Updated at: 15-03-2023 - By: Eden Wise

Overview

Do you want to make a name for yourself in the film industry as an actor, filmmaker, or director? Check out our recommended Texas film schools.

Texas has been the setting for more than a thousand film and television productions.

This is because Texas offers some of the lowest tax burdens in the United States, in addition to its picturesque landscapes, beautiful backdrops, and dozens of resourceful organizations.

There are 252 Title IV degree-granting institutions in Texas. A lot of them have courses for creative types like designers and artists.

If you are looking for information on the top film schools in Texas, then this article is for you.

The best film schools in Texas are highlighted here so that you can get started in the industry. Nonetheless, we need to shed more light on the problems that are plaguing film schools.

Best Film Schools In Texas

Best film schools in texas

KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts

The Department of Motion Picture Production at KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts grants an Associate of Applied Arts Degree. Students will learn the skills they’ll need to start careers in filmmaking during this 15-month program. There are a total of 72 hours of coursework required for the degree.

The Art Institute of Austin

The Art Institute of Austin

Among the top film schools in the country is the for-profit Art Institute of Austin (AI – Austin), which has its main campus in nearby Round Rock. There are only 479 undergraduates enrolled, making it a relatively small school. A hundred percent of applicants are accepted by AI-Austin. The fields of Recording Arts Technology, Game Design and Interactive Media, and Cinematography and Video Production are all very popular choices for college majors.

The Art Institute of San Antonio

The Art Institute of San Antonio, also known as AI – San Antonio, is a private, for-profit institution in San Antonio, Texas, offering degrees that typically take 4 years to complete. A bachelor’s degree is the highest level of education they provide. The student-to-teacher ratio at AI – San Antonio is 15 to 1. It’s also worth noting that they have a 57% acceptance rate.

Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University’s (SHSU) Film and Television Production Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program is nationally renowned for its high level of student-faculty interaction, breadth of practical course offerings, and cutting-edge Dan Rather Communications Building facilities.

University of Houston

As one of the best film schools in Texas, the University of Houston is a top choice for students. UH was established in 1927 as a public research institution in Houston, Texas. UH meets many of our requirements for a top film school in Texas, including its Bachelor of Arts in Film Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Media Production.

The University Of Texas at Austin

In terms of filmmaking programs, the University of Texas at Austin is among the top choices. Jim Parsons, better known as “Sheldon” on “The Big Bang Theory,” is just one of the many award-winning directors and actors who graduated from this university.

It is a large public university in Texas and has been around since 1883. According to the 2020 rankings by U.S. News & World Report, UT Austin is ranked in a tie for 14th place among public universities and tied for 48th place among all universities in the United States.

There is a 73% acceptance rate at The University of Texas at Austin. Liberal arts and humanities, psychology, and business are all highly sought-after degrees.

The percentage of students who graduate each year is 54 percent. As a result, UT Austin is now widely recognized as among the state’s top film programs.

Houston Baptist University

Houston Baptist University

Among Texas’ top film schools is Houston Baptist University (HBU), which has been producing graduates since 1960.

The Cinema and New Media Arts Program at HBU is an exciting combination of the Film School and the Mass Media Department.

Students in this program have the opportunity to intern in the film industry and attend classes in Hollywood for a semester.

There is a 36% acceptance rate at HBU and a 44.60% graduation rate. Houston Baptist University has one of the best film programs in Texas, with a student-to-professor ratio of just 12:1.

Southwestern Assemblies of God University

One of the top Texas film schools, Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) is a Christian college and Bible university that focuses on ministry, theological studies, and liberal arts.

Naturally, SAGU has a 28% acceptance rate and a 41% graduation rate.

With one Cinematography and Film/Video Production Degree program in the Communication Arts Faculty, San Antonio College-Guadalupe (SAGU) is also among the top filmmaking schools in Texas.

KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts

The Department of Cinematography and Film/Video Production at the KD Conservatory College of Film and Dramatic Arts offers a single degree program. This is a for-profit, private college that offers degrees in two years.

In 2015, 16 students graduated with Associate’s degrees in Cinematography and Film/video Production.

The primary focus at KD Conservatory is to foster students’ (both novice and seasoned) artistic growth and development.

To maintain its reputation as one of Texas’ finest film academies, KD Conservatory only employs the most accomplished industry professionals to teach its courses, ensuring that its students are always in touch with working artists who are familiar with the industry’s ins and outs.

Saint Edward’s University

When it comes to filmmaking programs, St. Edward’s University holds its own with the best in Texas. Holy Cross is a private institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Austin. U.S. News & World Report also recognizes it as a leading liberal arts institution.

Therefore, through her faculty of Photography and Media Arts, St. Edwards gives students the chance to learn the art of film-based photography in a wet darkroom.

Both her acceptance and graduation rates are above average at 73.9% and 66.7%, respectively. Accordingly, it is a top choice among Texas’s excellent filmmaking institutions.

Sam Houston State University

US News ranks Sam Houston State University (SHSU) at #281 out of all National Universities.

In addition, SHSU’s Dan Rather Communications Building is home to a Film and Television Production Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program that is nationally recognized for its high level of student-faculty interaction, breadth of practical course offerings, and cutting-edge technology.

