The United States is home to some of the most respected film schools in the world, attracting aspiring filmmakers, writers, editors, and producers from across the globe. The best film schools in the US offer courses covering the full spectrum of filmmaking disciplines, including directing, screenwriting, cinematography, producing, editing, and more. Whether your goal is to work in feature film, documentary, animation, or location management, there is a program suited to your career path -- from short-term certificates to advanced graduate degrees.
The 10 schools on this list all have their unique selling points, but what they share is a commitment to cultivating talent and providing students with the tools, networks, and experiences necessary to succeed in a competitive field.
USC’s School of Cinematic Arts is located right in the heart of Los Angeles, just a short drive from Hollywood’s major studios and production offices. The campus itself is purpose-built for filmmaking, with industry-grade sound stages, editing suites, and screening rooms that rival professional facilities.
Founded in 1929, USC has long been regarded as one of the top film schools in the world. It frequently tops rankings in The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, and its alumni list is impressive to say the least: George Lucas, Shonda Rhimes, Ryan Coogler, and Robert Zemeckis are all graduates. The school boasts deep connections to the industry, offering students access to internships, masterclasses, and mentorships with studio professionals.
USC offers a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs in disciplines ranging from screenwriting and directing to immersive media and producing. The school emphasises hands on learning and gets students crafting scripts and behind the camera making short films.
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Location: 900 W 34th St, Los Angeles, CA 90089. Take a virtual tour
Courses offered: BA, BFA, MFA, MA, PhD, and professional certificates
Fees: Tuition for an MFA in Film & Television Production is approximately $50,000 per year
AFI Conservatory (aka school for fine arts) is based in the Hollywood Hills, just minutes from the heart of Los Angeles’ studio district. The campus is small and intimate, creating a focused, collaborative environment for advanced study.
Unlike other institutions on this list, AFI is a graduate-only conservatory offering a two-year Master of Fine Arts program across six disciplines: Directing, Producing, Cinematography, Screenwriting, Editing, and Production Design. Students are called “Fellows,” and the school maintains a rigorous, project-driven curriculum leading to thesis films that often go on to screen at major festivals.
AFI's reputation is stellar, with alumni including Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman), David Lynch (Mulholland Drive), and Rachel Morrison (cinematographer, Black Panther). Faculty and mentors are working professionals, and the school frequently hosts exclusive seminars with directors like Steven Spielberg and Ava DuVernay.
Location: 2021 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027. Take a virtual tour.
Courses offered: MFA in six filmmaking disciplines
Fees: Tuition for the two-year program is approximately $68,000 per year
NYU Tisch is situated in the heart of Greenwich Village, Manhattan, surrounded by New York City’s thriving indie film scene. Founded in 1965, the Tisch School has become one of the most respected film programs in the US and globally.
Students benefit from an immersive education that emphasises storytelling, craft, and production from day one. Notable alumni include Martin Scorsese, Chloé Zhao, and Spike Lee, many of whom return to teach or mentor students.
Tisch offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Film & Television, as well as specialized MFA programs in writing and directing. Students are encouraged to shoot in real locations across New York, giving them valuable work experience on set, alongside creative training.
Tisch’s acceptance rate typically hovers around 15-20% for the BFA in Film & Television (and lower for graduate programs), making it more selective than most US film schools. The school values unique creative vision as much (or more) than grades, and all applicants must send a creative portfolio including a resume, examples of work, and a personal video. Want to learn more? Read our guide to creating a killer showreel.
Location: 721 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
Courses offered: BFA, MFA, and certificate programs
Fees: Undergraduate tuition is around $70,000 per year; graduate tuition is similar
Dodge College is located in Orange, California, just 40 minutes south of Los Angeles. The modern campus includes a fully equipped backlot, sound stages, and editing suites designed to mirror real-world studios.
Ranked among the top 10 American film schools by The Hollywood Reporter, Dodge has grown rapidly in prestige thanks to its focus on hands-on learning. Alumni have gone on to work at Disney, Netflix, and Paramount, and the school maintains strong ties with local and national production companies.
Dodge is more accessible than AFI, NYU, or USC, but still highly selective for top programs. To stand out, you'll need a compelling personal statement that shows why you're serious about filmmaking, well-executed portfolio pieces (even if low budget) that demonstrate your vision, and any real-world film/media experience (student projects, YouTube, festivals), even if it’s small-scale.
Location: 283 N Cypress St, Orange, CA 92866. Take a virtual tour.
Courses offered: BFA, MFA, and MA programs in film production, screenwriting, and more
Fees: Undergraduate tuition is approximately $65,000 per year; graduate tuition varies by program
SCAD’s main film campus is located in the historic coastal city of Savannah, Georgia, with additional facilities in Atlanta and even Lacoste, France. Its soundstages, backlot, and tech resources support a production-heavy curriculum.
SCAD is widely respected for its blend of art school creativity and production professionalism. Its students regularly screen work at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival (the largest university-run film festival in the world) which attracts big-name guests from across the industry. The school has produced alumni who now work for major networks and studios including HBO, Marvel, and Apple TV+.
