Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Income Statements [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 103,118	$ 97,322	$ 204,827	$ 186,648
Costs and expenses:
Instructional costs and services	46,354	51,032	95,229	87,692
Selling and promotional, including $2 and $2,628 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $403 and $4,975 for the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, to related parties	27,709	28,976	57,541	55,852
General and administrative	7,038	6,176	13,870	12,280
Exit costs		116		205
Total costs and expenses	81,101	86,300	166,640	156,029
Operating income	22,017	11,022	38,187	30,619
Interest expense	(29)	(162)	(136)	(506)
Interest income	26	37	58	98
Income before income taxes	22,014	10,897	38,109	30,211
Income tax expense	9,141	4,163	15,755	11,997
Net income	$ 12,873	$ 6,734	$ 22,354	$ 18,214
Net income per common share:
Basic	$ 0.29	$ 0.15	$ 0.50	$ 0.40
Diluted	$ 0.29	$ 0.14	$ 0.49	$ 0.39
Shares used in computing net income per common share:
Basic	44,658	45,724	45,122	45,699
Diluted	45,018	46,557	45,551	46,441