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CIP 50.0607 Visual and Performing Arts

Documentary Production

IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education · 2025

Total graduates

75

2025 · 10 schools

International share

9.3%

7 international students

Bachelor's degrees

48

2.1% international

Master's degrees

27

22.2% international

Overview

Documentary Production is an engaging and dynamic field that focuses on the creation of non-fiction films and television programs. This discipline combines storytelling, visual artistry, and research to convey real-life events, social issues, and human experiences through a cinematic lens. Students in this program learn various technical skills, including camera operation, sound design, editing, and scriptwriting, while also exploring the ethical responsibilities of documentary filmmaking.

The curriculum typically covers different documentary styles, such as observational, participatory, and expository approaches, allowing students to experiment with their unique voice and perspective. In addition to technical training, students are encouraged to develop critical thinking skills to analyze and interpret the impact of documentaries on society and culture. Courses often include hands-on projects, enabling students to work collaboratively and produce their own documentaries, from conception to post-production.

Moreover, students are introduced to the business aspects of documentary filmmaking, such as funding, distribution, and marketing, which are essential for a successful career in the industry. The program may also feature guest lectures from established filmmakers, giving students insights into the professional world and networking opportunities.

Graduates of a Documentary Production program can pursue various careers, including documentary filmmakers, editors, producers, and researchers, often working in television, film, or digital media platforms. With the growing demand for content that informs and inspires audiences, this field offers exciting opportunities for those passionate about storytelling and social change.

Graduates by year

Graduates by degree level (first and second majors)

AssociateBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral

From 2010 to 2025, graduates grew 582% and the international share went from 0.0% to 9.3%.

International share (%)
Graduates by group, 2025
White
52.0%
Asian
4.0%
Hispanic
9.3%
Black
20.0%
Other
5.3%
Intl.
9.3%

Colleges that award this degree

In 2025, 10 schools awarded this degree as a first major. The table lists those in the 2027 U.S. News National or Liberal Arts rankings, plus the unranked schools with the most graduates.

RankSchoolStateGraduatesInternational
#9 Northwestern University Illinois 6 2
#34 Wake Forest University North Carolina 10 3
#55 University of Miami Florida 3 0
#109 University of California-Santa Cruz California 5 1
#169 DePaul University Illinois 2 0
LAC #34 Spelman College Georgia 10 0
LAC #184 Utah Tech University Utah 26 1
— Ithaca College New York 10 0
— Columbia College Chicago Illinois 2 0
— Mount Saint Mary's University California 1 0

Purple: international students are 25% or more of the school's graduates.

Related jobs and pay

OccupationUS employmentMean hourly wageMean annual wage
Producers and Directors 143,120 $54.47 $113,300
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary 93,560 — $94,700
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary 29,420 — $90,010
Film and Video Editors 25,610 $41.41 $86,130
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film 21,550 $40.01 $83,210

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

Graduate counts: IPEDS Completions, US Department of Education, 2010–2025. Rankings: 2027 U.S. News.