Are you interested in pursuing a career in film and looking for the best community colleges and cheap film schools in California? Look no further! In this post, we will explore some of the top California colleges and universities that offer exceptional film programs. We will specifically focus on the California Institute of the Arts and other affordable options for aspiring filmmakers.
California Institute of the Arts, also known as CalArts, is renowned for its top-tier film program that has produced many successful filmmakers in the industry. In addition to CalArts, there are several other community colleges and affordable film schools in California that provide excellent training and resources for students looking to break into the film industry.
For admission to CalArts’ film program, applicants are required to submit a portfolio showcasing their creative work, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and transcripts from previous educational institutions. Additionally, prospective students may be asked to participate in an interview or submit additional materials to demonstrate their passion and skills in filmmaking.
The admission process for CalArts typically involves submitting an online application, paying an application fee, and providing all required materials before the deadline. Once all materials are received, the admissions committee will review each application thoroughly to determine the best fit for the program. Successful applicants will then be notified of their acceptance and given further instructions on how to enroll in the program.
Best Community Colleges For Film In California
School California is a mediocre state to earn film diploma. The only community college offering such option in California is Mt San Jacinto Community …
Explore the best colleges with cinematography and video production degrees. Find the cinematography and video production colleges that are right for you. This year’s rankings have reduced the weight of ACT/SAT scores to reflect a general de-emphasis on test scores in the college admissions process.
De Anza College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 72.7%
First Year Retention Rate: 90.7%
Cost of Attendance: $12,300 – $19,302
Number of Students: Approx. 24,781
In Illinois, people firmly believe in nursing care with a patient-centered perspective, and they support the industry’s efforts to improve education in order to give that quality of care. Nurses in the state possess a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at a rate of 39 percent, which has allowed them to earn greater earnings and improve their position to accept advances. Candidates that share the same attitude of patient-centered health care and seek to improve the nursing profession are encouraged to apply.
Orange Coast College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 54.2%
First Year Retention Rate: 91.2%
Cost of Attendance: $20,244 – $26,346
Number of Students: Approx. 25,000
Orange Coast College finds its sunny home in Orange County, California and offers a wide variety of two year degrees and certifications. More than 25,000 students enroll in this Costa Mesa based college every semester. Close to beautiful beaches and Disneyland, OCC is perfect for students hoping to enjoy life in the OC. Among colleges in the county, Orange Coast College is the highest ranked in transfers to University of California and California States schools as well as other schools across the country.
Santa Barbara City College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 53.8%
First Year Retention Rate: 83.4%
Cost of Attendance: $11,882-18,524
Number of Students: Approx. 30,687
As a recent recipient of the Aspen Prize for College Excellence, Santa Barbara City College is an affordable solution for students looking to begin their higher education at a community college. As a school committed to its students, Santa Barbara City College supports its students through talented and hardworking academic support organizations. SBCC understands that many of its students see the school as a launching pad to other universities, so it provides workshops for students throughout the entire transfer process.
Diablo Valley College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 50.2%
First Year Retention Rate: 90.5%
Cost of Attendance: $14,839-20,579
Number of Students: Approx. 24,781
Contra Costa County is home to Diablo Valley, a school known in the region for its ability to facilitate transfers to four-year universities. Offering more than 40 different associates degrees, DVC serves more than 24,000 students each semester. A short distance to San Francisco, this institution is an ideal transfer setting for larger universities in the region. Fact: the land near Diablo Valley College was once home to the Costanoan Indians.
Pasadena City College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 50.2%
First Year Retention Rate: 92.1%
Cost of Attendance: $12,708-17,666
Number of Students: Approx. 22,000
Pasadena City College is ranked #1 for first-year retention rates on our list of Top Community Colleges in CA.
