Top 20 Film Schools In Texas (2026)

Texas is home to an impressive and diverse range of film schools, offering programs that prepare students for careers in everything from Hollywood productions to independent filmmaking and commercial work. The state’s institutions are producing alumni whose projects stream on major platforms like HBO and Apple TV, and who work on blockbusters such as Thor: Love and Thunder and television series like Yellowstone and The Morning Show.

With the recent growth of Texas’s creative economy, bolstered by regional tax incentives and the emergence of new film production programs, this is an exciting time to pursue film education in the Lone Star State.

Top 20 Film Schools In Texas

1. The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin)

The University of Texas at Austin’s Radio-Television-Film (RTF) program is the crown jewel of Texas film education, named the #1 public film school in the United States by The Hollywood Reporter in 2025. This prestigious program is known for its comprehensive, ever-evolving curriculum that avoids prescribed tracks, instead preparing students to be leaders in the media industry’s next frontier through a flexible and interdisciplinary approach.

UT Austin also offers unique experiences like a minor in sports production and broadcasting, available in Fall 2025, and new courses in gaming, ensuring students are ready for emerging industries and the rapidly changing media landscape. The program’s location in Austin, a thriving creative and tech hub, provides students with unparalleled internship opportunities and connections to the growing Texas film and television production scene.

2. Southern Methodist University (SMU)

Southern Methodist University in Dallas is considered the best university for majoring in Film based on earnings data, with graduates earning an average of $29,685 two years after graduation, reflecting the program’s strong career preparation and alumni network. SMU has 48 students majoring in Film and a 49% acceptance rate, indicating a selective admissions process that attracts dedicated and talented students to its film program.

It is also the most expensive film program in Texas, with tuition costing $48,190, reflecting its private university status and the premium placed on its resources, facilities, and faculty expertise. The university’s location in Dallas, a major metropolitan area with a growing film and commercial production industry, offers students valuable internship and networking opportunities with local production companies and media organizations.

3. Texas State University (TXST)

Texas State University’s film program is housed within the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film and has seen significant growth since it began offering degrees in 2019, now with over 300 film and pre-film majors who are eager to launch their careers in the entertainment industry. The program produces award-winning work, with alumni screening at prestigious festivals like SXSW, Tribeca, Cannes, and Slamdance, demonstrating the high quality of student and graduate projects.

Graduates have worked on major productions like Twisters, Killers of the Flower Moon, and 1923, as well as commercial campaigns for brands like Apple, Nike, and HEB, showcasing the program’s ability to prepare students for diverse career paths. The $10 million Live Oak Hall facility, opened in 2022, includes a film soundstage, editing lab, and television studio, providing students with professional-grade equipment and spaces to develop their craft. Graduates earn approximately $29,322, reflecting a strong return on investment for this growing program.

4. University of Houston (UH)

The University of Houston offers a film program with 19 students majoring in the subject, providing a focused and intimate learning environment where students receive personalized attention from faculty. Graduates earn an average of $27,204, making it a solid option in the Houston area for students seeking a career in film and media production.

The program has a 60% acceptance rate and an in-state tuition of $8,759, offering a balance of quality and accessibility for students looking for an affordable path into the film industry. The university’s location in Houston, the nation’s fourth-largest city, provides students with access to a diverse range of production opportunities, including corporate video, commercial work, and independent filmmaking.

5. University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA)

UTSA has launched a new Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree program in Film and Media, enrolling its first cohort in fall 2026, making it a cutting-edge option for graduate-level film education in Texas. This 60-credit-hour program builds on the success of the BA in Film and Media Studies and is designed to connect students directly to the growing demand for film professionals in San Antonio and across the state, with a focus on hands-on production experience.

Students benefit from the UTSA Film Production Hub, which offers dedicated filming studios, a screening room, and a post-production sound suite, as well as access to professional-grade equipment that mirrors industry standards. The program is taught by award-nominated faculty who maintain active careers in Hollywood and commercial production, providing students with mentorship and connections to the professional world.

6. Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University offers a 15-hour undergraduate certificate in Motion Picture Production, offered through a partnership between the College of Media & Communication and the Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts, providing a focused and flexible pathway into film production. This program prepares students for careers in directing, editing, cinematography, acting, set design, and costume design, giving them a well-rounded foundation in the technical and creative aspects of filmmaking.

