Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Statements of Income [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 108,487	$ 109,750	$ 219,653	$ 221,635
Costs and expenses:
Instruction and educational support	61,782	59,245	119,880	118,942
Marketing	17,748	14,670	36,046	31,351
Admissions advisory	4,131	4,062	8,480	8,055
General and administration	11,930	10,844	22,259	22,499
Total costs and expenses	95,591	88,821	186,665	180,847
Income from operations	12,896	20,929	32,988	40,788
Investment income	112	100	212	178
Interest expense	160	1,272	320	2,545
Income before income taxes	12,848	19,757	32,880	38,421
Provision for income taxes	5,062	7,883	12,674	15,162
Net income	$ 7,786	$ 11,874	$ 20,206	$ 23,259
Earnings per share:
Basic	$ 0.73	$ 1.12	$ 1.91	$ 2.20
Diluted	$ 0.72	$ 1.11	$ 1.87	$ 2.17
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	10,610	10,587	10,603	10,583
Diluted	10,799	10,705	10,790	10,721