Cutting hair is a craft that takes dedication, skill, and patience.
The barbering industry was born from the idea that hair can be taken care of with the same precision as any other craft and remains one of the oldest professions in the world.
As you move about in New York City, you will find many top barber schools in New York City and barbers offering their services to anyone in need.
Now, how do you choose? Which are the best barber schools in New York City? This blog will help explain what barber schools in New York offer and why they are perfect for those looking to start their careers today.
Luckily for the budding barbers of New York City, there are a lot of great barber schools in New York City out there from which to choose.
That said, we’ve put together this list of 13 barber schools in New York City that are worth checking out.
The List of Top Barber Schools in New York City
- American Barber Institute
- Empire Beauty School
- Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute
- Barber & Beauty Institute of New York
- Beyond Beauty & Barber Institute
- Westchester Barber Academy
- Mastercutter Academy
- New York Beauty & Barber Academy
- Anousheh School of Hair
- Arrojo Cosmetology School
- Buffalo School of Cosmetology
- Continental School of Beauty Culture
- Erie Boces
Now, Let us review these barber schools in New York City.
American Barber Institute
- Address: 48 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018, United States.
- Phone: +1 212-290-2289
- Tuition Fee: $6,150 (including down payment of $750)
The American Barber Institute is located in Manhattan’s Chinatown. The school offers instruction for the Master Barber course, which lasts 500 hours, as well as an instructor program that takes 600 hours to complete.
Students can earn certificates in Barbershop Management and Barber Instructor programs, as well as a certificate in Barbering.
The institute has a spacious classroom with multimedia resources, as well as several stations where students can work on their craft.
The cost of tuition varies by your course selection: their refresher program costs $1,500 while the tuition fee for their Master Barber Program is $6,150 with a down payment of $750.
Enrolling into the America Barber Institute also requires that you possess several things upon application:
- Social Security Card
- High School Diploma
- A Photo ID
- Down Payment of $750.
- You must be at least 17 years.
Also, students will be required to purchase their equipment and supplies at an additional cost.
However, ABI has a reputation for teaching its students classic barbering techniques such as haircutting, shaving, and beard trimming through one-on-one training with experienced instructors.
Graduates are certified to perform these services in all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Canada upon passing their licensing exams.
Their next onboarding is scheduled to begin on May 2, 2022.
View their program schedules here.
Empire Beauty School
- Address: 22 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001, United States
- Phone: +1 347-809-3292
- Tuition Fee: Varies, but has a national average of $15,110.
There are many things to consider when it comes to choosing a barber school in New York City. But one of the most important things to consider is quality training.
The Empire Beauty Schools is a chain of barber schools spread across different cities in the United States that are not new to the business of grooming.
It is also one of the best-reviewed barber schools in New York City on this list.
The tuition fee in Empire Beauty School varies yearly, and across its different schools. But an annual average according to Univstats is around $15,110. But regardless, with these professionals, you are in good hands.
The Empire Beauty School is located right off Times Square and boasts a well-equipped training center where you can get a haircut done while learning barbering techniques.
The school comes highly recommended by everyone who has taken courses there.
It also offers a full range of courses for men, women, and children as well as cosmetology courses for specific career goals such as medical aesthetics.
Visit their website.
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute
- Address: 233 Spring Street, New York, New York 10013
- Phone: +1 212-807-1492
- Tuition Fee: $16,500.
Aveda Institute is known worldwide and regarded as one of the best barber schools in New York. They offer various beauty programs and are notorious for producing job-ready students with their training.
Aveda students can choose between three options: Cosmetology, Esthiology, and Message Therapy.
Although their tuition fee is on the high side compared to other barber schools in New York City on this list, it is worth noting that, Aveda Institute is known for employing its best students.
That may be a good reason to try out this barber school.
View their courses here.
Westchester Barber Academy
- Address: 206 South Fulton Avenue, Mount Vernon, NY 10550.
- Phone: (914) 664-4980
- Tuition Fee: $5,000 (including down payment of $1,100)
Westchester Barber Academy is a barber school in New York offering in-house and off-site barber services.
They run an after-school program that provides students an introduction to Barbering.
Furthermore, they host workshop events for barbers looking to get their State Board Barber license.
Asides from being one of the best barber schools in New York, Westchester is one of the cheapest schools on this list.
Starting your barber journey with them will require a tuition fee of $5,000 with a compulsory down payment of $1,000 and a registration fee of $100 during application.
Their Master Barber Program comes with a packed 540 hours of flexible training with some of the best tutors they boast.
See their programs here.
Barber & Beauty Institute of New York
- Address: 266 Greenwich Street Hempstead NY, 11550.
- Phone: (516) 486-5424
- Tuition Fee: $7,500 + $500 for books and supplies.
