Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Costs and expenses: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Selling and Marketing Expense Selling and promotional Selling and Marketing Expense, Total Selling and promotional, including $877 in 2011; $8,777 in 2010; and $6,736 in 2009, to related parties Selling and promotional expenses to related parties Selling and promotional expenses to related parties General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Total costs and expenses Costs and Expenses, Total Total costs and expenses Interest Expense Interest expense Interest expense Interest expense Interest income Investment Income, Interest Interest income Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Income before income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total Income tax expense Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Net income Net income Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Earnings per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic Basic income per share(1) Basic Basic income per share Earnings Per Share, Diluted Diluted income per share(1) Diluted Diluted income per share Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Summary of weighted average number of common shares outstanding Shares used in computing net income per common share: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Basic weighted average shares outstanding Basic Basic common shares outstanding Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Diluted common shares outstanding Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 1 Assets [Abstract] ASSETS: Assets, Current [Abstract] 1 Current assets Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Cash and cash equivalents, end of year Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $11,706 and $30,112 at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Net of allowance for doubtful accounts Balance at End of Period Balance at Beginning of Period Allowance for doubtful accounts Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Current deferred tax asset Deferred income taxes Other Assets, Current Other current assets Other current assets Assets, Current, Total Total current assets Total current assets Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net Goodwill Goodwill Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent Non-current deferred tax asset Deferred income taxes Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Other assets Total assets Assets, Total Total assets Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] 1 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Current liabilities Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued liabilities Litigation Reserve, Current Accrual for Estimated litigation Loss Accrued litigation loss Accrued Income Taxes, Current Tax reserves, income tax related Income taxes payable Due to Related Parties, Current Amounts owed by related party Due to related parties Capital Lease Obligations, Current Less: Current portion of capital lease obligations Current portion of capital lease obligations Notes Payable, Current Less: Current portion Current portion of notes payable Current portion of notes payable Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Capital Lease Obligations, Noncurrent Capital lease obligations, less current portion Capital lease obligations, less current portion Total liabilities Liabilities, Total Total liabilities Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] 1 Stockholders' equity Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Preferred Stock, Value, Issued, Total Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 10,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010 Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock, par value Preferred stock authorized but unissued and undesignated Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred stock, shares issued Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Value, Issued Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000 shares authorized; 45,955 and 45,811 shares issued and 44,298 and 45,761 shares outstanding at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Common stock, par value Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Ending Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Beginning Balance Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Accumulated earnings Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total Ending balance Beginning balance Total stockholders' equity Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Cash flows provided by operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Share-based compensation Share-based Compensation Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Amortization of Financing Costs Amortization of notes payable issuance costs Provision for bad debts Provision for Doubtful Accounts Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation and amortization Non Capitalizable System Conversion Costs Non-capitalizable system conversion costs Non-capitalizable system conversion costs Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income taxes Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable Changes in accounting receivables Accounts receivable Prepaid expenses and other Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Prepaid expenses and other Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Trade Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Income Taxes Payable Income taxes receivable/payable Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows used in investing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Capital expenditures Proceeds from Sale and Maturity of Available-for-sale Securities Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments Proceeds from sale or maturity of investments Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities: Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Repurchase of outstanding shares Paid for repurchase common stock Allocation of Purchase Price of Repurchase of Common Stock Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Cash received from stock option exercises Net proceeds from exercise of stock options Net proceeds from exercise of stock options Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Interest Paid Interest Paid, Total Cash paid during the year for interest Income Taxes Paid Cash paid during the year for income taxes Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Nature of Business Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] Property and Equipment Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Plans Regulatory [Text Block] Regulatory Regulatory. Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Type Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Registrant Name Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Balance Sheets [Abstract] Income Statements [Abstract] Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Shares, Issued Ending balance, shares Beginning balance, shares Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized losses on hedging derivatives, net of taxes of $3, $273 and $111 in 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively Unrealized losses on hedging derivatives, net of taxes of $0, $273 and $111 in 2011, 2010 and 2009 respectively Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax Unrealized gains (losses) on available for-sale securities, net of taxes $3 and $5 in 2010 and 2009 respectively Unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities Other Comprehensive Income, Reclassification Adjustment for Sale of Securities Included in Net Income, Net of Tax Realized gains on available for-sale securities, net of taxes of $12 Reclassification of realized gains on available for-sale securities, net of taxes of $12 Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income Total comprehensive income Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Stock Options Exercised Total Shares, exercised Exercise of stock options, Shares Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Exercise of stock options Excess tax benefit Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation Share-based compensation Other Comprehensive Income, Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Tax Tax effect on unrealized losses on hedging derivative $3, $273 and $111 in 2011, 2010 and 2009 Common Stock [Member] Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Earnings [Member] Accumulated Earnings (Deficit) [Member] Property and Equipment [Abstract] Regulatory [Abstract] Regulatory. SPIRIT TRANSACTION AND LOAN AGREEMENT [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Statement [Line Items] Denominator [Abstract] Denominator: Denominator. Property, Plant and Equipment [Text Block] Property and equipment Furniture, fixtures and equipment [Member] Furniture, fixtures and equipment [Member] Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Less accumulated depreciation and amortization Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Beginning Balance Property and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment by Type [Axis] Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain] Land and Building [Member] Land [Member] Land [Member] Land improvements [Member] Land improvements [Member] Leasehold improvements [Member] Leasehold improvements [Member] Leasehold improvements and other [Member] Buildings [Member] Buildings [Member] Machinery and Equipment [Member] Computer equipment [Member] Computer equipment [Member] Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] Equipment under capital leases [Member] Equipment under capital leases [Member] Construction in progress [Member] Construction in progress [Member] Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance Balance at End of Period Balance at Beginning of Period Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense, Total Charged to Expense Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions Deductions Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions, Total Deductions Valuation Allowances and Reserves Type [Axis] Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Domain] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items] Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Table] Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward] Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable: Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items] Other [Member] Other [Member] Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Restricted cash maintained to meet related settlement agreement Restricted cash and cash equivalents Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Deferred Revenue, Current, Total Student deposits Customer Deposits, Current Notes Payable, Noncurrent Notes Payable, Noncurrent Notes Payable, Noncurrent, Total Notes payable, less current portion Treasury Stock, Value Treasury stock, at cost,1,657 and 50 shares of common stock at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Aggregate cost Treasury Stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method Common stock purchased for treasury Aggregate cost shares of common stock Common stock purchased for treasury Increase (Decrease) in Customer Deposits Student deposits Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Other liabilities, noncurrent Other noncurrent liabilities Reclassifications [Policy Text Block] Reclassifications Reclassifications. Recent Accounting Pronouncements [Policy Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recent accounting pronouncements. Restructuring Reserve, Period Expense Exit Costs Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash Payments to Date Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash, Total Payments to Date Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. Cost of Sales, Policy [Text Block] Instructional Costs and Services Derivatives, Policy [Text Block] Derivatives and Hedging Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings, Policy [Text Block] Exit Costs Type of Restructuring [Domain] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Summary of exit activities Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Text Block] Summary of exit activities Operating Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block] Future minimum lease payments under operating leases Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current 2012 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years 2013 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years 2014 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years 2015 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years 2016 Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter Thereafter Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Total minimum Payments Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract] Future minimum lease payments under operating leases