Georgia’s film industry has exploded in recent years thanks to generous tax incentives, making SCAD a gateway to Hollywood-level productions in the Southeast.
Location: 201 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401
Courses offered: BFA, MA, and MFA programs in film, television, production design, and more
Fees: Undergraduate tuition is about $42,000 per year; graduate tuition is similar
Located in Austin, Texas, a city known for its talented arts scene, UT Austin’s Radio-Television-Film department is part of one of the largest and most diverse universities in the United States.
Moody College is consistently recognised for its excellence in research, teaching, and creative work. In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, it was ranked the #1 public university in the United States for Communication and Media Studies, and #3 globally. With accomplished alumni like Robert Rodriguez (Sin City), Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel), and cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto (The Irishman), UT Austin offers both pedigree and accessibility.
Austin also hosts the renowned Austin Film Festival and SXSW, offering Moody students the opportunity to screen their work through their dedicated showcase and official festival selections. They also get to take part in industry events and participate in panels.
Location: 2504 Whitis Ave Stop A0800, Austin, TX 78712
Courses offered: BA, BS, MFA in Film & Media Production, Screenwriting, and more
Fees: In-state undergraduate tuition starts at around $11,000/year; out-of-state around $40,000/year
UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT) is located in Westwood, on the university’s main Los Angeles campus and just minutes from Beverly Hills.
One of the oldest public film programs in the country, UCLA has earned its place among the top-ranked film schools globally. It has a strong reputation for combining rigorous academic study with hands-on production. Alumni include Francis Ford Coppola (The Godfather), Alexander Payne (Sideways), and Justin Lin (Fast & Furious series). The school also regularly hosts industry veterans for masterclasses and panels.
UCLA offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in areas like directing, screenwriting, producing, and animation. It also places a strong emphasis on diversity, representation, and social impact storytelling.
Location: 225 Charles E. Young Dr. E, Los Angeles, CA 90095
Courses offered: BA, MFA, MA, and PhD programs in film, television, digital media, and theater
Fees: Graduate tuition for California residents is approximately $18,000 per year; non-residents approx. $33,000
Located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, Columbia University’s School of the Arts offers an elite graduate film program in the heart of New York City.
The program is known for its screenwriting and directing MFAs, emphasizing personal voice, narrative structure, and artistic risk-taking. Its alumni include Jennifer Lee (co-director of Frozen), Phil Johnston (Zootopia), and Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry). The school has a reputation for launching serious writer-directors who excel in independent and arthouse cinema.
Faculty members are active professionals, and students benefit from access to New York’s endless locations and active production community. Columbia also runs its own production facilities and partners with the city’s film commissions for on-location shoots.
Location: 2960 Broadway, New York, NY 10027
Courses offered: MFA in Screenwriting/Directing, Creative Producing, and Writing for Film & TV
Fees: Graduate tuition is approximately $72,000 per year
Emerson College is a private college in downtown Boston with a small, creative campus and a close-knit community. Emerson also has facilities in Los Angeles and a European base in the Netherlands.
Known for its emphasis on communication, media, and the liberal arts, Emerson offers one of the most respected undergraduate film and media production programs on the East Coast. Alumni include Norman Lear (All in the Family), Denis Leary, and comedian Jay Leno. Emerson’s LA program also allows upper-level students to study and intern in Hollywood.
The curriculum combines technical training with storytelling and media theory. Students often shoot on-location around Boston and beyond, gaining practical experience with real-world production logistics.
Location: 120 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116
Courses offered: BA, BFA, and MFA in Media Arts Production, Film Art, and Media Studies
Fees: Undergraduate tuition is around $56,000 per year; graduate programs vary
Boston University’s film and television program is housed within the College of Communication, just west of downtown Boston along the Charles River. The school offers a strong academic foundation in both feature films and documentary production, with opportunities to specialise in producing, editing, screenwriting, and cinematography.
BU Film & TV alumni have gone on to work for Netflix, NBCUniversal, and Pixar, with notable grads including Geena Davis (Thelma & Louise) and producer Scott Rosenberg (Venom, Jumanji). The program combines traditional coursework with hands-on production, and students often collaborate across disciplines, from journalism to advertising and screenwriting.
For these reasons, Boston University has a rising profile, which also makes it competitive. The College of Communication is a bit more accessible than other BU schools but it's still highly selective. Strong grades, a focused application, and relevant experience will make a big difference to your application.
Location: 640 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215
Courses offered: BS, MS, and MFA in Film & Television
Fees: Undergraduate tuition is about $65,000 per year; graduate tuition is comparable
Whether you're looking to direct your first feature, write for television, or manage filming locations, the United States is home to some of the world’s best film schools. From the industry connections of USC and NYU to the hands-on experience at Emerson and UT Austin, each school offers a unique path into the world of film and media. With the right program, mentorship, and vision, one of these institutions could be the launchpad for your career in filmmaking.
