Restructuring Charges - Restructuring Charges by Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	$ 14,919
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	7,669
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | CTU [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	151
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | AIU [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	1,275
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | University Schools [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	1,426
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | Health Education [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	1,576
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | Culinary Arts [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	598
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | Design & Technology [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	1,376
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | Total Career Schools [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	3,550
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	1,620
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | Subtotal [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	6,596
Reduction In Work Force And Severance [Member] | Transitional Schools [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Reduction in Force Severance & Related Costs	1,073
Facility Closing [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Campus Closure Actions Asset Impairments	29,462	[1]
Campus Closure Actions Severance & Related Accrual	7,250
Facility Closing [Member] | CTU [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Campus Closure Actions Severance & Related Accrual	110
Facility Closing [Member] | AIU [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Campus Closure Actions Asset Impairments	140	[1]
Campus Closure Actions Severance & Related Accrual	559
Facility Closing [Member] | University Schools [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Campus Closure Actions Asset Impairments	140	[1]
Campus Closure Actions Severance & Related Accrual	669
Facility Closing [Member] | Subtotal [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Campus Closure Actions Asset Impairments	140	[1]
Campus Closure Actions Severance & Related Accrual	669
Facility Closing [Member] | Transitional Schools [Member]
Restructuring Acquisition And Integration Charges [Line Items]
Campus Closure Actions Asset Impairments	29,322	[1]
Campus Closure Actions Severance & Related Accrual	$ 6,581

[1] These charges relate to non-cash asset impairments to reduce the carrying value of long-lived assets to their respective fair values.