Christopher and Cynthia Felder founded the Barber and Beauty Institute of New York in 2004 (formerly Long Island Institute).
Barber & Beauty Institute of New York is a family-owned and operated career school founded more than a decade ago.
The school focuses on precision and professionalism. Students who graduate from the school move on to have successful careers, with a long-standing reputation and track record.
View their Master Barber Program here.
Beyond Beauty & Barber Institute
- Address: 121 Westchester Square Bronx NY, 10461
- Phone: 718-319-9000
- Tuition Fee: $5,000
Beyond Beauty & Barber Academy is one of the barber schools in New York City that aims to offer youth, single parents, and individuals with disadvantages the best opportunities for career development and personal development.
This goal sees them want to train as many people who are genuinely interested in barbering.
This is one of the cheapest barber schools in New York City.
View their Master Barber Program here.
Mastercutter Academy
- Address: 25 W 19th St, New York, NY 10011, United States.
- Phone: 917-519-9309
- Fee: Live workshops that start at $399.
Unlike other barber schools on this list, Laara Raynier’s Mastercutter Academy caters to students who wish to pursue a career in cosmetology, particularly men’s grooming.
Laara Raynier is widely regarded as one of the finest model esthetic artists in the fashion industry.
And through her Mastercutter Academy, she hosts live workshops to train people who are curious to learn the art, so they can make something for themselves too.
Her workshops usually cost around $399 or more, for private sessions.
See the workshop details here.
New York Beauty & Barber Academy
- Address: 200 Baldwin St, Elmira, NY 14901, United States.
- Phone number: 607-733-7300
- Tuition Fee: $8,500
We have ranked the NYBBA at the bottom of this list due to its lack of accreditation – yet.
However, this barber school in New York remains a strong candidate for the State Board accreditation.
That aside, NYBBA remains one of the best barber schools in New York for its signature simplicity and catalogue of experienced tutors.
Full-time enrollment into the New York Beauty & Barbering Academy is scheduled to begin at different times of the year – March 17th, April 28th, June 3rd, July 15th, Aug 26th, and October 3rd.
The New York Beauty & Barber Academy will train you on how to cut hair and perform other barber services such as beard trims and hot towel shaves.
They’ll also teach you how to run a business.
You can learn all the skills needed to become a licensed barber in New York state during their 600-hour course or their 20-week comprehensive program.
Aside from learning the art of cutting hair, students will learn about sanitation and disinfection procedures, customer service skills, and more.
They are taught by experienced instructors who have years of experience in their respective fields.
The cost of tuition is $8,500 plus an additional cost for the State Board examination.
View their programs here.
| Anousheh School of Hair | Tuition is around: $26,541 Visit their Website |
| Arrojo Cosmetology School | Visit their Website Program Length: 600 hours Average Completion: 5 months Program Tuition: $10,300 |
| Buffalo School of Cosmetology | Visit their Website 2625 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14216 |
| Continental School of Beauty Culture | Visit their Website Location: Rochester, NY Course Length: 2.5 weeks – 1 year Price: $4,000 – $16,000 |
| Erie Boces | Visit their Website Program Length: 1000 hours Program Tuition: $9,000 Average Completion: 12 months |
How do I Become a Barber in New York City?
There is indeed no shortage of excellent barbershops in New York City.
But before you can properly begin your journey to become a professional barber, there are some things you must know.
Asides from the big tuition fee that barber schools in New York City demand for their services, other key things qualify you for the various elite schools.
To practice as a qualified barber in New York, you will need to:
- Submit a Barber Apprentice Application to the New York State Division.
- Find a licensed barber to be your registered mentor.
- Train for two years with them.
- Register for the New York State barber exam.
- Pass the New York State barber exam.
So, while the barber profession is not exactly cheap to study in New York, it is however considered a lucrative job that offers you creative freedom. Barbers earn an average salary of $45,000.
Renewing Your License
After attending the barber schools in New York City and now a barber, you can visit this link to the licensing center to initiate the renewal process, when it’s time for renewal.
When you become a barber in New York City, a fee of $40 will be paid; and that is the cost of renewing.
License renewal takes place every four years. There are other small $10 fees for processes, such as change of address and duplicate license requests.
However, if you own you own shop, you should expect to pay $60 for the initial license and the same fee to renew.
Wrapping It Up
These barber schools in New York City will help future barbers, stylists, and cosmetologists to develop their style and become the best at what they do.
Students will learn all the skills necessary to be a successful barber, including how to cut hair, colour hair, and even facial hair for men.
These schools are located in both urban and suburban areas throughout New York City.
Do you agree with our top 13 barber schools in NYC list? If not, tell us which barber schools in New York City are missing from this list.
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