Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	ceco
Entity Registrant Name	CAREER EDUCATION CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001046568
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		67,542,629
Entity Public Float			$ 1,229,015,000
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No