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Seattle Film Institute

#2128 in US ranking Seattle, WA
Type:
Private for-profit
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$47,966
Tuition & fees
$17,820
Avg. aid
$12,547
Receiving aid
78%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
57%
Median salary
$43,364
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of Seattle Film Institute?

Seattle Film Institute is a specialized film school in Seattle, Washington, with a history rooted in hands-on training for screen-based production. It began offering film education in the 1990s and later developed degree programs alongside its practical training.

That evolution matters to applicants: Seattle Film Institute is not a broad university with film as one department among many. Its academic identity remains centered on filmmaking and related creative work, so students should assess the particular degree and production experience they want rather than expect a wide range of unrelated majors.

What are the faculties and departments at Seattle Film Institute?

Seattle Film Institute organizes its education around film and related production disciplines rather than a conventional system of colleges or faculties. Its offerings include undergraduate and graduate study connected to filmmaking, screenwriting, acting for the camera, and sound.

Applicants should compare programs by credential, course sequence, production requirements, and equipment access. A program focused on writing or performance may involve a different mix of collaborative projects and technical training from one focused on film production. The institution's reported student-to-faculty ratio is 8 to 1, but that institution-wide figure does not establish the size of a particular workshop or the amount of individual instruction in every course.

What is the location of Seattle Film Institute?

Seattle Film Institute is located in Seattle, Washington. Its urban setting puts students in a metropolitan area where film projects can draw on varied locations, collaborators, and arts activity, although access to any particular opportunity depends on the project and the student.

For commuters, the practical questions are how often a program requires in-person work, whether production schedules extend beyond regular class hours, and how they will transport themselves and equipment. Prospective students should check their program's current teaching location and schedule before making housing or transportation commitments.

What is the mission and vision of Seattle Film Institute?

Seattle Film Institute's educational focus is preparation for work in film and related media through specialized, practical study. Its program mix emphasizes creative development and production skills rather than the broad disciplinary mission of a comprehensive university.

That stated approach should be evaluated against the details of a chosen curriculum: how students develop projects, work with collaborators, receive feedback, and build a portfolio. A hands-on educational purpose describes the school's priorities; it does not, by itself, establish employment or earnings outcomes.

Seattle Film Institute Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

Seattle Film Institute

Level of institution

Four or more years

Control of institution

Private

Setting type

City: Large

Institutional Category

Degree - granting, primarily baccalaureate or above

Institution size category

Under 1,000

School type

Four-year college

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Quarters

Foundation year

1994

Seattle Film Institute Accreditation

Seattle Film Institute is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

Seattle Film Institute Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of at least 2 years, but less than 4 years
iconBachelor's degree
iconMaster's degree

Data last updated on November 2, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.