CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
REVENUE	$ 512,625	$ 639,494	$ 552,536
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Educational services and facilities	222,959	239,738	211,295
Selling, general and administrative	244,398	270,879	252,393
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	5	(8)	35
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	10,377	6,244	495
Total costs & expenses	477,739	516,853	464,218
OPERATING INCOME	34,886	122,641	88,318
OTHER:
Interest income	50	30	29
Interest expense	(4,369)	(4,533)	(4,275)
Other income	18	45	35
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	30,585	118,183	84,107
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES	13,045	48,452	34,868
NET INCOME	$ 17,540	$ 69,731	$ 49,239
Basic
Net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 2.86	$ 1.87
Diluted
Net income per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 2.79	$ 1.82
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	22,020	24,418	26,337
Diluted (in shares)	22,155	25,024	27,095