Film schools have become widely popular in the last decade, and one of the main reasons behind their fame is the rise in cinematic entertainment. If you have a solid love for films, you should try your luck pursuing a career in the film industry. The United States of America undoubtedly leads the film industry due to Hollywood’s unmatched popularity worldwide.
In this article, we bring you the top five universities offering film-related degrees for you to apply, with total costs, specialties, and notable alumni in the description.
Top Film Schools in the USA
1. University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is one of the most well-known universities in the USA because of its wide range of academic and extracurricular merits. The university has great research programs and programs for creative minds. One example is the School of Cinematic Arts, which is the film school that offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in directing, producing, editing, cinematography, sound, and production design.
USC is also home to many notable alumni. Stacey Sher, the director of great movies like Pulp Fiction, Contagion, and Django Unchained, is an honored university graduate and an honorable alumnus. The actors Will Ferrel and America Ferrera are also proud alumni of the institution.
USC is open to both domestic and international students. Admission is based on merit, including previous academic results, a current resume, and work experience. The university also offers excellent scholarships for deserving candidates.
Apart from education, the university offers a vibrant campus with exceptional university life and incredible opportunities, so prepare your portfolio and start applying.
2. New York University
New York University is the most famous art and film school in the U.S. because of its popularity in television shows and movies. The university is located in the heart of New York, and it has various international campuses. The NYU Film School offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to domestic and international students.
Undergraduate admission varies per specialization. Prospective students should check specific requirements before applying. Different requirements also apply to degree-seeking students at the graduate level.
The school collectively creates around 5,000 films per year, most of which are made by the students as part of their curriculum and learning curve. The university also believes in hands-on experiences, which is why it has many active internship programs with various film production companies.
Notable alumni at NYU include Reed Morano, the director of The Handmaid’s Tale, and Chris Columbus, the director of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Night at the Museum.
3. American Film Institute
Unlike the other universities on the list, the American Film Institute is the only dedicated film and cinema university. The institute was founded in 1967 to teach and curate the wonders of America’s film and cinema heritage.
The university offers degrees in cinematography, direction, production, screening, sound, and computer effects. Because it provides a wide range of subjects, the university attracts much attention from prospective film students, both national and international.
AFI’s tuition fees are around $64,221. However, the university has numerous scholarship programs and financial aid for students who need financial support.
The most notable AFI alumni include the cinematographers Pawel Pogorzelski from Midsommar and Wally Pfister from Inception and The Dark Knight.
4. University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California-Los Angeles School of Theater, Film, and Television offers a wide range of subjects, degrees, certifications, and courses for film school students. This collection is why the university is so famous among students and receives hundreds of applications each year only for its dedicated film school.
UCLA is a dream for many students to get into, and being accepted into film school is an even more significant achievement. The university has a rigorous screening process for student admissions, which depends on their academic achievements and work portfolio. If you have prior experience in the field, it will help you get admitted.
UCLA provides scholarship opportunities for deserving students. If you are looking for scholarships and aid, the university has a dedicated office to help you out. The most notable alumni from the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television are actors James Dean and Jack Black.
5. Columbia University
Columbia University is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States because of its history, education, and research. The university offers film degrees in screenplay writing, direction, and creative production.
It has one of the best faculties in the USA for its film school and believes in teaching students with hands-on equipment. A standard degree program costs more than $34,500 per semester, but the university has several scholarship and financial aid programs for students who need assistance.
The most notable alumni at the Columbia University School of the Arts include Kathryn Biglow, the award-winning director, and Dina Emam, an Egyptian-American producer. If you are looking for great career opportunities in the field of film, Columbia University is the place for you.
FAQs: Film Studies in the USA
Is a Film Degree in the U.S. Worth Pursuing?
Yes, a film degree in the USA is worth pursuing because this country has Hollywood. The United States has the largest entertainment industry, and a film degree will get you closer to attaining your dream.
Most schools in the country offer different paths for students to connect with notable directors, internships in great production companies, and socializing events that will prove very beneficial for them. You’ll never know; maybe you’ll even meet Quentin Tarantino at your local cafe in Brooklyn!
Enrolling in respective film schools in the United States gives international students more opportunities to study this program, which offers state-of-the-art facilities and close personal connections with well-known professionals in the industry. That’s why picking an institution like The New School Parsons or New York University will help upcoming students nurture their talents as aspiring filmmakers in the future. So, make sure to choose your school wisely!
We hope this article about the best film schools in the USA has provided you with the information you are looking for. Feel free to visit our Guide to Studying in the USA for more valuable tips and insights about studying in the country then check out the Available Programs for International Students you can enroll in!
