Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 280,592		$ 260,644
Short-term investments	160,607		159,671
Total cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments	441,199		420,315
Student receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $43,891 and $50,099 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	60,573		62,091
Receivables, other, net	2,914		1,861
Prepaid expenses	62,399		51,380
Inventories	11,356		13,142
Deferred income tax assets, net	10,940		31,665
Other current assets	17,769		6,089
Assets of discontinued operations	3,328		39,982
Total current assets	610,478		626,525
NON-CURRENT ASSETS:
Property and equipment, net	349,788		363,516
Goodwill	212,626		374,587
Intangible assets, net	77,186		110,222
Student receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $21,062 and $40,840 as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	9,297		12,522
Deferred income tax assets, net	9,522		6,793
Other assets, net	30,122		38,923
Assets of discontinued operations	17,101		39,872
TOTAL ASSETS	1,316,120	[1]	1,572,960	[1]
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current maturities of capital lease obligations	844		783
Accounts payable	48,408		53,115
Accrued expenses:
Payroll and related benefits	41,853		72,657
Advertising and production costs	17,717		18,846
Earnout payments	5,735		17,439
Other	61,536		96,664
Deferred tuition revenue	144,947		152,590
Liabilities of discontinued operations	8,403		44,990
Total current liabilities	329,443		457,084
NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities	207		1,223
Deferred rent obligations	102,079		103,872
Earnout payments			7,690
Other liabilities	40,365		30,047
Liabilities of discontinued operations	37,935		38,507
Total non-current liabilities	180,586		181,339
SHARE-BASED AWARDS SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION	110		153
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 81,966,793 and 81,220,265 shares issued, 73,621,548 and 81,209,410 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	820		812
Additional paid-in capital	590,965		576,853
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,136)		(81)
Retained earnings	375,607		356,991
Cost of 8,345,245 and 10,855 shares in treasury as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	(156,275)		(191)
Total stockholders' equity	805,981		934,384
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY	$ 1,316,120		$ 1,572,960

[1] Total assets do not include the following intercompany activity: receivable or payable activity between schools and corporate and investments in subsidiaries.