Best Film Schools in Tennessee: Online Programs (2026)

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Tennessee Film At a Glance

Metric Detail
Median Film Salary $62,202
Salary Outlook Tennessee offers competitive wages for film professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below.
Primary Licensing Body Tennessee Professional Licensing Board
Accreditation Required Institutional + Regional

Earning an online film degree in Tennessee offers a flexible path into film careers. Tennessee offers competitive wages for film professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. Whether you’re looking for an affordable in-state option or a nationally available program, Tennessee students have access to a variety of accredited online choices that balance quality and cost.


Online Film Schools in Tennessee

The following schools offer accredited online film programs and are ranked based on affordability, graduation rates, and student outcomes in Tennessee.

How We Rank Schools

Every school list on this site is ordered by the BOC Score, computed from the most recent school-level data published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS). To qualify, a school must be currently operating and accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Each eligible school is then scored on five measures, percentile-ranked against schools at the same credential level:

  • Graduation rate 30%
  • Median earnings, 10 years after entry 25%
  • Average net price (lower is better) 20%
  • Retention rate 15%
  • Fully online availability 10%

Schools without enough outcome data appear after ranked schools, without a score. Advertising never affects these rankings. Read the full methodology.

Ranked by BOC Score — U.S. Dept. of Education outcome data. Advertising never affects rankings.

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#1

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
91.4 BOC Score
Graduation rate 93%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $91,565
Avg net price $15,846/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 96%
  • Programs offered: 157

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#2

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
74.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 71%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $60,249
Avg net price $18,976/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 91%
  • Programs offered: 143

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#3

Lipscomb University

Nashville, TN
  • 4 year
  • Offers a fully online program
62.5 BOC Score
Graduation rate 68%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $55,541
Avg net price $24,739/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 85%
  • Programs offered: 107

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#4

Southern Adventist University

Collegedale, TN
  • 4 year
45.6 BOC Score
Graduation rate 61%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $53,723
Avg net price $24,345/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 82%
  • Programs offered: 81

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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#5

Nossi College of Art and Design

Nashville, TN
  • 4 year
34.8 BOC Score
Graduation rate 61%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $35,113
Avg net price $24,044/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 81%
  • Programs offered: 5

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

#6

SAE Institute of Technology-Nashville

Nashville, TN
  • 4 year
32.0 BOC Score
Graduation rate 51%
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry $39,544
Avg net price $24,700/yr
TuitionContact school for pricing
Contact
Key stats
  • Retention rate: 50%
  • Programs offered: 3

Source:IPEDSCollege Scorecard

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Career Outlook and Salaries in Tennessee

Film professionals in Tennessee experience a dynamic job market with competitive wages. Below are the median annual salaries for key roles in the field, based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for Tennessee.

Occupation Median Annual Salary (Tennessee)
Film and Video Editors $57,880
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film $57,030
Producers and Directors $73,020
Special Effects Artists and Animators $83,080
Audio and Video Technicians $49,970
Sound Engineering Technicians $60,500
Writers and Authors $58,870
Graphic Designers $57,270

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.


Why Pursue an Online Film Degree in Tennessee?

Choosing a program in Tennessee can provide several advantages:

  • In-State Tuition: Many public universities in Tennessee offer lower tuition rates for residents, even for online programs.
  • Local Networking: Attending a school within your state can make it easier to connect with local employers and professional organizations.
  • Regional Relevance: Curriculum often incorporates data and case studies relevant to the Tennessee economy and job market.


Frequently Asked Questions

Are online film programs in Tennessee accredited?

The schools in our directory hold institutional accreditation from agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education - that is a condition of inclusion. Verify any specific school and program in the Department’s DAPIP database before enrolling.

How does Film pay in Tennessee compare to other states?

Tennessee offers competitive wages for film professionals, reflected in the state-specific Bureau of Labor Statistics median salaries shown below. This makes Tennessee a strong choice for students looking to maximize their ROI after graduation.

What is the primary licensing board for film in Tennessee?

The Tennessee Professional Licensing Board oversees professional standards and licensure for the field in Tennessee. Most accredited programs are designed to align with their specific requirements.


Online Film Programs by City in Tennessee

Explore city-level guides with local salary data and school options:

Atoka · Bartlett · Brentwood · Bristol · Chattanooga · Clarksville · Cleveland · Collierville · Columbia · Cookeville · Dyersburg · East Ridge · Farragut · Franklin · Gallatin · Germantown · Greeneville · Harriman · Hendersonville · Jackson · Johnson City · Kingsport · Knoxville · La Vergne · Lebanon · Maryville · Memphis · Morristown · Mount Juliet · Murfreesboro · Nashville · Oak Ridge · Sevierville · Shelbyville · Smyrna · Spring Hill


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