10 Best Film Schools in California for Undergraduates

California is the top destination for most undergraduate film students. Home to several of the best film schools in the country and rich with internships opportunities, the Golden State is arguably the best place for filmmakers to start their careers. Although most film schools are located in Los Angeles, it isn't the old city where undergraduates can get an excellent education while improving their job prospects.

To determine the best film schools in California for undergraduates, we looked at film school rankings from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and TheWrap. We also factored in annual tuition, quality of academics, and reviews from film school students (including FilmSchool.org members).

1. University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts​

Annual Tuition
Full-time students: $66,640

University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts is the oldest film school in the nation and widely considered the strongest pipeline to Hollywood. Award-winning faculty teach students how to apply classic filmmaking techniques across a variety of mediums, from video games to emerging media. Rigorous academics and a combination of theoretical and hands-on courses prepare students to jump straight from the classroom to film sets. The campus is located in University Park, roughly a 10-minute drive from downtown Los Angeles.

Undergraduate alumni often work on some of the most successful film and television projects in the business, such as Greg Levine (screenwriter, "Parks and Recreation") and Eric Newman (showrunner, "Narcos"). George Lucas, the mastermind behind "Star Wars" and "Indiana Jones" franchises, also got his start making short films at USC. Additionally, the University offers rich educational resources for filmmakers across campus, such as the Warner Brothers Archives.

USC is one of the most selective film schools in the country. The acceptance rate typically hovers around 3% (against FilmSchool.org’s acceptance rate of 35%). It's known for being more competitive than other film schools and encouraging undergraduates to work beyond their comfort zones.

USC offers two undergraduate film degrees:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television Production
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing for Screen & Television

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the School of Cinematic Arts offers two undergraduate film degrees:

• Bachelor of Arts in Cinematic Arts, Film and Television Production
• Bachelor of Arts in Cinema & Media Studies

Undergraduates can also earn a Bachelor of Science in Business of Cinematic Arts (BCA) through a program jointly conferred by the Marshall School of Business and the School of Cinematic Arts. The program aims to develop future development executives, talent agents, producers, and directors in and beyond Hollywood. It's exclusive to first-semester Marshall freshmen and limited to 55 students per academic year.

USC also offers an impressive 18 minors in every niche of filmmaking, including:

• 3-D Animation
• Cinematic Arts
• Cinema-Television for Health Professionals
• Comedy
• Digital Studies
• Documentary
• Entertainment Industry
• Future Cinema
• Game Animation
• Game Audio
• Game Design
• Game Entrepreneurism
• Game Studies
• Game User Media
• Immersive Media
• Media and Social Change
• Screenwriting
• Themed Entertainment

Though the annual tuition and fees are steep, freshmen with families that earn $80,000 or less per year attend USC for free.

FilmSchool.org member @JHD says:

“Though I was Cinema & Media Studies [major], I did get to spend a lot of time with students, faculty, and alumni from all of the [film] programs USC [SCA] offers. I […] had never taken a film class and was immediately blown away by the theaters, the sound stages, the access they grant to top-notch equipment, and the faculty’s shared interest in providing the best education possible for their students.

Cinema & Media Studies consists predominantly of lectures, however, as an SCA student you’ll be granted to take screenwriting courses, production courses, and a myriad of others. Though the on-set experience was not the main focal point, there were plenty of opportunities and courses to get it. Should you find yourself wanting more, SCA offers the chance to apply to the BFA program even after declaring a major and being admitted. People in the industry are familiar with SCA and the alumni network is full of impressive artists who are constantly working and looking to help out fellow Trojans. All in all, I greatly enjoyed my time at USC and SCA.”

Learn about attending USC SCA as an undergraduate in FilmSchool.org’s interview with Nolan Lampson, a Writing for Screen and Television BFA student. For a comprehensive overview of USC SCA’s film programs plus important dates and deadlines, read FilmSchool.org’s guide on how to apply to USC for film.

Below is a link to our acceptance statistics for USC SCA calculated from our application database. To support other filmmakers and help us improve our data, we invite you to log your application.

