2018 Best Colleges for Film and Photography in AmericaAbout this List

University of Southern California

• 4 Year
• Los Angeles, CA
• 3,344

Sophomore: I love attending the University of Southern California! The school has high caliber academics, a competitive yet fun environment for students of all majors, and a gorgeous campus. USC is a bit expensive however, hardworking students can come in with large scholarships to defray this cost. I definitely think that this experience is worth the cost of living and expenses out here and will truly pay off in the end. I have definitely met life long friends and have made unforgettable memories throughout my time here!
Read 3,344 Reviews

• A+

• 17% Acceptance Rate
• $31,384 Net Price
• 1270-1500 SAT Range

New York University

• 4 Year
• New York, NY
• 4,791

Freshman: Through the Global Liberal Studies program's Core Program I spent my first year abroad in Florence, Italy living on a bequeathed estate! I was accepted to this program because I showed an interest in the Humanities, and checked the box on the application rating my preferences for the global academic sites which also include Paris, London, & Washington DC. The best things I love about the campus is the Office of Student Life staff who are peppy (especially Jillian) and super helpful whenever you have a question. In addition, they also host all-expense paid trips all over Italy, so I highly recommend. Lastly, the campus has La Pietra Dialogues which hosts leading minds across a wide array of topics. Last semester I was able to meet the US diplomat to Italy, the head of Bloomberg News, and Angela Davis! Need I say more?
Read 4,791 Reviews

• A+

• 32% Acceptance Rate
• $35,106 Net Price
• 1250-1470 SAT Range

California Institute of the Arts

• 4 Year
• Valencia, CA
• 239

Sophomore: CalArts is a welcoming and empowering environment for aspiring artists. They make sure that the students have the tools that they need to create and collaborate with other artists. They have students coming from all over the world---a great way to connect with people coming from different backgrounds and culture. Furthermore, CalArts provides the students with the knowledge that they need to succeed in their chosen metier. However, they do lack in traditional academic classes so the option to have an academic minor is quite limited. Other than that, I think CalArts is a wonderful place for artists like me to grow and learn.
Read 239 Reviews

• B+

• 25% Acceptance Rate
• $47,362 Net Price
• — SAT Range

University of California - Los Angeles

• 4 Year
• Los Angeles, CA
• 4,461

Freshman: The first thing that comes to mind is the housing here at UCLA. I was lucky enough to receive one of the better, newer buildings, so my experience here has been great. The study and social lounges are equipped with new, comfortable furniture and lights that turn on and off depending on the amount of activity in the room it reads. The food is great. We have restaurants similar to Panda Express and Chipotle, and they are right below my building so it's not much of a walk at all!
Additionally, there are resources all around campus that are noticeably accessible to me, such as math tutoring from fraternities/sororities, counseling programs, clubs and activities that offer social circles, essay reviewers, and so on.
Read 4,461 Reviews

• A+

• 17% Acceptance Rate
• $13,816 Net Price
• 1180-1470 SAT Range

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

• 4 Year
• Winston-Salem, NC
• 228

Recent Alumnus: My school is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Being able to do something to what I love and present it on stage often times during the school year is exciting. I like how there are super well know guests of every kind of talent come and visit our college and talk to the classes and inspire the environment and energy. The students are always doing something with their majors and it would always be different with too much creative, which is what makes them epic! I'm going to spend the rest of my years here most definitely.
Read 228 Reviews

• A-

• 34% Acceptance Rate
• $13,375 Net Price
• 990-1230 SAT Range

Wesleyan University

• 4 Year
• Middletown, CT
• 659

College Senior: Academics vary by department, but generally I find myself in small enough classes where I get enough attention. Many are seminar based with lots of reading, which put a great emphasis on conversation. You can study ANY subject under the sun, and picking classes from all the exciting options is really hard! Professors are honestly hit or miss. Some (a slight majority?) are the most brilliant, passionate, helpful educators I've ever had, and are great resources for whatever we are studying. But I've had some professors that are incredibly disorganized and terrible at imparting knowledge onto others. Definitely weigh in upperclassmen opinions of faculty when picking classes (RateMyProfessor is v outdated).
Read 659 Reviews

