Best institutions to study Cinematography and Film/Video Production
A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the making and producing of films and videos.
287 U.S. institutions graduated 9,799 Cinematography and Film/Video Production students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0602, a specialization of Film/Video and Photographic Arts (CIP 50.06), and leads most directly to the Film and Video Editors occupation (BLS SOC 27-4032).
About Cinematography and Film/Video Production programs
A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the making and producing of films and videos. Includes instruction in theory of film, film technology and equipment operation, film production, film directing, film editing, cinematographic art, film audio, techniques for making specific types of films and/or videos, media technologies, computer image making, multi-media production, and the planning and management of film/video operations.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Cinematography and Film/Video Production program prepares individuals to effectively communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through film and video creation. This program is ideal for aspiring filmmakers, video producers, and cinematographers who wish to explore the art and technology of visual storytelling.
Students will gain knowledge in film theory, production techniques, editing, and the operation of film technology. Coursework covers a range of topics including cinematographic art, film audio, and multimedia production, equipping graduates with the skills necessary for a successful career in the visual arts.
Credentials awarded
What Cinematography and Film/Video Production graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree6,166 graduates / yr · 161 institutions63%
- Associate's degree1,064 graduates / yr · 75 institutions11%
- Master's degree986 graduates / yr · 43 institutions10%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year932 graduates / yr · 63 institutions9.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years633 graduates / yr · 32 institutions6.5%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years11 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.1%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
- Award of less than 12 weeks2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Cinematography and Film/Video Production completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 8,749 |
| 2013 | 7,764 |
| 2014 | 7,677 |
| 2015 | 8,139 |
| 2016 | 7,925 |
| 2017 | 7,584 |
| 2018 | 8,108 |
| 2019 | 7,964 |
| 2020 | 8,359 |
| 2021 | 7,675 |
| 2022 | 8,233 |
| 2023 | 8,875 |
| 2024 | 9,455 |
| 2025 | 9,799 |
Top 50 institutions for Cinematography and Film/Video Production, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 494 | 88% | $29,023 | $23,869 |
| 2 | Emerson College Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 483 | 77% | $40,982 | $27,032 |
| 3 | Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 341 | 69% | $44,902 | $23,976 |
| 4 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 328 | 68% | $28,141 | $26,164 |
| 5 | University of Central Florida Orlando, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 276 | 78% | — | $23,676 |
| 6 | New York Film Academy Burbank, CAPrivate for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic yearsAssociate's | 254 | 68% | $46,505 | $17,109 |
| 7 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 251 | 52% | $28,087 | $23,905 |
| 8 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 245 | 92% | $26,873 | $34,187 |
| 9 | Chapman University Orange, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 229 | 82% | $42,965 | $35,795 |
| 10 | Miami Dade College Miami, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sBachelor's | 176 | 46% | — | $22,587 |
| 11 | Broward College Fort Lauderdale, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 166 | 39% | — | — |
| 12 | Utah Valley University Orem, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sBachelor's | 166 | 45% | — | $41,833 |
| 13 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicBachelor's | 160 | 65% | — | $28,474 |
| 14 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 155 | 79% | $36,488 | $24,561 |
| 15 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 145 | 75% | — | $24,345 |
| 16 | Los Angeles Film School Hollywood, CAPrivate for-profitBachelor'sAssociate's | 140 | 41% | $32,792 | $22,596 |
| 17 | Houston City College Houston, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 111 | 17% | — | — |
| 18 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 109 | 68% | — | $31,148 |
| 19 | Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology Orlando, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 107 | — | — | $21,610 |
| 20 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor's | 105 | 76% | — | $24,840 |
| 21 | Los Angeles Valley College Valley Glen, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 102 | 32% | — | — |
| 22 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 100 | 71% | — | $22,315 |
| 23 | University of North Carolina School of the Arts Winston Salem, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 97 | 78% | — | $24,053 |
| 24 | CUNY Brooklyn College Brooklyn, NYPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 89 | 54% | — | $20,476 |
| 25 | Grand Canyon University Phoenix, AZPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 88 | 43% | $21,535 | $29,094 |
| 26 | Santa Monica College Santa Monica, CAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 82 | 36% | — | — |
| 27 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 82 | 31% | — | — |
| 28 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 81 | 70% | $28,133 | $28,858 |
| 29 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor's | 78 | 56% | — | $24,618 |
| 30 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 77 | 57% | — | $29,608 |
| 31 | West Los Angeles College Culver City, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 73 | 28% | — | — |
| 32 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor's | 73 | 86% | — | $30,697 |