More than that, SHSU offers its students the opportunity to gain practical experience at some of the world’s most prestigious film schools in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

However, with a 74% acceptance rate, it’s clear that Sam Houston is a competitive option. Sam Houston State University has a graduation rate of 51%, and its graduates have an average starting salary of $37,400.

Southern methodist university

Southern methodist university

In her role as the 16th president of this illustrious institution, Laura Skandera Trombley oversees a private, non-profit institution with a 4-year curriculum and accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The humanities, fine arts, social sciences, and natural sciences are all brought together in an integrated arts and sciences curriculum at Southern Methodist University, making it one of the best universities in Texas.

Our Lady of the Lake University

More than 3,100 men and women attend Our Lady of the Lake University, a private, coeducational research university founded in 1895 by a congregation of divine providence. The institution offers daytime, evening, weekend, hybrid, and online courses to incoming and current undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. International students go through a different admissions process at OLLU, and students with military or veteran backgrounds receive additional support. To get started with OLLU, click on the button below.

Collin college

In 1985, classes for this highly selective public university were being held at a local high school. The college, on the other hand, has always been focused on its students, with the goal of helping them grow morally and intellectually through the development of interpersonal and collaborative skills. At present, the institution has grown, and each year it produces thousands of graduates. They have over a hundred different certificate programs and degrees available at this school.

San Antonio college

There is a public university named San Antonio in Texas’s capital city. A total of 4,406 undergraduates make up the school’s relatively modest student body. There is a universal acceptance in San Antonio. Liberal arts and humanities, business, and healthcare professions are all highly sought after. 34% of students at the University of Texas at San Antonio graduate, and they earn an average of $26,300 in their first year after graduating.

Baylor University

If you want to study film, video, or photography, Baylor University is among the best universities in the country to do so. Baylor University is a sizable private, non-profit institution found in Waco, Texas, a midsize city. Baylor University is a fantastic institution, as evidenced by its Best Colleges ranking of #153 out of 2,241 universities across the country.

In the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 52 students majoring in film, video, and photographic arts graduated from Baylor.

Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University

SHSU is a large public university with a convenient location in the faraway city of Huntsville. When compared to other universities in Texas, this one comes in at number 21.

In the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 9 students majoring in film, video, or photographic arts graduated from SHSU.

Texas State University

Any prospective student with an interest in the moving image or still photography should investigate Texas State University. Texas State University, which calls San Marcos, a small city, home to a massive student body, is a public institution. Based on overall quality, this university is ranked 15th best in Texas out of 116 higher education institutions.

In the most recent year for which data is available, roughly 26 students majoring in film, video, and photographic arts graduated from Texas State. The average starting salary for a graduate of a film program is $21,136.

Southern Methodist University

One of the top film schools in Texas is Southern Methodist University (SMU), a private university. A Christian university can be found in University Park, Texas. With 6,240 first-year students, this school falls into the “moderate” size category.

BFAs can be earned at Southern Methodist University’s Meadows School of the Arts. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Film and Media Arts program at Southern Methodist University is an arts program that encourages students to find their own unique creative voice.

Since only 49% of applicants are admitted, Southern Methodist is a fairly competitive institution. After graduating, 81% of Southern Methodist University alums report starting salaries of $54,300 or higher.

With these advantages, SMU stands out as one of Texas’ top film schools.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) is a private Christian institution located in Belton, Texas. The Republic of Texas chartered UMHB in 1845.

In light of this, UMHB provides a BA in Film Studies for its students. In any field, the ability to think creatively and see projects through to fruition is an absolute must, and this is exactly what you’ll learn at one of the Best Film Schools in Texas. Approximately 78% of applicants are accepted at UMHB, while only 48% of students graduate.

Saint Edward’s College

In addition, St. Edward’s University is widely recognized as a top choice among Texas’ finest cinematic educational institutions. In Austin, Texas, Holy Cross University is a private option for college and graduate school education. Also, it is a highly regarded liberal arts institution, as ranked by the respected U.S. News & World Report.

Traditional film photography is taught in a wet lab by St. Edward’s faculty of Photography and Media Arts.

Her acceptance rate is at 73.9%, while her graduation rate is at 66.6%. That’s why it ranks up there with the best of Texas’s film schools.

FAQs

Can I get into Film School with no experience?

It is possible to succeed in film school even if you have no prior experience.

How much does a film producer make?

BLS reports that in 2018, producers and directors earned an average of $71,680 per year.

Is Texas State good for film?

Texas State University’s film production bachelor’s program came in at #164 on College Factual’s annual ranking of the nation’s best creative arts universities. The state of Texas ranks it third overall.

Is a degree in film worth it?

While both options have their benefits and drawbacks, a bachelor’s degree in filmmaking typically leads to much greater long-term success. There is no doubt that a degree in film studies provides outstanding professional benefits, from access to a wide network to invaluable on-the-job training.

Conclusion

Acceptance rate, graduation rate, and student-to-faculty ratio are all important indicators when searching for the top film school in Texas.

This list of film schools has been verified as having earned full accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.