• A+

• 22% Acceptance Rate
• $22,257 Net Price
• 1300-1480 SAT Range

Loyola Marymount University

• 4 Year
• Los Angeles, CA
• 1,490

Sophomore: I came here being skeptical. However, I have been impressed ever since I got here! The campus as a whole is so well-maintained. People are so kind and the campus is pretty! Professors are caring and classes are interactive. The food is honestly simplistic, but delicious at the same time. Library is just gorgeous! I have also just realized that LMU is ranked 3rd in the West. Lastly, if safety is one of your main concerns? Don't worry! I have been feeling safe since day 1. I love it here!

P. S: For you to have a chance to get admitted here, you would at least need 3.0 GPA.
Read 1,490 Reviews

• A

• 51% Acceptance Rate
• $40,226 Net Price
• 1110-1300 SAT Range

Rhode Island School of Design

• 4 Year
• Providence, RI
• 300

• A

• 37% Acceptance Rate
• $37,949 Net Price
• 1140-1400 SAT Range

Emerson College

• 4 Year
• Boston, MA
• 1,006

Alum: My four years at Emerson gave me great friends, helped shape my worldview, and greatly contributed to my career trajectory. The amount of opportunity there, both in and out of classes, is endless. The Emerson connections aren't a myth and the name is recognized outside the film/TV industry as well. I was a marketing communications major and I can't count how many times people in the marketing/advertising industry called out, recognized, and asked me about my school during internship interviews and networking events. After participating in an internship for credit at a Boston agency during my senior year, I received a job offer right before graduation, and I've been very happy there since!
Read 1,006 Reviews

• A-

• 49% Acceptance Rate
• $36,720 Net Price
• 1100-1310 SAT Range

DigiPen Institute of Technology

• 4 Year
• Redmond, WA
• 214

Sophomore: Most classes are geared toward your actual majors, however when you first start there's a lot of general studies to get through your first year. Things get more specialized the longer you stay. Faculty is nice, and all of them have worked in the industry in some way shape or form, so everyone knows what they're talking about! (Mostly)
Read 214 Reviews

• A-

• 47% Acceptance Rate
• $33,624 Net Price
• 1092-1330 SAT Range

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• 4 Year
• Ann Arbor, MI
• 3,808

Senior: The education that you receive here is definitely unbeatable. The campus is also a generally fun place to be. It is really competitive so that permeates the culture quite a bit, which I could do without. The university's commitment to diversity and inclusion is lacking, but they are making steps to change that going forward so I hope that there will be more positive steps in that area. You don't really get a sense of the local area because the campus is so large it really dominates the city of Ann Arbor. So, even when you venture out in the city a bit, it still feels like you're on campus. It's just very much a college town, so if you're into that, you'll love it!
Read 3,808 Reviews

• A+

• 26% Acceptance Rate
• $15,757 Net Price
• 1290-1500 SAT Range

University of California - Berkeley

• 4 Year
• Berkeley, CA
• 3,669

Senior: My experience at UC Berkeley has been amazing. The professors are my favorite part. They are so knowledgeable, and some are even famous, in their field of study. The best part? They genuinely care about our, the students, growth! UC Berkeley professors are not just looking for a pay check, they are looking to share knowledge with students that they believe are important. My least favorite part of Cal, housing. Ugh! Good housing is not only hard to come by, but its inflated! I hope UC Berkeley looks into creating more affordable and comfortable student housing.
Read 3,669 Reviews

• A+

• 17% Acceptance Rate
• $16,601 Net Price
• 1250-1510 SAT Range

Chapman University

• 4 Year
• Orange, CA
• 1,964

Freshman: There are a lot of great things about Chapman University. There are a lot of activities to do around campus and everyone is really kind. The classes are small and even the professors in larger classes really take it to an individual level and enjoy questions to make sure everyone is on the same page. The dorms are really great, you don't have to worry about walking down the hall to use the bathroom! The weather is also great, and even when it's getting a little too hot, you can always turn your air conditioning on. Some things I would change about Chapman is their food options because they're not very healthy.
Read 1,964 Reviews

