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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Film Studies Schools in the Southeast Region

12 Colleges in the United States
879 Film Studies Degrees Awarded
$43,000 Avg Early-Career Salary

Film Studies is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 44 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best film studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Film Studies in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall film studies education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Film Studies

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Our analysis ranked Vanderbilt University the best school in the country for a degree in film studies. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Vanderbilt University graduates 94% of students within six years. Vanderbilt University awarded about 12 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. Get the full film studies details for Vanderbilt University

2
Emory University crest
Emory University
Atlanta, GA

Emory University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 38 film studies degrees were awarded at Emory University in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $67,840 in their early career. Emory University graduates carry a median of $19,431 in student loans. Read more about the film studies program at Emory University

3

University Of Georgia came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. University Of Georgia awarded about 20 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $53,546 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792. Read more about the film studies program at University Of Georgia

4

The University Of Tennessee is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. There were roughly 13 film studies students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tennessee in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $49,826 in their early career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $22,859 in student loans. Read more about the film studies program at The University Of Tennessee

5

Northern Virginia Community College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Northern Virginia Community College awarded about 20 film studies degrees in the most recent data 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. Read more about the film studies program at Northern Virginia Community College

6

The University Of Tampa landed the #6 spot for film studies this year. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. The University Of Tampa graduates 64% of students within six years. The University Of Tampa awarded about 11 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from The University Of Tampa earn around $26,641 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tampa graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Read more about the film studies program at The University Of Tampa

7

Georgia State University placed #7 among the best film studies schools. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 227 film studies degrees were awarded at Georgia State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $22,588. Typical student debt for the program is $25,755. Get the full film studies details for Georgia State University

8

Florida Southern College came in at #8 for film studies this year. Located in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 10 film studies degrees were awarded at Florida Southern College in the most recent year. Film Studies graduates of Florida Southern College earn a median of $48,665 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,357. See the full film studies program report for Florida Southern College

9
Morehouse College crest
Morehouse College
Atlanta, GA

Morehouse College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best film studies schools. Morehouse College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 10 film studies degrees were awarded at Morehouse College in the most recent year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $32,093 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,199 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for Morehouse College

10

Oglethorpe University came in at #10 for film studies this year. Located in the suburb of Atlanta, Oglethorpe University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 film studies degrees were awarded at Oglethorpe University in the most recent year. Film Studies graduates of Oglethorpe University earn a median of $34,113 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,800 to complete this degree. Get the full film studies details for Oglethorpe University

11
Regent University crest
Regent University
Virginia Beach, VA

Regent University came in at #11 for film studies this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Virginia Beach. About 58% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 26 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Regent University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $44,205 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,451 to complete this degree. See the full film studies program report for Regent University

12
Dillard University crest
Dillard University
New Orleans, LA

Dillard University placed #12 among the best film studies schools. Located in the city of New Orleans, Dillard University is a small private not-for-profit university. Roughly 43% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Dillard University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Dillard University earn around $37,305 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $33,177 to complete this degree. Read more about the film studies program at Dillard University

13
Full Sail University crest
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL

Full Sail University came in at #13 for film studies this year. This very large private for-profit university is located in the suburb of Winter Park. About 45% of students finish within six years. Full Sail University awarded about 465 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Full Sail University earn a median of $24,058 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,343 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film studies from Full Sail University

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Notes and References

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 · 44 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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