Is Barbering School Worth It? Everything You Want to Know About ISSA's Barbering Program in Colorado Springs
Barbering Is Having a Moment — And Colorado Springs Is Feeling It
Walk through any neighborhood in Colorado Springs right now and you'll notice something: barbershops are everywhere, they're busy, and they're not slowing down. The modern barber isn't just giving fades — they're running businesses, building loyal clienteles, and earning real, sustainable incomes doing work they love.
If you've ever thought about becoming a barber, you've probably also had a lot of questions. How long does it take? How much does it cost? What will I actually learn? Can I make a living at this?
At International Salon and Spa Academy (ISSA), we get these questions every day. So here are the real answers — no fluff, no sales pitch, just what you actually need to know.
Your Biggest Questions About Barbering School, Answered
How long does it take to become a licensed barber in Colorado?
In Colorado, barbers are required to complete 1,500 clock hours of training before sitting for the state board exam. At ISSA, full-time students typically complete the program in 12 to 14 months, though schedule flexibility means some students take a bit longer based on their life situation.
That's it. In roughly a year, you can go from zero experience to licensed professional.
What do you actually learn in barbering school?
This is where it gets good. ISSA's barbering program goes well beyond basic cuts. By the time you graduate, you'll be trained in:
Technical skills:
Clipper cutting and blending techniques
Scissor over comb and freehand cutting
Straight razor shaving and beard design
Hair and scalp treatments
Chemical services (relaxers, texturizers, color)
Hairpiece and wig services
Client and business skills:
Consultation techniques — learning to listen and translate what clients actually want
Sanitation and safety protocols (these are not optional — they protect you and your clients)
State board exam preparation
Professional ethics and shop etiquette
Business basics for those interested in booth rental or ownership
The combination of technical training and real-world client experience is what separates ISSA graduates from people who learned cutting from YouTube.
Is barbering hard to learn?
Honest answer: the technical side takes time and repetition. Fades and blends look clean when they're right — and look obviously wrong when they're not. Most students go through a humbling phase in the first few weeks where their hands don't quite do what their brain wants them to do. That's completely normal.
What makes ISSA different is the environment. You're learning alongside other students who are going through the same thing, under the guidance of instructors who have been in the industry and know exactly what clicking into competence looks like. By the time you're working on real clients in our student salon, you'll have the foundation to handle it — and the supervision to back you up.
The students who succeed in barbering school aren't necessarily the ones with natural talent on day one. They're the ones who show up consistently, take feedback well, and keep practicing.
What is a typical day like in ISSA's barbering program?
No two days are identical — which is one of the things students love about it. But here's a general picture:
Morning: Theory and classroom instruction. This covers anatomy, chemistry, state board content, and the science behind what you're doing with your hands. Yes, there's real studying involved.
Midday transition: Moving from theory into hands-on practice — mannequin work, peer practice, and skill drills.
Afternoon/evening: Student salon hours. Real clients, real appointments, real feedback. This is where classroom knowledge becomes muscle memory.
ISSA's hours run Monday through Thursday 8AM–9PM, Friday 8AM–5PM, and Saturday 8AM–3PM, which means scheduling options exist for students balancing other responsibilities.
How much does barbering school cost in Colorado Springs?
Tuition varies, and the best way to get accurate numbers is to connect with ISSA's admissions team directly — they'll walk you through the full picture including any fees, kit costs, and what financial aid might cover.
Speaking of which: financial aid is available for students who qualify. This includes federal financial aid programs, and ISSA's team will help you understand your options before you commit to anything. Cost shouldn't be the thing that stops you from exploring this — find out what's actually available to you first.
Do I need any experience before starting barbering school?
None. Zero. ISSA's barbering program is designed to take complete beginners through to licensed professionals. You don't need prior cosmetology experience, art training, or a natural eye for style (though all of those will serve you well if you have them). What you do need: a genuine interest in the craft, a willingness to practice, and the discipline to put in the hours.
What can I do with a barber license in Colorado?
More than most people realize:
Barbershop employment — working for an established shop while you build your clientele
Booth rental — renting your own chair and keeping more of what you earn
Shop ownership — building your own brand and business
Freelance and mobile barbering — serving clients on-location for events, shoots, or private appointments
Platform work — demonstrating skills at trade shows and beauty events
Education — becoming an instructor after meeting additional requirements
The barber license is a foundation. What you build on top of it is entirely up to you.
How is barbering different from cosmetology?
Great question — and one worth clarifying before you choose a path. In Colorado, barbers and cosmetologists have overlapping but distinct scopes of practice.
Barbering focuses on: men's cuts and grooming, straight razor shaving, beard design, and scalp treatments. Barbers typically work in barbershops and specialize in the male grooming experience.
Cosmetology covers: a broader range of services including women's cuts and styling, chemical services, and sometimes skin and nail basics, depending on the curriculum.
Some students know they want to specialize in the barbershop environment — the culture, the clientele, the craft. Others want the broader range that cosmetology offers. Both are valid paths. ISSA offers both programs, and our admissions team can help you think through which is the better fit for your goals.
Why Learn Barbering at ISSA in Colorado Springs?
There's no shortage of options when it comes to beauty and barber schools. Here's what makes ISSA worth your consideration:
Real instructors with real experience. The people teaching at ISSA have worked in the industry. They know what clients actually ask for, what state board examiners are looking for, and what separates a good barber from a great one.
Hands-on from the start. ISSA's student salon puts you in front of real clients under instructor supervision — not just mannequin heads in a classroom. That live-client experience is what prepares you to walk into a shop on your first day and perform.
Professional product training. ISSA students learn on industry-standard tools and professional-grade products — the same ones they'll use throughout their careers.
A community, not just a school. ISSA is locally owned and has been part of Colorado Springs for decades. When you graduate, you're joining a network of alumni who came up the same way you did.
Financial aid available. ISSA's team will work with you to explore every option so cost doesn't stand between you and a career you're genuinely excited about.
Thinking About Barbering School? Here's Your Next Move.
You don't have to have everything figured out to take the first step. Come see the school. Meet the instructors. Ask the questions you didn't think to ask us here.
ISSA offers tours and information sessions so you can get a real feel for the environment before you commit to anything.
Contact ISSA today: 📞 (719) 597-1413 📧 ISSACO@ISSACO.EDU 📍 5707 N. Academy Boulevard, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Hours: Mon–Thurs: 8AM–9PM | Fri: 8AM–5PM | Sat: 8AM–3PM
International Salon and Spa Academy (ISSA) is a locally owned beauty and barber school in Colorado Springs, CO. Programs include barbering, cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and continuing education. Financial aid is available for those who qualify.