Los Angeles Film School: 5,833 Students

5,833Students

42%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$31,632Earnings

Private forprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About Los Angeles Film School

The Los Angeles Film School puts students directly into the heart of Hollywood's entertainment industry. This for-profit technical college enrolls 5,833 students who learn with professional-grade equipment and benefit from industry connections. The school emphasizes hands-on training that mirrors real production environments. Students work with the same tools they'll use in their careers.

The financial picture requires careful consideration. Students pay an average net price of $33,130 annually, with costs remaining fairly consistent across income levels. Graduates earn a median of $31,632 ten years after enrollment, which creates challenging math for loan repayment. With median debt of $25,250 and monthly payments of $268, only 26.69% of borrowers successfully repay their loans. The school serves many first-generation college students, as 64.92% receive Pell Grants.

Retention tells an important story about student experience. Nearly half of students leave after their first year, with a retention rate of 49.82%. The graduation rates hover around 43%, reflecting the demanding nature of entertainment industry training. The student body skews male at 63.81% and draws from diverse backgrounds, with significant Black and Hispanic representation. About 60% of students come from out of state, drawn by Hollywood's proximity.

Academics & Faculty

The Los Angeles Film School specializes in hands-on entertainment industry training with access to professional-grade equipment used in actual film production. The school's 31:1 student-faculty ratio means less individual attention than traditional colleges, reflecting its focus on practical skills over academic theory. Only 42.2% of students graduate within six years, which is common for technical programs where students often leave early for industry opportunities. The curriculum emphasizes real-world experience in Hollywood's backyard, with programs designed around current industry standards. Students work with the same cameras, editing software, and recording equipment found in professional studios. The school attracts aspiring filmmakers, sound engineers, and digital media professionals seeking direct pathways into entertainment careers.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 31:1
Full-Time Faculty: 88.4%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 44.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 42.2%
Retention Rate: 49.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $31,632

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management.	Bachelor	$22,986
Design and Applied Arts.	Associate	$22,846
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$19,113
Graphic Communications.	Associate	$18,498
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.	Associate	$16,703
Music.	Associate	$16,478

View all 12 programs →

Campus Life

Students spend their days working with RED cameras, Avid editing suites, and professional sound stages in the heart of Hollywood. The 5,833 students can walk to major studios and production companies within blocks of campus. Los Angeles offers year-round filming weather, meaning you'll need sunscreen far more often than a jacket. The 31:1 student-faculty ratio means hands-on learning happens in smaller lab groups despite the large enrollment.

The campus operates more like a production facility than a traditional college. Students collaborate on film projects that mirror real industry deadlines and workflows. With 63.8% male enrollment, the gender ratio reflects the broader entertainment industry. Weekend life revolves around attending film festivals, working on personal projects, or exploring LA's creative scene from Venice Beach to the Hollywood Hills. The 84.4% employment rate speaks to strong industry connections, though the $31,632 median earnings after ten years reflects the competitive nature of entertainment careers. Most students commute from across the LA metro area rather than living in dorms.

Setting: City-Large

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Arson	1	0	0	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 48°–68°F
July Avg: 64°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 14.3"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Students at this Hollywood film school come from across the country to pursue entertainment industry careers, with 60% traveling from out-of-state to learn in the heart of the industry. Men make up nearly two-thirds of enrollment, reflecting the traditional gender actives of film and media production programs. The school serves a diverse student body where Black students represent the largest racial group at nearly 30%, followed by white students at about 25%. Most students qualify for federal financial aid, showing the school attracts working-class families betting on Hollywood dreams.

Men: 63.8%
Women: 36.2%
White: 24.7%
Black: 29.7%
Hispanic: 10.6%
Asian: 2.7%
In-State Students: 40.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 64.9%

Location

Hollywood sits at the heart of Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world. The school occupies prime real estate in the global center of film and television production. Students walk the same streets where major studios, talent agencies, and production companies conduct daily business. Nearly 40% of enrolled students come from outside California to access this unique location. The campus places students within walking distance of legendary venues like the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The urban setting offers internship opportunities at countless entertainment industry companies. Students considering colleges in California may also compare Los Angeles Film School with similar schools in the region.

Address: Hollywood, California 90028

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $31,632
Median Earnings (5 years): $27,993
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $29,900
Loan Repayment Rate: 26.7%
Monthly Loan Payment: $268/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $25,250

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission standards like at Los Angeles Film School?

The school maintains a 49.82% retention rate, suggesting relatively open admissions for students committed to entertainment industry careers. Nearly 64% of students are men, reflecting the gender composition typical of technical film programs in Hollywood.

How much does Los Angeles Film School cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $33,130 annually, with minimal variation across income levels. About 65% of students receive federal financial aid, though only 5.88% get institutional grants averaging $5,748.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Los Angeles Film School?

Classes average 31 students per faculty member, which is higher than typical liberal arts colleges but reflects the hands-on, workshop-style training common in technical film programs. The school emphasizes learning with professional equipment used in the entertainment industry.

How do graduates of Los Angeles Film School perform financially?

Recent graduates earn a median of $20,763 in their first year, rising to $31,632 after ten years in the field. The 84.4% employment rate reflects strong industry connections in Hollywood, though loan repayment rates of 26.69% suggest financial challenges for some alumni.

Where do Los Angeles Film School students typically come from?

About 40% of the 5,833 enrolled students are California residents, while 60% travel from out of state to study in Hollywood. The diverse student body is 30% Black, 25% White, and 11% Hispanic, reflecting the school's appeal across different communities.

What makes Los Angeles Film School different from traditional colleges?

As a for-profit technical college, it focuses exclusively on entertainment industry training rather than general education. The 43.95% four-year graduation rate and $268 monthly loan payments reflect the intensive, career-focused nature of programs designed to get students into Hollywood jobs quickly.