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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Apr. 30, 2008 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Sep. 30, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Jan. 01, 2017
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Average days from the date of receipt in which funds remain as restricted cash and cash equivalents |  |  |  | 60 to 90 days |  |  |
Capitalized interest rate on borrowings to finance improvements |  |  |  | 2.80% | 2.20% | 1.90% |
Property and equipment, useful life |  |  |  | 15 years |  |  |
Amortization of other current assets |  |  |  | Next twelve month |  |  |
Agreement to pay former owner royalty amount | $ 22,500 |  |  |  |  |  |
Settlement of future royalty payment obligation | $ 5,920 |  |  |  |  |  |
Royalty amortization period | 20 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Reserve for uncertain tax positions including interest and penalties |  | $ 1,981 |  | $ 2,008 | $ 1,981 |  |
Description of area of the company's campus in Phoenix, Arizona |  |  |  | 275 acre campus |  |  |
Reduction in revenue due to scholarships offered to students |  |  |  | $ 196,334 | 179,230 | $ 163,893 |
Period for write off of inactive student accounts |  |  |  | 150 days |  |  |
Lease termination costs |  | $ 160 | $ 3,363 |  | 3,523 |  |
Excess tax benefits from financing activities |  |  |  |  | $ 9,928 | $ 3,636 |
Reduction in provision for income taxes |  |  |  | $ 16,511 |  |  |
Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life |  |  |  | 10 years |  |  |
Computer Equipment [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life |  |  |  | 4 years |  |  |
Vehicles [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life |  |  |  | 5 years |  |  |
Retained Earnings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes |  |  |  | $ (59) |  |  | $ (59)
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes |  |  |  | $ 59 |  |  | $ 59
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of days from the date of receipt in which funds remain as restricted cash and cash equivalents |  |  |  | 60 days |  |  |
Minimum [Member] | Land Improvements and Buildings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life |  |  |  | 10 years |  |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of days from the date of receipt in which funds remain as restricted cash and cash equivalents |  |  |  | 90 days |  |  |
Maximum [Member] | Land Improvements and Buildings [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Property and equipment, useful life |  |  |  | 40 years |  |  |

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