Student Receivables - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
Student receivables write-off period, days past due	Greater than 90 days
Student receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts and net of deferred tuition revenue	$ 6.0	$ 6.8

The amount of net student receivables incurred as a result of extended payment plan financing, net of deferred revenue and allowance for doubtful accounts as well as the aggregate value of amounts due from customers related to the recourse loan program.

No definition available.

Name:	ceco_AmountOfNetStudentReceivablesRelatedToExtendedPaymentPlansAndRecourseLoans
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant