The Top 30 Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada, 2025

      When we began creating our latest compilation of the 30 Best Film Schools in the U.S. and Canada, we started with a straightforward question: Which schools will aid in your entry into the film and television industry?

      While many outstanding schools offer film history and theory, those on this list particularly emphasize practical filmmaking experiences that can help you navigate this notoriously challenging field.

      Some choices are clearly established, such as USC, the alma mater of Sinners director Ryan Coogler, and NYU, which boasts notable alums like Sean Baker, a four-time Oscar winner for his most recent, the Best Picture recipient Anora. If you can get accepted into a prestigious school like USC or NYU—and can afford it, potentially with significant financial aid—it’s certainly recommended that you attend.

      However, we also want to spotlight excellent, more affordable schools, such as Danny McBride’s alma mater, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Additionally, we've searched for budget-friendly hidden gems like SUNY Stony Brook, where students can learn from one of the industry’s most prolific and successful producers, Christine Vachon.

      We have also sought accessible programs at the community college level, enabling students to create films while transferring to larger institutions and possibly finding work in the industry as they hone their skills.

      We've made every effort to be transparent regarding costs and ways to alleviate them, but direct comparisons can sometimes be difficult due to the variety of programs available.

      Not every school on this list will suit everyone, but we believe that regardless of who you are or your background, at least one institution mentioned here will be the ideal fit for you.

      **AFI Conservatory (Los Angeles)**

      Freddy MacDonald achieved the distinction of being the youngest Directing Fellow admitted to the AFI Conservatory, thanks to his short film “Sew Torn,” which transformed into an impressive feature released earlier this year when he was just 24. He describes AFI’s Directing program as “absolutely pivotal to my development as a filmmaker.” As one of the most esteemed film schools, AFI offers a two-year MFA curriculum featuring intensive training in six areas: cinematography, directing, editing, producing, production design, and screenwriting. Each student is guaranteed to produce between three and ten films before graduation, making the $75,508 annual tuition worthwhile. (Financial aid is accessible.) MacDonald wouldn’t change his AFI experience: “The hands-on curriculum equipped me with the tools to develop my voice on set and encouraged me to write the feature that became my debut,” he shared with MovieMaker. “Thanks to AFI’s tremendous support, my thesis film won a Student Academy Award, launching my feature into production right after graduation. Beyond skills, it was the community that made AFI exceptional—collaborators and mentors who continue to influence my creative journey.” The resources, faculty, and industry access are exemplary, with notable alumni such as Andrea Arnold, Todd Field, Ari Aster, Patty Jenkins, Terrence Malick, and the late David Lynch.

      **Antioch University (Los Angeles)**

      Antioch is quickly becoming recognized as a premier choice for screenwriters through its MFA in Creative Writing, which adopts an apprenticeship model: each faculty member works individually with just three to six students each semester. The school welcomes visits from top storytellers like Winnie Holtzman (Wicked), Jennifer Lee (Frozen), and Stephen McFeely (The Avengers). In the two-year low-residency MFA program, students work off-campus for five-month periods, followed by 10-day residencies in December and June. The total cost is $48,016, with many students receiving significant grants. The faculty boasts playwright and actor John Cariani and The Wire veteran Joy Kecken.

      **Boston University (Boston)**

      Boston University has an impressive alumni network, including entertainment heavyweights such as Howard Stern, Andy Cohen, Hong Chau, and Julianne Moore. The Safdie Brothers, including our cover star Benny Safdie, graduated from the College of Communication, where they benefited from the school’s unique filmmaking approach, combining rigorous liberal arts education with small class sizes focused on providing students with a profound understanding of fundamental issues. Annual undergraduate tuition is $69,870.

      **CalArts (Santa Clarita, California)**

      CalArts has produced a myriad of highly creative artists, including Tim Burton and the late Paul Reubens, making it one of the most innovative schools worldwide. The institution particularly attracts bold animators and offers expanded creative opportunities, including student exchange programs with institutions such as the Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Bengaluru, India, and Universität der Künste in Berlin. Annual tuition for both undergraduate and graduate students is approximately $60,000.

      **Chapman University (Orange, California)**

      Dodge College of Film and Media Arts has gained a strong reputation, backed by alums like the Duffer Brothers, creators of Stranger Things