The curriculum includes required courses from both colleges and an elective, allowing students to tailor their education to their specific interests while benefiting from the expertise of faculty across multiple disciplines. Texas Tech’s location in Lubbock offers a traditional college-town experience with a growing arts community, providing students with opportunities to develop their craft in a supportive environment.

7. Sam Houston State University (SHSU)

Sam Houston State University in Huntsville offers a film program with 15 students majoring in the subject, providing a small and focused learning environment where students receive individualized attention from faculty who are invested in their success.

The program has a 73% acceptance rate and in-state tuition of $7,618, making it a more accessible option in the state for students seeking an affordable film education. SHSU’s location in Huntsville, a classic college town, offers a supportive community and a close-knit campus atmosphere where film students can collaborate on projects and develop their creative voices. The program prepares students for careers in film production, screenwriting, and media content creation.

8. The Art Institutes – Austin

The Art Institute of Austin offers a career-focused film program with 35 students, providing hands-on training in film and media production for students seeking direct entry into the industry. The program has tuition costs of $17,664 and average graduate earnings of $26,933, reflecting a practical, skills-based approach to film education that prepares students for immediate employment.

Students benefit from the school’s industry-focused curriculum, which emphasizes real-world production experience and portfolio development. Located in Austin’s creative hub, the Art Institute of Austin provides students with access to a vibrant film community and internship opportunities.

9. The Art Institutes – Houston

The Art Institute of Houston offers a similar career-focused film program with 33 students, providing hands-on training in film and media production in the nation’s fourth-largest city. The program has tuition costs of $17,664 and average graduate earnings of $26,933, reflecting a practical, skills-based approach that prepares students for immediate entry into the workforce.

Students gain experience in all aspects of film production, from pre-production planning to post-production editing, using industry-standard equipment and software. The Houston location provides access to a diverse range of production opportunities, including corporate video, commercial work, and independent filmmaking.

10. The Art Institutes – San Antonio

The Art Institute of San Antonio offers a career-focused film program with 22 students, providing hands-on training in film and media production in a smaller, more intimate setting. The program has tuition costs of $17,664 and average graduate earnings of $26,933, reflecting a practical, skills-based approach that prepares students for direct entry into the film industry.

Students benefit from the school’s industry-focused curriculum, which emphasizes real-world production experience and portfolio development. Located in San Antonio, a growing film production hub, the Art Institute offers students access to local production companies and networking opportunities.

11. Saint Edward’s University

Saint Edward’s University in Austin offers a film program with 20 students majoring in the subject, providing a liberal arts approach to film education within a small, supportive community. Graduates earn an average of $25,194, and the program has a 77% acceptance rate, making it an accessible option for students seeking a well-rounded education.

It is a private liberal arts university with tuition of $38,720, reflecting its commitment to personalized instruction and undergraduate research. The university’s location in Austin provides students with access to the city’s thriving creative scene and numerous internship opportunities in film and media production.

12. Houston Baptist University

Houston Baptist University offers a film program with 14 students majoring in the subject, providing a focused and intimate learning environment within a faith-based educational context. The program has a highly selective acceptance rate of 33% and tuition of $29,800, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and personalized instruction.

Students benefit from small class sizes and close mentorship from faculty, allowing them to develop their creative voices in a supportive environment. Houston Baptist’s location in Houston, a major media market, provides students with access to diverse production opportunities and industry connections.

13. Southwestern Assemblies of God University

This university in Waxahachie offers a film program with 13 students majoring in the subject, providing a faith-based approach to film education in a small and supportive community. It has a 28% acceptance rate and tuition of $19,180, reflecting its selective admissions and commitment to academic excellence.

Students benefit from small class sizes and close mentorship from faculty, allowing them to develop their creative voices within a Christian worldview. The program prepares students for careers in film production, media ministry, and content creation for faith-based organizations.

14. Texas Christian University (TCU)

Texas Christian University in Fort Worth offers a film program with 2 students majoring in the subject, making it a highly specialized and intimate program for dedicated students. The program has a 43% acceptance rate and tuition of $40,720, reflecting its private university status and commitment to personalized instruction.

Students benefit from TCU’s strong liberal arts foundation and its location in Fort Worth’s vibrant cultural district, which offers access to museums, galleries, and production opportunities. The program provides a focused film education within a supportive university community.

15. Dallas College

Dallas College is ranked as the most affordable option for film and cinematography majors in Texas, with a typical net price of $8,000 for middle-class families, making it an accessible entry point for aspiring filmmakers. With over 69,000 undergraduates, it offers a low-cost pathway to film education with a focus on practical skills and career preparation.

