Weekly payment plans
The default at ABI: a $500–$550 down payment at registration, then weekly payments while you attend. Tuition tracks with your training instead of preceding it — no lump sum required.
Home / Tuition & Funding
Tuition & Funding
What barber school really costs — and how people pay for it.
Barber school in New York covers a required 500-hour program, and almost no one pays for it all at once. At American Barber Institute, tuition is offered as three plans between $4,600 and $5,600, with a small down payment and weekly payments while you train. Add GI Bill® benefits for veterans and ACCES-VR funding for eligible New Yorkers, and the real out-of-pocket cost is often far lower than the sticker price. Here's every number, plan, and funding path — laid out plainly.
Weekly Payments
GI Bill® Accepted
ACCES-VR Recognized
No Lump Sum Required
500
licensed hours
4
months full-time
3
tuition plans
3
funding paths
The Short Answer
How much is it, and how do people pay?
ABI's 500-hour program is priced as three plans: Plan A at $5,600 (morning), Plan B at $4,600 (afternoon), and Plan C at $4,600 (weekend). Very few students write one check. Instead they make a $500–$550 down payment and pay weekly while they train — and layer on the funding they qualify for: GI Bill® benefits for veterans, ACCES-VR for eligible New Yorkers, or grants and family help for the rest.
"The sticker price is rarely the price you actually pay. Down payment plus weekly installments is how most students do it."
The Three Plans
Same 500-hour license. Three ways to pay for it.
Every plan leads to the exact same New York Master Barber license — the 500-hour requirement never changes. The plans simply match the payment structure and class schedule to your budget and your week. Each starts with a $500–$550 down payment, then weekly payments across the program.
Not sure which schedule fits your life? The schedules page compares morning, afternoon, and weekend in detail, with start dates for every month. To see the full curriculum, visit the 500-hour Master Barber program.
Choose Your Path
Every way to fund your training
Most New Yorkers pay for barber school through one — or a combination — of these routes. Each guide goes deep on who qualifies, what's covered, and how to apply.
GI Bill® & VA benefits
Post-9/11 (Ch. 33), VR&E (Ch. 31), Montgomery (Ch. 30) and DEA (Ch. 35) can cover a VA-approved barbering program in full or in part — and may extend to some spouses and dependents.
ACCES-VR vocational funding
New York's vocational rehabilitation program can cover tuition, tools, and supplies for people whose disability affects their ability to work — potentially bringing out-of-pocket cost to $0. It's funding, not a loan.
Not sure where to start?
The full funding overview maps every option side by side — including how to combine benefits with a payment plan to cover any gap.
The Full Picture
What "cost" actually includes
Tuition is the big line, but a few other pieces make up the total. Here's how they fit together — and who each one is paid to.
Because tuition is modest and the timeline is short, the real question for most people isn't can I afford it? — it's which funding path fits me? Weigh the return with the full program overview and the schedule that matches your life.
Common Questions
Tuition & funding FAQ
How much is tuition at American Barber Institute?
Tuition is offered as three plans for the same 500-hour program: Plan A is $5,600 (morning), Plan B is $4,600 (afternoon), and Plan C is $4,600 (weekend). Each begins with a $500–$550 down payment followed by weekly payments while you train.
Can I pay weekly instead of all at once?
Yes — that's how most students do it. You make a $500–$550 down payment at registration, then pay weekly across the length of the program rather than paying the full amount up front.
Can I go to barber school for free?
Possibly. For New Yorkers with a qualifying disability, ACCES-VR may cover the full cost. Veterans with full GI Bill® eligibility can also have approved tuition covered. Otherwise, weekly payment plans keep it affordable without a lump sum.
Are tools and the kit included in tuition?
It varies by plan. Some kits are bundled, and funding programs like ACCES-VR and VR&E can cover occupational tools and equipment. Confirm what's included when you enroll.
How much does the New York license itself cost?
State application and examination fees are paid to New York — separate from school tuition. Current amounts are published by the New York Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.
Can I combine funding sources?
Yes. It's common to use benefits (ACCES-VR or the GI Bill®) for most of the cost and a weekly payment plan for any remaining balance. See the full funding overview for how the options combine.
When You're Ready
Get your exact number in one conversation
This hub gives you the landscape. For your real out-of-pocket cost — after the plan you choose and the funding you qualify for — the fastest path is a short conversation with admissions. They'll confirm your plan, down payment, and weekly amount.
About This Guide
Reviewed by the ABI Admissions & Financial Advising Team
Written for prospective students weighing the cost of a career change into barbering. Figures reflect American Barber Institute's published plans and current New York market ranges.
Last updated 2026 · Sources: NY Dept. of State, Division of Licensing Services; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.