video production schools in pennsylvania

Last Updated on July 30, 2023

Want to know more about the u penn film school? Or maybe you want to know more about best film school in pennsylvania? If so, read on.

Here is the list of film schools in pennsylvania you guys were looking for. Hope, this article helps you to find a clue about best film schools in pennsylvania or university of pennsylvania film school.

Reading about video production schools in pennsylvania for the very first time may seem overwhelming to those without prior experience or who don’t study the subject, but they may find it fascinating. 

Learn more about university of pennsylvania film school, film colleges in philadelphia, pennsylvania college of art and design, and penn state film school. You will also find more resources on infolearners related to temple university film program.

Video Production Schools In Pennsylvania

We have created a 2021 ranking of the best colleges in Pennsylvania that offer Cinematography And Film/video Production degrees to help you find a school that fits your needs. Each school’s ranking is based on the compilation of our data from reliable government sources, student surveys, college graduate interviews, and editorial review. In addition, you can view our entire list of all 11 Cinematography And Film/video Production schools located within Pennsylvania. We also provide reviews, facts, and questions and answers for schools on our site and offer you access to get valuable information from colleges and universities today.

Best Cinematography And Film/video Production Colleges in Pennsylvania for 2021

1Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PATemple University offers 2 Cinematography And Film/video Production Degree programs. It’s a large public university in a large city. In 2015, 169 students graduated in the study area of Cinematography And Film/video Production with students earning 159 Bachelor’s degrees, and 10 Master’s degrees. Based on 36 Reviews
2Carnegie Mellon UniversityPittsburgh, PACarnegie Mellon University offers 2 Cinematography And Film/video Production Degree programs. It’s a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 1 students graduated in the study area of Cinematography And Film/video Production with students earning 1 Bachelor’s degree. Based on 16 Reviews
3Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PAImage by Sebastian Weigand Drexel University offers 1 Cinematography And Film/video Production Degree program. It’s a large private university in a large city. In 2015, 37 students graduated in the study area of Cinematography And Film/video Production with students earning 37 Bachelor’s degrees. Based on 32 Reviews
4Point Park UniversityPittsburgh, PAPoint Park University offers 2 Cinematography And Film/video Production Degree programs. It’s a medium sized private university in a large city. In 2015, 36 students graduated in the study area of Cinematography And Film/video Production with students earning 36 Bachelor’s degrees. Based on 4 Reviews
5Messiah CollegeMechanicsburg, PAMessiah College offers 2 Cinematography And Film/video Production Degree programs. It’s a small private university in a large suburb. In 2015, 9 students graduated in the study area of Cinematography And Film/video Production with students earning 9 Bachelor’s degrees. Based on 16 Reviews

Penn State University Park Film Rankings

Penn State University Park was ranked #17 on College Factual’s most recent list of the best schools for film majors. This puts the bachelor’s program at the school solidly in the top 15% of all colleges and universities in the country. It is also ranked #1 in Pennsylvania.

Popularity of Film at Penn State University Park

During the 2018-2019 academic year, Pennsylvania State University – University Park handed out 73 bachelor’s degrees in film, video and photographic arts. Due to this, the school was ranked #37 out of all colleges and universities that offer this degree. This is an increase of 59% over the previous year when 46 degrees were handed out.

How Much Do Film Graduates from Penn State University Park Make?

$28,100BACHELOR’S MEDIAN SALARY

Salary of Film Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree

The median salary of film students who receive their bachelor’s degree at Penn State University Park is $28,100. This is higher than $22,250, which is the national median for all film bachelor’s degree recipients.

How Much Student Debt Do Film Graduates from Penn State University Park Have?

$27,000BACHELOR’S MEDIAN DEBT

Student Debt of Film Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree

While getting their bachelor’s degree at Penn State University Park, film students borrow a median amount of $27,000 in student loans. This is higher than the the typical median of $25,000 for all film majors across the country.

The typical student loan payment of a bachelor’s degree student from the film program at Penn State University Park is $280 per month.

Film Student Diversity at Penn State University Park

Take a look at the following statistics related to the make-up of the film majors at Pennsylvania State University – University Park.

Penn State University Park Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor’s Program

During the 2018-2019 academic year, 73 film majors earned their bachelor’s degree from Penn State University Park. Of these graduates, 45% were men and 55% were women.

