Business Combinations - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended				1 Months Ended
	Aug. 03, 2011 American University of Caribbean Person	Aug. 03, 2011 American University of Caribbean Non Amortizable Intangible Assets Title Four Eligibility And Accreditations	Aug. 03, 2011 American University of Caribbean Non Amortizable Intangible Assets Trade Name	Feb. 29, 2012 Faculdade Boa Viagem	Sep. 30, 2012 Faculdade Boa Viagem Facility	Feb. 29, 2012 Faculdade Boa Viagem Non Amortizable Intangible Assets Title Four Eligibility And Accreditations	Feb. 29, 2012 Faculdade Boa Viagem Non Amortizable Intangible Assets Trade Name	Apr. 02, 2012 Falcon Physician Reviews	Sep. 03, 2012 Faculdade Do Vale Do Ipojuca Program Person Facility	Sep. 03, 2012 Faculdade Do Vale Do Ipojuca Title Four Eligibility And Accreditations	Sep. 03, 2012 Faculdade Do Vale Do Ipojuca Trade Name
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisition, cash paid	$ 228,000,000			$ 24,200,000				$ 5,400,000	$ 30,300,000
Number of graduates licensed and practicing medicine	4,000
Acquired intangible assets excluding goodwill	131,400,000	100,000,000	17,100,000	19,108,000				2,260,000	13,571,000
Expected additional installment payment for acquisition				21,900,000					3,900,000
Number of campuses					3				2
Acquired intangible assets excluding goodwill						$ 13,500,000	$ 2,300,000			$ 10,200,000	$ 1,100,000
Amortizable intangible assets, estimated useful lives				5 years 9 months 18 days				5 years 9 months 18 days	4 years 10 months 24 days
Number of students in Degree program									5,000
Number of undergraduate and graduate programs									30