"I'm broke and I have a college degree to prove…

“I’m broke and I have a (college) degree to prove it” is a jocular one-line saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, buttons and bumper stickers. Many people with degrees can’t afford to repay their student loans.

“I’m broke and I have a degree to prove it” was cited on Twitter on December 7, 2012.

“How do you know someone is broke?”/“They have a college degree” is a related joke.

Twitter
WorkingBarbie
@WorkingBarbie
I’m broke and I have a degree to prove it.
#postgradproblems
12:03 PM - 7 Dec 2012

Twilight Zone Cafe
Jayo
Mar 15 13 10:26 PM
A sampling of bumper stickers from a catalog I get—

I’m Broke, And I Have A College Degree To Prove It.

Let Life Be Like Music
Emily Beth 2 May 2013 13:00
I had to laugh at your unemployment post. SO in the same boat. I graduated in Bio, Nature and Environment, and English and I am currently a nanny. Don’t know why I stressed so much about picking majors when I’d be jobless anyway. Ha!Epitome of “I’m broke and I have a degree to prove it.”

Stranger in a strange land—the world we live in
Sunday, 9 June 2013
I’m Broke And Have A Degree To Prove It
If you’re unemployed, it’s not because there isn’t any work. Just look around: A housing shortage, crime, pollution; we need better schools and parks. Whatever our needs, they all require work. And as long as we have unsatisfied needs, there’s work to be done. So ask yourself, what kind of world has work but no jobs?

Facebook
JUST NESH
June 12, 2013 ·
Im broke and I have a degree to prove it.

Twitter
The Khal
@aemaen
“I’m broke and I have a college degree to prove it” Perfectly makes sense where u pay $25 for a T-Shirt to say that pic.twitter.com/J5AnE7N2Ne
5:30 AM - 31 Aug 2013

Twitter
HOT FUNNY WOMEN
@HotFunnyWomen
I’m broke and I have a college degree to prove it.
4:19 PM - 7 Dec 2013

Twitter
Micah X
@MicahAintLittle
Just saw the best bumper sticker ever. It said “I’m broke and I have a college degree to prove it.” lol
6:21 PM - 7 Sep 2014