Restructuring Charges - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014 Campus	Mar. 31, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Accrual for severance and related charges	$ 2.5	$ 2.3
Long term amount	1.5	1.9
Accrued retention bonuses	1.4
Amount recorded ratably over the period retained	0.3
Number of campuses completed teach out activities	9
Number of campuses remaining lease obligation	7
Net present value of remaining lease obligation	8.1
Lease expiration teach out campuses	2021
Minimum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gross remaining lease obligations	20.0
Maximum [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Gross remaining lease obligations	$ 25.0

The longest lease term expiration for all campuses that are scheduled to be taught out as of the reporting date.

No definition available.

Name:	ceco_LeaseExpirationTeachOutCampuses
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:gYearItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of campuses which completed their teach-out activities for the reporting period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ceco_NumberOfCampusesWhichCompletedTeachOut
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:positiveIntegerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The number of campuses which completed their teach out activities during the reporting period that also had remaining lease obligations for their facilities.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ceco_NumberOfCampusesWhichCompletedTeachOutAndHadRemainingLeaseObligations
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The present value of the estimated charge related to remaining lease obligations for lease exits offset with an estimated amount for sublease income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ceco_PresentValueOfRemainingLeaseObligation
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The present value of the estimated charge related to remaining lease obligations for lease exits offset with an estimated amount for sublease income.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ceco_PresentValueOfRemainingLeaseObligationForTeachOutCampuses
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of retention bonus accrued for as of the balance sheet date as part of restructuring actions that is due to paid within one year of the balance sheet date.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ceco_RetentionBonusesAccruedInAssociationWithRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of retention bonus expensed during the current reporting period as part of restructuring actions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ceco_RetentionBonusesAmountRecordedDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The amount of severance related costs expected to be paid in greater than one year from the reporting date related to restructuring actions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ceco_SeveranceAccrualLongTermPortion
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of severance related costs expected to be paid in the next fiscal year related to restructuring actions.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ceco_SeveranceAccrualShortTermPortionRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	ceco_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration