Film and Media Studies: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Exploring the evolving landscape of visual storytelling, this program offers a comprehensive academic foundation in the history, theory, and critical analysis of film and media. Students engage with the cultural, technological, and artistic dimensions of moving images while developing practical skills in production and creative expression.
- History of Cinema and Media: Traces the development of film and media from early experiments to contemporary global practices, emphasizing key movements, innovations, and influential figures.
- Visual Narrative and Storytelling: Examines how stories are constructed through cinematic language, including structure, character development, and pacing across genres and formats.
- Media Theory and Criticism: Explores foundational and contemporary theories that analyze media’s impact on society, identity, and culture, with emphasis on interpretive frameworks and ideological readings.
- Filmmaking and Production Techniques: Provides hands-on training in core production elements such as cinematography, sound design, editing, and directing, grounded in industry-standard practices.
- Digital Media and New Technologies: Investigates the role of emerging technologies—including virtual reality, interactive media, and digital distribution—in shaping modern media consumption and creation.
- Cultural and Global Perspectives in Media: Studies how film and media reflect and influence diverse cultural contexts, examining representations of race, gender, class, and geopolitics across international cinemas.
Film and Media Studies Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Film and Media Studies Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Film and Media Studies degrees, including Producers and Directors and Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 243,160 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Producers and Directors 27-2012 | $83,480 | $43,060 - $198,530 | 145,270 | $40.13 |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1121 | $80,190 | $47,040 - $194,530 | 97,890 | N/A |
Film and Media Studies Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $51,520 in Arkansas to $114,065 in California—a 121% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 243,160 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Film and Media Studies by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Film and Media Studies programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Film and Media Studies is found at Full Sail University (465 graduates), California State University (CSULB), Long Beach (230 graduates), Georgia State University (227 graduates), University of California (UCSB), Santa Barbara (218 graduates), and San Francisco State University (SFSU) (192 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 5,196 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Sail University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
465 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
230 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
227 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
218 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
192 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| American Film Institute Conservatory (AFI Conservatory) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
165 | Los Angeles, California | Private | afi.com |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
|
142 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
130 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
130 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
|
111 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
105 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
105 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
|
103 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
94 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
89 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
85 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
84 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
|
82 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
82 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
81 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
|
78 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
64 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Grand Valley State University (GVSU) |
Bachelor's
|
61 | Allendale, Michigan | Public | gvsu.edu |
| Pace University |
Bachelor's
|
61 | New York, New York | Private | pace.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
60 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Fordham University |
Bachelor's
|
60 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
58 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Bachelor's
|
58 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
57 | Middletown, Connecticut | Private | wesleyan.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
55 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
55 | Provo, Utah | Private | byu.edu |
| City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
52 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
| Emory University |
Bachelor's
|
51 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | emory.edu |
| Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Associate's
|
50 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
49 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Master's
|
47 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| California College of ASU |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
46 | Los Angeles, California | Private | columbiacollege.edu |
| Portland State University (PSU) |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Portland, Oregon | Public | pdx.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Oberlin College |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Oberlin, Ohio | Private | oberlin.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of Vermont (UVM) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Burlington, Vermont | Public | uvm.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA) |
Associate's
|
29 | New York, New York | Private | nycda.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
| Occidental College (Oxy) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | Los Angeles, California | Private | oxy.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMCP) |
Bachelor's
|
27 | College Park, Maryland | Public | umd.edu |
| Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) |
Associate's
|
27 | New York, New York | Public | fitnyc.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
|
26 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Regent University |
Master's
|
26 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
26 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Colgate University |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Hamilton, New York | Private | colgate.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
|
23 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| CUNY Queens College |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Queens, New York | Public | qc.cuny.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| The New School |
Bachelor's
|
22 | New York, New York | Private | newschool.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
21 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Vassar College |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | vassar.edu |
| Middlebury College |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Middlebury, Vermont | Private | middlebury.edu |
| Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Valley Glen, California | Public | lavc.edu |
| Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Master's
|
20 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
| Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) |
Associate's
|
20 | Annandale, Virginia | Public | nvcc.edu |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Norton, Massachusetts | Private | wheatoncollege.edu |
| Champlain College |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Burlington, Vermont | Private | champlain.edu |
| California Baptist University (CBU) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Riverside, California | Private | calbaptist.edu |
| Barnard College |
Bachelor's
|
17 | New York, New York | Private | barnard.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Postbac Cert.
|
17 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
17 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Oglethorpe University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Atlanta, Georgia | Private | oglethorpe.edu |
| Smith College |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Northampton, Massachusetts | Private | smith.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
16 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Seattle University (Seattle U) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Seattle, Washington | Private | seattleu.edu |
| SUNY |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Purchase, New York | Public | purchase.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
15 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Wright State University |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | wright.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| Colorado College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Colorado Springs, Colorado | Private | coloradocollege.edu |
| Carleton College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | carleton.edu |
| University of Idaho (U of I) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Moscow, Idaho | Public | uidaho.edu |
| Dillard University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | dillard.edu |
| Brandeis University |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | brandeis.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| St Olaf College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Northfield, Minnesota | Private | wp.stolaf.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| CUNY City College (CCNY) |
Master's
|
12 | New York, New York | Public | ccny.cuny.edu |
| Kenyon College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Gambier, Ohio | Private | kenyon.edu |
| Gettysburg College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | Private | gettysburg.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Film and Media Studies programs
How much can I earn with a Film and Media Studies degree?
Salaries for Film and Media Studies graduates vary by role and location. Producers and Directors earn a median of $83,480 annually, while Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $80,190. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $114,065 compared to $51,520 in Arkansas. Approximately 243,160 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Film and Media Studies programs?
Currently 218 accredited institutions offer Film and Media Studies degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Full Sail University (465 graduates), California State University (CSULB), Long Beach (230 graduates), and Georgia State University (227 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Film and Media Studies growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 3,455 in 2010 to 5,777 in 2023-24. This represents a 67% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Film and Media Studies degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Producers and Directors, Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, . Related occupations employ approximately 243,160 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
Related Arts Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Arts field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Woodwind Instruments
A program that prepares individuals to master a woodwind instrument and performing art as solo, ensemble, and/or accompanist performers. Includes instruction in playing...
Percussion Instruments
A program that prepares individuals to master percussion instruments and performing art for a variety of musical settings, including orchestral, solo, chamber, commercial,...
Sound Arts
A program that focuses on sound as a form of cultural expression, and its relationship to other disciplines such as computer programming, performance,...
Music
Any instructional program in music not listed above.
Arts and Media Management
A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage various aspects of the visual arts, performing arts, and entertainment media industries. Includes instruction...
Fine and Studio Arts Management
A program that prepares individuals to organize and manage fine and studio art organizations, operations, and facilities. Includes instruction in business and financial...