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2. Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts​

Annual Tuition
Full-time students: $62,400

Located in idyllic Orange County, Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is known for its collaborative environment, commitment to excellence, producing one of the most beloved fillmaking duos in the 21st Century: The Duffer Brothers ("Stranger Things). In 2024, Chapman University sustained its no. 4 ranking on The Hollywood Reporter's annual list of the top 25 U.S. film schools for the fourth consecutive year.

Dodge College offers 132,000 combined square feet of studio space and cutting-edge film equipment. Industry professionals teach the nuances of visual storytelling in hands-on courses, and students get full rights to their films. During the spring, undergraduates screen their films at the on-campus, 500-seat Folino Theater. However, academics matter just as much as craft: The average freshman has a 3.89 GPA.

Undergraduates at Dodge College can major in both the creative and business angles of filmmaking:

• Film & Television Production
• Animation and Visual Effects
• Creative Producing
• Writing for Film and Television
• Public Relations, Advertising and Entertainment Marketing

Dodge College offers excellent networking and career opportunities with major television and production companies, including Netflix. Top employers for alumni include Apple, Netflix, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Plus, Dodge College's Alumni Mentor Program pairs undergraduate film students and recent alumni with industry professionals. Master Classes expose young filmmakers to Hollywood heavyweights and Oscar winners, from acting powerhouse Michelle Yeoh ("Everything Everywhere All at Once," Crazy Rich Asians") to Guillermo del Toro (dir., "Pan's Labyrinth," "Pinocchio").

Dodge College is further from the "big five" film studios in Los Angeles than other top-ranking film schools on our list. Depending on traffic, it can take over two hours to drive to Culver City, Burbank, and Universal City where most major studios are located. However, undergraduates can bypass driving using the university's Monthly Metrolink Pass.

To learn more about attending Dodge College, read FilmSchool.org’s exclusive interview with the Chapman and Dodge College Admissions team.

Below is a link to our acceptance statistics for Dodge College calculated from our application database. To support other filmmakers and help us improve our data, we invite you to log your application.

3. Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television​

Annual Tuition
Full-time students: $65,797

Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television offers top-notch undergraduate film programs with a few bonuses: a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, a supportive campus culture, and quality academics. The University boasts a graduation rate of just over 80%, and U.S. News & World Report ranked LMU no. 14 for Best Undergraduate Teaching. The film school helps undergraduates become celebrated filmmakers while also expanding their worldviews and telling stories that explore the human condition. LMU SFTV is also on one of the most scenic campuses for film students in all of Los Angeles: Venice Beach and Santa Monica are within a 20-minute drive.

LMU SFTV offers two undergraduate film degrees:

• Film and Television Production
• Film, TV and Media Studies

The University is committed to providing the best possible equipment and resources to its undergraduate film students. 2021 saw the grand opening of the Howard P. Fitzpatrick Pavilion, a massive space that contains a media lab, a flexible motion-picture caption area, an 86-seat theater with 4k projection, and more. Undergraduate film students have access to state-of-the-art film equipment, including RED One and Arri cameras. The satellite campus in Playa Vista has 35,000 square feet for SFTV courses.

LMU SFTV ensures undergraduate film students are well-connected to the industry, offering internships and academic connections to hundreds of large and independent film agencies and studios. Many alumni work for 21st Century Fox Studios, NBCUniversal, Nickelodeon Studios, and DreamWorks.

Below is a link to our acceptance statistics for LMU SFTV calculated from the application database. To support other filmmakers and help us improve our data, we invite you to log your application.

4. California Institute of the Arts School of Film/Video​

Annual Tuition
Full-time students: $56,074

Founded by Walt Disney, the California Institute of the Arts School of Film/Video (CalArts) is one of the top film schools in California for aspiring animators. Prolific animators who graduated from CalArts include Tim Burton (dir., "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Corpse Bride"), Rich Moore (dir., "Wreck-It Ralph"), and John Lasseter, chief creative officer at Pixar and Walt Disney Animation Studios.

