Find the best hairdressing school near you - one step up (2023)

The barbershop has experienced a revolution in recent decades. The barbershop has always been a staple gathering place and safe haven in many cities around the world, providing men with a place to meet friends and relax, but now they are becoming so much more.

As more men like to groom themselves and express their identity in new ways, and some women opt for barbers as well, the barbershop no longer takes a backseat to the hair salon. Do you see yourself playing a key role in this transformation? Be part of the next generation of barbers.

The barber school teaches students how to cut and shave different styles, in addition to teaching them about skin care, hygiene, business management, bacteriology, and how to apply different colors and textures.

Succeeding in this career requires not only technical skills, but also creativity, the ability to put your customers at ease, and some business savvy.

It's a competitive field, but unless everyone suddenly decides to cut their hair, there will always be a demand for barbers.

Do you think you have what it takes? See if there is a school near you that you like using the school finder below.

What to look for when choosing a barber school?

There are numerous options where you can get your barber training, but making the right choice isn't about picking a school at random and hoping for the best.

The difference in quality between programs can be quite significant, so make sure you are aware of what each school offers. Crucial elements include accreditation, job prospects, dropout rate, and cost.

If you can't find the answers to the questions you have online, contact the admissions office and ask them your questions directly.

accreditation

To qualify as a barber, you must be licensed, and to be licensed, you must pass your state's licensing requirements. The goal of barber school is to prepare you for these exams and make sure you get a good start in your career.

One way to determine if a school really knows what it's doing is to check that it is accredited and that its program meets licensing requirements.

The main accreditation body is theNational Accreditation Commission for Careers in Arts and Sciences (NACCAS)— The Ministry of Education itself recognizes this institution.

However, other accreditation agents to consider are theOccupational Education Board,Accreditation Council for Continuing Education and Training, It's inAccreditation Commission for Schools and Professional Associations.

Should I rule out a school if it is not accredited? Not necessarily, but you certainly need to make sure there's a good reason for it. With over 1,500 NACCAS-accredited programs alone, there are plenty of accredited options to choose from without looking elsewhere.

job prospectus

Even if you go to an accredited barber school and get your license, that's no guarantee of a good job. Some schools are much better than others at helping their students land great jobs by providing industry links, an alumni network, and work experience opportunities.

In some states, apprenticeship or training is required to pass licensing exams; if this is the case, check to see how much help your school offers you in finding an employer to complete this.

And if training isn't required, it may be even more important to check that the school is proactive in helping you find a job. Do you have relationships with local businesses that allow you to train with them to gain hands-on experience?

It can make the difference between finding a job immediately after graduation and struggling to get a job.

dropout rate

The quality of the teaching is one of the most important factors in deciding which barber school to study at, but unfortunately it is also one of the most difficult to determine.

One of the best metrics to evaluate it is the bounce rate. There will always be one or two students who have to drop out of a program, but if 10% or more of them decide to drop out, it suggests that something may be seriously wrong.

In addition to the dropout rate, you can also determine the quality of teaching by asking the secretary about the professional experience of teachers and how long they have worked at the institution.

If teachers have an impressive resume or have spent a few years in their current position (preferably both), it's a strong sign that they know what they're doing. Otherwise, you risk attending the institution.

Cost

If money is not an issue and you can attend any school you want, feel free to skip this section, but most people are not in such a fortunate position. Before you put your heart into a program, you need to know how much you can afford.

Be sure to compare the costs of at least three different schools to get a good idea of ​​what the typical price is for the area you want to study. But remember to consider the factors that can influence the cost, which we will cover next.

How much does barber school cost?

For the most part, barber school costs between $10,000 and $20,000 total. That may seem a bit high, but there are some variations depending on factors like where you study and which school you choose.

You can also lower your costs by getting some financial help.

locations

As a general rule, hairdressing schools in urban areas are more expensive than those in rural areas.

This is not to say that there aren't some cheaper schools in the big cities and some more expensive schools in quieter areas, so be sure to check the cost of tuition with each individual school.

And before you write off all the big-city barber schools, remember that the better job prospects in these areas may outweigh the high costs: Big cities tend to have more salons and higher-paying jobs.

Scholarships and financial aid

Just as you can get scholarships for college courses, there are also financial aid options available for barber school.

Many barber schools areTitle IV Schools, which means they accept federal student aid, the same package offered to disadvantaged college students.

There are some national scholarships specifically for hairdressing and hair care that any potential student can apply for. For example, himJoe Francis Hair Care Scholarship Foundationoffers 20 scholarships of $1,000 to barber students (among others). In addition to these national scholarships, some schools may have their own financial aid programs, which are generally less competitive.

Be sure to check with the admissions office to see what help is available.

extra costs

While all good hair schools will cover most of the costs involved in their programs, you may have to do some shopping on your own.

Most students will need to purchase tools such as scissors, razors, and safety equipment. You may also need to buy some textbooks; remember that barber school involves both theoretical and practical elements.

