Film School Cost

Typical costs:

• The most prestigious film schools, such as the American Film Institute (AFI) and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) cost about $35,000 per year, with programs ranging from one to three years for a bachelors degree.
• Many four-year state colleges and universities offer film programs. In 2007-2008, the average in-state full-time tuition and fees per year for an undergraduate at a four-year public university was $6,185, according to a survey by the College Board. Out-of-state students can expect to pay an average of $16,640 per year.
• According to the National Center for Education Statistics[1] , the average full-time graduate tuition and required fees was $18,145 in 2006-07. Generally, the cost per year for earning a two-year masters degree is comparable to the cost of earning a bachelors degree; for example, the New York Film Academy and University of Southern California charge the same amount per year for their bachelors and masters programs.

• Rooms cost about $3,747 for a four-year university and $4,607 for a private institution, according to the National Center for Education Statistics[2] . Board costs another $3,185 at a four-year university or $3,787 at a private institution.
• The average student spends about $700 each year on course materials alone, mostly on textbooks.
• Bargain film schools often don't include the price of equipment, while colleges and universities do. A basic camera will cost about $250, but there are infinite possibilities for more complicated cameras and other equipment (lighting, sound) to get the job done. There's a comprehensive article at The Film Sensei[3] that discusses which cameras to consider.

• Take advantage of state and federal grants and scholarships. Begin to explore financial aid opportunities at FAFSA.ed.gov[4] .

• Consider what you want to get out of film school before you sign up. Consider the school's location, equipment and faculty.
• Filmmaking.net[5] offers several articles that give advice on what to look for in a film school, and how to suit a film school to your needs. selfreliantfilm.com[6] , a blog devoted to low-budget filmmaking, also has a lengthy post on the subject.
• The Independent[7] , a website for independent filmmakers, offers a film school article that attempts to debunk "myths" about film school.
• Filmmaking.net[8] and imdb.com[9] each offer an extensive list of film programs across the nation and The Independent offers a list of the 10 best documentary filmmaking schools in the country[10] .
• There's a healthy debate online over whether or not film school is "worth it." Amazon offers two books on the subject: "The Complete Guide to American Film Schools and Cinema and Television Courses"[11] or "Projections 12: Filmmakers on Film Schools."[12]

1.  nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d07/tables/dt07_323.asp
2.  nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d07/tables/dt07_320.asp
3.  www.filmsensei.com/2008/08/top-10-essential-equipment-for-indie-filmmaker-part-i-t...
4.  www.fafsa.ed.gov/
5.  www.filmmaking.net
6.  www.selfreliantfilm.com/2007/10/so-you-wanna-go-to-film-schoolpart-1-searching-for...
7.  www.independent-magazine.org/node/13
8.  www.filmmaking.net/filmschools/film_schools_browse.asp?country=United%20States
9.  www.imdb.com/filmschools
10.  www.aivf.org/08/09/10-best-academic-programs-documentary-filmmakers
11.  www.amazon.com/Complete-American-Schools-Cinema-Television/dp/0140172262/ref=sr_1_...
12.  www.amazon.com/Projections-12-Filmmakers-Film-Schools/dp/0571206948/ref=sr_1_1?ie=...

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