Segment Reporting - Summary Financial Information by Reporting Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 294,847	$ 365,949	$ 635,096	$ 795,580
Operating (Loss) Income	(63,526)	(105,255)	(80,881)	(57,041)
Total Assets	994,188		994,188		1,122,703
CTU [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	86,887	91,839	177,096	188,168
Operating (Loss) Income	16,588	12,181	32,500	31,260
Total Assets	73,869		73,869		72,554
AIU [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	59,935	78,841	126,234	167,781
Operating (Loss) Income	1,021	6,878	4,167	21,539
Total Assets	59,974		59,974		65,092
University Schools [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	146,822	170,680	303,330	355,949
Operating (Loss) Income	17,609	19,059	36,667	52,799
Total Assets	133,843		133,843		137,646
Health Education [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	35,289	45,457	73,310	99,549
Operating (Loss) Income	(27,107)	(50,230)	(38,417)	(51,902)
Total Assets	39,109		39,109		52,511
Culinary Arts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	44,577	57,895	90,515	120,733
Operating (Loss) Income	(17,017)	(3,121)	(29,154)	(1,855)
Total Assets	161,410		161,410		173,477
Design & Technology [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	27,858	34,724	58,147	76,525
Operating (Loss) Income	(7,595)	(45,006)	(14,751)	(44,672)
Total Assets	31,176		31,176		30,720
Career Schools [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	107,724	138,076	221,972	296,807
Operating (Loss) Income	(51,719)	(98,357)	(82,322)	(98,429)
Total Assets	231,695		231,695		256,708
International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	25,824	21,140	75,501	63,969
Operating (Loss) Income	(3,659)	(2,406)	9,821	10,719
Total Assets	251,750		251,750		280,636
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		20		34
Operating (Loss) Income	(11,050)	(5,373)	(17,418)	7,209
Total Assets	331,932		331,932		385,611
Subtotal [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	280,370	329,916	600,803	716,759
Operating (Loss) Income	(48,819)	(87,077)	(53,252)	(27,702)
Total Assets	949,220		949,220		1,060,601
Transitional Schools [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	14,477	36,033	34,293	78,821
Operating (Loss) Income	(14,707)	(18,178)	(27,629)	(29,339)
Total Assets	22,491		22,491		38,448
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 22,477		$ 22,477		$ 23,654