Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	Feb. 16, 2017	Feb. 15, 2017 USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2017 Member	Jun. 08, 2016 Relator	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	May 23, 2012 Member	Jan. 13, 2012 Finding	Jul. 14, 2008 Employee	Apr. 10, 2008 Claim	Mar. 05, 2008 Claim
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for legal fees and settlements					$ 34,500,000	$ 2,700,000
Number of OIG Findings | Finding								3
Number of documentation of attendance of students enrolled in CTU's | Finding								1
Number of calculation of returns of Title IV Program funds | Finding								1
Surrett [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of alleged claims for equitable relief | Claim											2
Number of claims added for money damages | Claim										2
Number of individuals WCI file motion to compel arbitration | Member							1,062
Surrett [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of individuals in decertified class | Member			1,000
False Claims Act [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Accrual for legal fees and settlements					32,000,000
Number of former employees who filed complaint | Employee									4
Number of relators | Relator				4
Number of relators not having for incentive compensation claim | Relator				3
False Claims Act [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Settlement agreement date		February 15, 2017
Case dismissal date	Feb. 16, 2017
False Claims Act [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | Relators Claims for Attorney’s Fees and Costs [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement amount		$ 22,000,000
False Claims Act [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member] | United States [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Litigation settlement amount		$ 10,000,000
OIG Audit [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Potential liability related to audit					$ 1,000,000