Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information by Reportable Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenue:
Total Revenue	$ 75,688	$ 83,966
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	4,744	4,889
Income from continuing operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from continuing operations before interest income and income taxes	8,307	15,970
Interest income, net:
Interest income	11	37
Income tax expense:
Total Income tax expense	3,849	6,267
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	1,670	3,139
American Public Education Segment
Revenue:
Total Revenue	68,129	76,265
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	4,406	4,579
Income from continuing operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from continuing operations before interest income and income taxes	7,927	15,237
Interest income, net:
Interest income	11	37
Income tax expense:
Total Income tax expense	3,689	5,975
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	1,566	2,854
Hondros College of Nursing Segment
Revenue:
Total Revenue	7,559	7,701
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	338	310
Income from continuing operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from continuing operations before interest income and income taxes	380	733
Interest income, net:
Interest income	0	0
Income tax expense:
Total Income tax expense	160	292
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	$ 104	$ 285