10 Best Film Schools in the US

Are you dreaming of a career in film? Global film production has reached historic levels, recovering strongly from the pandemic. In 2023, filmmakers produced 9,511 films, a significant jump from just 5,656 in 2020 and surpassing the pre-pandemic total of 9,328 films in 2019. This marks a remarkable 68% increase from the industry’s pandemic-era low, highlighting its comeback.

These figures show that demand for content creators, filmmakers, and storytellers has never been higher. The right film school can be your stepping stone to turning that passion into a reality. Whether you’re aiming for a career in directing, screenwriting, cinematography, or editing, attending one of the best film schools in the US can make all the difference.

• What Are the Best Film Schools in the US?
• University of Southern California
• American Film Institute
• New York University
• Chapman University
• Loyola Marymount University
• California Institute of the Arts
• Columbia University
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts
• University of Texas-Austin
• University of California-Los Angeles
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Are the Best Film Schools in the US?

Wondering which film schools stand out in the US? We’ve compiled a list of the best film schools in the US, based on rankings from The Hollywood Reporter. These top institutions are recognized for their outstanding programs, world-class faculty, and industry connections that can help launch your career in film:

• University of Southern California
• American Film Institute
• New York University
• Chapman University
• Loyola Marymount University
• California Institute of the Arts
• Columbia University
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts
• University of Texas-Austin
• University of California-Los Angeles

Read on to find out more about each school and what makes them stand out.

University of Southern California

Acceptance rate: 10.4%

Average tuition cost: $73,260

USC’s School of Cinematic Arts was founded in 1929 (the same year as the first Academy Awards) and was the very first university to offer a Bachelor’s degree in film. From the start, Hollywood heavyweights were involved: early faculty included pioneers like D.W. Griffith and Irving Thalberg, making it one of the best film schools in the US.

The school boasts over 10,000 living alumni, including names you definitely know: think Star Wars creator George Lucas, producer Shonda Rhimes, Marvel star Kevin Feige, director Ryan Coogler, Judd Apatow and many more. Basically, you’re walking the same halls as legends, and that Trojan alumni network can be a powerful asset in the industry.

The School of Cinematic Arts has an Entertainment Technology Center that partners with industry leaders to explore new frontiers like virtual production. In fact, USC recently added a dedicated Virtual Production program led by an Industrial Light & Magic veteran (Habib Zargarpour) to keep students at the forefront of filmmaking tech.

Even more exciting, in 2025, the school received a $25 million gift to create the Blavatnik Center for Virtual Production, a 15,000-square-foot facility that will put groundbreaking tools in your hands.

American Film Institute

Acceptance rate: Not publicly available

Average tuition cost: $72,954

AFI is actually a graduate-level conservatory program (they offer MFAs, not traditional undergrad degrees), but it’s impossible to talk about top film schools without mentioning it. AFI’s approach is “learning by doing” to the extreme.

Each year, AFI fellows (what they call their students) collectively produce 175+ short films as part of the curriculum. That means you’ll be directing, shooting, editing, and crew-ing on projects constantly.

The Conservatory offers tracks in:

• Directing
• Producing
• Editing
• Cinematography
• Screenwriting
• Production design

You choose one, but you’ll collaborate with peers in all six, mirroring how real film crews work together.

AFI might be small, but its impact is huge. The program proudly notes that virtually all of its alumni end up working in the entertainment industry in some capacity. AFI student films regularly win awards and make waves (we’re talking Student Oscars, Emmys, DGA awards).

In 2023, an AFI alumnus named James Wilson (‘91) even took home an Academy Award as a producer of The Zone of Interest, and incredibly, 6 of the 10 Best Picture nominees at the Oscars that year had AFI alumni in key creative roles.

Because AFI is graduate-only, many students come here after doing an undergrad elsewhere (sometimes after a little industry work too). So keep it on your radar for the future. It consistently ranks among the best film schools in the US for its postgraduate training.

New York University

Acceptance rate: 7.7%

Average tuition cost: $72,082

At NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, the city is your playground and your classroom. This is a film program that fully embraces its location in the heart of New York City. You’ll be surrounded by the culture, diversity, and energy of NYC, which means inspiration is never far away.

Recently, NYU established the Martin Scorsese Institute of Global Cinematic Arts, named for the legendary director (an NYU alum) and aimed at expanding international and technological perspectives in filmmaking. This was made possible by the largest gift in Tisch’s history, courtesy of George Lucas and Mellody Hobson’s foundation. Within this institute, NYU even built a cutting-edge Virtual Production Center.

At NYU Tisch, you can study everything from directing and animation to gaming and VR storytelling—as wide a range of classes as any top school. Love film and business? You can do a dual degree: a five-year program that grants a BFA in Film/TV from Tisch and a BS in Business from the renowned Stern School, or even pursue an MFA/MBA combo in grad school. There’s also a partnership with NYU’s law school for entertainment law, and so on.