Students benefit from Dallas College’s multiple campuses and its location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which provides access to a thriving media and production industry. The program offers foundational training in film production, editing, and media content creation.

16. East Texas A&M University

East Texas A&M University is the cheapest university for majoring in Film based on tuition data, with students paying $6,202 on average, making it the most affordable four-year film program in the state. It offers a film program in the Commerce area, providing students with a low-cost pathway to a film degree in a traditional college-town setting.

Students benefit from East Texas A&M’s small class sizes and supportive learning environment, allowing them to develop their filmmaking skills with personalized attention from faculty. The program prepares graduates for careers in film production, media, and content creation.

17. San Jacinto Community College

San Jacinto Community College in Pasadena is another affordable option for film students, with a typical net price of $10,700 for middle-class families, making it an accessible entry point into film education. It has over 31,000 undergraduates and offers a low-cost film and cinematography program focused on practical, hands-on training.

Students benefit from San Jacinto’s location in the Houston area, which provides access to production opportunities in the nation’s fourth-largest city. The program provides foundational training in film production, editing, and media content creation.

18. Austin Community College District

Austin Community College District offers film-related programs with a typical net price of $11,100 for middle-class families, providing an accessible and affordable path into film education in Texas’s creative capital. It has nearly 40,000 undergraduates and offers a low-cost film and cinematography program with a focus on practical, hands-on training.

Students benefit from ACC’s multiple campuses and its location in Austin, a thriving creative and tech hub with numerous internship and production opportunities. The program provides foundational training in film production, editing, and media content creation.

19. Collin College

Collin College in McKinney offers film and digital video production programs for students in the North Texas area, providing affordable training for the film industry in the growing Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The college offers foundational courses in film production, editing, and media content creation, preparing students for entry-level positions in the industry.

Students benefit from Collin College’s multiple campuses and its location in one of the fastest-growing regions in Texas, which offers access to production opportunities. The program serves as an accessible entry point for aspiring filmmakers seeking a low-cost education.

20. Houston Community College

Houston Community College offers film and video production courses for students in the Houston area, providing affordable career training in filmmaking and media production in the nation’s fourth-largest city. The program offers foundational training in film production, editing, and media content creation, preparing students for entry-level positions in the industry.

Students benefit from HCC’s multiple campuses and its location in Houston, which offers access to diverse production opportunities, including corporate video, commercial work, and independent filmmaking. The program serves as an accessible entry point for aspiring filmmakers seeking a low-cost education with practical, hands-on training.

Comparison Table

Success Tips for Choosing a Film School

Start by identifying your career goals; if you want to work on big-budget Hollywood productions, consider schools with strong alumni networks like UT Austin or Texas State, where graduates work on shows like Yellowstone and The Morning Show and major films like Twisters and Killers of the Flower Moon.

For a focus on commercial production and brand work, look at schools with faculty who have industry credits in commercial campaigns, such as UTSA’s MFA program which is taught by award-nominated professionals.

Evaluate each school’s facilities; programs with dedicated soundstages, editing labs, and professional equipment, like UT Austin or Texas State’s Live Oak Hall, provide better hands-on experience that mirrors industry standards and prepares students for professional work environments.

Consider the cost and return on investment; SMU graduates earn the highest salaries, but Dallas College offers a much more affordable path with a net price of $8,000, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious students.

For students seeking graduate-level training, UTSA’s new MFA program offers a focused, professional degree that connects students directly to the growing demand for film professionals in San Antonio and across Texas.

Finally, consider the school’s location and industry connections; programs in Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio offer proximity to growing production hubs and tax incentive opportunities that are attracting major film and television productions to Texas.

Closing

Texas offers a comprehensive and growing film education landscape, from the nationally top-ranked program at UT Austin to the accessible and affordable options at community colleges like Dallas College and Houston Community College. The state’s institutions are producing alumni who work on major Hollywood productions, independent films, and commercial campaigns for global brands, demonstrating the quality and diversity of Texas film education.

With new programs like UTSA’s MFA and the expanding creative economy in Texas, fueled by regional tax incentives and a growing production infrastructure, there has never been a better time to pursue film education in the Lone Star State. Whether you are seeking a prestigious university degree, a career-focused certificate, or an affordable start at a community college, Texas film schools offer a pathway for every aspiring filmmaker to develop their craft and launch their career. Note that all information, including tuition and program details, is subject to change, so it is essential to verify current details directly with each institution to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information.