CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 123,482	$ 167,211	$ 397,064	$ 472,471
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	57,419	63,304	171,054	180,292
Selling, general and administrative	60,732	71,532	192,858	211,506
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(3)	(1)	5	(8)
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	10,377	0	10,377	0
Total costs & expenses	128,525	134,835	374,294	391,790
OPERATING (LOSS) INCOME	(5,043)	32,376	22,770	80,681
OTHER:
Interest income	2	5	8	26
Interest expense	(1,091)	(1,088)	(3,277)	(3,385)
Other income (loss)	4	(7)	17	41
(LOSS) INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	(6,128)	31,286	19,518	77,363
(BENEFIT) PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	(2,202)	12,405	8,158	30,826
NET (LOSS) INCOME	$ (3,926)	$ 18,881	$ 11,360	$ 46,537
Basic
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.77	$ 0.52	$ 1.84
Diluted
Net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.18)	$ 0.76	$ 0.51	$ 1.80
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,045	24,492	21,996	25,273
Diluted (in shares)	22,045	24,984	22,153	25,920