Segment Reporting - Summary Financial Information by Reporting Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended														12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019		Sep. 30, 2019	[1]	Jun. 30, 2019	[2]	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018		Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	[4]	Mar. 31, 2018	[5]	Dec. 31, 2019		Dec. 31, 2018		Dec. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue		$ 158,451		$ 154,959		$ 156,441		$ 157,853	$ 145,505	[3]	$ 145,690	$ 142,036		$ 148,065		$ 627,704	[6]	$ 581,296	[6]	$ 596,435	[6]
Operating Income (Loss)		32,013		$ 24,294		$ 184		$ 29,971	20,183	[3]	$ 19,283	$ 11,303		$ 20,529		86,462	[6]	71,298	[6]	34,136	[6]
Depreciation and amortization	[6]															9,145		9,394		13,990
Capital Expenditures	[6]															5,174		6,732		6,332
Total Assets	[6]	599,146							482,493							599,146		482,493
University Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	[6]															627,637		580,690		569,576
Operating Income (Loss)	[6]															125,015		119,799		117,603
Depreciation and amortization	[6]															8,785		8,892		3,799
Capital Expenditures	[6]															991		369		153
Total Assets	[6]	205,161							135,846							205,161		135,846
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	[6],[7],[9]															67	[8]	606	[10]	26,859	[11]
Operating Income (Loss)	[6],[7]															(38,553)	[8]	(48,501)	[10]	(83,467)	[11]
Depreciation and amortization	[6],[7]															360	[8]	502	[10]	10,191	[11]
Capital Expenditures	[6],[7]															4,183	[8]	6,363	[10]	6,179	[11]
Total Assets	[6],[7]	393,904	[8]						346,469	[10]						393,904	[8]	346,469	[10]
CTU [Member] | University Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	[6]															392,263	[12]	375,770		371,325
Operating Income (Loss)	[6]															108,602	[12]	111,623		109,202
Depreciation and amortization	[6]															5,397	[12]	5,310		2,047
Capital Expenditures	[6]															580	[12]	168		74
Total Assets	[6]	100,414	[12]						76,713							100,414	[12]	76,713
AIU [Member] | University Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	[6]															235,374	[13]	204,920		198,251
Operating Income (Loss)	[6]															16,413	[13]	8,176		8,401
Depreciation and amortization	[6]															3,388	[13]	3,582		1,752
Capital Expenditures	[6]															411	[13]	201		$ 79
Total Assets	[6]	104,747	[13]						59,133							104,747	[13]	59,133
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Assets	[6]	$ 81							$ 178							$ 81		$ 178

[1] Third quarter of 2019 net income included a $7.1 million significant legal settlement for the Oregon arbitrations matter.

[2] Second quarter of 2019 net income included a $30.0 million significant legal settlement for the FTC matter, of which $23.3 million was non-deductible for income tax purposes during the second quarter of 2019.

[3] Fourth quarter of 2018 net income included a $5.0 million significant legal settlement for the multi-state AG matter.

[4] Second quarter of 2018 net income included a $6.0 million significant legal settlement for the Surrett matter.

[5] First quarter of 2018 net income included a $3.5 million significant legal settlement for the Surrett matter.

[6] 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 and do not include intercompany receivable or payable activity between institutions and corporate and investments in subsidiaries.

[7] Corporate and Other includes results of operations for closed campuses.

[8] Corporate and Other: a charge of $7.1 million for the Oregon arbitrations matter related to previously closed campuses.

[9] Revenue recorded within Corporate and Other relates to certain bookstore sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 and to closed campuses which are now reported within this category for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

[10] Corporate and Other: $14.6 million of charges related to significant legal settlements for the Surrett and multi-state AG matters and $9.4 million of charges related to remaining lease obligations of vacated space.

[11] Corporate and Other: $6.5 million charge related to a significant legal settlement for the Surrett matter and $14.8 million of charges related to remaining lease obligations of vacated space.

[12] CTU: a $18.6 million charge related to the FTC settlement.

[13] AIU: a $11.4 million charge related to the FTC settlement.