A perennial contender on our list of top ten community colleges in the state of California, the Pasadena City College is one of the largest community colleges in the country and a high performer. Thanks to its proximity to Best Community Colleges in Los Angeles Area County, students of PCC are close to top schools like UCLA, USC, and the prestigious Art Center College of Design. Many even claim that the PCC is a shortcut to admission in the Art Center (though you didn’t hear it from us). Pasadena City College’s programs prepare students for degrees and careers in mathematics, music, ethnic studies, health care, product design, visual arts, television, radio, publishing and more.
Foothill College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 68.8%
First Year Retention Rate: 87.5%
Cost of Attendance: $12,300 – 19,302
Number of Students: Approx. 18,0362
Foothill College has the second highest graduation and transfer rate of all top community colleges in CA.
The campus, located in Los Altos Hills, California is simply stunning. An award winning campus for its architecture, this school is a prominent part of the Silicon Valley community. Foothill College was the first community college in California to offer online courses. Keeping with that legacy, the school now offers more than 500 different online courses that for students in the area and around the world. FC also features a Japanese Cultural Center, an Observatory, an all-weather track and more facilities for its students. Strong academics give Foothill College a high transfer rate to universities around the state and country, making it the second highest ranked schools in the state.
Napa Valley College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 48.0%
First Year Retention Rate: 88.7%
Cost of Attendance: $14,120 – 18,920
Number of Students: Approx. 8,996
There are few places more picturesque in California than the Napa Valley region. Home to beautiful lodges, wineries, restaurants, wineries, spas, and wineries, Napa Valley is a go to place for many tourists. But Napa Valley College exists as a means to an ends for locals. A local alternative to four year universities and a training destination for residents seeking better wages, Napa Valley College has had its hand in helping people attain their dreams for more than 70 years. NVC takes great pride in what it does.
Ohlone College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 52.1%
First Year Retention Rate: 91.1%
Cost of Attendance: $10,898 – 15,878
Number of Students: Approx. 18,000
Serving 18,000 students every year, Ohlone Community College District is a multi-campus college found in Fremont, California—San Francisco’s East Bay. Thanks to its proximity to top California schools like Stanford and UC Berkeley, many students attend Ohlone with plans of transferring. A richly diverse campus, Ohlone features a unique center for deaf studies, a program that helps students that are hard of hearing obtain an education. This school offers more than 177 degrees and certificates, as well as 21 associate degrees for transfers.
Irvine Valley College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 51.1%
First Year Retention Rate: 90.3%
Cost of Attendance: $14,415 – 20,577
Number of Students: Approx. 14,384
Offering classes during the day, evening, for eight weeks or full semesters, Irvine Valley College services the people of Irvine, California with flexibility. Strategically located within fifty miles of nine Californian universities, the school was opened to take advantage of this geographical benefit. Irvine Valley College owns a consistent spot on our list, with strong academics and transfer rates. Beyond this, IVC also features an honors program that enables students to obtain top priority into schools like UCLA, UCI, and other programs in the area.
Cuesta College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 50.7%
First Year Retention Rate: 86.2%
Cost of Attendance: $12,052 – 19,135
Number of Students: Approx. 9,571
Cuesta College is located near California’s central coast. Students will find that the solid academics will prepare them for life in the real world as well as a four-year university, with over 76 associate degree programs in science and arts and 96 certificate programs. Cuesta College also offers the Cuesta College Promise, a scholarship program that covers the first year of college tuition for all San Luis Obispo County high school graduates. Cuesta isn’t the only one who wants to aid the community. Cuesta’s summer camps provide middle school kids a taste of what it’s like to work in a variety of fields, including business, health, information science, and welding.
Feather River Community College District
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 53.6%
First Year Retention Rate: 83.3%
Cost of Attendance: $9,012 – 14,362
Number of Students: Approx. 1,635
As a small college with mountains of opportunities, Feather River Community College is nestled on the side of a forested mountain. The 256-acre is literally home to wildlife (deer), and makes education a beautiful prospect in this unique setting. Removed from the crowds and noise of city noise, FRC offers students an opportunity for study, relaxation, and self-discovery, while maintaining high levels of academic rigor. With strong relationships with universities in the state and a high transfer rate, FRC is a special education experience that students are unlikely to find anywhere else.
