2023 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
Finding the Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts School for You
In 2020-2021, 16,778 people earned a degree or certificate in film, video and photographic arts, making the major the #63 most popular in the United States.
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 325 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best programs for students.
View our full ranking methodology.
Featured Film, Video & Photographic Arts Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Take the first step toward a career of visual expression and doing what you love with this online associate degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn to create a striking portfolio and hone the skills you need to succeed in the world of professional photography with this online digital photography degree from Southern New Hampshire University.
2023 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the United States
The following schools top our list of the Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Colleges.
Top 25 Top Schools in Film, Video & Photographic Arts
Our 2023 rankings named Lafayette College the best school in the United States for film, video and photographic arts students. Lafayette is a small private not-for-profit school located in the large suburb of Easton.
Request Information
Out of the 325 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, Dartmouth College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
Request Information
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools list. Located in the city of Dallas, KD Conservatory is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Request Information
The excellent programs at Emory University helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best film, video and photographic arts schools in the United States. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Emory University Report
Request Information
Out of the 325 schools in the United States that were part of this year’s ranking, SAE Institute - Atlanta landed the # 5 spot on the list. SAE Institute - Atlanta is a fairly small private for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta.
Request Information
College of the Holy Cross landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best film, video and photographic arts programs. Holy Cross is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at College of the Holy Cross
Request Information
With a ranking of #7, The Graduate Center, CUNY did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. Located in the large city of New York, The Graduate Center is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.
Request Information
With a ranking of #8, Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. Located in the large suburb of Orlando, F.I.R.S.T. Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
After completing their degree, film graduates from F.I.R.S.T. Institute carry an average student debtload of $7,853. When it comes time to repay the loan, graduates who are on a 10-year repayment plan pay an average monthly payment of $136.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #9, Brandeis University did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis is a private not-for-profit college with a moderately-sized student population.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Brandeis University Report
Request Information
Winona State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in the town of Winona, Winona State is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Winona State University Report
Request Information
Nashville Film Institute did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. It came in at #11 on the list. Located in the city of Nashville, Nashville Film Institute is a private for-profit school with a fairly small student population.
The average amount in student loans that film majors at Nashville Film Institute take out is $9,500.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Nashville Film Institute Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #12, Miami Ad School at Portfolio Center did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. Located in the large city of Atlanta, Miami Ad School at Portfolio Center is a private for-profit college with a small student population.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Miami Ad School at Portfolio Center
Request Information
With a ranking of #13, Carnegie Mellon University did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. Carnegie Mellon is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh.
Request Information
Sacred Heart University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart is a private not-for-profit school with a medium-sized student population.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Sacred Heart University Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #15, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. Located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Film majors at UC Berkeley take out an average of $15,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
Request Information
With a ranking of #16, American Film Institute Conservatory did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. American Film Institute is a fairly small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at American Film Institute Conservatory Report
Request Information
Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in the small city of West Lafayette, Purdue is a public college with a very large student population.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Purdue University - Main Campus Report
Request Information
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #18 on this year’s Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools list. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public school with a fairly large student population.
After completing their degree, film graduates from U-M carry an average student debtload of $18,857.
Request Information
Northwestern University landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best film, video and photographic arts programs. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.
Request Information
With a ranking of #20, University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Request Information
Washington University in St Louis landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best film, video and photographic arts programs. WUSTL is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Louis.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Washington University in St Louis Report
Request Information
With a ranking of #22, University of Georgia did quite well on this year’s best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. UGA is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Athens.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Georgia
Request Information
University of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best film, video and photographic arts programs. Located in the city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.
Read full report on Film, Video & Photographic Arts at University of Pennsylvania
Request Information
University of Southern California ranked #24 on this year’s Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools list. USC is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles.
Film majors at USC take out an average of $21,466 in student loans while working on their egree. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $395.
Request Information
Southern Methodist University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best schools for film, video and photographic arts students. It came in at #25 on the list. Located in the large suburb of Dallas, SMU is a private not-for-profit college with a large student population.
Full Film, Video & Photographic Arts at Southern Methodist University Report
Request InformationRest of the Top Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools
Additional Noteworthy Schools
Here are some additional great schools for Film, Video & Photographic Arts students that almost earned our Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | University of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
| 50 | Huntington University | Huntington, IN |
| 51 | John Tyler Community College | Chester, VA |
| 52 | Taylor University | Upland, IN |
| 53 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY |
| 54 | Clemson University | Clemson, SC |
| 55 | University of Dayton | Dayton, OH |
| 56 | Harding University | Searcy, AR |
| 57 | Seattle University | Seattle, WA |
| 58 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater | Whitewater, WI |
| 59 | Chapman University | Orange, CA |
| 60 | University of Nebraska - Lincoln | Lincoln, NE |
| 61 | University of California - Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA |
| 62 | Boston University | Boston, MA |
| 63 | Tufts University | Medford, MA |
| 64 | Syracuse University | Syracuse, NY |
| 65 | University of Utah | Salt Lake City, UT |
Film, Video & Photographic Arts by Region
View the Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Film, Video & Photographic Arts Rankings
Related Programs
Learn about other programs related to Film, Video & Photographic Arts that might interest you.
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts
Translate your creative ideas through concept, design and digital media with a bachelor's in graphic design online from Southern New Hampshire University.
Rankings in Majors Related to Film
One of 10 majors within the area of study, film, video and photographic arts has other similar majors worth exploring.
Majors Similar to Film
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fine & Studio Arts | 37,413 |
| Design & Applied Arts | 36,301 |
| Music | 25,910 |
| Drama & Theater Arts | 17,341 |
| General Visual & Performing Arts | 6,355 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- Read more about our ranking methodology.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.