If you have multiple interests, NYU lets you weave them together with film, which makes it one of the best film schools in the US today.

Chapman University

Acceptance rate: 8%

Average tuition cost: $64,580

Since 2020, Chapman’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts has been led by Dean Stephen Galloway, a former Hollywood Reporter journalist who came in with a mission to bridge the gap between film school and the film industry.

Under his leadership, Chapman doubled down on practical skills and industry connections. They opened a new Career Center in 2022 to help you land internships and jobs, and they’ve been bringing in a parade of guest speakers and adjunct professors straight from Hollywood.

Dodge secured an anonymous $2.5 million donation to build an Innovation Lab and Virtual Production Center on campus. This means as a student you’ll have access to new virtual production tools (think LED walls and Unreal Engine for in-camera VFX, the same tech used in The Mandalorian). Chapman has also begun offering courses on Artificial Intelligence in filmmaking, exploring how AI can aid writing, producing, or VFX.

One thing you’ll appreciate is Chapman’s efforts to make education more efficient and affordable. For example, they noticed the MFA graduate program was three years long and costly—so they shortened it to two years to save students time and money, solidifying its place among the best film schools in the US.

Despite being newer on the scene, Chapman has produced some headline-making alumni. For instance, Matt and Ross Duffer—a.k.a. The Duffer Brothers, the creators of Stranger Things—are Chapman grads. So is Justin Simien, who made Dear White People, and Parker Finn, who directed the horror hit Smile.

Loyola Marymount University

Acceptance rate: 40%

Average tuition cost: $65,367

One thing LMU isn’t doing is resting on old formulas which makes them one of the best film schools in the US. They’re already preparing students for emerging changes in the industry—notably, how artificial intelligence is impacting storytelling. LMU offers courses like “Producing and Screenwriting with AI” and “The Business of Screenwriting – Law and AI,” the latter in partnership with their law school.

To keep up with the times, LMU is investing in its infrastructure. SFTV is in the middle of a multi-year facilities upgrade, including a makeover of its main film theater. They’re installing a new 4K projection system, advanced sound, and modernized seating and flooring.

LMU may not be as large as USC or NYU, but its alumni have been behind some big-time hits. In 2023, two major box-office successes had LMU fingerprints all over them: The Super Mario Bros. Movie was co-directed by LMU alum Michael Jelenic, and John Wick: Chapter 4 was co-written by LMU alum Shay Hatten.

LMU is rooted in Jesuit values, which emphasizes community, ethics, and inclusion. The film school reflects that. The school ranks 2nd for diversity in 2021.

California Institute of the Arts

Acceptance rate: 25%

Average tuition cost: $60,650

Founded in 1961 with the help of Walt Disney himself, CalArts has a reputation as a haven for animators, experimental filmmakers, and anyone who wants to push the medium’s boundaries. It’s located in Valencia, California (just north of LA), and while it’s smaller and more artsy than a traditional university, CalArts’ impact on the film and animation world is massive.

The School of Film/Video has programs in Experimental Animation, Film Directing, Film/Video (live-action), and even a Program in Character Animation for undergrads. The ethos here is to encourage risk-taking and personal voice. Case in point: in 2024, CalArts appointed Ranu Mukherjee—known for experimental films mixing media and art forms—as the new dean of the film/video division.

One cool thing about CalArts is that all the arts are under one roof: music, dance, theater, fine art, writing, and film. As a film student, you might score your friend’s animation with a composition student, or cast acting students in your live-action short. This cross-pollination is encouraged, and it produces unique work.

Columbia University

Acceptance rate: 4.3%

Average tuition cost: $71,170

As an undergraduate, you’ll begin by applying to Columbia College, the School of General Studies, or Barnard College, where you’ll declare a Film Studies major by the end of your sophomore year. You’ll complete a program of 12 required courses designed to immerse you in both the theoretical and practical aspects of film.

You’ll have access to internships with film companies, the chance to work on graduate student films, and opportunities to join Columbia Undergraduate Film Productions (CUFP), an active student-run organization that offers filmmaking experience to aspiring producers and directors.

