Variable Interest Entities - Schedule of Revenue and Expenses of PEAKS Trust (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Student services and administrative expenses	$ 101,721	$ 101,319
Interest expense	3,574	547
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	(22,926)	100,029
PEAKS Trust [Member]
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Revenue	1,360
Student services and administrative expenses	519
Interest expense	2,422
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	$ (1,581)