• A-

• 48% Acceptance Rate
• $36,602 Net Price
• 1100-1290 SAT Range

School of Visual Arts

• 4 Year
• New York, NY
• 443

College Freshman: The variety in courses is phenomenal! Aside from the basic courses that you are required to complete, which all still seem very interesting, there are many different elective courses that are available, expending on into different subject such as history and even science. Seeing different courses that focus on different methods and styles of art only makes me wish that I could be able to apply for all of them! Finding the right professor, however, is not easy, sometimes you'll end up with a teacher that has a sort of teaching style that doesn't help you at all, and the only way you can get a good idea on who the right professor is for you is to rely on other's opinions.
Read 443 Reviews

• B-

• 75% Acceptance Rate
• $41,261 Net Price
• 920-1200 SAT Range

Laguna College of Art & Design

• 4 Year
• Laguna Beach, CA
• 181

Freshman: The campus is quite beautiful and quaint with a wonderful artistic atmosphere. The professors are very knowledgeable and work within the fields they are teaching; though the work load is rather heavy. However, things worthwhile don’t come easy and hard work and dedication is a must. With that being said, it would be nice if the campus wasn’t broken into two different locations. Also, crossing Laguna Canyon Rd can be quite dangerous, traffic is absolutely horrible and people don’t like stopping even though there’s a light!
Read 181 Reviews

• B

• 37% Acceptance Rate
• $34,285 Net Price
• — SAT Range

Emory University

• 4 Year
• Atlanta, GA
• 1,383

College Freshman: I have had a fantastic experience at Oxford College of Emory University. Professors here are brilliant, available to students, and committed to teaching undergraduates before their personal studies and research. The atmosphere is quaint and home-like, and I've never felt unsafe on campus. Oxford is great for freshmen and sophomores who are eager to get involved on their campuses and get into leadership positions early. I feel like I have community here, which is something rare to experience in your first year of college. Food is fantastic, buildings are beautiful, and the small campus makes it easy to get to classes on-time. I would definitely recommend Oxford at Emory for your undergraduate experience!
Read 1,383 Reviews

• A+

• 24% Acceptance Rate
• $25,928 Net Price
• 1270-1490 SAT Range

Carleton College

• 4 Year
• Northfield, MN
• 471

Freshman: The school has an incredibly open community; cliques are fluid and almost anyone is welcome and can feel comfortable sitting with any group. Dining hall food is great, although there are few good restaurants in the area. Classes are fantastic and the trimester system works very well for people who live far away (winter break extends from before thanksgiving to after new years). In addition, the trimester system allows students to fit three academic terms into one year while focusing more intensely on less during those terms, all the while still leaving room for a long winter break.
The biggest downside for me is that students seem less individual and more self-effacing than some other similar liberal arts colleges.
Read 471 Reviews

• A+

• 21% Acceptance Rate
• $31,568 Net Price
• 1320-1520 SAT Range

Minneapolis College of Art & Design

• 4 Year
• Minneapolis, MN
• 205

Freshman: Im in my first year here at MCAD, love the school! Its a bit expensive, just as most art schools, but it trys its best to make up for it. Constantly free trips and fun, food, activities, clubs, movie nights, etc. beautiful range of seasons here as well. Has great dorm pricing considering they come with personal restrooms, kitchens, and living rooms. Lovely people, friendly staff, real great community feel! Couldn't see myself anywhere else but here in the long run.
Read 205 Reviews

• B

• 66% Acceptance Rate
• $26,021 Net Price
• 930-1200 SAT Range

College for Creative Studies

• 4 Year
• Detroit, MI
• 502

Senior: I love this school even though it can kind of be awful. The resources are fantastic, the technology, the wood shop, metal shop, foundry, ceramic studio, glass shop, just so many great things! It is a very challenging institution, particularly during the freshman year. It is a small school, so it is easy to form a bond with a lot of the students, especially since the students tend to be quite like-minded. The school can kind of stink depending on what major the student chooses. It is a great design school, fantastic for product designers, but the majors that are not so design based kind of get the short end of the stick. I have lived in the student housing for 4 years. They are improving it and renovating it, but unfortunately I have had to live in the construction. The campus is safe, the professors are great (usually), and it is a very inspiring place to be.
Read 502 Reviews

