Revenue Recognition - Summary of Disaggregation of Revenue by Major Source (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017		Dec. 31, 2016
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	$ 581,296		$ 596,435		$ 704,392
Tuition [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		557,191		573,445		680,694
Technology Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		19,150		17,966		16,855
Other Miscellaneous Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[2]	2,204		2,438		2,976
Tuition and Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		578,545		593,849		700,525
Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[3]	2,751		2,586		3,867
University Group [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	580,690		569,576		562,351
University Group [Member] | CTU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	375,770		371,325		369,319
University Group [Member] | AIU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	204,920		198,251		193,032	[4]
University Group [Member] | Tuition [Member] | CTU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		359,929		356,091		354,295
University Group [Member] | Tuition [Member] | AIU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		196,712		190,739		185,929
University Group [Member] | Technology Fees [Member] | CTU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		11,560		11,175		10,839
University Group [Member] | Technology Fees [Member] | AIU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		7,590		6,791		6,013
University Group [Member] | Other Miscellaneous Fees [Member] | CTU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[2]	1,769		1,964		1,946
University Group [Member] | Other Miscellaneous Fees [Member] | AIU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[2]	416		451		855
University Group [Member] | Tuition and Fees [Member] | CTU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		373,258		369,230		367,080
University Group [Member] | Tuition and Fees [Member] | AIU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		204,718		197,981		192,797
University Group [Member] | Other [Member] | CTU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[3]	2,512		2,095		2,239
University Group [Member] | Other [Member] | AIU [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[3]	202		270		235
All Other Campuses [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[1]	606	[5]	26,859	[6]	142,041	[7]
All Other Campuses [Member] | Tuition [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		550		26,615		140,470
All Other Campuses [Member] | Technology Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue						3
All Other Campuses [Member] | Other Miscellaneous Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[2]	19		23		175
All Other Campuses [Member] | Tuition and Fees [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue		569		26,638		140,648
All Other Campuses [Member] | Other [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	[3]	$ 37		$ 221		$ 1,393

[1] The statement of income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) balances including revenue, operating income (loss), depreciation and amortization and capital expenditures are presented above on a continuing operations basis. Total assets are presented on a consolidated basis including continuing and discontinued operations.

[2] Other miscellaneous fees include graduation fees, laboratory fees and activity fees.

[3] Other revenue primarily includes contract training revenue and bookstore and laptop sales.

[4] AIU: $32.0 million charge related to a significant legal settlement.

[5] All Other Campuses: $14.6 million of charges related to significant legal settlements and $9.4 million of charges related to remaining lease obligations of vacated space.

[6] All Other Campuses: $6.5 million charge related to a significant legal settlement and $14.8 million of charges related to remaining lease obligations of vacated space.

[7] All Other Campuses: $31.0 million of charges related to remaining lease obligations of vacated space.