Do you need to go to film school? P.T Anderson didn’t go to film school. But George Lucas did, as did Martin Scorsese. The Wolf of Wall Street director who attended the Tisch School of the Arts.

If you’re a go-getter who’s been making films with your friends since you were 8 years old, and your superpower is convincing strangers to give you money, then film school might not be for you.

But for others, film school can be an invaluable source of knowledge, insight, access, and confidence. So, here we’ll be looking at the top film schools in the U.S., what they focus on, and what makes them so good at what they do.

Remember that much depends on your individual needs. It can be a case of whether you want to make indie, art house, or mainstream films and also where you want to live in the U.S. or New York.

So with all that in mind, let’s look at some of the best film schools in the U.S.

American Film Institute (AFI)

The American Film Institute is a prestigious film school located in Los Angeles, California. Its programs are known for their rigorous and intensive curriculum, which focuses on storytelling and hands-on experience.

The AFI offers both a two-year Conservatory program and a one-year Directing Workshop for Women program. The Conservatory program includes a variety of disciplines, including directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, and production design. The Directing Workshop for Women program is an opportunity for women to learn and grow in a supportive environment.

Notable alumni of the AFI include David Lynch, Terrence Malick, Darren Aronofsky, Patty Jenkins, and many others. The cost of the AFI's programs is quite high, with tuition ranging from $58,700 to $63,700 per year, plus additional expenses for equipment and supplies.

New York University Tisch School of the Arts

The Tisch School of the Arts at New York University is a top-ranked film school located in the heart of New York City.

The school offers a wide variety of programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in film and television production, screenwriting, cinema studies, and more. Tisch is known for its focus on innovation and experimentation, as well as its connections to the entertainment industry.

Notable alumni of Tisch include Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Ang Lee, Oliver Stone, and many others.

The cost of attending Tisch varies depending on the program, with undergraduate tuition ranging from $58,552 to $62,662 per year and graduate tuition ranging from $48,516 to $62,662 per year.

NYU's film program includes undergraduate and graduate programs in film and television production, screenwriting, and film studies. Even by Film School standards, it’s pricey, but NYU would say that they have extensive Financial Aid support.

University of Southern California (USC) School of Cinematic Arts

The School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California is one of the oldest and most prestigious film schools in the world. USC offers a wide variety of programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in film and television production, screenwriting, interactive media, and more. The school is known for its cutting-edge facilities and its strong connections to the entertainment industry.

Colombia is one of the most prestigious film schools in the world

Notable alumni of USC include George Lucas, Ron Howard, Judd Apatow, Ryan Coogler, and many others. The cost of attending USC's film school is high, with tuition ranging from $59,260 to $64,760 per year for undergraduate programs and $56,225 to $61,725 per year for graduate programs.

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts)

The California Institute of the Arts is a highly regarded arts school located in Valencia, California. CalArts offers a variety of programs in film and video, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in film and video, animation, experimental animation, and more. The school is known for its focus on experimentation and creativity, as well as its connections to the entertainment industry.

Notable alumni of CalArts include Tim Burton, John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, and many others. The cost of attending CalArts varies depending on the program, with undergraduate tuition ranging from $53,340 to $57,920 per year and graduate tuition ranging from $56,262 to $62,042 per year.

Columbia University School of the Arts

The school offers a variety of programs in film, including an undergraduate major in film studies and graduate degrees in film production and screenwriting. They have recently opened a new Lenfest Center for the Arts which includes a fancy 150-seat theatre and state-of-the-art post-production facilities.

Notable alumni of Columbia's film program include Kathryn Bigelow and Lisa Cholodenko.

Chose the U.S film school that is right for you

These are the options that tend to populate the top of any list, but the U.S. is teeming with great film schools. Ultimately, choosing the right film school for you is a personal choice, and going where you feel you are most comfortable, financially secure, and happy will help you thrive.

You want to choose where feels right or maybe there are personal or financial factors to bear in mind.

Happy writing from the Arc Studio team.