Revenue Recognition - Changes in Deferred Revenue Balances (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Gross deferred revenue, beginning balance		$ 51,694	$ 39,544
Revenue earned from balances existing		(44,005)	(34,201)
Billings during period	[1]	140,549	153,227
Revenue earned for new billings during the period		(113,223)	(113,309)
Other adjustments		1,066	321
Gross deferred revenue, ending balance		36,081	45,582
University Group [Member] | CTU [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Gross deferred revenue, beginning balance		24,250	23,933
Revenue earned from balances existing		(22,344)	(20,623)
Billings during period	[1]	97,516	93,896
Revenue earned for new billings during the period		(74,147)	(73,485)
Other adjustments		626	304
Gross deferred revenue, ending balance		25,901	24,025
University Group [Member] | AIU [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Gross deferred revenue, beginning balance		27,444	15,507
Revenue earned from balances existing		(21,661)	(13,540)
Billings during period	[1]	43,033	58,935
Revenue earned for new billings during the period		(39,076)	(39,531)
Other adjustments		440	44
Gross deferred revenue, ending balance		$ 10,180	21,415
Corporate and Other [Member]
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]
Gross deferred revenue, beginning balance	[2]		104
Revenue earned from balances existing	[2]		(38)
Billings during period	[1],[2]		396
Revenue earned for new billings during the period	[2]		(293)
Other adjustments	[2]		(27)
Gross deferred revenue, ending balance	[2]		$ 142

[1] Billings during period includes adjustments for prior billings.

[2] Revenue recorded within Corporate and Other relates to closed campuses which are now reported within this category.