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Best Schools for Film Studies in the United States
Below are the best film studies schools at the associate’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Film Studies
Leading the list is Fashion Institute Of Technology, our #1 school for film studies. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of New York. There were roughly 27 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Fashion Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Fashion Institute Of Technology generally make around $29,250. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film studies from Fashion Institute Of Technology
Northern Virginia Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Annandale. About 20 film studies degrees were awarded at Northern Virginia Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $40,126 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film studies from Northern Virginia Community College
Santa Monica College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Santa Monica. Santa Monica College graduates 81% of students within six years. About 50 film studies degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year.
See the full film studies program report for Santa Monica College
New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Set in the city of New York, New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts is a small private for-profit institution. About 29 film studies degrees were awarded at New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $15,997 in their early career. New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans.
See the full film studies program report for New York Conservatory For Dramatic Arts
Other Film Studies Degree Levels
Explore the best film studies schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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.
- 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 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.
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