1.1 BEST FILM SCHOOLS IN THE USA University of Southern California (USC) USC is not only considered one of the best film schools in California but one of the best film schools in the world. And for good reason. It is the oldest university in the US dedicated to film studies. It actually started alongside the Academy ​​​​of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1929; the dawn of stateside cinema. No matter which field of filmmaking interest you most, you can learn and study it here. USC has built a true film community on campus, with undergrad and grad programs in everything from film production, screenwriting, and animation to interactive media and digital arts.

John C. Hench Division of Animation and Digital Arts is part of USC’s expansive film school.

There are both undergraduate and graduate level degree programs. They also even offer a producing program through the USC Marshall School of Business. The acceptance rate for USC is around 13%, but the School of Cinematic Arts only admits about 3%. Yes, it’s tough to get in. Though if you’re serious about a career in filmmaking, USC should be on your list of film schools worth the application fee. TUITION: $50,010/annually

SO WHO WENT TO USC? Jay Roach, Judd Apatow, Jon Chu, Paula Patton, Stacey Sher, Robert Kiraz, Scott Alexander, Sam Peckinpah, Gregg Araki, John August, Robert Zemeckis, Matthew Weiner, John Carpenter, Larry Karaszewski, Ron Howard, Ryan Coogler, Caleb Deschanel & Conrad Hall

1.2 BEST FILM SCHOOLS IN the usa University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) UCLA is another Los Angeles film school with a stellar reputation. It has been around for more than 60 years and was the first to combine theatre, TV and film programs into one. No wonder it’s often ranked as one of the top three film schools in the country. UCLA Extension also offers incredible non-degree programs that are modeled after their Masters of Fine Art studies. TUITION: $37,471

WHO WENT TO UCLA? Allison Anders, Carol Burnett, Francis Ford Coppola, David Koepp, Anne Marie Johnson, Catherine Hardwicke, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jim Morrison, Todd Holland, Justin Lin, Steve Martin, Rob Reiner, George Takei and Gore Verbinski.

1.3 best film schools in the usa NYU Tisch School of the Arts (TNYU) LA film schools aren’t the only film schools out there. NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts is considered one of the best film schools in the country and is great for film majors who vibe with the energy of New York City. Nestled in the heart of the West Village, New York becomes an amazing and unparalleled part of your education.

NY film schools offer a different energy than the LA film schools.

From the onset, you’ll be immersed in your major. In fact, students, faculty and staff make a combined 5,000 films per year. One of the most unique programs for cinema, NYU allows students to double major with a business degree. So when you’re looking at undergraduate film schools, graduate programs or even getting your Ph.D. in cinema studies, make sure to give some consideration to NYU. Professors include many Nobel Laureates, Guggenheim Fellows and Macarthur Fellows such as Anna Deavere Smith. TUITION: $47,750

WHO WENT TO NYU? Martin Scorsese, Joel Coen, Chris Columbus, Vince Gilligan, Rachel Morrison, Alec Baldwin, Reed Morano, Vince Gilligan, Damon Lindelof, Morgan Spurlock, and Spike Lee.

1.4 BEST FILM SCHOOLS IN THE USA American Film Institute (AFI) At the beginning of the fall of 1969, the former Center for Advanced Film Studies opened its doors as the American Film Institute. Nestled at the foot of the Hollywood Hills and offers advanced degrees in directing, cinematography, screenwriting and more. It was also one of the first schools to recognize the need for diversity in film. This led to a free directing workshop just for women in 1974 and gave us some of the best female directors. Today, AFI maintains its title as one of the best film schools in the world. The level of talent the school draws is unparalleled. In fact, 13 of the thesis films by its fellows have been nominated for Academy Awards. Its first class went on to become the most widely recognized filmmakers in the industry (Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel, and Paul Schrader). The Conservatory has bestowed honorary degrees on notable Hollywood players such as John Williams, Sydney Pollack, Clint Eastwood, Jeffrey Katzenberg, Spike Lee, Rita Moreno and Quentin Tarantino. The conservatory program offers advanced degrees in cinematography, directing, editing, producing, production design, and screenwriting. TUITION: $90,000

WHO WENT TO AFI? Darren Aronofsky, Todd Field, Julie Dash, Terrence Malick, Caleb Deschanel, Patty Jenkins and Paul Schrader.

1.5 BEST FILM SCHOOLS IN THE USA California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) Here is an amazing Los Angeles film school not in the heart of the big city and doing just fine. The California Institute of the Arts is the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States to focus specifically on visual and performing arts. It is also one of the few institutions in the US that permits students to retain complete control and copyright over their work. In addition, their graduate program in fine arts was ranked #9 in the United States by US News and World Report.

CalArts is an LA film school outside of LA.

They offer BFAs and MFAs in animation and film & video. They also have a revered MFA program in film directing. TUITION: $43,986