Supplemental Quarterly Information Supplemental Quarterly Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 30, 2009	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Document Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 639,185	$ 702,499	$ 737,188	$ 682,095	$ 695,391	$ 754,340	$ 771,866	$ 666,032	$ 650,757	$ 667,896	$ 655,469	$ 534,399	$ 2,760,967	$ 2,887,629	$ 2,508,521
(Loss) Income before income taxes	(1,234,550)	(442,340)	103,291	44,115	58,103	113,457	138,432	59,220	80,932	109,252	34,540	25,423	(1,529,484)	369,212	250,147
Net (loss) income	(1,188,706)	(417,116)	63,127	26,954	34,799	72,983	85,278	36,448	47,900	84,570	20,274	15,762	(1,515,741)	229,508	168,506
Diluted EPS	$ (9.51)	$ (3.31)	$ 0.49	$ 0.21	$ 0.26	$ 0.53	$ 0.61	$ 0.25	$ 0.33	$ 0.59	$ 0.14	$ 0.13	$ (11.97)	$ 1.66	$ 1.22
The Art Institutes [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Revenue													1,738,542	1,791,176	1,597,072
Argosy University [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Revenue													397,458	431,097	344,382
Brown Mackie Colleges [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Revenue													314,801	348,140	301,850
South University [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Revenue													$ 310,166	$ 317,216	$ 265,217