There are several chances to pursue your aspirations and make it big in the “city that never sleeps.” It is also home to some of the top film schools in the world, in addition to various show sets, A-List celebrities, and countless production managers. Whether you want to work in creation or you prefer to work behind the computer producing graphics, New York has a plethora of outstanding programs. There are so many options that it might be intimidating, so we thought we’d offer our thoughts on how the greatest schools in New York compare. This, like any other school ranking, is totally subjective. Despite attempts to build an unbiased rating system based on actual data, we’ve already accepted the possibility that our list will spark controversy about the process and our inherent biases.
Here’s a quick rundown of what we examined at undergraduate, graduate, and average tuition rates, a community of prominent alumni, admittance rate, graduation rate, and website quality (program information, and prospective student resources). These film schools are all in New York which is one of the best places to study movies. There are tons of famous celebrities who started their career out in New York. So, go through our list and pick your favorite.
1. New York Film Academy – Battery Park
You may have seen this institution mentioned in another article about the top 10 film schools in Los Angeles but in a separate place. Students who have completed their various programs that last anywhere from eight weeks to two years, as well as their masterclasses that last around one week to twelve weeks, have had mixed reviews of this position of New York Film Academy (NYFA), which is located in Battery Place right next to Battery Park. With numerous foreign students from France, Brazil, China, and other countries, NYFA offers students the opportunity to connect professionally as well as culturally. Because of the wide range of feedback on this school’s program and workshop offerings, judging it is highly tough, and as a result, it ranks lower on our list.
Founded In: 1992
Tuition: $31,000
Acceptance Rate: 83%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #10
Contact: +1 212-674-4300
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Matthew Modine Masters Scholarship: $5,000-$10,000 per year
- Rising Artist Scholarship for Teen Camps: Varies
Apply for Admission
2. Pratt Institute
Pratt Institute has had considerable development in recent years, and it now ranks as one of the best film schools in New York. Pratt University typically reminds people of a rising college, with a new film school zone established in 2015 that prompted high levels of interest for the additional materials that come with that new space. They also have numerous working professionals as teachers, giving students the perspective of someone in the business as well as the contacts to reach out to in the future. Pratt students, who are described as “pioneers who learn to cultivate a creative vision,” have access to a wealth of tools, ranging from a new music studio to a color processing and post-production facility, and speak favorably of the institution.
Founded In: 1992
Tuition: $53,000
Acceptance Rate: 60%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #9
Contact: 718.636.3600
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Alma H. Borgfeldt Scholarship: Varies
- Ralph Appelbaum Endowed Scholarship: Varies
Apply for Admission
3. Bard College
Bard College joins our list of top film schools in New York because of its intellectually challenging environment and renowned teachers. Bard College, a tiny liberal arts college, provides a Film and Electronic Arts degree that is quite regimented, with each year focusing on different aspects of filmmaking. Despite the year’s defined aims, students are motivated to continue their artistic interests, which include animation, documentary filmmaking, and more. Pratt students, who are described as “innovators who learn to cultivate a creative vision,” have access to a wealth of tools, ranging from a new recording studio to a color grading and post-production facility, and speak favorably of the institution. Academics at Bard place a heavy emphasis on providing students with a strong scholarly basis through their core curriculum before enabling them to pursue their own intellectual interests. The College strives to instill in each student a strong sense of curiosity and a desire to study. Close interaction with professors who are actively active in their fields is a constant, and there is a high level of scholarly dialogue in the classroom.
Founded In: 1860
Tuition: $26,000
Acceptance Rate: 64.8%
ACT: N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #8
Contact: 845-758-6822
Financial Aid: Click here for more details.
Apply for Admission
4. Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York is ranked seventh on our list. Learners at RIT can earn a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Animation, which is a unique offering among our film schools. Students at this school have the opportunity to build a solid portfolio with many short films and animations, as this college is known for being output-heavy, particularly at the start of the program. There’s no denying that this degree focuses on manufacturing rather than screenwriting or any other subject, which meets some people’s needs perfectly while leading others to seek out alternative options. The student life is praised, with students displaying a highly autonomous and artistic lifestyle. Rochester Institute of Technology, established in 1829, is a dynamic and cooperative society of socially concerned, academically curious people. They provide talented people with a wide range of educational possibilities, including a leading research program and a globally recognized schooling for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, through innovative thinking, as well as an intentional blending of technology, the arts, and design. RIT offers foreign campuses in China, Croatia, Dubai, and Kosovo, in addition to our flagship campus in Rochester, New York.
