How Much Does Barber School Cost?

$ Medium: $2,000-$4,000

$ $ High: $11,000+

The job of the barbers is to cut, style and color hair, mostly for male clients and in barbershops or hair salons.

The barbers may also provide skin and nail services for men, including manicures and facials.

The need for barbers is expected to grow over the next years, according to the federal government’s Occupational Outlook Handbook.

The average barber earns about $11 per hour or $22,500 annually.

Typical Costs

The community colleges and private technical schools offer barbering programs.

Popular Programs

The program costs vary significantly by a school from around $2,000 to more than $11,000.

All reputable programs are geared towards preparing students to pass state licensing exams.

Dayton Barber College in Ohio, a private technical school, is on the higher end of the scale, where the tuition is more than $11,000 for a 1,800-hour course, including books and fees.

Atlas Barber College in New York City is on the lower end of the scale, and charges about $2,500 for a 17-week course, including books and fees.

For the in-state students, the community colleges provide significantly lower tuition costs for longer programs that result in a certificate or degree.

The tuition at such programs can be comparable to the costs at the less expensive private barbering schools.

For instance, at Calhoun Community College in Alabama, the tuition is approx. $1,000 a semester for a three-semester program and results in an associate’s degree.

The book costs at the barbering programs are what students pay at community colleges, which is several hundred dollars per semester.

What Is Included

• The programs have to help students meet state requirements for licensing.
• The courses should allow students to prepare for their exams, finish practical hours and leave with the needed in-class training.
• The classes include training in hairstyling, shaving, perms, hair color, as well as nail and skincare.
• Students further study some basic anatomy and learn how to meet sanitary requirements, such as disinfecting combs and brushes.
• The students enrolled in associate degree programs may also have to take classes in required subjects like math and English.

Additional Costs

• Typically, the fees are around $50 to get and renew a license every two years.
• There are exams required to obtain a barber license, and the exam fees vary by state; however, they are typically between $100–150.
• For example, in Kentucky, the fees are $125, and in Pennsylvania, the exams cost $150.
• The technical colleges and community colleges usually do not offer to house students, thus expenses for housing and food should be expected.

Discounts

• Participation in student financial aid programs differs by school.
• The barbering training programs may participate in federal financial aid programs and offer students Pell grants and loans.
• Veteran’s benefits could be extended to students at barbering schools.
• Try the individual program’s financial aid offices for specific schools information.

Shopping For Barber School

• Similar careers to consider: Hair Stylist, Esthetician.
• All schools accredited in each state, are provided by the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences.
• Check the admissions office for the pass rates for state licensing exams and job placement rates for graduates of their program.