Cinematography and Film Production: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for aspiring filmmakers and visual storytellers, this program equips students with the technical expertise and creative vision needed to produce compelling cinematic works across diverse formats. Through hands-on training and theoretical foundations, learners master the full spectrum of film and video creation—from concept to final delivery—while developing a deep understanding of narrative structure, visual aesthetics, and production logistics.
- Film theory and history: Explores the evolution of cinema as an art form and cultural force, analyzing key movements, directors, and critical frameworks that shape modern storytelling.
- Film technology and equipment operation: Provides practical training in industry-standard cameras, lighting systems, sound recording gear, and other essential tools used in professional production environments.
- Film production management: Covers pre-production planning, scheduling, budgeting, casting, location scouting, and on-set coordination to ensure efficient and effective project execution.
- Film directing and performance coaching: Develops skills in guiding actors, shaping visual tone, and translating scripts into dynamic, emotionally resonant scenes.
- Cinematographic art and visual storytelling: Focuses on framing, composition, camera movement, and lighting techniques to convey mood, theme, and narrative intent through imagery.
- Film editing and post-production: Teaches the art of assembling footage, timing sequences, integrating sound, and applying visual effects to craft a cohesive and impactful final product.
- Audio design and sound editing: Addresses the integration of dialogue, music, ambient sound, and sound effects to enhance immersion and emotional impact.
- Computer-generated imagery (CGI) and digital compositing: Introduces techniques for creating and manipulating digital visuals, including 3D modeling, animation, and visual effects workflows.
- Multi-media production and cross-platform content creation: Prepares students to produce content for film, television, online streaming, social media, and interactive platforms using adaptive storytelling methods.
- Specialized film genres and formats: Offers focused study in documentary, narrative fiction, experimental cinema, advertising, and other production styles with distinct technical and creative demands.
Cinematography and Film Production Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Cinematography and Film Production Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Cinematography and Film Production degrees, including Producers and Directors, Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary and Film and Video Editors. 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 296,480 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 Video Editors 27-4032 | $70,980 | $39,170 - $145,900 | 28,860 | $34.12 |
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film 27-4031 | $68,810 | $36,240 - $131,420 | 24,460 | $33.08 |
Cinematography and Film Production Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,388 in Arkansas to $103,235 in California—a 127% difference. The highest-paying states include California, New York, and District of Columbia. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 296,480 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 Cinematography and Film Production by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Cinematography and Film Production 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 Cinematography and Film Production is found at New York University (NYU) (525 graduates), Emerson College (470 graduates), Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (348 graduates), New York Film Academy (NYFA) (347 graduates), and DePaul University (304 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 8,082 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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York University (NYU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
525 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
Emerson College |
Bachelor's
|
470 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emerson.edu |
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
348 | Savannah, Georgia | Private | scad.edu |
New York Film Academy (NYFA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
347 | Burbank, California | Private | nyfa.edu |
DePaul University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
304 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | depaul.edu |
Chapman University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
274 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
Columbia College Chicago (CCC) |
Bachelor's
|
237 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | colum.edu |
University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
235 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
University of Southern California (USC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
233 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
181 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
Loyola Marymount University (LMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
173 | Los Angeles, California | Private | lmu.edu |
Los Angeles Film School (LAFS) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
163 | Hollywood, California | Private | lafilm.edu |
Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
160 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
|
139 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
Florida Institute of Recording Sound and Technology (F.I.R.S.T.) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
129 | Orlando, Florida | Private | first.edu |
Santa Monica College (SMC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
120 | Santa Monica, California | Public | smc.edu |
University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
|
118 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Bachelor's
|
114 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
112 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
110 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
Los Angeles City College (LACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
98 | Los Angeles, California | Public | lacitycollege.edu |
University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
94 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
88 | Winston Salem, North Carolina | Public | uncsa.edu |
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
87 | Rochester, New York | Private | rit.edu |
Grand Canyon University (GCU) |
Bachelor's
|
79 | Phoenix, Arizona | Private | gcu.edu |
Quinnipiac University (QU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
78 | Hamden, Connecticut | Private | qu.edu |
California State University |
Bachelor's
|
76 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
Columbia University in the City of New York |
Master's
|
76 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
CUNY Brooklyn College |
Bachelor's
|
75 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
Cleveland State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
|
74 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | csuohio.edu |
San Francisco Film School |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
72 | San Francisco, California | Private | sanfranciscofilmschool.edu |
Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
71 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
71 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
Community College of Aurora (CCA) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
69 | Aurora, Colorado | Public | ccaurora.edu |
Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
69 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
Valencia College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
66 | Orlando, Florida | Public | valenciacollege.edu |
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Bachelor's
|
