69 Best Film schools in the United States

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Cinematography. A graph of 42.1K citations received by 7.68K academic papers made by 69 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

Please note that our approach to subject rankings is based on scientific outputs and heavily biased on art-related topics towards institutions with computer science research profiles.

1. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Cinematography

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

2. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Cinematography

#2 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

3. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Cinematography

#3 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Cinematography

#4 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

5. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Cinematography

#5 in North America

#11 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

6. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Cinematography

#6 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Cinematography

#7 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

8. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Cinematography

#8 in North America

#17 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 59%
Average Aid: $20,389
Enrollment: 26,420

9. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Cinematography

#9 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,775

10. University of Texas at Austin

For Cinematography

#10 in North America

#23 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

11. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Cinematography

#11 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

12. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Cinematography

#12 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

13. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Cinematography

#14 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

14. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Cinematography

#15 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

15. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Cinematography

#16 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

16. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Cinematography

#17 in North America

#50 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

17. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Cinematography

#18 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

18. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Cinematography

#20 in North America

#54 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 94%

19. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Cinematography

#21 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

20. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Cinematography

#22 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

21. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Cinematography

#23 in North America

#66 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

22. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Cinematography

#24 in North America

#68 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

23. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Cinematography

#25 in North America

#69 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

24. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Cinematography

#26 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $33,499

25. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Cinematography

#27 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,381
Enrollment: 80,065

26. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Cinematography

#28 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

27. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Cinematography

#30 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

28. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Cinematography

#31 in North America

#86 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

29. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Cinematography

#32 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

30. Temple University

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Cinematography

#33 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,575
Enrollment: 33,196

31. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Cinematography

#34 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 80%

32. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Cinematography

#35 in North America

#96 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 73%

33. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Cinematography

#38 in North America

#113 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

34. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Cinematography

#39 in North America

#114 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,698

35. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Cinematography

#40 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

36. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Cinematography

#41 in North America

#120 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 47%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $21,202
Enrollment: 19,478

37. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Cinematography

#42 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $19,208

38. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Cinematography

#43 in North America

#126 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

39. Indiana University - Bloomington

Indiana | Bloomington

For Cinematography

#45 in North America

#130 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 83%

40. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Cinematography

#46 in North America

#143 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 68%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 86%

41. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Cinematography

#47 in North America

#146 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

42. University of Notre Dame

Indiana | Notre Dame

For Cinematography

#48 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $28,474

43. CUNY Graduate School and University Center

New York State | New York City

For Cinematography

#49 in North America

#149 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Enrollment: 8,733
Male:Female: 32:68
Founded: 1961

44. Oklahoma State University

Oklahoma State | Stillwater

For Cinematography

#50 in North America

#151 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 98%

45. Oberlin College

For Cinematography

#51 in North America

#152 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 35%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $46,462

46. Bowdoin College

Maine | Brunswick

For Cinematography

#52 in North America

#153 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,776

47. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Cinematography

#53 in North America

#154 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

48. George Mason University

Virginia | Fairfax

For Cinematography

#55 in North America

#161 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average SAT: 1245
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

49. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Cinematography

#56 in North America

#165 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

50. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Cinematography

#57 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

51. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Cinematography

#60 in North America

#171 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

52. Long Island University

New York State | Brookville

For Cinematography

#62 in North America

#174 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 26
Net Price: $25,802

53. Florida Atlantic University

Florida | Boca Raton

For Cinematography

#63 in North America

#176 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1110
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 92%

54. University of Vermont

Vermont | Burlington

For Cinematography

#64 in North America

#183 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1345
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 98%

55. California State University - Fullerton

California | Fullerton

For Cinematography

#65 in North America

#184 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 67%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $9,194
Enrollment: 40,386

56. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Cinematography

#66 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1215
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

57. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Cinematography

#67 in North America

#190 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $50,263

58. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Cinematography

#68 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Receiving Aid: 88%
Average Aid: $10,689
Enrollment: 27,539

59. University of Central Florida

Florida | Orlando

For Cinematography

#69 in North America

#193 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

60. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Cinematography

#70 in North America

#194 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $22,042
Enrollment: 26,809

61. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Cinematography

#71 in North America

#197 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 95%

62. College of Staten Island CUNY

New York State | New York City

For Cinematography

#73 in North America

#204 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 99%
Average Aid: $8,061
Enrollment: 10,248

63. Clark University

Massachusetts | Worcester

For Cinematography

#74 in North America

#209 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Net Price: $32,053

64. Clemson University

South Carolina | Clemson

For Cinematography

#76 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 85%

65. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Cinematography

#77 in North America

#216 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,829

66. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Cinematography

#78 in North America

#218 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

67. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Cinematography

#79 in North America

#219 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 63%

68. Providence College

Rhode Island | Providence

For Cinematography

#80 in North America

#226 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,970

69. Bowling Green State University

Ohio | Bowling Green

For Cinematography

#82 in North America

#232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1095
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 98%

The best cities to study Cinematography in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Ann Arbor.