Founded In: 1829
Tuition: $30,000
Acceptance Rate: 70.7%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #7
Contact: +1 585-475-2411
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- RIT Performing Arts Scholarships: Varies
Apply for Admission
5. School of Visual Arts
The School of Visual Arts, a for-profit art school in the center of New York City, is next on our list. The number of instructors who work in the area, providing significant knowledge and opportunities to all of the learners, is what sticks out the most about this school. Their alumni network is large and strong, with 35,000 alumni in 100 countries, forming a powerful art community. However, despite the high quality of their curriculum and courses, their website is highly unconventional and less appealing than one would anticipate from an art school. Furthermore, its campus is similar to NYU’s in that there is no genuine “campus,” but rather buildings that are more interwoven into the city.
Founded In: 1947
Tuition: $44,000
Acceptance Rate: 71%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #6
Contact: +1 212-592-2000
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Silas H. Rhodes Scholarship: Varies
Apply for Admission
6. Vassar College
Vassar College is often ranked as one of the best liberal arts universities in the country, although it is sometimes overlooked in the film world. Overall, Vassar College’s strengths include its community, uniqueness, instructors, and small class numbers. Vassar’s film department, on the other hand, is a blend of cinema research and film making, with a greater emphasis on film studies. While the program includes rigorous coursework, as does most, Vassar’s most competitive aspect is its cinema studies and history resources. Vassar equips its students with the best materials possible, with a library of 13,000 feature and documentary films and a steady supply of guest lecturers. Some unfavorable student life qualities stated, such as a disdain for the region surrounding the university, crime, and cost, are a big reason Vassar isn’t placed higher.
Founded In: 1861
Tuition: $28,000
Acceptance Rate: 24%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #5
Contact: +1 845-437-7000
Financial Aid: Click here for more details.
Apply for Admission
7. Syracuse University
Syracuse is a high film school on our list because it focuses on the filmmaker as an individual and has a solid undergraduate and master’s program. Individual cinematography and scholarship are heavily emphasized, and participation in this program ensures that you will graduate with experience and independence. They provide several options for relevant work experience through summer and semester programs in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London, and others. Furthermore, because it is a smaller university, students have a higher chance to form lasting bonds with not just their peers, but also with teachers and alumni.
Founded In: 1831
Tuition: $34,000
Acceptance Rate: 44%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #4
Contact: +1 315-443-1870
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
- Coronat Scholars: Varies
- FIRST Scholarship: Varies
- Haudenosaunee Scholarships: Varies
Apply for Admission
8. Ithaca College
Ithaca College, widely referred to as a pioneer in the film industry, is ranked third. Students perceive the culture as imaginative and motivated, and this college has been a leader in investigating silent film, visual effects, and music synchronization in the past. They also place a significant emphasis on leveraging alumni and relationships, preparing many students to enter the workforce with strong networking skills as well as producing and filmmaking expertise. This university does a lot of work with technology; this program is obviously technology and production intensive, with the simple purpose of assisting students in discovering their artistic inclinations.
Founded In: 1892
Tuition: $33,000
Acceptance Rate: 73%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #3
Contact: +1 607-274-3011
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs:
Apply for Admission
9. Columbia College
Columbia University is not just one of the best colleges in the country, but also one of the best film schools, according to our research. Students at Columbia can choose from a number of courses in both undergraduate and graduate programs that allow them to pursue their individual interests, ranging from technology to art. Students can design their course programs and choose twelve-course requirements with the help of an advisor, resulting in strong autonomous and independent attitudes. Many students are offered employment chances from famous organizations through Columbia, and the alumni association is not just extensive but also accomplished; attending this film school is a leap forward in your career.
Founded In: 1754
Tuition: $50,526
Acceptance Rate: 6.1%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #2
Contact: +1 212-854-2441
Financial Aid: N/A
Apply for Admission
10. New York University
Despite the fact that this list was intended to highlight the wide range of high-quality film programs available, the top-ranked institution is still the most predictable – and for good reason. Considering some strong competitors, there is no questioning NYU Tisch’s excellence. Learners are provided all they need to thrive and are urged to have a community perspective, allowing Tisch to continue to expand, from high-quality facilities such as cameras and dark rooms to an incredibly powerful and wide alumni network. Students can also work with professionals who have already made a name for themselves in their area, such as James Franco, and the staff and faculty are always prepared to provide a hand in reading scripts, screening student films, and more. Although the tuition is pricey, the standard of education and the opportunity provided are well worth the investment.
Founded In: 1754
Tuition: $42,000
Acceptance Rate: 16%
ACT : N/A
SAT: N/A
GPA: No GPA Requirements
Rank: #1
Contact: +1 212-998-1212
Financial Aid: Automatically considered for the scholarship based on your college application.
