Fair Value - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014 PEAKS Trust Student Loans [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 PEAKS Trust Student Loans [Member]	Feb. 28, 2013 PEAKS Trust Student Loans [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 (Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 (Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 (Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 (Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member] PEAKS Trust Student Loans [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 (Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member] PEAKS Trust Student Loans [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 (Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member] PEAKS Senior Debt [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 (Level 3) Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member] PEAKS Senior Debt [Member]	Jun. 30, 2014 (Level 2) Significant Other Observable Inputs [Member]	Dec. 31, 2013 (Level 2) Significant Other Observable Inputs [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 (Level 2) Significant Other Observable Inputs [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
The estimated fair value of the private education loans						$ 112,116				$ 86,600	$ 128,200
Carrying value of the PEAKS Trust Student Loans	65,997	76,479	101,375	65,997	101,375	104,834				73,417	108,682
Estimated fair value of notes receivable							2,500	2,500	2,600
Carrying value of notes receivable							2,500	2,500	2,600
Estimated fair value of debt														50,000	50,000	120,000
Carrying value of debt														50,000	50,000	120,000
Aggregate principal amount of debt												300,000
Carrying value senior debt												190,871	227,678
Estimated fair value senior debt												$ 205,400	$ 227,400