Restructuring Charges - Restructuring Charges by Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Restructuring And Related Cost [Line Items]
Severance and related expenses	[1],[2]	$ 117	$ 52	$ 389	$ 13,697
University Group [Member]
Restructuring And Related Cost [Line Items]
Severance and related expenses			22	84	649
Corporate and Other [Member]
Restructuring And Related Cost [Line Items]
Severance and related expenses		117		270	4,318
Subtotal [Member]
Restructuring And Related Cost [Line Items]
Severance and related expenses		$ 117	22	354	4,967
Culinary Arts [Member]
Restructuring And Related Cost [Line Items]
Severance and related expenses				5	265
Transitional Group [Member]
Restructuring And Related Cost [Line Items]
Severance and related expenses			30	30	8,465
CTU [Member]
Restructuring And Related Cost [Line Items]
Severance and related expenses			18	18	306
AIU [Member]
Restructuring And Related Cost [Line Items]
Severance and related expenses			$ 4	$ 66	$ 343

[1] Includes charges related to COBRA and outplacement services which are assumed to be completed by the third month following an employee’s departure.

[2] Severance payments will result in future cash expenditures through 2018.