How Much Does Barber School Cost? A Complete Guide

The barbering business is booming, which means demand for exceptional barbers is growing – and fast! So if you’ve got the skills and think you can cut it, perhaps a successful career as a barber is in your future. But, before you dive in, you should note that all 50 of the United States require barbers to have their license before they can legally provide services in a professional setting. 

Apprenticeships are one way to gain the knowledge and experience necessary to pass your licensing exam, but those can be difficult to secure and come with their own costs. Another way to gain a quality education is to attend barber school. But how much is barber school? And how can you afford to pay for it? 

This article will cover the various barber school costs and factors that can affect the price of attendance. Plus, we’ll discuss ways you can fund your education, and some tips on choosing the best institution. 

What Is the Tuition Fee for Barbering Programs?

Tuition fees for barber school vary by state, though they generally cover the cost of instruction and practical training for cutting, grooming, and styling men’s hair, mustaches, and beards. You’ll learn all about the various barbering tools and instruments you’ll need, as well as proper skin and scalp care, hygiene, sanitization practices, and basic dye techniques. Total tuition fees also depend on program demand and school reputation, plus any necessary supplies (while some barber school costs include training materials, this is program-specific and will not apply to all institutions). 

How Much Is Barber School? 5 Factors That May Affect it

So just how much is barber school? Unfortunately, there’s no straight answer for this. While barber school costs range from about $3,000-$15,000, there are several different factors that can affect how much you end up paying for your training. 

Program length and location

Longer programs with a deeper curriculum and higher training hours usually cost more than shorter programs with fewer requirements. Additionally, barber schools located in big, busy cities will often come with bigger expenses as well. 

Living expenses 

Barber school tuition typically does not include amenities like housing, transportation, gas, or food. These costs can add thousands of dollars to your expenses per month, greatly increasing your financial needs. 

Training supplies 

Some schools will supply you with a technical kit, while others may require you to provide your own materials like clippers, scissors, combs, razors, and mannequins – typically averaging between $400 and $2,800. You’ll also want to invest in high quality, comfortable sneakers for practical training days. 

Licensing fees and exams

Tuition doesn’t usually cover barber license costs or exams (though program specifics will vary). Barber license costs and application fees can range from $40 to $200, while costs for the practical exam range between $15 to $200, depending on the state.

In-state or out-of-state status

Some barber school costs change depending on whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student. If you live near a reputable school, you may be able to reduce your costs by commuting to an in-state institution rather than forking over the costs for flights, moving, and out-of-state tuition fees. 

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4 Ways to Pay for Barber School

If you’re looking to get into barber school, you’ll first need to establish how you’re going to cover tuition, materials, and exam fees. Here, we list a few different options you can explore to finance your enrollment. 

1. Apply for financial aid 

You can fill out a FAFSA to learn more about your federal student loan options (such as direct subsidized or unsubsidized loans), or go the private loan route to cover your barber school costs. Every loan comes with its own interest rates, payment terms, fees, and grace period, so make sure you read the fine print before accepting any lender money. 

2. Look for scholarships and grants

Some barber schools and independent organizations offer scholarships and grants to help fund aspiring barbers through their professional journeys. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants don’t require repayment, but they’re much harder to obtain. A few scholarships you can check out include: 

• Great Clips Scholarship Program: $5,000
• Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship Foundation: $3,000+
• Keller International Annual Scholarship: $1,000
• Douglas J.’s Natural Talent Scholarship: $5,000 (and $2,000 for the runner up)

Scholarship directories post information regarding available scholarships and how you can qualify, which can be a huge help when considering your financial options. 

3. Search for hybrid school options 

While you can complete some barber classes online, you’ll need to get hands-on training to qualify for your license. However, some barber colleges offer a less expensive hybrid education, which involves a mix of both virtual and essential in-person learning. 

4. Work a part-time job

Depending on the program (or whether you choose to go part-time or full-time), it can take six months to two years to earn your license. If you have the time, you can try working a part-time job to supplement your barber school costs. 

4 Best Tips for Choosing a Barber School

Choosing the right barber school can be a daunting task. Luckily, we’ve gathered a few tips to simplify your decision-making process. 

1. Carefully assess your budget

Do a thorough accounting of all your budgetary needs and compare it against your available funds. If you’re taking out loans, you’ll also have to factor in any interest rates or future payment terms. If the cost of the school is much more than you can feasibly afford with financial aid, you may want to consider a less expensive choice to avoid starting your career in a substantial amount of debt. 

2. Consider post-grad opportunities

Look for barber schools that provide job resources, professional connections, and mentorship after graduation. Investing in a school that continues to invest in you after you’ve completed your program can give you the boost you need to start your career, opening up new opportunities and supporting your drive to succeed. 

3. Research student-faculty ratios

A big, popular school might seem appealing, but it’s important to pay attention to the student-faculty ratio. Too many students and not enough instructors means less personal attention, which can crowd the learning experience and make it difficult to seek out one-on-one support. 

4. Check the graduation rate

When researching barber schools, another detail to keep in mind is the graduation rate. How many students actually complete the program? Are there any testimonials regarding the class difficulty? Does the school provide stats on graduates that have gone on to build successful careers? These details can offer some insight into faculty leadership and competence, which can better inform your enrollment choices. If the majority of students drop out after the first three months, that may be an indicator of a larger issue with the structure and quality of the curriculum. 

Start Your Barber Career with GlossGenius

With the right education and support, you can turn your barbering skills into a lucrative endeavor. However, building a business takes time, determination, and money, and with many states mandating a minimum number of training hours, it’s not something you can rush. Learning how to provide the best client service requires an investment in yourself, and while this may carry a hefty price tag for some, the risk can also result in the ultimate payoff – a prosperous, rewarding venture built on customer satisfaction. 

GlossGenius is an all-in-one platform that can help professional barbers both start and manage their business. Use our Marketing tools to reach clients with customizable promo texts and emails so they’re always apprised of any rate changes or new services. GlossGenius’ Client Management features can also automate your appointment confirmations and reminders to reduce no-shows without increasing your administrative load. And with Inventory Management, you can simply scan your products’ barcodes to auto-update quantities and find out which items need a re-stock without the need for manual data input. 

Try GlossGenius today and get a 14-day free trial!

FAQs

How long does it take to be a barber in KY?

Kentucky state law requires all students complete at least 1,500 hours of training – which can take nine to 12 months (if full-time). Topics include haircutting, shaving, bacteriology, hygiene, massaging, scalp and skin diseases, professional ethics, and more. 

Are barber schools worth it?

Barber schools can be highly beneficial to your career not just for their informative curriculums, but because of the networking and support they offer. And in some cases, they’re necessary. All 50 states mandate licensing for barbers, which can only happen once you’ve completed certain courses and/or received the proper number of training hours. (As an example, Florida requires a minimum of 600 hours of study, whereas California requires 1,000 hours.) While there’s no guarantee you can secure an apprenticeship, there are plenty of barber schools to choose from that can provide the education you need to succeed.

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