64 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
Broward College (BC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
63 | Fort Lauderdale, Florida | Public | broward.edu |
Biola University |
Bachelor's
|
61 | La Mirada, California | Private | biola.edu |
University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
59 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) |
Bachelor's
|
58 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | massart.edu |
Ithaca College (IC) |
Bachelor's
|
55 | Ithaca, New York | Private | ithaca.edu |
Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
55 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
|
54 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Other Award
|
53 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
Chattahoochee Technical College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
50 | Marietta, Georgia | Public | chattahoocheetech.edu |
Motion Picture Institute (MPI) |
Other Award
|
50 | Troy, Michigan | Private | motionpicture.edu |
Art Center College of Design (ArtCenter) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
48 | Pasadena, California | Private | artcenter.edu |
Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
46 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45 | Valencia, California | Private | calarts.edu |
Pratt Institute |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Brooklyn, New York | Private | pratt.edu |
Belmont University |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | belmont.edu |
George Mason University |
Bachelor's
|
45 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Denver, Colorado | Public | ucdenver.edu |
Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) |
Associate's
Residency
Other Award
|
43 | Lakewood, Colorado | Public | rrcc.edu |
Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
42 | Valley Glen, California | Public | lavc.edu |
Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
42 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
Northwest Vista College (NVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
42 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
41 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
Houston Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
40 | Houston, Texas | Public | hccs.edu |
Colegio de Cinematografia Artes y Television (CCAT) |
Associate's
|
40 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | ccatpuertorico.com |
The University of Montana (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
39 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
New Mexico State University (NMSU) |
Bachelor's
|
39 | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Public | nmsu.edu |
Academy of Art University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
Master's
|
38 | San Francisco, California | Private | academyart.edu |
Southern Methodist University (SMU) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Dallas, Texas | Private | smu.edu |
State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Oswego, New York | Public | oswego.edu |
Point Park University |
Bachelor's
|
34 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | pointpark.edu |
Atlantic University |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Guaynabo, Puerto Rico | Private | atlanticu.edu |
Baylor University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
32 | Waco, Texas | Private | baylor.edu |
SUNY Westchester Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
31 | Valhalla, New York | Public | sunywcc.edu |
Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
31 | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Public | occc.edu |
Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30 | Conway, Arkansas | Public | uca.edu |
West Los Angeles College (WLAC) |
Other Award
|
30 | Culver City, California | Public | wlac.edu |
Huntington University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Huntington, Indiana | Private | huntington.edu |
Binghamton University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
Marquette University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
Universidad del Sagrado Corazon |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Santurce, Puerto Rico | Private | sagrado.edu |
Mount Saint Mary's University (MSMU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | Los Angeles, California | Private | msmu.edu |
Lipscomb University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | lipscomb.edu |
Moore Norman Technology Center (MNTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
27 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | mntc.edu |
Pima Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
|
26 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
College of the Desert (COD) |
Other Award
|
26 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
Palm Beach State College (PBSC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
26 | Lake Worth, Florida | Public | palmbeachstate.edu |
Wayne State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Detroit, Michigan | Public | wayne.edu |
Keene State College (KSC) |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Keene, New Hampshire | Public | keene.edu |
Five Towns College |
Bachelor's
|
25 | Dix Hills, New York | Private | ftc.edu |
California College of the Arts (CCA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | San Francisco, California | Private | cca.edu |
City College of San Francisco (CCSF) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | San Francisco, California | Public | ccsf.edu |
Clayton State University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
24 | Morrow, Georgia | Public | clayton.edu |
Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | Ankeny, Iowa | Public | dmacc.edu |
Century College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
24 | White Bear Lake, Minnesota | Public | century.edu |
Ringling College of Art and Design |
Bachelor's
|
23 | Sarasota, Florida | Private | ringling.edu |
Cuyahoga Community College District (Tri-C) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Cleveland, Ohio | Public | tri-c.edu |
Webster University |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | webster.edu |
Sinclair Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
22 | Dayton, Ohio | Public | sinclair.edu |
Southern Oregon University (SOU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
22 | Ashland, Oregon | Public | sou.edu |
Seattle Film Institute (SFI) |
Certificate (≥2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
22 | Seattle, Washington | Private | sfi.edu |
Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
21 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | cfcc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Cinematography and Film Production programs
How much can I earn with a Cinematography and Film Production degree?
Salaries for Cinematography and Film Production 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 $103,235 compared to $45,388 in Arkansas. Approximately 296,480 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 Cinematography and Film Production programs?
Currently 285 accredited institutions offer Cinematography and Film Production degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include New York University (NYU) (525 graduates), Emerson College (470 graduates), and Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) (348 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 Cinematography and Film Production growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 6,273 in 2010 to 9,544 in 2023-24. This represents a 52% 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 Cinematography and Film Production degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Producers and Directors, Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary, and Film and Video Editors. Related occupations employ approximately 296,480 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.
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