College of the Siskiyous
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 50.8%
First Year Retention Rate: 82.0%
Cost of Attendance: $15,306 – 21,936
Number of Students: Approx. 2,473
Located at the base of Mount Shasta in northern California, College of the Siskiyous is one of the most beautiful campuses in the state. Having served the residents of far northern California (practically Oregon) for nearly 60 years, the college is widely recognized for its excellent programs in the humanities and arts, sciences and technology, and athletics. COS takes advantage of its pristine scenery in its educational offerings, using the outdoors as a workshop for many different classes. Small class sizes of 15-30 students ensure that students at COS won’t just be another face in the crowd.
Lake Tahoe Community College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 48.0%
First Year Retention Rate: 82.8%
Cost of Attendance: $14,199-19,620
Number of Students: Approx. 3,000
Ahhhh, Lake Tahoe—one of California’s dream vacations in the mountains and beauty of rugged nature. This beautiful town is home to Lake Tahoe Community College, an institution that hosts approximately 3000 students every quarter. Not content to have strong academics, LTCC capitalizes on its unique setting. Like some of the other smaller schools on our list, outdoor activities are practically at on the doorstep at Lake Tahoe Community College with outdoor recreation activities available all year round. Students at LTCC are minutes away from three different ski resorts, and are close to 14 different resorts all located around the lake. In the summer, students can participate in hiking, fishing, mountain biking and a host of other outdoor activities.
West Hills College-Coalinga
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 40.5%
First Year Retention Rate: 83.6%
Cost of Attendance: $13,349 – 21,935
Number of Students: Approx. 4,000
West Hills College-Coalinga prides itself as a safe and friendly academic setting in the west side of Central California’s San Joaquin Valley. Recently the MetLife Foundation and Jobs for the Future groups honored West Hills as a small community college that best exemplifies helping underserved youth and adults prepare for further education. As a smaller school than its larger cousins, WHCC is home to approximately 4,000 students and guarantees small class sizes. Particular care and attention is given to their English as a Second Language program, as they seek to serve students from all backgrounds. With more than 30 associate degrees offered in a wide variety of subjects, WHCC also takes advantage of a unique partnership with California State University – Fresno to allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree entirely on their campus.
Palo Verde College
Graduation and Transfer Rate: 31.2%
First Year Retention Rate: 82.7%
Cost of Attendance: $14,266
Number of Students: Approx. 3,898
Located in the agriculturally fertile Palo Verde Valley of southeastern California, Palo Verde College has served its community for almost 60 years. Palo Verde College boasts a dedicated earning environment with top quality educational programs and support services. Palo Verde College understands that its students are busy people. Students here can take advantage of course times in the morning, afternoon, evening, late evening, and even weekends. Offering a wide variety of associate degrees, and transfer programs to four year universities, PVC is a great starting place for students in the region.
Best California Universities Offering Film Programs
Filmmakers and creative professionals have the best – and worst – jobs in the world. On the one hand, they bring a magic world of entertainment to life, working as directors, producers, game designers, editors, cinematographers, screenwriters, and special effects gurus. On the other hand, filmmakers have to deal with constant competition, unpredictable employment, and a constant lack of funds. Many film school graduates find it impossible to have a sustainable career in the movies.
If this reality hasn’t put you off, then it’s time to consider education options. That’s why we created our guide to affordable film, video, and photography programs. Here you’ll find information on everything from common majors, degrees, and career opportunities to accreditations and the issue of for-profit schools. Most importantly, we tackle the most critical question you’re likely to face – do you really need to go to film school at all?
University of California-Irvine
- see their film video photo programs
- Irvine, California
The Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies program at the University of California-Irvine focuses on history, theory and criticism of modern media and audio-visual language. The program draws from the humanities to analyze film, television, popular music and new technologies. Students can take advantage of professional internships in editing, music, film, writing, animation, marketing and more through a network of studios and firms, and international learning programs are offered. The school offers a screening room for students, a media editing lab and film production equipment. There are also a number of student organizations that provide collaborative experiences, such as ZOTFEST, a student-created film festival and celebration.
