New York Film Academy: $36,738 Tuition

$36,738Tuition

965Students

71%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$29,633Earnings

Private forprofit4-yearData: 2023-24

About New York Film Academy

The New York Film Academy teaches students to make movies by actually making them. This hands-on approach attracts 965 students to its Burbank campus, where industry professionals serve as instructors. The school focuses entirely on film and media arts education. Students learn in a mid-sized city setting that puts them close to Hollywood's entertainment industry.

The financial reality hits hard for most graduates. Students typically pay $46,420 per year after financial aid. Only 20% receive any financial aid at all. Ten years after graduation, the median salary reaches just $29,633. That creates a challenging equation when the total cost of attendance runs $61,490 annually. Monthly loan payments average $170, and only 49% of borrowers are successfully repaying their loans.

The school maintains an unusually low 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio that enables intensive, personalized instruction. About 76% of students come from out of state, creating a diverse geographic mix. The retention rate sits at 78%, suggesting students generally stick with their programs. However, the employment rate of 83% shows most graduates find work, though not necessarily at wages that easily support their educational investment. The intimate class sizes and industry connections represent the school's main selling points.

Academics & Faculty

New York Film Academy operates as a hands-on film and media arts college where students learn directly from industry professionals. The 4:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intensive workshop environment typical of professional film sets. About 69% of students graduate within four years, reflecting the demanding nature of practical filmmaking education. The curriculum emphasizes real-world production experience over traditional academic theory. Students work with professional-grade equipment from day one, creating portfolios that mirror industry standards. Programs focus on cinematography, directing, screenwriting, and post-production techniques. This vocational approach prepares graduates for immediate entry into the entertainment industry rather than broad liberal arts education.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 4:1
Full-Time Faculty: 19.5%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 69.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 70.9%
Retention Rate: 78.4%
Median Earnings (10 years): $29,633

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.	Master	$23,649
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.	Master	$18,498
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.	Associate	$17,794
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.	Certificate	$16,394
Film/Video and Photographic Arts.	Bachelor	$16,169
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.	Certificate	$11,763

View all 16 programs →

Campus Life

The Burbank campus puts you in the heart of the entertainment industry, just 12 miles from Hollywood. With only 110 housing spots for 965 students, about 11% live on campus while most commute from across Los Angeles. You'll need sunscreen more than winter coats in this Mediterranean climate where temperatures rarely drop below 50 degrees.

The 4:1 student-faculty ratio means you work closely with industry professionals who split time between teaching and active film careers. Classes focus on hands-on production rather than theory. Students spend weekends shooting projects around LA, networking at industry events, or exploring nearby studios like Warner Bros and Disney. The diverse student body draws from across the country, with 76% coming from out of state. Social life revolves around film screenings, collaborative projects, and industry mixers. Employment rates hit 82.6% after graduation, though median earnings start low at $15,956 in the first year. The campus culture emphasizes practical experience over traditional college social activities.

Setting: City-Midsize
Housing Capacity: 110 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Founded: 1992

Campus Safety (2023)

9 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Noncampus
Burglary	4	0
Stalking	2	1
Fondling	1	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 41°–67°F
July Avg: 62°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 17.3"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

Students travel from across the country to study at this hands-on film academy, with three-quarters coming from outside California. The student body is 57% male, reflecting the film industry's gender actives, though the school attracts a growing number of women to media arts. Only 20% receive Pell Grants, suggesting students often come from families able to invest in creative careers. The diverse student mix includes substantial Hispanic and Black representation at 14% and 10% respectively. These aspiring filmmakers and media artists choose practical training over traditional college experiences, seeking direct pathways into entertainment careers.

Men: 56.9%
Women: 43.1%
White: 16.0%
Black: 9.8%
Hispanic: 13.7%
Asian: 3.6%
In-State Students: 24.2%
Pell Grant Recipients: 20.3%

Location

The school sits in Burbank, California, just 12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Burbank earned its nickname "Media Capital of the World" by hosting major studios like Warner Bros, Disney, and NBC. The city houses over 1,000 media companies within a 25-square-mile area. Students live in the heart of the entertainment industry where film and television production happens daily. The campus sits minutes from Hollywood and major production facilities. Burbank's year-round Mediterranean climate averages 286 sunny days annually. The area offers extensive internship opportunities at nearby studios and production companies. Students considering colleges in California may also compare New York Film Academy with similar schools in the region.

Address: Burbank, California 91505

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years): $29,633
Median Earnings (5 years): $26,298
Loan Repayment Rate: 49.2%
Monthly Loan Payment: $170/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $16,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the student-faculty ratio at New York Film Academy?

New York Film Academy maintains a 4:1 student-faculty ratio, providing intensive mentorship from working industry professionals. This hands-on approach reflects the school's focus on practical filmmaking skills rather than traditional lecture-based education.

How much does New York Film Academy cost after financial aid?

The average net price at New York Film Academy is $46,420 annually. Only 20.28% of students receive financial aid, with those receiving institutional grants averaging $12,163 in assistance.

What are the graduation rates at New York Film Academy?

New York Film Academy has a 69.42% four-year graduation rate and 70.90% six-year graduation rate. The 78.43% retention rate reflects students' commitment to completing their hands-on film and media arts programs.

What do graduates of New York Film Academy typically earn?

New York Film Academy graduates earn a median of $29,633 ten years after graduation. The creative industries typically offer lower starting salaries, with first-year graduates earning a median of $15,956 as they build their portfolios and industry connections.

Where is New York Film Academy located and how many students attend?

New York Film Academy's California campus is located in Burbank, the heart of the entertainment industry. The school enrolls 965 students, with 56.89% men and 43.11% women pursuing film and media arts degrees.

Does New York Film Academy provide on-campus housing?

New York Film Academy has housing capacity for only 110 students, requiring most of the 965 enrolled students to find off-campus accommodations. Room and board costs $23,752 annually for those who secure on-campus housing in the competitive Burbank market.