voice, learn the basics of filmmaking, and explore different concepts. I definitely left with a sense of being a jack of all trades, which is great in some ways because it opens up a lot of weird, cool opportunities.”
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
In Film/Animation/Video students explore the art of the moving image, learning to master the tools needed to articulate a creative vision, whether using film, animation, installations, interactive media or a combination. FAV professors support the investigation of the technical, aesthetic and...
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- Category: Rhode Island
South
University of North Carolina School of the Arts
UNSCA School of Filmmaking is located in Winston-Salemn, North Carolina. Despite being thousands of miles outside of Hollywood, this Southern film school is an excellent choice for undergraduates looking to save money while developing stellar portfolios. 2021, TheWrap ranked UNSCA no. 10 in its annual list of the top 50 film schools, and FilmSchool.org named UNSCA runner-up for Best Affordable BFA Film School in 2022. The conservatory film program offers an impressive seven bachelor's degrees in film: Animation, Cinematography, Directing, Picture Editing & Sound Design, Producing, Production Design & Visual Effects, and Screenwriting.
The first two years of the program emphasize film theory, screenwriting fundamentals, production design, and other technical filmmaking concepts; passing these courses opens the door to being formally accepted into the undergraduate film program. For example, at the end of sophomore year, a second portfolio review determines whether undergraduates are formally accepted into the Directing, Screenwriting, or Producing program. Each film degree follows a similar structure of first- and second-year portfolio reviews.
In-state tuition is highly affordable at $6,497 per year while out-of-state tuition costs slightly more at $23,731 per year. UNCSA's fixed tuition program ensures tuition remains as affordable as possible for all students.
FilmSchool.org user @Julia L. says: “Gaining [experience] is not just expected, it’s required. We must work at least 12 hours in production and 12 in the art department before the end of each semester. You interview with the upperclassmen before they hire you for jobs on [their] thesis films. Overall this school is small […], but those who have to know just how talented and skilled our students are.”
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
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- Category: North Carolina
Florida State University College of Motion Picture Arts
FSU CMPA undergraduate film students can major in Production or Animation and Digital Arts. Both BFA programs offer students a well-rounded education, with one year of general education classes and three years of intensive film study. It prizes mentorship opportunities made possible by a small student-to-faculty ratio. In 2021, The Hollywood Reporter named FSU CMPA no. 15 in its annual list of the 25 best film schools in America thanks to its innovative Torchlight Center for filmmakers, high-tech equipment, and outstanding networking opportunities.
Production students take on different crew positions while learning how to navigate the film industry. Animation and Digital Arts students master the basics of filmmaking in their first semester before focusing on storytelling in 3D. To learn more about attending FSU CMPA for film, read FilmSchoool.org's exclusive interview with Paige Roberts, head of admissions.
FilmSchool.org currently needs student reviews of FSU CMPA’s BFA film program. Visit this page to share your experience.
Florida State University - College of Motion Picture Arts
FSU's College of Motion Picture Arts offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Production or Animation and Digital Arts, and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Production or Writing. Aspiring filmmakers can also attend their Torchlight Program, a non-degree granting academic program that fosters...
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- Category: Florida
Savannah College of Art & Design
Recognized as one of the top fine arts colleges in the South, Savanna College of Art and Design offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film and Television at its Atlanta and Savannah campuses. This BFA film program has strong artistic roots: Foundation Studies in freshman year requires Drawing I: Form and Space (DRAW 100) and Color: Theory and Application (DSGN 101). The highly creative curriculum is an excellent fit for undergraduates seeking careers in production design, editing, costume design, and cinematography, along with post-graduate film studies.
SCAD prides itself on balancing technical instruction with conceptual coursework. In 2015, the film school celebrated alumnus Joseph Katz winning a Student Emmy award for Adventure Katz. And in 2022, SCAD BFA graduates participated in five films nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards, including Dune and Spiderman: No Way Home. In addition, SCAD student films have been screened at Cannes Film Festival.