CAG Score 97.2
30,836 Students2
University of California-Los Angeles
- see their film video photo programs
- Los Angeles, California
The School of Theater, Film and Television at the University of California-Los Angeles is developing a new curriculum that reflects the evolving industry. Degrees include the Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Cinema and Media Studies. Students train in all aspects of film production and studies the best work from the history of film. The school is affiliated with the UCLA Film and Television Archive and REMAP and offers internships and a number of community engagement programs. Film students work with the Department of Theater to produce original works as part of the Coppola One-Act Marathons. Scholarships include the Antonio David Blanco Scholarships, Archive Research Awards and Dana and Albert R. Broccoli Charitable Foundation Scholarship.
CAG Score 96.8
41,908 Students3
University of Illinois at Chicago
- see their film video photo programs
- Chicago, Illinois
The University of Illinois-Chicago offers a Bachelor of Science and graduate minor in Media and Cinema Studies and a Bachelor and Master of Fine Arts in Photography. Media and Cinema Studies explores aesthetics and social implications of film. Students are aided in research by the Institute of Communications Research. The School of Art and Design has developed a photography curriculum that blends creative and technical abilities with art history and criticism. Facilities include darkrooms, computer workstations, editing facilities, shooting studios and an extensive fine art library. Master’s students produce final projects exhibited in the Krannert Art Museum. Scholarships include the Hugh and Allie D. Hughston Enochs Memorial Award, the Paula Gottschalk Scholarship and the Caterpillar Excellence Fund.
CAG Score 96.8
29,048 Students4
Vassar College
Vassar prides itself on being one of the first liberal arts colleges with a film major. Everyone in the BA in Film program begins with coursework in film history and theory. After a thorough introduction, they may stay in one of these lanes or start exploring film production or screenwriting, which they do via courses and, potentially, internships in nearby New York City. The Film Department supports the production of more than a dozen student films each year. Students don’t need to buy their own gear; the department has cameras, audio equipment, lights and editing software for student use – all within the Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film, which houses the Rosenwald Film Theater, a studio, and editing labs.
CAG Score 96.7
2,435 Students5
University of California-Riverside
The University of California-Riverside offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Cultural Studies through its newly-formed department. The curriculum incorporates study of race and gender studies, textual analysis, political economy and media policy through interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences courses. While the program is not a film production program, students do undertake short film projects as part of its annual MCS Film Festival. The program works to examine media of the past and present, including visual, audiovisual and computer-generated media.
CAG Score 96.6
21,385 Students6
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- see their film video photo programs
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Department of Cultural Studies and Comparative Literature at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities offers an interdepartmental Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Media Culture. Courses are taken in departments of art, communication, cinema and media culture, and literature. Students study themes of society, history and culture; production and training; national, international and foreign cinemas; and theory, method and critique. A senior project is required, which can be completed by directed study, a thesis, or a significant production project. Student groups and mentoring programs help establish career contacts while students are encouraged to pursue internships. The College of Liberal Arts offers the Neil Anderson Scholarship ($2,500) and Waller Scholarships ($3,000).
CAG Score 96.6
50,678 Students7
Buffalo State SUNY
- see their film video photo programs
- Buffalo, New York
Buffalo State University, part of the State University of New York, has an interdepartmental program leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Television and Film Arts. Students can choose either a directing and producing track or a writing and storytelling track. Students from this program have completed internships at major entertainment companies such as Disney, Bravo, and NBC Universal. A TFA Semester in NYC option is available for students who want to study in the East Coast entertainment hub. Every year at Oscar time, the Department of Television and Film Arts hosts an awards ceremony viewing party to raise money for department scholarships and student trips to film festivals.
