Best institutions to study Documentary Production
A program that prepares individuals to produce nonfiction film and video.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 135 Documentary Production students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 50.0607, a specialization of Film/Video and Photographic Arts (CIP 50.06), and leads most directly to the Producers and Directors occupation (BLS SOC 27-2012).
About Documentary Production programs
A program that prepares individuals to produce nonfiction film and video. Includes instruction in film and video writing, directing, and production; film studies; history of the documentary; research techniques; videography; editing; and business aspects of film production.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Documentary Production program, part of the Film/Video and Photographic Arts field, prepares individuals to create nonfiction film and video content. This program is ideal for those passionate about storytelling through visual media, equipping students with the necessary skills to produce compelling documentaries.
Students in this program gain expertise in film and video writing, directing, production techniques, and editing. Coursework covers the history of documentary filmmaking, research methods, and the business aspects of film production, fostering a well-rounded understanding of the industry.
Credentials awarded
What Documentary Production graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year51 graduates / yr · 2 institutions38%
- Bachelor's degree48 graduates / yr · 4 institutions36%
- Master's degree27 graduates / yr · 6 institutions20%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years6 graduates / yr · 1 institution4.4%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years3 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.2%
Graduates over time
Documentary Production completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2013 | 60 |
| 2014 | 91 |
| 2015 | 69 |
| 2016 | 79 |
| 2017 | 96 |
| 2018 | 94 |
| 2019 | 93 |
| 2020 | 92 |
| 2021 | 77 |
| 2022 | 97 |
| 2023 | 87 |
| 2024 | 88 |
| 2025 | 135 |
Top 13 institutions for Documentary 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 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 74 | 38% | — | — |
| 2 | Spelman College Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 78% | $35,132 | — |
| 3 | Ithaca College Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 10 | 76% | $28,970 | $23,782 |
| 4 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 5 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 6 | New York Film Academy Burbank, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 6 | 68% | $46,505 | $17,109 |
| 7 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicMaster's | 5 | 75% | — | $23,614 |
| 8 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 84% | $26,589 | $35,485 |
| 9 | Missouri State University - Springfield Springfield, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 58% | — | — |
| 10 | The University of Montana Missoula, MTPublicAward of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years | 3 | 48% | — | $24,679 |
| 11 | Columbia College Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 52% | $28,087 | $23,905 |
| 12 | DePaul University Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 68% | $28,141 | $26,164 |
| 13 | Mount Saint Mary's University Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 53% | $25,892 | $25,835 |
* 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 9 states
Where Documentary Production graduates come from. Each state links to all Film/Video and Photographic Arts programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 1 | 74 | Utah Tech University74 / yr |
| California | 3 | 12 | New York Film Academy6 / yr |
| Illinois | 3 | 10 | Northwestern University6 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 10 | Spelman College10 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 10 | Ithaca College10 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 10 | Wake Forest University10 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 3 | University of Miami3 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 3 | Missouri State University - Springfield3 / yr |
| Montana | 1 | 3 | The University of Montana3 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 27-2012, Producers and Directors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Documentary Production program can pursue careers as Producers and Directors, Film and Video Editors, and Camera Operators, among others. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 4.9% and approximately 12,800 annual openings, offering a median wage of $83,480 for those typically holding a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 50.0607
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Producers and Directorsprimary 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 |
Film and Video Editors SOC 27-4032 | $75,420 | +4.0% About as fast as average | ~3,600 | Bachelor's degree |
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film SOC 27-4031 | $74,990 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~2,900 | Bachelor's degree |
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1122 | $78,580 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~2,700 | Doctoral or professional 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 Documentary 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
- Plan details such as framing, composition, camera movement, sound, and actor movement for each shot or scene.
- Communicate to actors the approach, characterization, and movement needed for each scene in such a way that rehearsals and takes are minimized.
- Direct live broadcasts, films and recordings, or non-broadcast programming for public entertainment or education.
- Research production topics using the internet, video archives, and other informational sources.
- Review film, recordings, or rehearsals to ensure conformance to production and broadcast standards.
- Study and research scripts to determine how they should be directed.
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 types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Award of at least 12 weeks, a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills such as active listening, critical thinking, writing, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Producer, Director, Film Editor, or Camera Operator, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.9% and 12,800 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Documentary Production?+
Documentary Production is CIP 50.0607 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 produce nonfiction film and video. Includes instruction in film and video writing, directing, and production; film studies; history of the documentary; research techniques; videography; editing; and business aspects of film production.
How many institutions offer Documentary Production programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Documentary Production graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 135 credentials in the year. That is 0.7% of all Film/Video and Photographic Arts graduates.
How much do Documentary Production graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Producers and Directors occupation, which Documentary Production most directly leads to, pays a median of $90,360 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Film/Video and Photographic Arts field report median earnings of $24,679 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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