Film schools have always been a great way for students to study their craft at a higher level. These schools throughout the Midwest may be a little less well known than the usual tier one schools, but these schools have a lot to offer standards bearers in the film industry.

The Midwest is the ideal place to learn filmmaking, whether you want to shoot documentaries or produce specialty films for corporate clients. This state-by-state list offers tips on where to go, what to study, how much it will cost, and what programs are hot right now.

Reading about best film schools in the midwest for the very first time may seem overwhelming to those without prior experience or who don’t study the subject, but they may find it fascinating. 

Learn more about best film schools in California, film production degree online, best colleges for film and animation, American film institute acceptance rate, and so much more. You will also find more resources on Collegelearners related to film school acceptance rates.

Schools For Film Production

There are many film schools in the Midwest, but only these are worth talking about when it comes to film production. As affordable as some of these programs are, you shouldn’t take any chances with an inferior film degree. Make sure that you ask around or do your own research in order to find out if the school in question is able to help you achieve success in the industry. Here are some important tips on paying for film school.

The Midwest is home to some of the best film schools in the United States, including Columbia College, Northwestern University, The University of Chicago, and the University of Iowa. Whether you are interested in accepting an Associate’s degree, Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or Doctorate’s degree in the arts, you will find plenty of schools that offer liberal arts curriculums that include instruction in areas such as audio production/film audio recording, film direction/cinematography, film theory/intellectual property rights law.

1. DePaul

School of Cinematic Arts

A recognized film school, there is no doubt that DePaul is a great place for one to study cinematic arts. Because of the state-of-the-art facilities that offer everything from top-notch cameras to professional soundstages, it’s a favorite for many. The film program offers a BA and BFA in Film and Television that covers everything from cinematography to producing, directing, screenwriting, documentary, sound design, and so much more.

Phone Number:

312-362-8381

Location:

243 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago, IL 60604

2. The Second City

Harold Ramis Film School

Have a knack for all things funny? This school offers a focus on comedy so that you can achieve your career path in a style that fits your niche. The Filmmaker Program is specifically designed for the comedic world, with a focus on comedy training, film history, writing, and film production classes. You may walk away from the school ready to film the next big sitcom.

Phone Number:

 312-337-3992

Location:

1616 N Wells St

Chicago IL 60614

3. Columbia College Chicago

The Columbia College Chicago offers a Cinema and Television Arts program that will get you completely prepared for a career in film, emerging media, and television. You can get a BFA in Cinema Art and Science or a BA in Television. You can also go for a Filmmaking BA or an Interdisciplinary Documentary BA. Last but not least, the school also offers a BFA in Television Executive Producing and Entrepreneurship. For graduate degrees, you can get a MFA in Creative Producing or one in Cinema Directing. With so many different degrees, its no wonder this school is on our Top 6 Chicago Film Schools list.

Phone Number:

312-369-1000

Location:

600 S Michigan Ave

Chicago, IL 60605

4. American Academy of Art

What college for the arts would be complete without film? The AAA offers every program you could think of for the arts, including a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography that covers the use of video and audio recordings in the arts. The Art Direction BA is also a convenient program for those who want to pursue a career in advertising and managing different types of media.

Phone Number:

312-461-0600

Location:

332 South Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60604-4302

5. College of Dupage

This accessible school offers programs ranging from Botany to Chemistry and of course film. The Film/Video and Motion Picture/Television Home programs allow for students to learn all they need to know about film and video production. It offers courses for those who are learning the basics of Film/Video Aesthetics and those who are more advanced who want to learn Pre-Production, etc.

Phone Number:

630-942-2800

Location:

425 Fawell Blvd.

Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

6. The University of Chicago

As one of the most recognized schools in the area, those who are looking for more traditional programs may appreciate what the University of Chicago has to offer in its Cinema and Media Studies. The school’s Film Studies Center will allow you to attend many screenings, seminars, and workshops as you learn everything from the history to the culture and theory pertaining to film and media. From a major in Cinema and Media Studies to a P.H. D, there are opportunities for everyone, making it an important part of our list of the Top 6 Chicago Film Schools.