CAG Score 96.5
10,330 Students8
- see their film video photo programs
- Oswego, New York
The Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Screen Studies program at State University of New York-Oswego includes courses in history and theory of film, with hands-on learning in digital film production and screenwriting. The program is a cooperative degree offered by the departments of English and Communications. Film production courses include production of a dramatic film, which serves as the capstone educational experience. Students have extra-curricular activities available including the Film Scholars Guild, Creative Writing Club, Oswego Independent filmmaking group, and SUNY-Wide Film Festival. Scholarships include the Gerhard D. Zeller Cinema Studies Outstanding Senior Award ($1,000).
CAG Score 96.5
7,937 Students9
University of California-Berkeley
- see their film video photo programs
- Berkeley, California
The University of California-Berkeley offers an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts in Film and a Master of Arts and Ph.D. in Film. The focus of the program is on study and analysis of moving images, though electives in production and screenwriting are available. The department is affiliated with the Pacific Film Archive, and internship opportunities are offered there as well as with local production studios. The graduate program allows Ph.D. candidates to pursue an emphasis in new media, critical theory or women, gender and sexuality. Though Ph.D. candidates earn a Master of Arts after partial completion of the Ph.D. requirements, there is not a separate curriculum. The department awards the Roselyn Schneider Eisner Prizes in Film and Video ($2,000).
CAG Score 96.4
38,189 Students10
University of California-Davis
- see their film video photo programs
- Davis, California
In the fall of 2015, UC Davis closed the undergraduate majors in Film Studies and in Technocultural Studies and replaced them with a new program – Cinema and Digital Media. This program integrates the study of digital and audio-visual media and offers a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema and Digital Media degree. The curriculum includes coursework in the foundations of filmmaking, advanced video and electronic arts, animation, community media and activism, computer graphics, and gaming. As part of the College of Letters and Science (CLS), cinema and digital media majors can apply for the following general CLS scholarships: Cusumano Family Scholarship (incoming freshmen), William B. Jameson Scholarship (sophomore male students), and the Carolyn F. Wall Scholarship (students with financial need).
California Institute of The Arts
California Institute of the Arts is renowned internationally as a game-changer in the education of professional artists. The transformative cultural impact of our alumni shows why: We bring out visionary creative talent unlike any other university, school or conservatory. An all-inclusive community for a diversity of authentic voices, CalArts today offers more than 70 comprehensive degree programs in the visual, performing, media and literary arts.
CalArts today offers more than 70 comprehensive degree programs in the visual, performing, media and literary arts. Programs are optimized for a new kind of artist: One who goes beyond mere aesthetics and expertise and one who thinks about the way their practice engages with the world at large.
cheap film schools in california
6. Eastern New Mexico University – BS in Digital Filmmaking
Portales, New Mexico
Points: 6
Program Website
The affordable BS in Digital Filmmaking at Eastern New Mexico University includes courses in film production as well as relevant studies in theater, music, and art. Through the curriculum, digital filmmaking majors will acquire core skills in editing, sound, cinematography, producing, directing, and screenwriting, and students may choose to specialize in a concentration area or pursue broader interests such as business or broadcast production. All undergraduates are required to complete a senior portfolio class to get feedback from faculty mentors, and students have the opportunity to participate in two student-run film festivals: the Sci-Fi Festival and Fear Fest.
Degree Options:
Bachelor of Science in Digital Filmmaking
Average Program Cost: $8,901
In-State Tuition: $6,013
Out-of-State Tuition: $11,788
Graduation Rate: 33 percent
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
5. Miami Dade College – BAS in Film, Television, and Digital Production
Miami, Florida
Points: 6
Program Website
Miami Dade College’s four-year low cost Bachelor of Applied Science in Film, Television, and Digital Production is designed to provide students with the practical, hands-on skills they need to succeed in the competitive and creative field of media production. The 120-credit affordable program consists of 41 credits within the major, and courses cover funding, editing, production, website design, scriptwriting, sound design, broadcast design, production management, and cinematography. In addition to completing the required curriculum of classes, students must also participate in a capstone experience that provides the opportunity to demonstrate the application of acquired competencies, skills, and knowledge.
