The article ranks the 25 best U.S. film schools in 2025, highlighting their facilities, curricula, and alumni achievements, with a focus on emerging technologies like virtual production and AI, and noting the importance of alumni networks and industry partnerships.
The 2024 ranking of top U.S. film schools sees a significant shift with NYU Tisch School of the Arts taking the top spot, surpassing the AFI Conservatory and USC School of Cinematic Arts. This change is attributed to a new data-driven ranking methodology developed in partnership with Screen Engine/ASI, which aims to provide a more objective evaluation of each school's strengths and weaknesses. The list also welcomes five new schools, including SMU and Drexel, and highlights significant jumps for institutions like the University of Arizona and the University of Miami.