The Best Film Schools of 2022 - Ranked By FilmSchool.org

Leave a rating

What are the top film schools?

Whether you're preparing to apply or reevaluating what film school is best for you, our selection of the best film schools in America will help you prepare. From Variety to The Hollywood Reporter, these institutions have received top marks for high-tech equipment, gigantic workspaces, instructions connected to the industry, enviable internships, far-reaching alumni networks, and intimate class sizes.

Best Affordable MFA Film School
- Our Top Pick: University of California Los Angeles School of Theater, Film and Television
- Runner-Up: California State University, Northridge
Best Affordable BFA Film School
- Our Top Pick: Florida State University College of Media Arts and Production
- Runner-Up: University of North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking
Best West Coast Film School
- Our Top Pick: American Film Institute Conservatory
- Runner-Up: Chapman University Dodge College
Best East Coast Film School
- Our Top Pick: New York University Tisch School of Arts
- Runner-Up: Emerson College
Best Southern Film School
- Our Top Pick: Florida State University College of Media Production and Arts
- Runner-Up: The University of Texas at Austin Moody College of Communication
Best Midwestern Film School
- Our Top Pick: DePaul University School of Cinematic Arts
- Runner-Up: Columbia College Chicago
Best International Film School
- Our Top Pick: National School of Film and Television
- Runner-Up: University Of British Columbia
Best Directing Program
- Our Top Pick: American Film Institute
- Runner-Up: University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts
Best Screenwriting Program
- Our Top Pick: New York University Tisch Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing
- Runner-Up: Columbia University School of the Arts
Best Producing Program
- Our Top Pick: USC Peter Stark Producing Program
- Runner-Up: Loyola Marymount University
Best Cinematography Program
- Our Top Pick: Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
- Runner-Up: New York University Tisch School of Arts
Best Filmmaking Certificate Program
- Our Top Pick: UCLA Extension Program
- Runner-Up: NYU Tisch - Non-Credit Certificates in Filmmaking
Read Full Article

: Next page: Best Affordable MFA Film School

Reactions: burungkilat and Chris W

Who read this article

Total users who read this article 161

About author

Alexa Pellegrini

Alexa Pellegrini (she/her) is a freelance copywriter, editor, poet, and essayist. Her writing has appeared in Screen Queens, Flip Screen, and other publications.

Share:

Facebook X Bluesky LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest Tumblr WhatsApp Email Link

Related Threads

What are the top film schools? They might not be what you think.

Replies: 0

Views: 342

May 29, 2026

Chris W

Film School Applications 2026 - Where are you applying?

Replies: 2

Views: 2K

Nov 25, 2025

featherless

RMS: Item

The Ohio State University - Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts

Replies: 0

Views: 223

Feb 28, 2026

FilmSchool.org

Chapman Film School Undergrad Applicants 2026

Replies: 0

Views: 660

Sep 18, 2025

Chris W

Chapman Film School MFA Applicants 2026

6 7 8

Replies: 144

Views: 16K

Yesterday at 6:31 PM

Chris W

More in Film School Rankings

Film School Rankings

Top 10 Fully Funded MFA Film Programs with Generous Stipends in the US and Canada
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Mar 9, 2026
- 17 min read
- Views: 10K
- Reaction score: 2
Even with financial aid, getting your MFA in film might be too costly. Many of the world's most prestigious film schools charge tens of thousands...
Film School Rankings

Top 6 MFA Screenwriting Programs on the East Coast
- Sarah Wyland
- Sep 16, 2020
- Updated Nov 26, 2024
- 5 min read
- Views: 15K
- Reaction score: 1
The West Coast has Hollywood, but the East Coast is home to some of the country’s top Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting programs, including...
Film School Rankings

Top 12 Film Certificate Programs
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Jul 10, 2023
- 24 min read
- Views: 31K
Film certificate programs can help novice filmmakers and seasoned professionals alike sharpen their creative toolkit and network for a more...
Film School Rankings

12 Best Film Programs for Undergraduates in Every Region of the US
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Apr 19, 2022
- Updated Apr 24, 2023
- 15 min read
- Views: 47K
Having a tough time deciding between top-rated colleges and universities for your undergraduate film degree? Curious about whether you should...
Film School Rankings

10 Best Film Schools in California for Undergraduates
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Mar 30, 2023
- 16 min read
- Views: 57K
- Reaction score: 1
- Comments: 1
California is the top destination for most undergraduate film students. Home to several of the best film schools in the country and rich with...

More from Alexa Pellegrini

Admissions Interviews

Inside Western Colorado University's Low-Residency MFA in Screenwriting Within the Graduate Creative Writing Program (Part 1)
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Apr 23, 2026
- 14 min read
- Views: 656
Western Colorado University's Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW) prides itself on not making students, but cultivating relationships to...
Supporting Member Exclusives

Inside Western Colorado University's Low-Residency MFA in Screenwriting Within the Graduate Creative Writing Program (Part 2)
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Apr 23, 2026
- 14 min read
- Views: 400
In the final installment of our exclusive admissions interview with WCU's Graduate Program in Creative Writing (GPCW), James Napoli breaks down...
Admissions Interviews

CU Denver Film & Television Program Admissions: Tips from David Liban, Department Chair (Part 1)
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Apr 9, 2026
- 10 min read
- Views: 625
The University of Colorado Denver is one of the best institutions in the Western US for undergraduate filmmakers. Located in the Mile High City...
Supporting Member Exclusives

CU Denver Film & Television Program Admissions: Tips from David Liban, Department Chair (Part 2)
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Apr 9, 2026
- 13 min read
- Views: 619
In the second and final part of our interview, Alexa Pellegrini continues the discussion with David Liban about student life in the program...
Admissions Interviews

How to Get Into the University of Hartford's Cinema Program: Insights from the Director and Admissions (Part 1)
- Alexa Pellegrini
- Mar 27, 2026
- 11 min read
- Views: 2K
Tucked away in the capital city of Connecticut, the University of Hartford's Cinema program is one of New England's hidden gems for undergraduate...

The Best Film Schools of 2022 - Ranked By FilmSchool.org

Select page

What are the top film schools?

Comments

Related Threads

More in Film School Rankings

Top 10 Fully Funded MFA Film Programs with Generous Stipends in the US and Canada

Top 6 MFA Screenwriting Programs on the East Coast

Top 12 Film Certificate Programs

12 Best Film Programs for Undergraduates in Every Region of the US

10 Best Film Schools in California for Undergraduates

More from Alexa Pellegrini

Inside Western Colorado University's Low-Residency MFA in Screenwriting Within the Graduate Creative Writing Program (Part 1)

Inside Western Colorado University's Low-Residency MFA in Screenwriting Within the Graduate Creative Writing Program (Part 2)

CU Denver Film & Television Program Admissions: Tips from David Liban, Department Chair (Part 1)

CU Denver Film & Television Program Admissions: Tips from David Liban, Department Chair (Part 2)

How to Get Into the University of Hartford's Cinema Program: Insights from the Director and Admissions (Part 1)

Latest Accepted Applications

Admitted (Off Waitlist w/o Interview) USC - MFA Writing for Screen & Television

Admitted (Off Waitlist After Interview) Chapman - Directing MFA Fall 26

Admitted but Not Attending (w/o Interview) City College of New York MFA in Film

Declined Admission (Off Waitlist After Interview) AFI - Producing 2026

Admitted but Not Attending (After Interview) Syracuse MFA fall 2026

Exclusive Supporting Member Benefits

Table of contents

Article information

Latest posts

Latest Applications

Share this article

Newest members

Forum statistics