The majority of the students with this major are white. About 70% of 2019 graduates were in this category.

The following table and chart show the ethnic background for students who recently graduated from Pennsylvania State University – University Park with a bachelor’s in film.

Ethnic BackgroundNumber of Students
Asian2
Black or African American3
Hispanic or Latino9
White51
Non-Resident Aliens6
Other Races2
Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Fine & Studio Arts79
Music54
Drama & Theater Arts35
Design & Applied Arts25
General Visual & Performing Arts20

university of pennsylvania film school

What You Need to Know About Becoming a Film Major | Best Colleges | US News

About the Program

Past, Present and Future:

The study of moving images at the University of Pennsylvania has changed significantly since our students participated (nude!) in Eadward Muybridge’s Animal Locomotion studies of 1886, but the Penn Cinema and Media Studies still holds fast to the spirit of innovation and curiosity that Muybridge’s work exemplifies. Our program builds on the rich and diverse film historical tradition of the City of Philadelphia, home to film pioneers and organizations that include Siegmund Lubin and the Lubin Manufacturing Company, The Philadelphia Colored Players, The Paul Robeson House, and Amos Vogel (founder of the experimental film society Cinema 16). Penn alumni and supporters include: DreamWorks CEO and former chairman of Universal Pictures Stacey Snider; Lorraine Carrady Quinn of ShoWest and Caribbean Cinemas; Jeff Berg, head of International Creative Management; Shari Redstone, president of National Amuseuments and vice-chairwoman of CBS corporation and Viacom; former president of CBS William Paley; Columbia Pictures president Douglas Belgrad; new media pioneer and former President of Warner Home Video Warren Lieberfarb; Sundance Film Festival director Geoffrey Gilmore; directors Henry Jaglom and Richard Lester; producer / director / writer Jon Avnet; and producers Stephen Bayly, Robert Cort, Leonard Goldberg, Duncan Kenworthy and Marc Platt. They play a vital role in shaping the future of moving images for the 21st century, and the Penn Cinema and Media Studies program offers students a chance to follow in these footsteps, a chance to study and shape the past, present, and future of moving images.Global, integrated Knowledge:

Few programs at Penn resonate more strongly with the Penn Compact’s commitment to local and global engagement and integrated knowledge. As thoroughly hybrid media that intersect in rich and various ways with photography, painting, drawing, music, and literature, film and video demand an interdisciplinary course of study. Therefore, the Penn Cinema and Media Studies curriculum draws on a rich pool of faculty and offers courses covering a range of national, historical and methodological approaches. Feel free to drop by our offices to make an appointment with the director or associate director to discuss your interests in Cinema and Media Studies at Penn, or to watch one of the many films in our extensive DVD library. Attend our regular colloquia, which are open to students and the general public alike, and feature outstanding local, national and international film and media scholars presenting the very latest research in the field. We look forward to meeting you, and wish you a happy and successful year at Penn.The Major and Minor:

The Penn Cinema and Media Studies major and minor are traditional humanities programs involving the critical study of film history, theory and aesthetics, rather than film or video production. Although majors and minors will have the opportunity to do some screenwriting and production work, they will primarily engage in the critical study of national cinemas, international film movements, major and minor filmmakers in various traditions, the economic, legal and political forces governing film industry practice, film and media theory, and the relationship between film and the other arts. As a program, we are strongly committed to undergraduate education, and students can be assured that Cinema and Media Studies will provide many opportunities to work closely with a number of faculty members.

Cinema and Media Studies, BA

The Penn Cinema and Media Studies major and minor are traditional humanities programs involving the critical study of film and media history, theory, and aesthetics. Reflecting the hybrid nature of the field of Cinema and Media Studies, our faculty members are housed in departments across SAS and the university, and we cross-list courses with various departments and schools, including Africana Studies, Anthropology, Communications, East Asian Language and Civilizations, English, Fine Arts, German, History, History of Art, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Romance Languages, Slavic Languages and Literatures, and Women’s Studies. This truly interdisciplinary program will introduce students to the wide range of methodologies used to study film and media, and this intersection with other disciplines makes Cinema and Media Studies an ideal component of a double major.

The minimum total course units for graduation in this major is 33. Double majors may entail more course units.