For those pursuing further education, Columbia’s Film MFA program is among the top-ranked in the world, attracting working professionals from Hollywood, international, and independent film communities. The program offers concentrations in fields like:

• Screenwriting and directing
• Creative producing
• Writing for film and television

In addition to its film-focused curriculum, Columbia’s Film and Media Studies program also covers emergent media such as:

• Video games
• Virtual reality
• Artificial intelligence

The program is enriched by the Digital Storytelling Lab (DSL), founded in 2013, which provides students with the tools to innovate in new media and creative technologies.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

Acceptance rate: 19%

Average tuition cost: $7,020 (in-state), $43,152 (out-of-state)

Now let’s say you’re looking for a conservatory-style film education but maybe don’t want to be in New York or LA as an undergrad. The University of North Carolina School of the Arts could be exactly what you’re after. UNCSA is a public arts conservatory in Winston-Salem, NC. It’s part of the UNC system, but it’s entirely devoted to the arts (film, drama, dance, music, etc.).

The film program at UNCSA is small, intensive, and highly respected, consistently mentioned among the best film schools in the US for its focus on craft. You’ll get personalized, hands-on training here, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and collaboration across different art forms.

While UNCSA values traditional filmmaking techniques, it’s also looking ahead. They recently launched a new three-year concentration called Story Art Studio, which is all about the intersection of storytelling and technology. This includes things like digital production, visual effects, and immersive media (think VR/AR storytelling) integrated with classic filmmaking.

Even in North Carolina, UNCSA connects students to the industry. They have partnerships with the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham (one of the premier doc fests in the US), and with New York’s Working Theatre (which could give you a taste of the NYC scene).

University of Texas-Austin

Acceptance rate: 28.2%

Average tuition cost: $5,815 (in-state), $22,687 (out-of-state)

If you’re looking for a combination of a traditional college experience and a serious film education, UT delivers. Not to mention, it’s set in Austin—one of the coolest, most creative cities in the US, often dubbed the “Live Music Capital” and host to the SXSW Film Festival.

As a film student at UT, Austin itself is a huge asset. The city has a thriving film scene – from arthouse theaters and film societies to major productions that shoot locally. ou’ll find the creative energy contagious. Plus, Austin’s home to big festivals like SXSW and Austin Film Festival, where UT students often volunteer, intern, or screen work.

UT’s Department of Radio-Television-Film (RTF) is large, about 1,000 undergrad majors and 160 grad students, making it one of the bigger film programs by enrollment. The upside? A wide variety of courses and a diverse student body. You can take classes in narrative filmmaking, documentary, screenwriting, editing, sound design, and even video game production or immersive media. UT RTF prides itself on a broad curriculum and world-class equipment.

UT students and alumni have a knack for racking up accolades. Most recently, UT celebrated a huge bragging right: “Shōgun,” a television series created by UT RTF alum Rachel Kondo, set an Emmy record with 18 wins in its first season.

University of California-Los Angeles

Acceptance rate: 9%

Average tuition cost: $15,700 (in-state), $80,739 (out-of-state)

From your first year, you’ll immerse yourself in foundational courses that explore the historical, critical, and theoretical aspects of cinema at UCLA. As you progress through the Film, Television, and Digital Media program, you’ll gain practical experience in:

• Film
• Television
• Digital media production
• Emerging technologies

The program is highly selective, and students must be accepted into the Film major either as first-year students or transfer students. Throughout your studies, specialized courses require instructor approval, and faculty discretion plays a role in determining whether you can continue with a specific emphasis based on performance and participation.

If you’re looking to expand your expertise further, UCLA offers a Film, Television, and Digital Media minor, designed for students who want to supplement their major with a critical exploration of film and television as art forms with social, cultural, and economic significance. Completing this minor will be reflected on your transcript and diploma.

UCLA also offers a range of graduate programs for those seeking advanced study in the field. These include the MFA programs in Animation, Cinematography, Documentary Production/Directing, Narrative Production/Directing, and Screenwriting, as well as the MA and PhD programs in Cinema & Media Studies.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best film schools in the world?

Aside from the schools already mentioned in this list, the following are considered to be the best film schools in the world, as per The Hollywood Reporter: Beijing Film Academy, the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, La Femis, the National Film and Television School, and the Polish National Film, Television and Theater School.

2. What is the average salary of a filmmaker in the US?

The average salary of a filmmaker in the US is $52,170.

3. Is film school worth it?

Film school can be worth it, but it depends on your goals and circumstances. If you’re looking for a structured environment with access to professional mentors, industry connections, and high-end equipment, film school provides a solid foundation for developing both technical and creative skills. It’s particularly valuable if you want to learn from experienced professionals, collaborate on projects, and gain credibility through formal education.

The biggest downside is that film school can be expensive, and it’s crucial to weigh the potential debt against the opportunities it provides.

Takeaways

• Choosing the best film school in the US is a significant decision that depends on your career aspirations, creative ambitions, and financial considerations.
• Some of the best film schools in the US include USC, American Film Institute, NYU, Chapman University, and Loyola Marymount University.
• Interested in becoming a filmmaker in the future? Working with a college admissions consultant can help sharpen your application strategy and increase your chances of getting into the best film schools in the US.