Chapman vs Fordham for film students: which is better for a film major?

Chapman is the stronger pick for a film major focused on production and an industry path. Its Dodge College is one of the school’s signature programs, with a much deeper film-specific ecosystem, more specialized production training, and stronger day-to-day access to Southern California’s film network. Fordham has real advantages in New York and a solid media environment, but it is not as centered on film production in the same way.

The biggest difference is the program itself. At Chapman, film is a major institutional strength, not just one option within a broader arts curriculum. Dodge offers a wide range of production-focused tracks and has a reputation for being heavily oriented toward making films, collaborating on sets, and learning the workflow of the industry. That matters if you want college to feel like a launchpad into directing, producing, cinematography, screenwriting, or editing.

Location matters too, and Chapman’s Orange County and Los Angeles access is hard to beat for this field. Being in Southern California puts students closer to the center of the film and television industry, which can help with internships, guest speakers, alumni networking, and freelance opportunities during school. Fordham’s New York setting is excellent for media, journalism, documentary, and some independent film work, but for mainstream film production pipelines, Chapman usually has the edge.

The student culture around film is also different. At Chapman, you are surrounded by a larger concentration of students who are specifically trying to build careers in film production, so the peer network is often more intense and collaborative in that area. Fordham can be a very good choice for a student who wants film within a broader liberal arts experience and values New York’s arts scene, but for a student primarily prioritizing production training and industry preparation, Chapman comes out ahead.