CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 242,561	$ 259,617	$ 718,580	$ 805,138
Costs and expenses:
Cost of educational services	117,539	120,204	353,930	367,921
Student services and administrative expenses	100,440	96,182	297,225	296,238
Legal and professional fees related to certain lawsuits, investigations and accounting matters	11,269	2,089	25,196	3,802
Loss related to loan program guarantees	2,019	4,826	2,019	8,629
Provision for private education loan losses	4,511	16,382	13,582	20,701
Total costs and expenses	235,778	239,683	691,952	697,291
Operating income	6,783	19,934	26,628	107,847
Gain (loss) on consolidation of variable interest entities	16,631	0	16,631	(73,248)
Interest income	17	16	51	75
Interest (expense)	(5,831)	(7,190)	(18,995)	(18,133)
Income before provision for income taxes	17,600	12,760	24,315	16,541
Provision for income taxes	7,278	3,336	9,979	4,184
Net income	$ 10,322	$ 9,424	$ 14,336	$ 12,357
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.44	$ 0.40	$ 0.61	$ 0.53
Diluted	$ 0.44	$ 0.40	$ 0.60	$ 0.52
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	23,483	23,418	23,463	23,410
Diluted	23,703	23,634	23,777	23,556