(MONEY Magazine) – Only about a third of consumers shop around for favorable credit deals, according to a recent study by Purdue University's Credit Research Center. Shoppers tend to be college graduates who have annual incomes in excess of $40,000 or household debt burdens that consume at least 40% of their gross pretax income. Those who don't shop are generally single female parents, retirees or consumers who previously were rejected for credit. Home-equity loans leaped nearly half a point to 10.46% in September after a short-lived dip to the 9% range.

CHART: TEXT NOT AVAILABLE CREDIT: NO CREDIT CAPTION: NO CAPTION DESCRIPTION: Several types of loans with rates and terms at several banks.