Top 15 Best Colleges for Film Majors
Film majors in college learn about the history of film, how to analyze films, and how to produce their own original media. The major is perfect for students with a penchant for both creating art and studying the humanities. Graduates of Film Studies are well-equipped to create innovative media (individually, or as a team) and see long-term projects through to fruition. The major also prepares them to write clearly, think analytically, and conduct research. For that reason, Film majors not only go on to careers in the film sector, but also other fields involving media, such as marketing, business, and design. In this post, we’ll be sharing the top 15 best colleges for film majors, why their film departments stand out, and what it takes to get into these schools. See the complete list of top schools for film. Click on the school to jump to a description of its film department. Keep in mind that this admissions data is for the entire university, and that stats may be different for colleges within each university (if applicable). View more top schools for film majors Location: Los Angeles, CA Acceptance Rate: 11.4% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 19,907 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1270-1490 SAT, 28-34 ACT The USC School of Cinematic Arts is divided into seven divisions, allowing students to focus on: The school offers B.A. or B.F.A. degrees in nearly all of the divisions, minus Producing (it’s a graduate program only). The USC School of Cinematic Arts is the only media school in the world to offer programs in all major components of cinematic arts. Students take courses across all seven divisions, and get to work hands-on in their specific fields of interest. Learn more about USC and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Los Angeles, CA Acceptance Rate: 12.3% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 31,577 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1290-1510 SAT, 27-34 ACT The UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television offers a B.A. in Film and Television. Students will receive a liberal arts education, along with taking courses in cinema and media studies, production, and film and television craft. In their senior year, Film and Television majors focus on their area of specialty, from directing to animation. As part of their degree, they must also complete an internship as an upperclassman. Learn more about UCLA and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Orange, CA Acceptance Rate: 53.6% (2018) Total Undergrad Enrollment: 7,281 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1190-1380 SAT, 25-31 ACT The Chapman University Dodge College of Film and Media Arts offers a highly-respected B.A. in Film Studies, among many other film- and media-related programs. Film majors at Chapman will study film history, genres, and diversity in the industry. They will learn to analyze films using classical and contemporary theory, and produce high-quality research papers. Learn more about Chapman University and what it takes to get accepted. Location: New York, NY Acceptance Rate: 15% (2020) Total Undergrad Enrollment: 26,733 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1350-1530 SAT, 30-34 ACT NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts has one of the most prestigious film programs, and its alumni have many impressive accomplishments, from directing The Handmaid’s Tale to Harry Potter to Beyonce’s Lemonade. Students in the Kanbar Institute of Film & Television will gain a liberal arts education along with their specialized film instruction. Interested students may also apply for the dual degree (B.S. in Business and B.F.A. in Film and Television) offered by Tisch and NYU’s highly-selective Stern School of Business. Learn more about NYU and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Middletown, CT Acceptance Rate: 19.8% (2020) Total Undergrad Enrollment: 3,009 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1450-1560 SAT, 33-35 ACT Wesleyan University is a liberal arts college with an open curriculum, meaning that there are no required courses outside of your major. To be eligible for the Film Studies major at Wesleyan, you must take two prerequisite courses and get a B+ or higher. The major is interdisciplinary, and involves history, analysis, and production. Students of the College of Film and Moving Image also have access to the Wesleyan Cinema Archives, the Wesleyan Film Series, and the Filmmaking Club. Learn more about Wesleyan University and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Austin, TX Acceptance Rate: 31.8% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 40,804 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1170-1400 SAT, 27-33 ACT *UT Austin admissions data varies a lot by in-state/out-of-state applicants, and whether applicants are guaranteed admits.* The Moody College of Communications at UT Austin is ranked the #2 public film school by The Hollywood Reporter. It offers a B.S. in Radio-Television-Film, where undergraduates participate in major film festivals, conduct media studies research, and participate in internships with large production companies. Alumni go on to not only work in the film industry, but also other media sectors, like app development and game design. Learn more about UT Austin and what it takes to get accepted. Location: New York, NY Acceptance Rate: 5.3% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 8,216 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1480-1560 SAT, 33-35 ACT Film Studies majors at Columbia can expect a curriculum that is “scholarly, international in scope, and writing-intensive.” Students will be exposed to the technology, art, and cultural significance of the field. They’ll have the chance to participate in internships with film companies, join the Columbia Undergraduate Film Productions, and work on graduate student films. Learn more about Columbia University and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Pasadena, CA Acceptance Rate: 58% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 2,008 Average SAT Score: 1216 Film students at the ArtCenter College of Design have access to the latest technology and tools at the college’s facilities in LA. Students receive foundational instruction in film before going on to specialize in cinematography, editing, or directing. During the program, students are given the chance to write and direct a film, and develop a reel of