Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 18,573	$ 157,773	$ 81,219
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Goodwill and asset impairment	191,524	71,829	2,500
Depreciation and amortization expense	85,367	71,624	67,596
Bad debt expense	55,721	106,324	56,718
Compensation expense related to share-based awards	14,831	17,318	16,516
Gain on sale of business	(27,085)
(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment	(1,711)	457	1,291
Deferred income taxes	14,226	(17,007)	(8,702)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Student receivables, gross	29,917	(30,105)	(14,961)
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(81,666)	(68,815)	(52,000)
Other receivables, net	(738)	(459)	3,924
Inventories, prepaid expenses, and other current assets	3,418	(1,542)	2,730
Deposits and other non-current assets	3,356	(1,794)	(1,896)
Accounts payable	(3,803)	4,364	22,507
Accrued expenses and deferred rent obligations	(74,075)	(25,055)	81,239
Deferred tuition revenue	2,595	(12,653)	29,570
Net cash provided by operating activities	230,450	272,259	288,251
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of available-for-sale investments	(189,258)	(291,864)	(617,032)
Sales of available-for-sale investments	188,322	332,445	668,281
Purchases of property and equipment	(78,333)	(127,283)	(74,087)
Acquisition of the rights to the Le Cordon Bleu brand	(16,355)	(16,852)	(26,331)
Proceeds on the sale of assets	6,259
Proceeds on the sale of business, net of cash divested	16,670
Business acquisition, net of acquired cash	(9,851)	(6,194)
Other	(40)	88	(132)
Net cash used in investing activities	(82,586)	(109,660)	(49,301)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of treasury stock	(150,445)	(154,913)	(201,119)
Issuance of common stock	4,370	3,109	2,797
Tax benefit associated with stock option exercises	376	223	237
Payments of assumed loans upon business acquisition		(4,279)
Payments of capital lease obligations	(989)	(1,013)	(1,066)
Net cash used in financing activities	(146,688)	(156,873)	(199,151)
EFFECT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:	(10,066)	(1,316)	415
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(8,890)	4,410	40,214
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS CASH ACTIVITY INCLUDED ABOVE:
Add: Cash balance of discontinued operations, beginning of the year	28,838	26,824	22,447
Less: Cash balance of discontinued operations, end of the year		28,838	26,824
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of the year	260,644	258,248	222,411
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of the year	280,592	260,644	258,248
Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
Interest paid	116	162	103
Income taxes paid	$ 40,188	$ 103,306	$ 54,908