<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-01-04</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000922475</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ITT EDUCATIONAL SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ESI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000938775</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLUM CAPITAL PARTNERS LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>909 MONTGOMERY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000847243</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RICHARD C BLUM &amp; ASSOCIATES INC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>909 MONTGOMERY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001233405</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BLUM STRATEGIC GP II LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>909 MONTGOMERY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001327007</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Blum Strategic GP III, L.L.C.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>909 MONTGOMERY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001339873</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Saddlepoint Partners GP, L.L.C.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>909 MONTGOMERY STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94133</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>536800</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>383600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>617491</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>162000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>160100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>343700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>178500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>105409</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-01-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>J</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
                <footnoteId id="F17"/>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>83915</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>45185</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3087440</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>63660</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F12"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>910600</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F13"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>44200</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F14"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>70700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F15"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Indirect</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F15"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>70700</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F16"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Indirect</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F16"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are owned directly by Stinson Capital Partners, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are owned directly by Stinson Capital Partners II, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">These shares are owned directly by Stinson Capital Partners (QP), L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These shares are owned directly by BK Capital Partners IV, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">These shares are owned directly by the Stinson Capital Partners A, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">These shares are owned directly by the Stinson Capital Partners D, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">These shares are owned directly by the Stinson Capital Partners M, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">These shares are owned directly by Stinson Capital Partners S, L.P.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">These shares are owned directly by Stinson Capital Fund (Cayman), Ltd.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">These shares may be deemed to be owned indirectly by the following parties:  (i) Blum Capital Partners L.P. (&quot;Blum LP&quot;), an investment manager with voting and investment discretion for the investment advisory account described in Note (9), and the general partner of the limited partnerships described in Notes (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8); and (ii) Richard C. Blum &amp; Associates, Inc. (&quot;RCBA Inc.&quot;), the general partner of Blum LP.  Blum LP and RCBA Inc. disclaim beneficial ownership in these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">These shares are owned directly by Blum Strategic Partners II, L.P. (&quot;Strategic II&quot;).  The shares also may be deemed to be owned indirectly by Blum Strategic GP II, L.L.C. (&quot;Blum GP II&quot;), the general partner of Strategic II.  Blum GP II disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">These shares are owned directly by Blum Strategic Partners II GmbH &amp; Co. KG (&quot;Strategic II KG&quot;).  The shares also may be deemed to be owned indirectly by Blum GP II, the managing limited partner of Strategic II KG. Blum GP II disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F13">These shares are owned directly by Blum Strategic Partners III, L.P. (&quot;Strategic III&quot;).  The shares also may be deemed to be owned indirectly by (i) Blum Strategic GP III, L.P. (&quot;Blum GP III LP&quot;), the general partner of Strategic III, and (ii) Blum Strategic GP III, L.L.C. (&quot;Blum GP III&quot;), the general partner of Blum GP III LP.  Both Blum GP III LP and Blum GP III disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F14">These shares are owned directly by Saddlepoint Partners (Cayman), L.P. (&quot;Saddlepoint&quot;).  The shares also may be deemed to be owned indirectly by (i) Saddlepoint Partners GP, L.L.C. (&quot;Saddlepoint GP&quot;), the general partner of Saddlepoint; (2) Blum LP, the managing member of Saddlepoint GP; and (3) RCBA Inc., the general partner of Blum LP.  Saddlepoint GP, Blum LP and RCBA Inc. disclaim beneficial ownership of these shares, except to the extent of any pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F15">These shares are owned directly by the Virginia Electric and Power Company Qualified Nuclear Decommissioning Trust (&quot;Virginia Electric&quot;). Virginia Electric disclaims membership in a group with any of the Reporting Persons and therefore is not subject to Section 16.  Blum LP, a registered investment advisor, has voting and investment discretion with respect to the shares owned by Virginia Electric, but no Reporting Person has a reportable pecuniary interest in any of the shares owned by Virginia Electric.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F16">These shares are owned directly by The Nuclear Decommissioning Trust of Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, Inc.  (&quot;Dominion Connecticut&quot;).  Dominion Connecticut disclaims membership in a group with any of the Reporting Persons and therefore is not subject to Section 16.  Blum LP, a registered investment advisor, has voting and investment discretion with respect to the shares owned by Dominion Connecticut, but no Reporting Person has a reportable pecuniary interest in any of the shares owned by Dominion Connecticut.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F17">This transaction represents a distribution of shares by Stinson Capital Fund (Cayman), Ltd. to three limited partners, in connection with the withdrawal of the limited partners from Stinson Capital Fund (Cayman), Ltd.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ See Attached Signature Page</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-01-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