In 2023, Animation Career Review declared CalArts the no.1 animation program in the nation for the third consecutive year. However, undergraduate film students who work in other mediums can thrive in the film school's exceptionally creative environment. CalArts teaches undergraduates how to create films through a technical, lyrical, and poetic lens to fulfill their creative potential in three BFA programs:

• Film and Video
• Experimental Animation
• Character Animation

At CalArts, filmmaking is approached from a holistic lens. Technical coursework begins in the first semester and spans the entire course of the program, on par with its MFA degrees. Undergraduate film students hone their creative skills by working in traditional and emerging digital mediums that emphasize experimentation.

CalArts also has an impressive roster of visiting faculty. Recently, the university welcomed Hollywood heavyweight Ewan McGregor ("Moulin Rouge!," "Obi Wan Kenobi") and WJames Mangold (dir., "Logan," "3:10 to Yuma") to teach its film directing courses. Along with renowned professionals who keep undergraduate film students informed on current industry trends, CalArts connects students to major players through the Patty Disney Center for Life & Work and its annual Career + Opportunities Fest.

An anonymous FilmSchool.org member says:

“[CalArts] is primarily an art school with the resources of a film school. Some moderately up-to-date equipment, a lot of super rare analog equipment you won't have a chance to work with elsewhere. Some faculty positions are constantly in flux, such as the Cinematography position; they can't seem to get it right. The sound department seems very robust [and] everyone in there is highly skilled. The animators are amazing; take some of their classes (Experimental Animation, not Character).

Have an idea of what kind of filmmaker you want to be and write it down somewhere before attending. There's a ton of amazing work being made or attempted here, but some find they're caught in a popularity contest instead of staying true to themselves. There's the potential to mold any experience you want out of CalArts, truly, but it will take self-initiative. Particularly if you want to be making narrative films – and if so, befriend the MFA Film Directing students.”

Currently, FilmSchool.org does not have enough applications to provide CalArts undergraduate admissions statistics. To support other filmmakers and help us improve our data, click here to log your application.

5. ArtCenter College of Design​

Annual tuition
Full-time students: $50,606

Located in Pasadena, California, roughly 35 minutes east of West Hollywood, the ArtCenter College of Design draws undergraduate filmmakers interested in exploring filmmaking for commercials and theaters. In 2022, Variety named ArtCenter one of the 30 best film schools in America.

Undergraduate film students learn how to create narrative films from day one in courses taught by esteemed industry professionals such as Writer-Director Joy Kecken (The Wire), Editor Lynzee Klingman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ali), and Dennis McCarthy (comp., "Star Trek"). ArtCenter College of Design is also widely viewed as one of the top film schools for advertising and commercial filmmaking: Professor Megan Webster has helped cast 600-plus commercials on campus. Alumni include producer Zachary E. Synder (prod., "Wonder Woman: 1984"), and Roger Avary (dir., "The Rules of Attraction").

ArtCenter College of Design's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film offers three concentrations:

• Editing
• Directing
• Cinematography

The College's Bachelor of Science in Entertainment Design is ideal for undergraduates interested in animation and illustration in either of the following specializations:

• Concept (I.e., Industry concept design)
• Game Design

Below is a link to our acceptance statistics for ArtCenter College of Design calculated from the applications in our database. To support other filmmakers and help us improve our data, we invite you to log your application.

6. University of California Los Angeles School of Theater, Film & Television​

Annual Tuition
Full-time California residents: $13,225
Full-time California non-residents: $42,217

UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television teaches film from a theoretical and technical perspective. In 2021, TheWrap ranked UCLA TFT no. 8 in its annual list of the top 50 film schools. And in 2022, U.S. News & World Report named UCLA the no. 1 public university for the sixth consecutive year. This historic film program is right outside of West Hollywood and boasts more than 11,000 alumni, including industry greats such as renowned filmmaker and Executive Board member Francis Ford Coppola (dir., "The Godfather," "Apocalypse Now") and Paul Schrader (wri., "Taxi Driver, "Raging Bull").

The campus is located in Westwood, named by Niche.com as of the best places to live in California. Westwood Village is only a four-minute walk and offers lively options for dining, shopping, and entertainment, including red carpet premieres at the Regency Theatres.