Phone Number:

773-834-1077

Location:

1010 East 59th Street Classics 304

Chicago, IL 60637

7. School of the Arts Institute of Chicago

Ranked #5 in New Media, the SAIC is certainly a school that offers excellence in film studies, providing a variety of programs for graduates and undergraduates. If you want to study the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio, you will learn everything from narrative filmmaking to digital animation and more. With in-depth education in both technical aspects of filmmaking to theory and history, you’ll walk away from SAIC with a well-rounded education in the art of making films. 

Phone Number:

312-629-6100

Location:

36 S. Wabash Ave

Chicago, IL 60603

2021 best film schools

The United States is the best destination for international students who want to become the next Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, or Quentin Tarantino. There are many prestigious universities and colleges, but which ones are the best for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Film?

Let’s find out by looking at the latest university rankings.

1. U.S. News Rankings 2020: Time-Based Media

• Carnegie Mellon University
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• California Institute of the Arts
• School of Visual Arts
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Bard College
• Rhode Island School of Design
• University of California, San Diego

2. The Hollywood Reporter: Top American Film Schools 2021

• New York University (NYU)
• American Film Institute
• USC School of Cinematic Arts
• Chapman University
• Columbia University
• Emerson College
• California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)
• Loyola Marymount University
• UCLA
• University of Texas at Austin

3. Niche Rankings 2022: Film and Photography

• University of Southern California
• New York University
• Yale University
• Wesleyan University
• Harvard University
• University of Chicago
• University of Pennsylvania
• DigiPen Institute of Technology
• Dartmouth College
• California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

Student reviews of the best film schools in the US

To learn more about these prestigious film schools, check out a few reviews left by students. You can find similar reviews on many university pages on our portals.

1. University of California, Los Angeles

“Studying abroad is the best opportunity a student may experience! It allows you to have a broader view of the world. It gets you in touch with any other cultures, and you learn so many things. What I most enjoyed from UCLA was its social life.

Campus activities are very common, and students are always involved in them. I do not see any aspects that could be improved. I have experienced one of my best years in my academic life. It is a new experience, and I have enjoyed all of it.”

2. Loyola Marymount University

“I loved the small class sizes and the strong relationships I had with faculty and alumni. My network during and after my studies grew significantly, and I was able to utilize these connections for further education and career opportunities.

LMU’s campus is also gorgeous, and the location is at the epicenter of new technology companies, surrounded by affluent neighborhoods that also host amazing learning, internship and post-graduate opportunities. My overall study experience was also great. I was able to apply most of my learning to outside experiences and found my passions in certain areas of our studies.”

3. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

“It was great! I found a home away from home. As someone who lived in multiple places growing up, I never felt like I belonged anywhere. However, thanks to this community at UMich, I’ve never felt so welcomed and cared for.”

university of michigan film school ranking

The Midwest is filled with options for film school students. There are many colleges and universities that offer programs in the field of media arts, including graphic design schools, schools for filmmakers, schools for animation, schools for acting, and schools more geared toward the business end of the industry.

Popularity of Film at U-M

During the 2019-2020 academic year, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor handed out 74 bachelor’s degrees in film, video and photographic arts. Due to this, the school was ranked #46 in popularity out of all colleges and universities that offer this degree. Last year, the same number of degrees were handed out.

Film, Video & Photographic Arts is one of the majors in the visual & performing arts program at University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.

Here, you’ll find out more about the major, including such details as the number of graduates, what degree levels are offered, ethnicity of students, average salaries, and more. We’ve also included details on how U-M ranks compared to other colleges offering a major in film.

U-M Film Rankings

In College Factual’s most recent rankings for the best schools for film majors, U-M came in at #15. This puts it in the top 5% of the country in this field of study. It is also ranked #1 in Michigan.

Ranking Type	Rank
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Doctor’s Degree Schools	3
Most Popular Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts	8
Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts	11
Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts	13
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools	14
Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts	39
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts	204
Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts	233