Film schools have been widely popular in the last decade and one of the main reasons behind its 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 the unmatched popularity of Hollywood worldwide.
In this article, we bring you the top 5 universities offering film-related degrees for you to apply, with total costs, specialties, and notable alumni in the description.
Is a Film Degree in the USA Worth Pursuing?
Yes, a film degree in the USA is worth pursuing because this country has Hollywood. The USA 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 link up with notable directors, internships in great production companies, and socializing events that will prove very beneficial for them. You may even get a chance to meet Quentin Tarantino at your local cafe in Brooklyn.
Top Film Schools in the USA for International Students
1. University of Southern California – School of Cinematic Arts
University of Southern California (USC) is one of the most well-known universities in all of the USA. This is because this university has a wide range of academic and extracurricular merits under its name. The university has great research programs and programs for creative minds. The School of Cinematic Arts is the film school of USC that offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in directing, producing, editing, cinematography, sound, and production design.
The university is open to both domestic and international students and admission is based on merit, including previous academic results and current resume and work experience. The tuition fee for undergraduate programs at USC is around $63,468 while for the graduate programs, it is around 39,067 USD to 57,243 USD. The university offers great scholarships for deserving candidates.
USC is also home to many notable alumni. Stacey Sher, the director of great movies like Pulp Fiction, Contagion, and Django Unchained is a graduate of the university and an honored alumnus. The actors Will Ferrel and America Ferrera are also proud alumni of the University of Southern California. 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 – Film School
New York University is probably the most famous art and film school in the USA because of its popularity in TV shows and movies. The university is located in the heart of New York with various international campuses. The NYU Film School offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to domestic and international students.
The undergraduate admission varies per specialization. For prospective students, be sure to 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 them made by the students as a part of their curriculum and learning curve. The university also believes in hands-on experiences which is why they have 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 – Cinematography School
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 the fields of cinematography, direction, production, screening, sound, and computer effects. It has a wide range of subjects to provide therefore the university attracts much attention from prospective film students, both national and international.
American Film Institute tuition fees are around $ 64,221. However, the university has numerous scholarship programs and aid for students who need financial support.
The most notable alumni of the AFI include the cinematographers: Pawel Pogorzelski from Midsommar and Wally Pfister from Inception and The Dark Knight.
4. University of California Los Angeles – School of Theater, Film and Television
UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television has a massive range of subjects, degrees, certifications, and courses for a film school student. This collection is why the university is so famous among students and receives hundreds of applications each year only for their dedicated film school. UCLA is a dream for many students to get into and to be accepted into their film school is an even bigger 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 any 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 the actors James Dean and Jack Black.
5. Columbia University School of the Arts
Columbia University is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States of America 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 it greatly believes in teaching the students with hands-on equipment. A standard degree program cost around 34,576 USD 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. So if you are looking for great career opportunities in the field of film, Columbia University might be the place for you.
Here we come to the end of the article about the best film schools in the USA which include USC, NYU, AFI, UCLA, and Columbia University. Applying to one of these universities will surely attain your academic goals and provide you with a better future!
We hope this article has provided you with the information you are looking for. Feel free to visit our USA Scholarships Page for more information about the different universities and scholarship opportunities in the USA!
