by our College Data Analytics TeamFilm Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 254 schools to find the best for film studies students.
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The film studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Film Studies Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Film Studies Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall film studies education, regardless of degree level.
Leading the list is Chapman University, our #1 school for film studies. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Orange. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 21 film studies degrees were awarded at Chapman University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $32,314 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,123. See the full film studies program report for Chapman University
University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film studies, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 202 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film studies from University Of California Santa Barbara
Students looking for a strong film studies program will find one at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Seattle. About 85% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 81 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $28,561 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Students looking for a strong film studies program will find one at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Amherst. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 21 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $53,543 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Students looking for a strong film studies program will find one at University Of Chicago, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Chicago awarded about 16 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for University Of Chicago
University Of Southern California came in at #6 for film studies this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 103 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of Southern California earn around $30,515 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,687 to complete this degree. Read more about the film studies program at University Of Southern California
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #7 spot for film studies this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 77 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $25,565. Students borrow a median of $19,760 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #8 spot for film studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 130 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $34,825 early in their careers. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. See the full film studies program report for University Of California Los Angeles
Dartmouth College placed #9 among the best film studies schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film studies from Dartmouth College
Wesleyan University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 40 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Wesleyan University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Wesleyan University earn around $39,764 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,125. Get the full film studies details for Wesleyan University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #11 among the best film studies schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. About 89% of students finish within six years. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 21 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $57,901 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. Get the full film studies details for University Of Maryland College Park
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #12 position for film studies this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 31 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $63,111 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,034 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film studies from Purdue University Main Campus
Carleton College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. Carleton College awarded about 12 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $45,096 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete this degree. Read more about the film studies program at Carleton College
American University landed the #14 spot for film studies this year. American University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. American University awarded about 52 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of American University earn a median of $39,108 early in their careers. American University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full film studies details for American University
Loyola Marymount University landed the #15 spot for film studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 79% of students finish within six years. Loyola Marymount University awarded about 25 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $26,106. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in film studies from Loyola Marymount University
Fordham University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. Fordham University awarded about 50 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Fordham University earn around $36,704 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. More information about a degree in film studies from Fordham University
Yale University earned the #17 position for film studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. About 16 film studies degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. See the full film studies program report for Yale University
Vanderbilt University placed #18 among the best film studies schools. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More information about a degree in film studies from Vanderbilt University
University Of Missouri Columbia came in at #19 for film studies this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $29,613 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,833. Get the full film studies details for University Of Missouri Columbia
University Of Nebraska Lincoln came in at #20 for film studies this year. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 11 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $31,172 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
University Of Arizona came in at #21 for film studies this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 80 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $26,054 in their early career. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Read more about the film studies program at University Of Arizona
Vassar College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. There were roughly 19 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Vassar College earn around $28,028 in the first couple years of their career. Vassar College graduates carry a median of $17,993 in student loans. See the full film studies program report for Vassar College
University Of California Davis landed the #23 spot for film studies this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 68 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of California Davis earn around $19,258 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Read more about the film studies program at University Of California Davis
University Of California Berkeley came in at #24 for film studies this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 93 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $29,011 in their early career. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $15,693 in student loans. Get the full film studies details for University Of California Berkeley
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 13 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. See the full film studies program report for University Of Pennsylvania
These schools also placed among the best for film studies this year:
The following schools placed in the top tier for film studies:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| #51 | University Of California Riverside | Riverside, CA |
| #53 | Columbia University In The City Of New York | New York, NY |
| #58 | University Of Iowa | Iowa City, IA |
A few more film studies schools worth a look:
Explore the best film studies schools by region.
Film Studies is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 254 schools evaluated.
More about our data sources and methodologies.