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Best Schools for Film Studies in the The Plains States Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the film studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Film Studies
Our analysis ranked Carleton College the best school in the country for a degree in film studies. Set in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Carleton College awarded about 12 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $45,096 in their early career. Carleton College graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans.
Get the full film studies details for Carleton College
A rank of #2 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for film studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 22 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $29,613. Students borrow a median of $19,833 to complete this degree.
See the full film studies program report for University Of Missouri Columbia
A rank of #3 makes University Of Nebraska Lincoln one of the top schools for film studies. This very large public university is located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 11 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $31,172 in their early career. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans.
Get the full film studies details for University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Students looking for a strong film studies program will find one at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #4. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 12 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film studies degree from Washington University In St Louis earn around $68,303 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,553.
Read more about the film studies program at Washington University In St Louis
A rank of #5 makes St Olaf College one of the top schools for film studies. Located in the town of Northfield, St Olaf College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 10 film studies degrees were awarded at St Olaf College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, film studies degree recipients from St Olaf College generally make around $40,848. St Olaf College graduates carry a median of $24,507 in student loans.
Get the full film studies details for St Olaf College
University Of Iowa landed the #6 spot for film studies this year. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 50 film studies degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Students who receive their film studies degree from University Of Iowa earn around $26,147 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in film studies from University Of Iowa
University Of Kansas placed #7 among the best film studies schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Lawrence. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of Kansas awarded about 59 film studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the film studies program make about $28,289 in their early career. University Of Kansas graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans.
Read more about the film studies program at University Of Kansas
Minnesota State University Mankato earned the #8 position for film studies this year. Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public school located in the city of Mankato. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 film studies students who graduated with this degree at Minnesota State University Mankato in the most recent data year. Film Studies graduates of Minnesota State University Mankato earn a median of $53,088 early in their careers. Minnesota State University Mankato graduates carry a median of $25,260 in student loans.
Read more about the film studies program at Minnesota State University Mankato
Narrow Film Studies Schools by State
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 · 20 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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