Student Receivables (Changes In Current And Non-Current Receivables Allowance) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Student Receivables [Abstract]
Balance, Beginning of Period			$ 90,939,000	[1]	$ 53,334,000	[1]	$ 47,792,000
Charges to Expense			55,741,000	[2]	106,925,000	[1],[2]	57,024,000	[2]
Amounts Written-off			(81,727,000)		(69,320,000)	[1]	(51,482,000)
Balance, End of Period	90,939,000	[1]	64,953,000		90,939,000	[1]	53,334,000	[1]
Recoveries of amounts previously written off			10,000,000		9,700,000		10,300,000
Additional bad debt expense	$ 5,900,000

[1] In the first and third quarters 2010, we increased the reserve rates applied to outstanding student receivables balances attributed to our student extended payment plans and our previously terminated recourse loan programs. The increases resulted from lower repayment history experienced on these programs. In the fourth quarter 2010, we recorded additional bad debt expense of $5.9 million for the correction of an error related to the allowance for doubtful accounts associated with our extended payment plan programs. The bad debt reserve rates are continually reviewed for appropriateness based upon historical repayment data as it becomes available.

[2] Charges to expense include an offset for recoveries of amounts previously written off of $10.0 million, $9.7 million, and $10.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.