Which are the best schools for film studies? When talking about talented actors/actresses many do think about individual awards like Oscars and the rest. But the truth is, a good number of those actions have attended a film school – with honorary names including movie stars like Martin Scorsese and David Lynch.
So, are you interested in pursuing an acting career? If yes then it is important to know that there are many acting schools for Film studies. They offer an education that is capable of producing talented actors, directors, and screenwriters.
Nevertheless, here are the 10 best schools for Film Studies in the United States…
- University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts
- New York University Kanbar Institute of Film & Television
- UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television
- Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television
- California Institute of the Arts
- Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
- Ithaca College Park School of Communications
- Columbia University School of the Arts
- Wesleyan University College of Film and Moving Image
- Boston University
10. Boston University
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Kicking off the list of the best film schools in the United States, Boston University is an educational establishment that is known for offering an excellent Film & Television studies program. The population of students admitted to study the program is not high hence classes are more interactive and the relationship between the students and faculty is remarkable.
Even so, the prominent American educational institution offers four main areas of specialization in a film which are Producing/Management, Film and Television, Screenwriting, and Production.
These options are broad and are handled by well-to-do film experts with years of experience. Hence, the school has graduated scholars who have contributed to the success and growth of the Hollywood entertainment industry.
Moreover, potential film professionals are allowed to partake in BUTV10 which is a visual production studio where scholars can create content and programs.
Another learning opportunity students can utilize are internships which can be done in locations like Sydney, Australia, and Los Angeles, London.
9. Wesleyan University College of Film and Moving Image
Location: Middletown, Connecticut
Coming in next on the list, Wesleyan University College of Film and Moving Image is one of the best film schools in the United States. Located in Middletown, Connecticut several things can be attributed to the school’s success but the most outstanding is the Center for Film Studies.
This state-of-the-art facility is home to 2 modernized cinemas, cinema archives, and a gallery among others. It is mainly utilized by scholars studying the film studies major and is also accessible to other artists.
The school also has the services of experienced and established faulty members who perform a role similar to tutors and guidance. Even so, as a liberal arts college, the American University has a large and diverse student population hence giving room for like-minded scholars to meet and bond.
Additionally, the prestige American education service provider has also produced several alumni including Oscar-winning screenwriter Akiva Goldsman.
8. Columbia University School of the Arts
Location: New York, NYC
Located in the much-loved and booming city of New York, Columbia University School of the Arts is one of the best academic institutions in the country for potential film experts to go to.
As the only member of the ivy league schools on the list, this top university of arts offers a film program that is aimed at producing industry professionals. There is no undergraduate program for its film program hence it is best to have earned the first degree before applying.
Nevertheless, the school offers postgraduate programs and many of its alumni have won several prizes including Academy Awards.
Additionally, the prestigious American university is located in New York which happens to be the home of many talented movie stars. Scholars can utilize the opportunity and network better for future career opportunities.
7. Ithaca College Park School of Communications
Location: Ithaca, New York
Coming in as 7th on the list, Ithaca College Park School of Communications offers one of the best film education in the United States. The notorious American institution has been ranked high by many sources; the Hollywood Reporter name the college among its “Top 25 Film Schools.”
The top American educational establishment is particularly known for its quality undergraduate education in film studies which solely relies on hands-on training.
Even so, the school is home to a strong faculty with members having gained enough experience in the field. Students also have access to internship programs in many prominent film establishments in New York.
Moreover, the school offers 3 areas of specialization which are Writing for Film, TV, and Emerging Media. And Film, Photography, and Visual Arts. And Cinema and Photography.
6. Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts
Location: Orange, California
Located in California, the Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts is one of the best film schools in the United States. Being one of the highest producers of industry experts in the country, the prestigious education service provider is home to an excellent film program.
Even so, the school also has several state-of-the-art facilities including the Digital Media Arts Center which is a quality-packed facility that can be compared to the likes of Pixar and Facebook studios.
Moreover, the school also has editing suites, mixing studios and other facilities kept in place to mold and transform students into professionals. However, the acceptance rate of the school is low as just one-fifth of applicants are admitted.
Hence, this makes it one of the most competitive film schools in the world and with an acceptance rate of 8%, potential students need to be duly prepared.
5. California Institute of the Arts
Location: Valencia, California
California Institute of the Arts is one of the best film schools in the United States. With the foundation laid down upon the principle of the German word Gesamtkunstwerk, the school has what it takes to mold potential students into industry professionals.
The prominent American educational establishment offers an excellent animation program and as a result, has produced many world-class animators spread across the country and globe.
4. Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television
Location: Los Angeles, California
Coming in among the top (4) four in the list, Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television is one of the best film schools in the United States.
The prestigious academic institution is home to a strong faculty and students have access to lots of internships – they can do this with one of the 400 partnering companies of Loyola Marymount.
Even so, the school also offers a qualitative undergraduate program in the School of Film and Television and has graduated many alumni who are working with many prominent entertainment centers.
3. UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television
Location: Los Angeles, California
UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television is the third (3rd) best film school in the United States. With an acceptance rate of roughly 8%, the school is tough and competitive.
The prestigious American higher educational establishment has a strong faculty with members having gained enough experience in the field. The student-to-faculty ratio is 5:1 hence the class size is small giving room for personalized education with lots of interaction.
This performing school also has a good research program – it is home to Archive Research and Study Center (ARSC) which provides students with plentiful resources.
Even so, the school’s location in Los Angeles is an avenue for students to meet with several film experts and network better.
2. New York University Kanbar Institute of Film & Television
Location: New York, NYC
Missing the top spot, New York University Kanbar Institute of Film & Television is the second-best school for film studies. Established in 1965, the academic institution has graduated several top movie stars including Vince Gilligan and Martin Scorsese.
With over 5k movies produced by both scholars and faculty per year, the school parades rigorous, intensive, and comprehensive coursework. The academic institution also has excellent acting and drama programs and has one of the highest numbers of workforces in the entertainment industry.
1. University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts
Location: Los Angeles, California
Beating others on the list, the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts is the best school for film studies in the United States. Established in 1929, the school has one of the oldest film education.
Even so, some programs have an acceptance rate of 3% hence admission is highly competitive. The school is also home to a strong faculty and students are taught using hands-on training. Students have access to many internships at many top entertainment centers both in California and across the City.
Even so, many of the alumni who graduated from the school have won several prizes – in 2006, Ari Sandel, won the Academy Award for his USC graduate school project West Bank Story.
Conclusion
The Best Colleges for Film and Photography ranking is based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education. The ranking compares the top film schools and photography programs in the U.S. This year’s rankings have reduced the weight of ACT/SAT scores to reflect a general de-emphasis on test scores in the college admissions process.
That was all on the best schools for film studies in the United States. Was it helpful? Let’s hear from you via the comments section.
