The study looked at how parents' income and education affect young adults' student loan debt. The researchers found that middle-income families have a higher risk for debt than low- and high-income families. Young adults from college-educated and high-income families are less likely to have debt. The type of college attended also plays a role, with private and high-cost institutions having a stronger link between parents' socioeconomic status and debt. Overall, socioeconomic disparities in debt are mainly due to the likelihood of going into debt rather than differences among debtors. Young adults from low-SES backgrounds are more likely to have higher debt burdens than their more advantaged peers.