original work. Learn more about ArtCenter College of Design and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Providence, RI Acceptance Rate: 20% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 1,994 Average SAT Score: 1343 RISD offers a B.F.A in Film/Animation/Video that exposes students to the basics of the field through a series of shorter projects. Students then go on to focus on live action, animation, or open media, all while working on more intricate projects involving skills from interactive programming to character design. RISD students have the added benefit of attending a college right next to Ivy League Brown, where they can cross-register for courses. Learn more about RISD and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Sarasota, FL Acceptance Rate: 67% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 1,561 Average SAT/ACT Score: N/A Ringling College of Art and Design offers a B.F.A in Film that teaches students not only the technical aspects of filmmaking, but also the art of telling engaging stories. Film majors can choose from two areas of focus: Narrative and Branded Entertainment. The Narrative emphasis is more centered on the art of filmmaking, while the Branded Entertainment emphasis prepares students for the marketing/business side of film along with producing media. Location: Syracuse, NY Acceptance Rate: 50% (2018) Total Undergrad Enrollment: 15,226 Average SAT/ACT Score: 1270 SAT, 28 ACT Film majors at Syracuse have access to faculty who have premiered films at prestigious festivals around the world. Students are offered a wide variety of unique opportunities, including the Syracuse International Film festival, domestic exchange programs in LA, and study abroad programs in the Czech Republic and Italy. Learn more about Syracuse University and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Boston, MA Acceptance Rate: 35.6% (2018) Total Undergrad Enrollment: 3,855 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1220-1380 SAT, 27-31 ACT Aspiring filmmakers at Emerson College have the choice between a degree in Media Studies (B.A. or B.F.A.) or Media Studies Production (B.F.A.). During the program, students will learn history and theory, create their own original media, and conduct research and analysis. B.A. students have the option of participating in a one-semester capstone project, and B.F.A. students must complete a year-long thesis. Students who wish to study abroad may also be interested in the Global BFA in Film Art in conjunction with the Paris College of Art. Learn more about Emerson College and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Los Angeles, CA Acceptance Rate: 43.8% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 6,700 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1250-1400 SAT, 27-31 ACT The Loyola Marymount School of Film and Television has programs in: Students in the School of Film and Television are also eligible for study abroad programs in Italy, Germany, and Hungary. Beginning Fall 2020, students can also apply to live in the school’s living-learning community for first-years, allowing them to develop closer ties with their classmates and faculty (who are co-directors of the community). Learn more about LMU and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Winston-Salem, NC Acceptance Rate: 38.2% (2018) Total Undergrad Enrollment: 890 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: 1090-1280 SAT, 22-28 ACT UNCSA film students start their college journeys by learning the foundations of film production through a wide variety of digital projects. After their first two years, they’ll pick a concentration and work with classmates to develop short films. Students will have access to distinguished faculty and visiting artists, and in their final year, they’ll travel to LA to screen their films before industry professionals. The school also co-hosts the annual RiverRun International Film Festival, allowing students to be exposed to up-and-coming creators from around the world. Learn more about UNCSA and what it takes to get accepted. Location: Oakland, CA Acceptance Rate: 88% Total Undergrad Enrollment: 890 Middle 50% SAT/ACT: N/A The California College of the Arts offers a B.F.A. in Film, where students will build their skills through collaboration and interdisciplinary learning. All Film majors complete a two-semester Senior Project, which is a culmination of the skills and knowledge they’ve gained. Students are also required to take courses in the Humanities and Sciences for a well-rounded education and perspective. Learn more about CCA and what it takes to get accepted. There are more colleges that are great for film! See the complete list. Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!Top 15 Best Colleges for Film Majors
School Name
Location
Acceptance Rate (2019)
Middle 50% SAT Scores
Middle 50% ACT Scores
1. University of Southern California (USC)
Los Angeles, CA
11.4%
1270-1490
28-34
2. UCLA
Los Angeles, CA
12.3%
1290-1510
27-34
3. Chapman University
Orange, CA
53.6% (2018)
1190-1380
25-31
4. New York University (NYU)
New York, NY
15% (2020)
1350-1530
30-34
5. Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
19.8% (2020)
1450-1560
33-35
6. UT Austin
Austin, TX
31.8%
1170-1400
27-33
7. Columbia University
New York, NY
5.3%
1480-1560
33-35
8. ArtCenter College of Design
Pasadena, CA
58% (2018)
1216 (average)
N/A
9. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Providence, RI
20%
1343 (average)
N/A
10. Ringling College of Art and Design
Sarasota, FL
67%
N/A
N/A
11. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
50% (2018)
1270 (average)
28 (average)
12. Emerson College
Boston, MA
35.6% (2018)
1220-1380
27-31
13. Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
43.8%
1250-1400
27-31
14. University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Winston-Salem, NC
38.2% (2018)
1090-1280
22-28
15. California College of the Arts
Oakland, CA
88%
N/A
N/A
1. University of Southern California (USC)
2. University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA)
3. Chapman University
4. New York University (NYU)
5. Wesleyan University
6. The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)
7. Columbia University
8. ArtCenter College of Design
9. Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
10. Ringling College of Art and Design
11. Syracuse University
12. Emerson College
13. Loyola Marymount University
14. University of North Carolina School of the Arts
15. California College of the Arts
