Strategic Education (STRA) 10-K 26 Feb 14 2013 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Jan. 31, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'STRAYER EDUCATION INC	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001013934	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$506
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	10,797,237	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$94,760	$47,517
Tuition receivable, net	15,842	23,262
Income taxes receivable	'	4,454
Other current assets	16,738	14,422
Total current assets	127,340	89,655
Property and equipment, net	94,421	121,520
Deferred income taxes	17,129	3,279
Goodwill	6,800	6,800
Other assets	8,576	6,538
Total assets	254,266	227,792
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	38,527	39,124
Income taxes payable	2,569	'
Unearned tuition	656	494
Other current liabilities	281	281
Current portion of term loan	3,125	3,125
Total current liabilities	45,158	43,024
Term loan, less current portion	118,750	121,875
Other long-term liabilities	51,456	21,905
Total liabilities	215,364	186,804
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Common stock, par value $.01; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 11,387,299 and 10,797,464 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively	108	114
Additional paid-in capital	7,137	299
Retained earnings	31,629	41,311
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	28	-736
Total stockholders' equity	38,902	40,988
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$254,266	$227,792

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Balance Sheets [Abstract]	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	10,797,464	11,387,299
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,797,464	11,387,299

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statements of Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Revenues	$503,600	$561,979	$627,434
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'
Instruction and educational support	310,446	300,098	292,003
Marketing	75,426	71,864	74,293
Admissions advisory	20,390	26,374	26,531
General and administration	64,637	50,056	55,464
Total costs and expenses	470,899	448,392	448,291
Income from operations	32,701	113,587	179,143
Investment income	2	4	152
Interest expense	5,419	4,616	3,773
Income before income taxes	27,284	108,975	175,522
Provision for income taxes	10,859	43,045	69,478
Net income	$16,425	$65,930	$106,044
Earnings per share:	'	'	'
Basic	$1.55	$5.79	$8.91
Diluted	$1.55	$5.76	$8.88
Weighted average shares outstanding:	'	'	'
Basic	10,584	11,390	11,906
Diluted	10,624	11,440	11,943

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'
Net income	$16,425	$65,930	$106,044
Other comprehensive income:	'	'	'
Change in fair value of derivative instrument, net of income tax	764	-125	-611
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment, net of income tax	'	'	-40
Comprehensive income	$17,189	$65,805	$105,393

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sto

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$176,004	$133	$1,206	$174,625	$40
Beginning Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	13,316,822	'	'	'
Tax shortfall associated with stock-based compensation arrangements	-569	'	-569	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-202,664	-16	-13,575	-189,073	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	-1,581,444	'	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures and cancellations, net of grants	'	1	-1	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures and cancellations, net of grants, shares	'	57,078	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	13,234	'	13,234	'	'
Common stock dividends	-49,105	'	'	-49,105	'
Change in net unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities, net of income tax	-40	'	'	'	-40
Change in fair value of derivative instrument, net of income tax	-611	'	'	'	-611
Net income	106,044	'	'	106,044	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	42,293	118	295	42,491	-611
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	11,792,456	'	'	'
Tax shortfall associated with stock-based compensation arrangements	-245	'	-245	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-25,001	-5	-5,214	-19,782	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	-484,841	'	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures and cancellations, net of grants	'	1	-1	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures and cancellations, net of grants, shares	'	79,684	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	5,464	'	5,464	'	'
Common stock dividends	-47,328	'	'	-47,328	'
Change in fair value of derivative instrument, net of income tax	-125	'	'	'	-125
Net income	65,930	'	'	65,930	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	40,988	114	299	41,311	-736
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	11,387,299	'	'	'
Tax shortfall associated with stock-based compensation arrangements	-3,567	'	-702	-2,865	'
Repurchase of common stock	-24,999	-5	-1,752	-23,242	'
Repurchase of common stock, shares	'	-495,085	'	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures and cancellations, net of grants	'	-1	1	'	'
Restricted stock forfeitures and cancellations, net of grants, shares	'	-94,750	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	9,291	'	9,291	'	'
Change in fair value of derivative instrument, net of income tax	764	'	'	'	764
Net income	16,425	'	'	16,425	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$38,902	$108	$7,137	$31,629	$28
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	10,797,464	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'	'
Net income	$16,425	$65,930	$106,044
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Amortization of gain on sale of assets	-281	-281	-281
Amortization of deferred rent	-462	323	1,177
Gain on sale of marketable securities	'	'	-66
Amortization of deferred financing costs	780	795	663
Depreciation and amortization	35,563	23,973	21,525
Deferred income taxes	-23,435	-38	3,722
Stock-based compensation	9,291	5,464	13,234
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Tuition receivable, net	4,024	1,744	-2,995
Other current assets	2,434	-2,130	-768
Other assets	494	-135	102
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-116	5,673	-3,360
Income taxes payable and income taxes receivable	7,799	-4,306	-1,279
Unearned tuition	2,059	-14,870	11,841
Other long-term liabilities	29,518	-80	4,804
Net cash provided by operating activities	84,093	82,062	154,363
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-8,726	-24,733	-29,991
Purchases of marketable securities	'	'	-2
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities	'	'	12,388
Acquisition of assets	'	'	-7,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-8,726	-24,733	-24,605
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-24,999	-25,001	-202,664
Payments on term loan	-3,125	-20,000	-2,500
Proceeds from term loan	'	47,500	100,000
Payments on revolving credit facility	'	-83,000	-100,000
Proceeds from revolving credit facility	'	63,000	120,000
Common dividends paid	'	-47,328	-49,105
Payment of deferred financing costs	'	-2,120	-2,459
Net cash used in financing activities	-28,124	-66,949	-136,728
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	47,243	-9,620	-6,970
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year	47,517	57,137	64,107
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year	94,760	47,517	57,137
Non-cash transactions:	'	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable	$47	$529	$1,115