Georgia is also considered a rising hub for film on the East coast. In 2022, four major film companies unveiled a 30,000-square-foot production facility in Atlanta, one of which helps coordinate the Academy Awards. SCAD students and alumni can network and share their creations at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival and the Atlanta Film Festival. Undergraduate tuition costs $39,105 per year. Although scholarships are mostly merit-based, Georgia is also vastly more affordable for the average film student compared to Los Angeles and New York City.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org user says: “I really enjoyed my time here and appreciate the foundation classes we were required to take because they trained us to become artists, technically and conceptually.”
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)
As a student of film and television at SCAD, you'll acquire diverse technical skills, center yourself as a solid creative and step seamlessly into your professional film career. Our students benefit from an immersive experience in the full spectrum of production roles and responsibilities...
- Views: 13,530
- Reviews: 1
- Category: Georgia
Southwest
UT Austin Moody College of Communication
UT Austin Moody College of Communication offers a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film (RTF) in the Southwest’s premiere location for filmmakers and cinephiles. Film students enjoy the nationally recognized SXSW Film Festival, the Austin Film Festival, the annual Longhorn Denius Student Film Showcase, and more. The university supplies excellent equipment and an impressive eight dedicated color stations, five surround sound dubstages, and a 70x20 dedicated green screen. By the end of the program, students are better prepared for careers in not only the film industry, but also in game design and academia. UT Austin RTF alumni include director Wes Anderson (The Royal Tenenbaums, Fantastic Mr. Fox) and director Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise trilogy).
Another major selling point for undergraduates is the affordable annual tuition of $11,230 for Texas residents and $39,756 for Texas non-residents. And the Longhorn Fixed Tuition program for undergraduates enrolling at UT Austin for the first time helps cut down costs across the four-year degree program.
UT Austin may be in the Southwest, but students are well-connected to central locations in the industry. The University of Texas Semester in Los Angeles program (UTLA) places undergraduate RTF students in the hub of the film industry. UTLA is open to all undergraduate majors and offers hands-on training at Hollywood internships and courses taught by industry professionals. RTF students have interned at the Producers Guild of America and major production studios behind major motio pictures, such as Color Force (American Crime Story, The Hunger Games trilogy). For students interested in independent filmmaking or filmmaking on the East Coast, RTF students can also pursue the University of Texas Semester in New York.
RTF students also have plenty of opportunities to network and grow their skills on the UT Austin campus by working at Texas Student Television (TSTV). TSTV is the only student-run, FCC-licensed, digitally broadcasting college television station in America and allows RTF students to experiment with directing, producing, writing, camerawork, and marketing. Many alumni got a boost from working at TSTV, including producer Paul M. Leonard (Battlestar Galactica, Defiance). For-credit internships in media studies in and around Austin are also highly encouraged.
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...
- Views: 11,552
- Reviews: 1
- Questions: 2
- Category: Texas
West
California Institute of the Arts
Undergraduate film students have numerous opportunities to collaborate with graduate students and visiting artists. In the past, the Film and Video department hosted groundbreaking filmmakers such as director Lourdes Portillo (Missing Young Woman) and writer-director Chantal Akerman (Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles). Walt Disney founded the school in 1961, so it’s no surprise that CalArts ranks highly for animation. In 2019, CalArts alumni dominated the Academy Awards’ Best Animated Feature category with nominations for Ralph Breaks the Internet, Incredibles 2, and Spiderman: No Way Home.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org user says: “I learned a lot of filmmaking theory while at CalArts through watching making films and dissecting the filmmaking styles I liked and disliked. It was a formative three years that taught me a lot about filmmaking and the filmmaker I wanted to be.” (Photo: Rafael Hernandez)
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) - Program in Film and Video
The Program in Film and Video is designed for students who use film and video as media for personal expression and exploration—those artists for whom independent film and video is a calling and not simply a mode of production. In the workshop environment cultivated by the program, each student...
