Segment Reporting - Summary Financial Information by Reporting Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 243,105		$ 284,450
Operating (Loss) Income	(47,872)		(25,030)
Total Assets	741,498	[1]		805,045	[1]
CTU [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	87,031		90,209
Operating (Loss) Income	14,186		15,912
Total Assets	74,253	[1]		75,441	[1]
AIU [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	52,573		66,299
Operating (Loss) Income	(3,583)		3,146
Total Assets	53,431	[1]		54,426	[1]
University Schools [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	139,604		156,508
Operating (Loss) Income	10,603		19,058
Total Assets	127,684	[1]		129,867	[1]
Career Colleges [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	53,040		59,786
Operating (Loss) Income	(17,150)		(15,003)
Total Assets	55,713	[1]		58,718	[1]
Culinary Arts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	42,246		45,938
Operating (Loss) Income	(18,046)		(12,137)
Total Assets	104,230	[1]		108,349	[1]
Career Schools [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	95,286		105,724
Operating (Loss) Income	(35,196)		(27,140)
Total Assets	159,943	[1]		167,067	[1]
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	100
Operating (Loss) Income	(11,136)		(6,368)
Total Assets	440,458	[1]		491,674	[1]
Subtotal [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	234,990		262,232
Operating (Loss) Income	(35,729)		(14,450)
Total Assets	728,085	[1]		788,608	[1]
Transitional Schools [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	8,115		22,218
Operating (Loss) Income	(12,143)		(10,580)
Total Assets	11,484	[1]		13,433	[1]
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	$ 1,929	[1]		$ 3,004	[1]

[1] Total assets do not include intercompany receivable or payable activity between schools and corporate and investments in subsidiaries.