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Nature of Operations [Abstract]	'
Nature of Operations	'
	1.          Nature of Operations
	Strayer Education, Inc. (the “Company”), a Maryland corporation, conducts its operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, Strayer University (the “University”). The University is an accredited institution of higher education that provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields of study through physical campuses, predominantly located in the Eastern United States, and online. With the Company’s focus on the student, regardless of whether he or she chooses to take classes at a physical campus or online, it has only one reporting segment.

Significant_Accounting_Policie

Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Significant Accounting Policies	'
	2.          Significant Accounting Policies
	Financial statement presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its only subsidiary, the University. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company’s educational programs are offered on a quarterly basis and such periods coincide with the Company's quarterly financial reporting periods. Approximately 96% of the Company’s revenues during the year ended December 31, 2013, consisted of tuition revenue. Tuition revenue is recognized in the quarter of instruction. Tuition revenue is shown net of any refunds, withdrawals, corporate discounts, scholarships and employee tuition discounts. At the start of each academic term, a liability (unearned tuition) is recorded for academic services to be provided and a tuition receivable is recorded for the portion of the tuition not paid upfront in cash. Any cash received prior to the start of an academic term is recorded as unearned tuition. The estimated value of scholarship awards which will be realized in the future is based on historical experience of students who are expected to realize scholarship awards earned as courses are successfully completed. Unearned tuition is recorded as a current or long-term liability in the consolidated balance sheets based on when the benefit is expected to be realized. Revenues also include textbook-related income, application fees, technology fees, placement test fees, withdrawal fees, certificate revenue, and other income, which are recognized when earned.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash maintained in mostly FDIC-insured bank accounts and cash invested in bank overnight deposits and money market mutual funds. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with various financial institutions. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments in bank overnight deposits and money market mutual funds with various financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalent balances are in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. The Company has not experienced any losses on its cash and cash equivalents.
	Tuition Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company records tuition receivable and unearned tuition for its students upon the start of the academic term. Therefore, at the end of the quarter (and academic term), tuition receivable represents amounts due from students for educational services already provided and unearned tuition represents advance payments from students for academic services to be provided in the future. Tuition receivables are not collateralized; however, credit risk is minimized as a result of the diverse nature of the University’s student base. The University establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based upon historical collection rates by age of receivable (net of recoveries). The Company periodically assesses its methodologies for estimating bad debts in consideration of actual experience. The Company’s tuition receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows:
			December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2012			2013
	Tuition receivable		$	29,858		$	26,145
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			(6,596	)		(10,303	)
	Tuition receivable, net		$	23,262		$	15,842
	Approximately $3.4 million of tuition receivable is included in "Other assets" in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013, because these amounts are expected to be collected after 12 months.
	The following table illustrates changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for each of the past three years:
			Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2011			2012			2013
	Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts		$	7,935		$	7,279		$	6,596
	Additions charged to expense			24,877			23,728			22,225
	Write-offs, net of recoveries			(25,533	)		(24,411	)		(18,518	)
	Ending allowance for doubtful accounts		$	7,279		$	6,596		$	10,303
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. In accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic, ASC 360, the carrying values of the Company’s assets are re-evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If it is determined that an impairment loss has occurred based on expected undiscounted future cash flows, then a loss is recognized using a fair-value based model. Through 2013, no such impairment loss had occurred. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 40 years. Depreciation and amortization amounted to $21.5 million, $24.0 and $35.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively.
	Construction in progress includes costs of computer software developed for internal use, and is accounted for in accordance with the Internal-Use Software Topic, ASC 350-40. Computer software development costs that are incurred in the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. During the development stage direct consulting costs, payroll and payroll-related costs for employees that are directly associated with the project are capitalized and will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the software once placed into operation. Purchases of property and equipment and changes in accounts payable for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been adjusted to exclude non-cash purchases of property and equipment transactions during that period.
