DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/film-video-and-photographic-arts/film-studies/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget
Best Schools for Film Studies in the United States
These are the top schools for a master’s degree in film studies, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Film Studies
University Of California Los Angeles tops our 2026 ranking of the best film studies schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 96 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $39,954. Typical student debt for the program is $19,000.
Read more about the film studies program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Southern California came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 24 film studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern California in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $26,843 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,687 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film studies from University Of Southern California
Loyola Marymount University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, Loyola Marymount University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 film studies degrees were awarded at Loyola Marymount University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $27,650 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree.
See the full film studies program report for Loyola Marymount University
Students looking for a strong film studies program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $84,850 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426.
See the full film studies program report for Johns Hopkins University
Stony Brook University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in film studies, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Stony Brook. About 76% of students finish within six years. Stony Brook University awarded about 10 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Stony Brook University earn around $60,047 in the first couple years of their career. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans.
Read more about the film studies program at Stony Brook University
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for film studies this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. About 54% of students finish within six years. About 47 film studies degrees were awarded at Cuny Brooklyn College in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $33,095 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,622 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in film studies from Cuny Brooklyn College
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates 96% of students within six years. About 23 film studies degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $31,087 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
See the full film studies program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of Georgia ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 20 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792.
Get the full film studies details for University Of Georgia
The New School placed #9 among the best film studies schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 film studies degrees were awarded at The New School in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from The New School earn around $21,523 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,829.
See the full film studies program report for The New School
Howard University came in at #10 for film studies this year. Howard University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. Howard University graduates 70% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Howard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Howard University generally make around $58,495. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete this degree.
Read more about the film studies program at Howard University
Columbia College Chicago ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Chicago. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Columbia College Chicago awarded about 20 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Columbia College Chicago generally make around $35,483. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
Read more about the film studies program at Columbia College Chicago
Cuny City College earned the #12 position for film studies this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Cuny City College graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Cuny City College in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $26,918 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,389.
Read more about the film studies program at Cuny City College
Regent University landed the #13 spot for film studies this year. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Regent University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 film studies degrees were awarded at Regent University in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Regent University earn around $44,205 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree.
Read more about the film studies program at Regent University
Full Sail University landed the #14 spot for film studies this year. Full Sail University is a very large private for-profit school located in the suburb of Winter Park. Full Sail University graduates 45% of students within six years. Full Sail University awarded about 59 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Full Sail University earn around $21,973 in the first couple years of their career. Full Sail University graduates carry a median of $27,343 in student loans.
Get the full film studies details for Full Sail University
Other Film Studies Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Film Studies rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, 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.
ADBLOCK #116