UCLA TFT offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, Television and Digital Media. Freshmen he undergraduate program emphasizes film theory and cinematic history before shifting to hands-on coursework. Juniors take television and digital media production courses and seniors concentrate in one of six specializations:

• Film Production/Directing
• Screenwriting
• Cinematography
• Animation
• Digital media
• Editing/Postproduction

UCLA TFT is highly competitive for a large public university, admitting only 4% of undergraduate applicants each year. The undergraduate film program remains highly coveted by aspiring filmmakers nationwide. Though the program has received criticism over its academic structure, a recent department statement suggests that UCLA TFT has holistically reevaluated its academic ethos and continues to increase transparency.

Below is a link to our acceptance statistics for UCLA TFT calculated from the applications in our database. To support other filmmakers and help us improve our data, we invite you to log your application.

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• Log Your Application
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7. California State University Northridge Department of Cinema and Television Arts​

Annual Tuition
Full-time California residents: $5,742
Full-time California non-residents: $11,682 (includes $396 fee per unit for standard 15 units per semester)

CSUN California State University Northridge Department of Cinema and Television Arts offers a comprehensive undergraduate film experience at a more affordable price point. The Hollywood Reporter ranked CSUN CTVA no. 25 in its list of the top 25 film schools (tied with Northwestern University), applauding the film school’s commitment to affordability and diversity: More than a quarter of the student body identifies as Hispanic or Latino. Alumni work on world-renowned television series, such as Emmy award-winning editor Ryan Mallick ("RuPaul's Drag Race," "Project Runway").

CSUN has a smaller donor base compared to private film schools, along with a larger undergraduate cohort of around 1,600 students per year. However, its intensive focus on quality narrative films and on-campus film screening opporutnities, such as the CSUN Cinematheque, helps the University compete with private California film schools.

CSUN CTVA undergraduates can major in one of the following concentrations:

• Emerging Media Production
• Entertainment Media Management
• Film Production
• Media Theory and Criticism
• Screenwriting
• Television Production - Documentary
• Television Production - Narrative

Production courses are taught at on-campus facilities specifically for television and film. CSUN CTVA is roughly a 25-minute drive from Universal City and a 15-minute drive from Burbank, CA. The lower cost of living in the San Fernando Valley makes CSUN CTVA a particularly good choice for undergraduates who want to study film in California without additional costs.

Below is a link to our acceptance statistics for CSUN CTVA calculated from our application database. To support other filmmakers and help us improve our data, we invite you to log your application.

8. San Francisco State University School of Cinema​

Annual Tuition
Full-time California residents: $7,522
Full-time California non-residents: $13,492 (Includes $396 fee per unit for standard 15 units per semester)

Although some aspiring film students may consider Los Angeles superior to the Bay Area, the continued success of San Francisco State University School of Cinema proves otherwise. The film school is located 30 minutes outside of the historic downtown core, where undergraduates enjoy access to iconic, globally recognized film shoot locations.

SFSU’s film program may suit undergraduates who want more foundational knowledge about film. As FilmSchool.org user Cheyon Jain explains in his interview with FilmSchool.org about life after film school, SFSU brings together students passionate about critically analyzing films without being required to take production courses.

San Francisco State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema with three areas of concentration:

• Animation
• Filmmaking
• Cinema & Media Studies

SFSU prioritizes film criticism and theory; a portfolio is not required for admission. However, to advance to 300-level and higher courses within the BA in Cinema, undergraduates must complete select foundational courses and lower-division general education requirements.

If you're interested in learning more about film without taking the major, undergraduates in other disciplines can minor in two areas:

• Animation
• Cinema

SFSU screens student films at the August Coppola Theater, named after a key benefactor and driving force behind the University’s interdisciplinary fine arts curriculum. Undergraduate film students can also develop professional connections through the city's unique creative associations, from the Filmmakers Collaborative to The Bay Area Film Mixer.

An anonymous FilmSchool.org member explains:

“SFSU is the type of school where you'll learn who Cheryl Dunye is, or Julie Dash, or Patricia Cardoso, or Charles Burnett and their contributions to film and an approach that may be more relatable to a diverse body of student filmmakers. Queer cinema studies are also largely supported by amazing faculty who work in the Bay Area.

