CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 237,923	$ 285,062
Costs and expenses:
Cost of educational services	120,115	124,176
Student services and administrative expenses	99,238	101,721
Legal and professional fees related to certain lawsuits, investigations and accounting matters	5,547	1,500
Loss related to loan program guarantees	0	3,803
Total costs and expenses	224,900	231,200
Operating income	13,023	53,862
(Loss) on consolidation of PEAKS Trust	0	(73,248)
Interest income	19	34
Interest (expense)	(11,812)	(3,574)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	1,230	(22,926)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	471	(5,655)
Net income (loss)	$ 759	$ (17,271)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$ 0.03	$ (0.74)
Diluted	$ 0.03	$ (0.74)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	23,447	23,397
Diluted	23,844	23,397