CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 17,540	$ 69,731	$ 49,239
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	28,464	26,218	24,240
Deferred income taxes	3,200	2,431	(2,677)
Loss (gain) on disposition of assets	5	(8)	35
Impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets	10,377	6,244	495
Provision for doubtful accounts	30,553	39,106	36,982
Stock-based compensation expense	3,541	2,665	2,377
Tax benefit associated with exercise of share based payments	(158)	(1,484)	(578)
Deferred rent	768	1,566	334
(Increase) decrease in assets, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(15,317)	(36,732)	(51,073)
Inventories	504	(226)	188
Prepaid income taxes	(13,268)	(2,830)	2,673
Prepaid expenses and current assets	(1,670)	4,511	(1,477)
Other assets	696	(439)	96
Increase (decrease) in liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts payable	(5,510)	2,338	358
Accrued expenses	(14,936)	(984)	7,509
Pension plan liabilities	(276)	(822)	(692)
Unearned tuition	(7,702)	2,857	3,194
Other liabilities	27	322	1,946
Total adjustments	19,298	44,733	23,930
Net cash provided by operating activities	36,838	114,464	73,169
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Restricted cash	694	164	(113)
Capital expenditures	(38,119)	(42,352)	(24,018)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	36	77	90
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, including restricted cash	0	0	(27,552)
Net cash used in investing activities	(37,389)	(42,111)	(51,593)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from borrowings	0	20,000	64,000
Payments on borrowings	(20,000)	(20,000)	(44,000)
Payment of deferred finance fees	0	0	(962)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	711	3,149	2,160
Tax benefit associated with exercise of share based payments	158	1,484	578
Net share settlement for equity-based compensation	(862)	(1,044)	(294)
Dividends paid	(18,490)	(5,550)	0
Principal payments under capital lease obligations	(437)	(384)	(961)
Purchase of treasury stock	0	(50,089)	(26,187)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs	0	0	14,932
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(38,920)	(52,434)	9,266
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(39,471)	19,919	30,842
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-Beginning of year	65,995	46,076	15,234
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS-End of year	26,524	65,995	46,076
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest	4,003	4,180	4,007
Income taxes	23,218	49,331	35,355
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Capital leases acquired in acquisition	0	0	26,828
Fixed assets acquired in capital lease transactions	0	0	75
Liabilities accrued for the purchase of fixed assets	1,166	5,962	2,005
Dividend payable	$ 0	$ 16,650	$ 0