Allstate Hairstyling & Barber College

Academics are singularly focused on barbering and hairstyling, leading to a certificate degree. The program is intensely practical, with students progressing through classes in different hair cutting techniques before being allowed to cut hair on the public floor. All work is supervised by licensed instructors. The college reports a 6-year graduation rate of 69%. As a small trade school, it does not offer a traditional liberal arts curriculum or multiple majors; its entire academic offering is the barbering program.

Student life is inextricably linked to the working salon. The college is located in an urban setting in Cleveland and has a very small, close-knit community of around 41 undergraduate students. The campus is the salon itself, which is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Students gain experience by providing haircuts, colors, styles, and other salon services at deeply discounted 'student prices'—haircuts start at just $6. This creates a bustling, real-world environment where learning is directly applied to serving clients. Social media posts from the community highlight graduates and encourage the public to come in for affordable services.

The primary outcome is licensure and entry into the trades. The college reports a median earnings figure of $36,427 for graduates one year after completing their program. Other sources suggest a wider range of post-graduation earnings figures, but the consistent focus is on vocational placement. The 69% graduation rate indicates that a majority of those who enroll complete the certificate program, which is the essential step toward taking the state licensing exam and beginning a career as a barber or stylist.

The cost structure is straightforward for a certificate program. The published average net price after aid is $10,688. Other sources cite similar figures, with one reporting a net price of $11,440 per year after scholarships and grants. The average total financial aid award is reported to be $5,785 per year. Approximately 41% of full-time beginning undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid. Students are directed to complete the FAFSA to apply for federal financial assistance.

Allstate Hairstyling & Barber College stands out for its pure, unadulterated focus on a single trade. It is not a traditional college but a licensed barber school that has operated for over six decades. Its defining characteristic is the complete integration of education and commerce: the classroom is a functioning salon open to the Cleveland public, where students learn by doing on paying clients under strict supervision. This model offers affordable services to the community while providing students with immediate, real-world experience. There are no dorms, no sports teams, and no general education requirements—just the practical craft of barbering. It serves a specific demographic: individuals seeking a fast, focused, and hands-on path to a skilled trade and state licensure, with a total cost of attendance that is a fraction of a traditional bachelor's degree.