Purchasing these items may seem insignificant at first, but they can add up to hundreds of dollars in total. If you attend a school that offers more free equipment, the cost of the program may be higher, so be sure to find out what tuition includes and keep this in mind when deciding where to go.

How long is barber school?

On average, it takes between 1,000 and 1,500 hours to complete barber school, which is between ten months and a year of training in total.

However, the exact length of barber school depends on the program you are taking, your state's licensing requirements, and whether you study part-time or full-time.

Differences between states

As already mentioned, barbers cannot enter the workplace until they have their license, and one of the requirements is to have completed a certain number of hours in barber school. There are significant differences between the states here.

In Nevada, trainee barbers must not only1500 hoursin hairdressing school, but also an 18-month apprenticeship, which means around 900 days of education in total.

At the other end of the spectrum, in New York, students only need to complete 231 course hours (about 54 days of school work).

part time vs. full time

It goes without saying that part-time training will greatly increase the total time required to complete the program.

Typically, this means doubling your total completion time, which means it could take you two years to graduate if you study part-time.

Course structure

Does a program require students to complete an internship in order to graduate? How many hours of classes per week are there? All of these factors affect the overall length of a barber school program.

While this is partly due to state requirements, there are also some variations within the same state, so make sure you know what you're applying for.

What is the labor panorama of the School of Barbering?

No one wants to invest valuable time, effort, and resources in training for a profession, only to find out that they are unlikely to earn above minimum wage. No matter how much you love your job, fair compensation is non-negotiable.

You may think that all hairdressers make more or less the same, but there is actually quite a bit of variation depending on the services provided, skill level, and whether the hairdresser is employed or contracted.

And of course, owning a barbershop gives you more room to increase your earnings (as long as you're good at it).

Let's take a deeper look at what kind of salary you can expect based on your specific situation.

Expected salary range

The average salary of a barber is$ 32.006— with most groomers earning between $25,766 and $38,545. This results in an average salary of between $13 and $18 per hour.

But what happens when we look beyond the statistics to the factors that influence total compensation?

The region you work in makes a big difference. In New Hampshire, the median salary is huge.$ 58.500— but in Alabama, that drops to $29,250. Of course, cost-of-living differences will eat up the extra, at least in part.

Also, as you gain more experience, you can increase your earnings.

While barbers just starting out can only earn between $20,000 and $25,000, that number is likely to rise to over $30,000 with a few more years of experience, and eventually up to $40,000 (or more) as you continue to gain experience. .

Those with 20+ years of experience are earning$59,900 per yearto the media

You can also increase your earnings by upgrading your skill set. If you learn a very specialized skill, such as becoming the ideal barber for a certain hairstyle in your area or learning how to style hair. This will make you much more in demand than just being another barber who can cut hair (nothing wrong with that though).

open a barber shop

If you really want to maximize your earning potential as a hairdresser, the best way to do it is to open your own shop.

In this case, your earnings will depend on how good you are at promoting yourself, attracting customers, and keeping your customers happy. It requires emotion and a dose of charisma, but those who are good at what they do can earn six-figure salaries.

Many entrepreneurs have even gone so far as to transform their profession into a professional brand, becoming “celebrity barbers” with their own products or even television appearances.

Who knows, maybe that could be you one day.

Hairdressing school online vs face-to-face

If you would love to become a hairdresser but don't like the idea of ​​spending hours every day traveling and studying in a brick-and-mortar school, the idea of ​​going to an online school probably sounds tempting to you.

But before you get your hopes up, wait a second. While there are some schools that offer some of their training online, there are no accredited schools that offer the entire program virtually, which shouldn't be surprising considering that barbershop is a hands-on subject.

online hairdressing school

Just because you can't complete your entire barber program online doesn't mean you shouldn't take the opportunity to complete some of your training this way.

While there are variations between states, it's usually possible to complete the portion of your barber training that covers hygiene, safety, business management, and similar theoretical elements online.

This is a great solution for anyone who wants to go to barber school and at the same time work full time or take care of dependents. Studying online can often be done flexibly and at your own pace, making it easy to complete while juggling other tasks.

Plus, studying part of the course online usually means you'll save money.

On-site hairdressing school

However, while you will save some time and money by studying online, you will miss out on valuable relationships with your professors and peers.

While finding your first job is easier if you have the right connections, it could mean more than just fewer opportunities to socialize.

And while online and face-to-face classes cover the same content, answering questions is often easier and more encouraging when you're in the same room as the teacher. This helps to bridge the gap between theory and the real world context.

In general, in-person barber schools are the best option unless you have a good reason to train online.

prepare for success

Barbering is an old profession that isn't going anywhere fast, so why not get involved? You'll be able to play a small part in helping the men of the world look more stylish and approachable, and that's as worthwhile a goal as any.

Who knows, maybe your humble profession will turn into a national chain of barbershops? Go after those dreams!