	Fair Value
	The Fair Value Measurement Topic, ASC 820-10 (“ASC 820-10”), establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used to measure fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Under ASC 820-10, fair value of an investment is the price that would be received to sell an asset or to transfer a liability to an entity in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to assets and liabilities with readily available quoted prices in an active market and lowest priority to unobservable inputs which require a higher degree of judgment when measuring fair value, as follows:
	·	Level 1 assets or liabilities use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date;
	·	Level 2 assets or liabilities use observable inputs, other than quoted market prices, that are either directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace for identical or similar assets and liabilities; and
	·	Level 3 assets or liabilities use unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.
	The Company’s assets and liabilities that are subject to fair value measurement are categorized in one of the three levels above. Fair values are based on the inputs available at the measurement dates, and may rely on certain assumptions that may affect the valuation of fair value for certain assets or liabilities.
	Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which include a trade name, are recorded at fair market value on their acquisition date. An indefinite life was assigned to the trade name because it has the continued ability to generate cash flows indefinitely.
	Goodwill and the indefinite-lived intangible asset are assessed at least annually for impairment during the three-month period ending September 30, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change between annual tests that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the respective reporting unit below its carrying amount. Under Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08,  Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment , the Company is permitted, but not required, to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the more thorough quantitative goodwill impairment test. Following its qualitative assessment, the Company determined it was not more likely than not that the fair value of its goodwill was less than the carrying amount and, accordingly, no impairment existed in 2013.
	Long-Term Liabilities
	Included in the Company’s long-term liabilities are the non-current portion of the Company’s borrowings under its term loan and revolving credit facility, liabilities related to the Company's operating leases, deferred payments related to an acquisition, fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap, and the non-current portion of unearned tuition. In conjunction with the opening of some campuses and other facilities, the Company was reimbursed by the lessors for improvements made to those leased properties. In accordance with the Operating Leases Subtopic, ASC 840-20 (“ASC 840-20”), these reimbursements were capitalized as leasehold improvements and a liability was established. The leasehold improvements and the liability are amortized on a straight-line basis over the corresponding lease terms, which generally range from five to ten years. In accordance with ASC 840-20, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of a lease. The cumulative difference between the rent payment and the straight-line rent expense is recorded as a liability. The Company also records the non-current portion of the gain related to the sale and lease back of a campus facility as a long-term liability. (See Note 10 below for more information.)
	Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	On the date that the Company enters into a derivative contract, it designates the derivative as a hedge of (a) a forecasted transaction or (b) the variability of cash flows that are to be received or paid in connection with a recognized asset or liability (a cash flow hedge). All derivatives are recognized in the balance sheet at their fair value.
	Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, to the extent that the hedge is effective, are recorded, net of income tax, in other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged transaction (e.g., until periodic settlements of a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings). Any hedge ineffectiveness (which represents the amount by which the changes in the fair value of the derivative exceed the variability in the cash flows of the forecasted transaction) is recorded in current-period earnings.
	The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Company also formally assesses (both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis) whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of hedged items and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods. When it is determined that a derivative is not (or has ceased to be) highly effective as a hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively.
	Authorized Stock
	The Company has authorized 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01, of which 11,387,299 and 10,797,464 shares were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The Company also has authorized 8,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which has been issued or outstanding since 2004. Before any preferred stock may be issued in the future, the Board of Directors would need to establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and the terms or conditions of the redemption of the preferred stock.
	Advertising Costs
