Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Consolidated Income Statements [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 117,131	$ 101,709
Costs and expenses:
Instructional costs and services	50,824	48,875
Selling and promotional, including $447 and $401 to related parties for March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively	34,559	29,832
General and administrative	7,544	6,832
Total costs and expenses	92,927	85,539
Operating income	24,204	16,170
Interest expense	(207)	(107)
Interest income	10	32
Income before income taxes	24,007	16,095
Income tax expense	9,538	6,614
Net income	$ 14,469	$ 9,481
Earnings per share:
Basic income per share	$ 0.33	$ 0.21
Diluted income per share	$ 0.32	$ 0.21
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	44,371	45,590
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	45,151	46,089

Costs directly attributable to educational services, including salaries and benefits for full-time faculty, administrators and academic advisors, and costs associated with adjunct faculty. Also includes costs for educational supplies such as books, costs associated with academic records and graduation, costs associated with collections from our students such as bad debt expense, and other university services such as evaluating transcripts.

No definition available.