The takeaway for me as a Black woman [who] went to this school was that [SFSU] puts an emphasis and importance on educated well-rounded filmmakers to know the history that isn't just Scorsese, Coppola, Howard, or Spielberg. It's quite anti-Hollywood because film history is rooted in showing the flaws of Hollywood from the perspective of who history has notoriously left out in this country. Also, if you want a Cinema and Media Studies background, the variety of courses you can choose from is very impressive.

If you want a school where you're touching a camera immediately [during] your freshman year and never stop, [SFSU] might not be the school for you. If you want the hands-on experience of film school while also learning [the] true history of American and world film and watching films you may not ever see in other programs down south, [SFSU] may be a great choice for you.”

Currently, FilmSchool.org does not have enough applications to provide ArtCenter College of Design undergraduate admissions statistics. To help other filmmakers and improve our data, click here to log your application.

9. Pepperdine University Seaver College​

Annual Tuition
Full-time students: $65,990 (Editor's note: Add $1,955 per unit if taking 18-plus units per semester.)

Though not a traditional film school, Pepperdine University Seaver College offers a strong undergraduate film program that combines film theory with storytelling skills. TheWrap ranked Pepperdine University no. 50 in its list of the top 50 film schools, while U.S. News & World Report ranked the Christian research university no. 26 for Best Undergraduate Teaching nationwide (tied with Lehigh University in Pennsylvania).

Located in scenic Malibu, Pepperdine University is one of the most beautiful places to study film in California. The University's 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small undergraduate class sizes across both film programs offer a more individualized learning experience.

The Bachelor of Arts in Film approaches feature films through a historical, cultural, societal, aesthetic, and spiritual lens with an equal focus on pre- and post-production techniques. Undergraduate film students must complete all general education requirements and 39-47 units for the major.

The Film minor is a total of 20 units with concentrations in:

• Critical Studies
• Production
• Writing for Screen and Television

To graduate, Pepperdine University stuents must complete at least one internship and the capstone screen story project. Undergraduates also retain the rights to their films.

Currently, FilmSchool.org does not have enough applications to provide Pepperdine University Seaver College undergraduate admissions statistics. To help other filmmakers and improve our data, click here to log your application.

10. University of California Santa Barbara​

Annual Tuition
Full-time California residents: $13,104
Full-time California non-residents: $44,130

University of California Santa Barbara provides a strong combination of theoretical and hands-on production courses for emerging filmmakers in one of the most stunning coastal cities in the country. The film school’s emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, combined with its strong research impact may appeal to undergraduate film students equally interested in critical and creative positions.

UCSB specializes in fiction and nonfiction film history and theory, television and broadcasting, digital media, and video art and activism. These topics are woven into the Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies curriculum. To get admitted into the film program, undergraduates must declare the Pre-Film and Media Studies major. Admission is dependent on passing three core film courses and maintaining a GPA of 2.0 or better.

California residents pay less in tuition than non-residents, but the cost is greater than a typical state school. Non-residents pay almost $70,000 in tuition each year. Today, UCSB’s academics and retention rate are notably strong.

UCSB is located 97 miles outside of Los Angeles, but its undergraduate film program offers robust opportunities for student production and internships. Undergraduate alumni work at DreamWorks, Pixar Animation Studios, Warner Brothers, the Discovery Channel, and Disney.

Below is a link to our acceptance statistics for UCSB calculated from the applications in our database. To support other filmmakers and help us improve our data, we invite you to log your application.

Increase your chances of acceptance to the top film schools in California​

While studying undergraduate film in California typically comes with steep tuition and a higher cost of living, you have the advantage of starting your careers at the heart of the entertainment industry. To increase your chances of acceptance to these top-ranked institutions, learn about FilmSchool.org member experiences by searching our application database. Before you apply, take a look at our application year threads for insights into admissions interviews, decision timelines, and other helpful insights. And once you apply, remember to log your application to help other aspiring film school students.

We also invite you to connect with FilmSchool.org's community by participating in our forums. Ask questions and provide answers about applying to film school, engage with current film school students hosting AMA threads, receive free portfolio feedback, and learn more about your top film programs.

Are you enrolled in an undergraduate film program in California? Do you plan to apply to any of the film schools on our list? Tell us about what you learned from your alma mater or share your thoughts about the application process in the comments.

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