- Views: 23,754
- Reviews: 2
- Questions: 2
- Category: California
Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television
LMU SFTV offers small undergraduate courses in a highly collaborative environment. Undergraduate film students take a hands-on approach to storytelling through film and retain full rights to their work. More than 400 partner companies provide internship opportunities and entry-level roles, and 83% of students find jobs six months after graduating
College is one of the best times to travel, and immersing yourself in a new culture can help you grow as a filmmaker and a person. LMU SFTV offers three exciting study abroad programs in filmmaking: International Documentary Program in Bonn, Germany; Screenwriting Program at the Budapest Film Academy in Budapest, Hungary; and SFTV Summer in Bologna, Italy. Each study abroad program exposes undergraduate film students to world-renowned film festivals and intensive workshops.
FilmSchool.org currently needs student reviews of LMU’s BA film programs. Visit this page to share your experience.
Loyola Marymount University - School of Film and Television
Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television (LMU SFTV) has solidified itself as one of the nation’s best film schools. In 2023, The Hollywood Reporter ranked LMU SFTV no. 8 in its annual list of the best American film schools, solidifying its place in the top 10 for more than a...
- Views: 40,012
- Reviews: 3
- Questions: 2
- Category: California
University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts
The SCA Network is notoriously tight-knit and filled with award-winning filmmakers, such as writer-producer Brett Baer (Happy Family, New Girl, 30 Rock), writer-director-producer Beau Bauman (The Umbrella Academy, Match) and most notably, writer-director-producer George Lucas (Star Wars, Indiana Jones). USC SCA graduates also dominated the 2021 Emmy Awards, with 40 nominees in all categories. The incredible success of its undergraduate and graduate alumni make the annual tuition of $63,468 a worthwhile investment.
FilmSchool.org user @JHD says: “By being an SCA student, numerous internship opportunities will arise. There is a weight to that title that provokes the image of a certain type of character who is diligent, knowledgeable, and always up to the task. The alumni network is full of impressive artists who are constantly working and looking to help out fellow Trojans. I greatly enjoyed my time at USC and SCA [and] wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
To help increase your chances of attending USC SCA for undergraduate film, read FilmSchool.org's exclusive interview with a USC SCA Admissions Officer.
USC School of Cinematic Arts
For more than 90 years, the University of Southern California has trained the next generation of prolific filmmakers. As the nation's first institution of higher learning to offer a bachelor's degree in film, the School of Cinematic Arts remains at the forefront of emerging filmmaking trends...
- Views: 92,695
- Reviews: 14
- Questions: 16
- Category: California
Midwest
Columbia College Chicago
The university's Los Angeles program helps undergraduate film students expand their professional networks beyond the Midwest. Courses take are taught at Sunset Las Palmas Studios in the heart of Hollywood. Los Angeles Speakers Series (CINE 362) teaches the ins and outs of networking, while Advanced Topics: Negotiation for Film and Television (MEDI 382B) teaches rising filmmakers how to negotiate script deals and navigate production and distribution. Undergraduate students who want to specialize in screenwriting without getting their master's degree can also beef up their studies with a minor in Writing for Television and Video Production.
An anonymous FilmSchool.org user says:
"Columbia College Chicago is a great film school for many reasons: different levels of courses allows you to explore your preference for filmmaking step by step as well as teaching various aspects in film production process, so that you would gain [a lot] of experience and become a professional in terms of thinking and executing. Professors there are great as they do respect students' ideas and who you are, and as a big school with students from all over the world they respect all the cultural differences."
Columbia College Chicago - Cinema Art + Science (B.A. & B.F.A.)
Great filmmakers start with a strong, independent vision, but bringing it to the big screen is all about collaboration. This core major of Columbia’s Cinema Art + Science program trains innovative and creative professionals ready for any production set in the world. You’ll learn the fundamentals...
- Views: 8,829
- Reviews: 2
- Category: Illinois
Did you earn your BA, BS or BFA from any of the film schools on our list? Be sure to log your application in our Application Database. We also encourage you to include a comment about what you found the most accurate or interesting from our ranking.
Editor's note: This article has been updated to include the Southwest (UT Austin Moody College of Communications) and Emerson College.
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