• B

• 50% Acceptance Rate
• $34,620 Net Price
• — SAT Range

University of Miami

• 4 Year
• Coral Gables, FL
• 2,600

Freshman: I am a freshman at the University of Miami studying biomedical engineering and I love it! The campus is beautiful and there are so many things to get involved in. Students are all hardworking and care about each other. There are so many resources for help with classes, such as free tutoring by students. The local area is nice but you cannot really get anywhere by walking, so most students have cars. Also, not many students live on campus after freshman year. Overall, I have had a great experience so far
Read 2,600 Reviews

• A+

• 38% Acceptance Rate
• $35,444 Net Price
• 1200-1390 SAT Range

Art Center College of Design

• 4 Year
• Pasadena, CA
• 275

College Freshman: Given the average class size is 5 students to 1 teachers makes it far easier to communicate and get your point across during lesson time. It also provides one-on-one teaching which is effective if the student is a quite one like myself. The resources available to students, especially in the art studios, is unbelievable as this allows the students the opportunity to explore and create which broadens the creative horizons of the art students.
Read 275 Reviews

• B

• 80% Acceptance Rate
• $43,775 Net Price
• — SAT Range

Boston College

• 4 Year
• Chestnut Hill, MA
• 1,345

Junior: Boston College was the perfect fit for me. Originally, I had been extremely hesitant to start school. It was my third choice and I was worried about the student culture. However, I've made the best friends I've ever had, taken intellectually stimulating courses with top-notch professors, and found a perfect home-away-from-home. I'll miss BC!
Read 1,345 Reviews

• A+

• 29% Acceptance Rate
• $26,284 Net Price
• 1260-1470 SAT Range

Vassar College

• 4 Year
• Poughkeepsie, NY
• 593

Freshman: I have had an amazing experience during my first year at Vassar. The tuition is very high, but the school offers one of the best financial aid packages in the country. The classes are very interactive, and the professors are not only helpful, but also challenge students to think beyond their limits. The students are also very involved in on campus activities, and there are a wide variety of clubs that students can participate in. The only downside to the school would have to be the food, as the "deece", the all-student dining center, is infamous for having bad food.
Read 593 Reviews

• A

• 26% Acceptance Rate
• $21,265 Net Price
• 1330-1490 SAT Range

Pratt Institute

• 4 Year
• Brooklyn, NY
• 732

Niche User: I went for a campus tour, and the experience was great! The reception was very nice, got us on a tour very fast. Two tour guides (students studying at Pratt) took us on a 2-hour tour, answering our questions while giving great information about the institution. The campus is beautiful, definitely a calm getaway from the busyness of New York city, with inspiring sculptures around a very green area. The studios looked very professional, and the security system is very fast and trustworthy.
Read 732 Reviews

• B

• 57% Acceptance Rate
• $40,133 Net Price
• 888-1240 SAT Range

Southern Methodist University

• 4 Year
• Dallas, TX
• 1,363

Freshman: SMU is not perfect, nor is any school, but I am so thrilled to be a part of the amazing community here. The campus is beautiful, the professors are world-class, and everyone actually wants to see each student succeed. I am a science student (which SMU is not known for) but I still find myself learning and being challenged as much as my friends at big STEM schools. The Cox business school is unparalleled, the Meadows art school is highly regarded, and a degree from SMU sets you up for a bright future. There is nothing like being so connected to campus through boulevarding (tailgating before football games, a very SMU-experience), being in the MOB (basketball student section), and having access to everything the school has to offer its students. I love SMU and am looking forward to another three amazing years here!
Read 1,363 Reviews

• A+

• 49% Acceptance Rate
• $36,602 Net Price
• 1220-1410 SAT Range