2026 Best Film Studies Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

University Of Chicago
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is University Of Chicago, our #1 school for film studies. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Chicago graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Chicago in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for University Of Chicago

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for film studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 77 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $25,565 in their early career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $19,760 in student loans. Read more about the film studies program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 31 film studies degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Film Studies graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,034 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for Purdue University Main Campus

4

Denison University
Granville, OH

A rank of #4 makes Denison University one of the top schools for film studies. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Granville. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. About 10 film studies degrees were awarded at Denison University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $39,797 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,360 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for Denison University

5

Ohio State University Main Campus
Columbus, OH

A rank of #5 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the top schools for film studies. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. There were roughly 35 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $58,088 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for Ohio State University Main Campus

6

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University placed #6 among the best film studies schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. Michigan State University awarded about 10 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Michigan State University earn around $54,166 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Read more about the film studies program at Michigan State University

7

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College earned the #7 position for film studies this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Oberlin. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. There were roughly 25 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Oberlin College earn a median of $23,519 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for Oberlin College

8

Bowling Green State University Main Campus
Bowling Green, OH

Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #8 for film studies this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates 61% of students within six years. About 28 film studies degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $19,803 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full film studies details for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

9

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University came in at #9 for film studies this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Allendale. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 58 film studies degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $25,256. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $25,899 in student loans. Read more about the film studies program at Grand Valley State University

10

Columbia College Chicago
Chicago, IL

Columbia College Chicago earned the #10 position for film studies this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Columbia College Chicago is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 20 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Columbia College Chicago earn a median of $29,694 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the film studies program at Columbia College Chicago

11

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 108 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $23,840. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full film studies program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

12

Wright State University Main Campus
Dayton, OH

Wright State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for film studies this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Wright State University Main Campus graduates 42% of students within six years. Wright State University Main Campus awarded about 15 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $24,617 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,750 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for Wright State University Main Campus