2026 Best Film Studies Schools in California

1

Chapman University
Orange, CA

No school ranked higher than Chapman University this year for film studies. Located in the city of Orange, Chapman University is a large private not-for-profit university. Chapman University graduates 82% of students within six years. Chapman University awarded about 21 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Chapman University earn around $32,314 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,123. See the full film studies program report for Chapman University

2

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film studies, ranking #2. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 202 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $28,608 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. See the full film studies program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

3

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong film studies program will find one at University Of Southern California, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 103 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $30,515 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,687 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for University Of Southern California

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 130 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Film Studies graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $34,825 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000. Get the full film studies details for University Of California Los Angeles

5

Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA

Loyola Marymount University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Loyola Marymount University generally make around $26,106. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the film studies program at Loyola Marymount University

6

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #6 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. There were roughly 68 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $19,258. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000. Read more about the film studies program at University Of California Davis

7

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

University Of California Berkeley placed #7 among the best film studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. About 93% of students finish within six years. 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. See the full film studies program report for University Of California Berkeley

8

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 191 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $18,654 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,850. Get the full film studies details for San Francisco State University

9

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #9 position for film studies this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. University Of California Irvine awarded about 135 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $21,397 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,300 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for University Of California Irvine

10

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #10 for film studies this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 230 film studies degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $50,982 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for California State University Long Beach

11

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside landed the #11 spot for film studies this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. About 76% of students finish within six years. University Of California Riverside awarded about 72 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $24,840 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the film studies program at University Of California Riverside

12

California State University Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA

California State University Dominguez Hills came in at #12 for film studies this year. California State University Dominguez Hills is a large public school located in the city of Carson. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. California State University Dominguez Hills awarded about 27 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $52,683 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,886 to complete this degree. Read more about the film studies program at California State University Dominguez Hills

13

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College earned the #13 position for film studies this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. Occidental College awarded about 24 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $30,526 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,804 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for Occidental College

14

California Baptist University
Riverside, CA

California Baptist University came in at #14 for film studies this year. California Baptist University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. The six-year graduation rate is 62%. About 17 film studies degrees were awarded at California Baptist University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $25,031 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,988. Get the full film studies details for California Baptist University

15

Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 50 film studies degrees were awarded at Santa Monica College in the most recent year. Get the full film studies details for Santa Monica College

16

City College Of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA

City College Of San Francisco ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. There were roughly 52 film studies students who graduated with this degree at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film studies from City College Of San Francisco

17

Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, CA

Los Angeles Valley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Valley Glen, Los Angeles Valley College is a very large public university. There were roughly 20 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Los Angeles Valley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Los Angeles Valley College generally make around $81,600. Typical student debt for the program is $10,254. Get the full film studies details for Los Angeles Valley College

18

Columbia College Hollywood
Los Angeles, CA

Columbia College Hollywood came in at #18 for film studies this year. Columbia College Hollywood is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. About 37% of students finish within six years. Columbia College Hollywood awarded about 46 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Columbia College Hollywood generally make around $20,233. Typical student debt for the program is $23,251. More information about a degree in film studies from Columbia College Hollywood