CSUN’s Department of Cinema and Television Arts (CTVA) climbed to No. 20 on The Hollywood Reporter’s 2026 list of the 25 Best U.S. Film Schools, moving up one spot from last year. The ranking also places CSUN above every other film program in the California State University system. CSUN also stands out for affordability, with one of the lowest undergraduate tuition rates on the Top 25 list and the lowest among California schools.
The Hollywood Reporter spotlighted several programs that give CTVA students connections to the entertainment industry. Among them is a comedy mentorship led by CSUN alumnus and television producer Dave Caplan, which gives six screenwriting students from underserved backgrounds the opportunity to work with professional writers as they shape original scripts. CSUN is also home to the Cal State University Entertainment Alliance, an initiative that helps connect graduates from across the CSU with the entertainment field.
Matadors are gaining another direct connection to Hollywood through a motion picture and television production accounting course created with Lionsgate. The 2026 ranking also noted $3 million in support from The Golden Globe Foundation, adding to the resources available to CTVA and its students.