Degree Options:
Bachelor of Applied Science in Film, Television, and Digital Production
Average Program Cost: $6,250
In-State Tuition: $2,838
Out-of-State Tuition: $9,661
Graduation Rate: 31 percent
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 24:1
4. University of Alaska Fairbanks – BA in Film & Performing Arts
Fairbanks, Alaska
Points: 7
Program Website
At the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Department of Theatre and Film provides a 120-credit affordable BA in Film & Performing Arts degree with concentrations in theater or film. Majors take a shared core of classes in production design, film set production, and the fundamentals in acting before choosing an area of specialization. Other areas of study include digital video editing, directing for film and video, and an introduction to the study of film. All students gain practical experience through participating in main-stage productions, working on professional film sets, and closely interacting with faculty mentors and advisors. Through production work and teaching, the department prepares students to succeed in the industry while educating them across disciplines in the fundamental skills of creativity, communication, and collaboration.
Degree Options:
B.A. in Film & Performing Arts
Average Program Cost: $12,723
In-State Tuition: $6,262
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,183
Graduation Rate: 30 percent
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
3. CUNY Hunter College – BA in Film
New York, New York
Points: 7
Program Website
The Department of Film and Media Studies at CUNY Hunter College offers affordable degree programs in the critical analysis and production of film, alternative media, and mass media. In addition to a media major, the school confers a low cost Bachelor of Arts in Film that consists of 120 credits of study, including 30 credits within the major. Coursework is broken down into analytical classes such as theories of film acting and practical film analysis, production classes such as screen directing and screenwriting, and electives chosen from either analytical or production courses. Film majors may choose to pursue a minor in media but cannot double-major in both film and media.
Degree Options:
B.A. in Film
Average Program Cost: $10,677
In-State Tuition: $6,982
Out-of-State Tuition: $14,372
Graduation Rate: 52 percent
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
2. CUNY City College – BFA in Film/Video
New York, New York
Points: 7
Program Website
CUNY City College is the only public institution to offer a low cost Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film/Video, and the program is one of the oldest in the country. Each year, approximately 25 undergraduates follow an intensive, rich, two-year curriculum that emphasizes documentary production and single-camera fiction. The affordable BFA is comprised of 120 credits, including 54 in the major, as well as a thesis project and an optional internship. Coursework is offered in areas such as screenwriting, documentaries, digital post-production, directing for film and video, and critical approaches to independent cinema. Although this is an undergraduate degree, the school does not accept recent high school graduates. Instead, this second-tier program requires a separate admissions process that happens once per year, and applicants must have a personal statement, a video portfolio, and three college-level prerequisites in media studies, media production, and film studies.
Degree Options:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film/Video
Average Program Cost: $10,635
In-State Tuition: $6,940
Out-of-State Tuition: $14,330
Graduation Rate: 50 percent
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
1. University of North Carolina School of the Arts – BFA
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Points: 8
Program Website
Ranked among the top film schools in the nation, the School of Filmmaking at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts offers an affordable Bachelor of Fine Arts in which students can select a concentration in areas such as screenwriting, production design, producing, editing and sound design, directing, cinematography, or animation. In the first two years of the program, undergraduates direct and shoot digital projects, take hands-on courses in every area of modern film production, and work with peers on original short films that they then submit to worldwide festivals. Students also have the opportunity to attend the UNCSA-hosted RiverRun International Film Festival, held every spring, and during the senior year, students travel with faculty mentors from their concentration to Los Angeles to screen their films for influential UNCSA alumni and industry executives.
Degree Options:
BFA Animation
BFA Cinematography
BFA Directing
BFA Picture Editing & Sound Design
BFA Producing
BFA Production Design & Visual Effects
BFA Screenwriting
Average Program Cost: $17,210
In-State Tuition: $9,338
Out-of-State Tuition: $25,081
Graduation Rate: 70 percent
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 6:1
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