CodeTitleCourse Units
College General Education Requirements and Free Electives
Foundational Approaches + Sectors1 + Free Electives20
Major Requirements
Core Requirements
CIMS 101World Film History to 19451
CIMS 102World Film History 1945-Present1
CIMS 103Television and New Media1
Electives
Select 10 course units of Electives10
Minimum 3 course units of Non-American Cinema
Maximum 3 course units of Production & Craft of Cinema
Total Course Units33
1You may count no more than one course toward both a Major and a Sector requirement.

Honors

Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the major.

CodeTitleCourse Units
CIMS 498Cinema Studies Honor Thesis0.5

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2021 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

UPenn Film Rankings

In the most recent rankings for the best schools for film majors, UPenn came in at #10. This puts it in the top 5% of the country in this field of study. It is also ranked #2 in Pennsylvania.

Ranking TypeRank
Best Film, Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools9
Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts121
Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts246
Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Film, Video & Photographic Arts283

Popularity of Film at UPenn

During the 2019-2020 academic year, University of Pennsylvania handed out 25 bachelor’s degrees in film, video and photographic arts. Due to this, the school was ranked #138 in popularity out of all colleges and universities that offer this degree. This is an increase of 32% over the previous year when 19 degrees were handed out.

best film schools in pennsylvania

1. CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

CMU provides students who are interested in becoming scholars in media studies or future filmmakers the ability to study an immersive program in Film and Visual Media, culminating in a major in this area. Courses will cover everything from screenwriting to animation, documentary and production. Additionally, students will be immersed in topics surrounding the history, theory, and culture of film at CMU. 

Phone: 412-268-2850

Location:

Baker Hall 259

5000 Forbes Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

2. PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Whether you’re looking for a research-based path or a production, film focused career, PennState has major programs for students. From history and theory to hands-on learning with industry-standard gear, courses taught at PSU ready students for their path to a successful career. Many students go on to get internships at some of the most famous companies in the industry. 

Phone: 814-863-1484

Location:

201 Carnegie Building

University Park, PA 16802

3. UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

Film and Media Studies at the University of Pittsburgh offers a highly-immersive learning environment. For students looking for a more technical type of job in the industry, this kind of program helps to provide them with experience that will transfer into the job post-graduation. With a variety of programs available including both minor and major undergraduate options, you can choose the right option for you. 

Phone: 412-624-6564

Location:

454 Cathedral of Learning

4200 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, PA 15260

4. SWARTHMORE

Swarthmore’s film and media studies offer course majors and minors. Whichever program you choose, you’ll be educated both in the theory, history, and critical analysis of film to the hands-on experiences using industry-standard gear that can get you ready for your future career. As a smaller institution, you’ll receive focused instruction from industry professionals who have working experience in the local Pennsylvania film scene. 

Phone: 610-328-8000

Location:

500 College Avenue

Swarthmore, PA 19081

5. ALLEGHENY COLLEGE

One of the best Pennsylvania film schools, Allegheny College offers a fantastic program in the Communication, Film, and Theatre department. From a major to a minor in Film and Digital Storytelling, students are given the opportunity to build a foundation built around methods, practices, and technical aspects of filmmaking and media. The truth is that this school has a great success rate as far as post-graduation employment goes, making it a top option for many. 

Phone: 814-332-2370

Location:

520 N. Main Street

Meadville, PA 16335

6. DREXEL UNIVERSITY

An immersive program from a school that recognizes that hands-on learning is needed for students seeking to work in cinematography, screenwriting, directing, and producing, Drexel University is an appealing option. From helping students learn how to develop an “eye” for unique visuals to aiding them in finding their voice to tell stories, the undergraduate program at Drexel is a comprehensive one. It’s also a school that can make it easy for you to find the perfect internship that’s right for you. 

Phone: 215-895-2000

Location:

3141 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19104

7. WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY 

A B.A. in Media and Culture from West Chester will provide students with an in-depth look at the vast array of areas and practices necessary for an informed and experienced film professional. With a comprehensive program designed in a traditional way, the program provides students with the ability to build on their career path in a strategic and focused way. Whether you want to pursue strategic media, media production or media culture, this program will allow you to graduate prepared for a variety of jobs in the industry. 

Phone: 610-436-1000

Location:

700 South High Street

West Chester, PA 19383

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