CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net income	$ 11,360	$ 46,537
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	21,269	19,667
Amortization of deferred finance charges	272	269
Deferred income taxes	(1,121)	(590)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	5	(8)
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	10,377	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	23,723	31,289
Stock-based compensation expense	2,742	1,859
Tax benefit associated with exercise of share based payments	(98)	(1,443)
Deferred rent	493	1,372
(Increase) decrease in assets:
Accounts receivable	(9,293)	(33,268)
Inventories	172	(631)
Prepaid income taxes	(13,718)	(4,403)
Prepaid expenses and current assets	(534)	5,451
Other assets	484	(1,337)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities:
Accounts payable	(2,126)	(1,226)
Accrued expenses	(12,188)	(985)
Pension plan liabilities	(204)	(708)
Advance from federal funds	(279)	1,007
Unearned tuition	(4,597)	5,019
Other liabilities	434	206
Total adjustments	15,813	21,540
Net cash provided by operating activities	27,173	68,077
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Restricted cash	693	(200)
Capital expenditures	(30,850)	(33,489)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	36	72
Net cash used in investing activities	(30,121)	(33,617)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payments on borrowings	(20,000)	(20,000)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	581	2,867
Tax benefit associated with exercise of share based payments	98	1,443
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	(378)	(128)
Dividends paid	(16,907)	0
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(308)	(288)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	(50,000)
Net cash used in financing activities	(36,914)	(66,106)
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(39,862)	(31,646)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-Beginning of period	65,995	46,076
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-End of period	26,133	14,430
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	3,103	3,153
Income taxes	23,096	36,092
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Liabilities accrued for the purchase of fixed assets	$ 1,925	$ 2,818