| 33 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, TNPublicBachelor's | 73 | 54% | — | $28,202 |
| 34 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 71 | 17% | — | — |
| 35 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 70 | 76% | $28,970 | $23,782 |
| 36 | Quinnipiac University Hamden, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 68 | 76% | $36,137 | $29,253 |
| 37 | Biola University La Mirada, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 67 | 68% | $26,727 | — |
| 38 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 65 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 39 | Valencia College Orlando, FLPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 64 | 48% | — | $16,635 |
| 40 | Massachusetts College of Art and Design Boston, MAPublicBachelor's | 63 | 69% | — | $22,764 |
| 41 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicBachelor's | 63 | 51% | — | $22,263 |
| 42 | Community College of Aurora Aurora, COPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 61 | 33% | — | $20,533 |
| 43 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 61 | 90% | — | — |
| 44 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 60 | 65% | $28,911 | $20,512 |
| 45 | Chattahoochee Technical College Marietta, GAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 57 | 38% | — | — |
| 46 | Los Angeles City College Los Angeles, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 55 | 29% | — | — |
| 47 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 55 | 80% | $35,682 | — |
| 48 | Northwest Vista College San Antonio, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 54 | 32% | — | — |
| 49 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 52 | 84% | $28,851 | $26,331 |
| 50 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 86% | — | $31,689 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Film/Video and Photographic Arts field (CIP 50.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 44 states & territories
Where Cinematography and Film/Video Production graduates come from. Each state links to all Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-4032, Film and Video Editors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue various careers, including Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators. The job outlook for these roles is about as fast as average, with an estimated 3,600 annual openings and a median wage of $70,980. A Bachelor's degree is typically required for these positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0602
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Film and Video Editorsprimary SOC 27-4032 | $75,420 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~3,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Producers and Directors SOC 27-2012 | $90,360 | +4.9% About as fast as average | ~12,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1121 | $78,620 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~9,000 | Master's degree |
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film SOC 27-4031 | $74,990 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~2,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Cinematography and Film/Video Production programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Organize and string together raw footage into a continuous whole according to scripts or the instructions of directors and producers.
- Edit films and videotapes to insert music, dialogue, and sound effects, to arrange films into sequences, and to correct errors, using editing equipment.
- Select and combine the most effective shots of each scene to form a logical and smoothly running story.
- Review footage sequence by sequence to become familiar with it before assembling it into a final product.
- Set up and operate computer editing systems, electronic titling systems, video switching equipment, and digital video effects units to produce a final product.
- Trim film segments to specified lengths and reassemble segments in sequences that present stories with maximum effect.
Tools and technology used
Other Film/Video and Photographic Arts specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Film/Video and Photographic Arts (CIP 50.06).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Associate's degree, Master's degree, or a short-term award.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in active listening, critical thinking, and technical knowledge related to film production.
What types of careers can I pursue?+
You can work as a Film and Video Editor, Producer, Director, or Camera Operator.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 3,600 annual openings projected.
What is the CIP code for Cinematography and Film/Video Production?+
Cinematography and Film/Video Production is CIP 50.0602 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Film/Video and Photographic Arts (CIP 50.06). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to communicate dramatic information, ideas, moods, and feelings through the making and producing of films and videos. Includes instruction in theory of film, film technology and equipment operation, film production, film directing, film editing, cinematographic art, film audio, techniques for making specific types of films and/or videos, media technologies, computer image making, multi-media production, and the planning and management of film/video operations.
How many institutions offer Cinematography and Film/Video Production programs?+
287 U.S. institutions reported Cinematography and Film/Video Production graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 44 states & territories, awarding 9,799 credentials in the year. That is 52.5% of all Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates.
How much do Cinematography and Film/Video Production graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Film and Video Editors occupation, which Cinematography and Film/Video Production most directly leads to, pays a median of $75,420 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Film/Video and Photographic Arts field report median earnings of $23,989 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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