Estimated Amortization Expense for Amortizable Intangible Assets (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated amortization expense, 2013	$ 9,458
Estimated amortization expense, 2014	6,735
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	2,735
Estimated amortization expense, 2016	1,880
Estimated amortization expense, 2017	1,215
Becker
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated amortization expense, 2013	1,061
Estimated amortization expense, 2014	934
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	926
Estimated amortization expense, 2016	891
Estimated amortization expense, 2017	627
DeVry Brasil
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated amortization expense, 2013	3,004
Estimated amortization expense, 2014	2,159
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	1,162
Estimated amortization expense, 2016	729
Estimated amortization expense, 2017	328
Carrington Colleges Group Inc
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated amortization expense, 2013	420
Estimated amortization expense, 2014	295
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	260
Estimated amortization expense, 2016	260
Estimated amortization expense, 2017	260
American University of Caribbean
Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Estimated amortization expense, 2013	4,973
Estimated amortization expense, 2014	3,347
Estimated amortization expense, 2015	$ 387