Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

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-Glossary Investing Activities

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Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

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Segment Reporting - Summary Financial Information by Reporting Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 174,207us-gaap_Revenues	$ 182,825us-gaap_Revenues	$ 186,172us-gaap_Revenues	$ 198,154us-gaap_Revenues	$ 199,373us-gaap_Revenues	$ 199,079us-gaap_Revenues	$ 212,574us-gaap_Revenues	$ 228,655us-gaap_Revenues	$ 741,358us-gaap_Revenues	$ 839,681us-gaap_Revenues	$ 1,019,903us-gaap_Revenues
Operating (loss) income	(7,784)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(31,732)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(11,251)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(21,949)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(14,429)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(30,563)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(30,279)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(5,570)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(72,716)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(80,841)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	(69,690)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Depreciation and amortization									36,019us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	45,155us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization	48,352us-gaap_DepreciationAndAmortization
Capital Expenditures									13,156	19,636	37,944
Total Assets	573,534us-gaap_Assets				805,045us-gaap_Assets				573,534us-gaap_Assets	805,045us-gaap_Assets
CTU [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									336,573	346,086	360,369
Operating (loss) income									69,492	65,078	56,155
Depreciation and amortization									2,627	2,828	3,321
Capital Expenditures									628	158	1,401
Total Assets	73,458				75,275				73,458	75,275
AIU [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									198,896	231,606	304,208
Operating (loss) income									(9,412)	(5,556)	20,896
Depreciation and amortization									2,329	3,069	4,249
Capital Expenditures									916	122	1,746
Total Assets	51,755				54,426				51,755	54,426
University Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									535,469	577,692	664,577
Operating (loss) income									60,080	59,522	77,051
Depreciation and amortization									4,956	5,897	7,570
Capital Expenditures									1,544	280	3,147
Total Assets	125,213				129,701				125,213	129,701
Career Colleges [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									172,833	196,990	243,186
Operating (loss) income									(73,753)	(68,652)	(84,663)
Depreciation and amortization									9,227	10,963	11,468
Capital Expenditures									4,620	5,905	4,431
Total Assets	29,365				53,791				29,365	53,791
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									230		55
Operating (loss) income									(21,169)	(33,600)	(7,699)
Depreciation and amortization									17,455	22,574	22,639
Capital Expenditures									4,545	6,272	16,481
Total Assets	332,672				491,821				332,672	491,821
Subtotal [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									708,532	774,682	907,818
Operating (loss) income									(34,842)	(42,730)	(15,311)
Depreciation and amortization									31,638	39,434	41,677
Capital Expenditures									10,709	12,457	24,059
Total Assets	487,250				675,313				487,250	675,313
Transitional Group [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									32,826	64,999	112,085
Operating (loss) income									(37,874)	(38,111)	(54,379)
Depreciation and amortization									4,381	5,721	6,675
Capital Expenditures									155	346	2,412
Total Assets	7,990				13,805				7,990	13,805
Discontinued Operation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Capital Expenditures									2,292	6,833	11,473
Total Assets	$ 78,294				$ 115,927				$ 78,294	$ 115,927