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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Schools in District of Columbia

1 Colleges in the United States
85 Film, Video & Photographic Arts Degrees Awarded
$48,802 Avg Early-Career Salary

Film, Video & Photographic Arts 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools to find the best for film, video & photographic arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Film, Video & Photographic Arts in District of Columbia

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, video & photographic arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Film, Video & Photographic Arts

1
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

Our analysis ranked American University the best school in the country for a degree in film, video & photographic arts. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Washington. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 75 film, video & photographic arts students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Film, Video & Photographic Arts graduates of American University earn a median of $39,108 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the film, video & photographic arts program at American University

2
Howard University crest
Howard University
Washington, DC

Howard University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in film, video & photographic arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Washington, Howard University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Howard University awarded about 10 film, video & photographic arts degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their film, video & photographic arts degree from Howard University earn around $58,495 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,498 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in film, video & photographic arts from Howard University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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