	The Company expenses advertising costs in the quarter incurred, except for costs associated with the production of media commercials which are expensed when the commercial is first aired.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	As required by the Stock Compensation Topic, ASC 718, the Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and employee stock purchases related to the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, based on estimated fair values. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, is based on awards ultimately expected to vest and, therefore, has been adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The Company is required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise, if necessary, the estimate in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The forfeiture rate used is based on historical experience. The Company also assesses the likelihood that performance criteria associated with performance-based awards will be met.  If it is determined that it is more likely than not that performance criteria will not be achieved, the Company revises its estimate of the number of shares it believes will ultimately vest.
	Net Income Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur assuming conversion or exercise of all dilutive unexercised stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of stock awards was determined using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, all of the following are assumed to be used to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock: (1) the proceeds received from the exercise of stock options, (2) the amount of compensation cost associated with the stock awards for future service not yet recognized by the Company, and (3) the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the stock awards become deductible for income tax purposes. Stock options are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share when the stock option exercise price of an individual grant exceeds the average market price for the period. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had no issued and outstanding stock options that were included in the calculation.
	Set forth below is a reconciliation of shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands):
			2011			2012			2013
	Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute basic earnings per share			11,906			11,390			10,584
	Incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options			8			–			–
	Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units			29			50			40
	Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share			11,943			11,440			10,624
	Income Taxes
	The Company provides for deferred income taxes based on temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
	The Income Taxes Topic, ASC 740 (“ASC 740”), requires the company to determine whether uncertain tax positions should be recognized within the Company’s financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Uncertain tax positions are recognized when a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is determined to be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Upon determination, uncertain tax positions are measured to determine the amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position is derecognized if it no longer meets the more likely than not threshold of being sustained.
	The tax years 2012 and 2013 remain open for Federal tax examination and the tax years 2009–2012 remain open to examination by state and local taxing jurisdictions in which the Company is subject.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the period reported. The most significant management estimates included allowances for doubtful accounts, the useful lives of property and equipment, fair value of future contractual operating lease obligations, potential sublease income and vacancy periods, accrued expenses, forfeiture rates and the likelihood of achieving performance criteria for stock-based awards, value of free courses earned by students that will be redeemed in the future, valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and the interest rate swap arrangement, and the provision for income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and unrealized gains or losses on investments in marketable securities, and the change in the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap, net of income taxes.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”), which provides guidance on disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The standard requires entities to present (either on the face of the income statement or in the notes to the financial statements) the effects of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income on income statement line items. ASU 2013-02 was effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 on January 1, 2013, did not have a material impact the Company’s disclosures.
In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). The standard provides that a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit would be offset against a deferred tax asset instead of presented gross for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company believes adoption of ASU 2013-11 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results from operations.

Restructuring_and_Related_Char

Restructuring and Related Charges	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Charges [Abstract]	'
Restructuring and Related Charges	'
	3.         Restructuring and Related Charges
	In October 2013, the Company implemented a restructuring to better align the Company’s resources with its current student enrollments.  This restructuring, which occurred primarily in the fourth quarter of 2013, included the closing of approximately 20 physical locations and reductions in the number of campus-based and corporate employees.  The Company incurred the following charges associated with these activities in the fourth quarter of 2013, and recorded them in the following line items in the statement of operations below:
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	($ in thousands)		Lease			Severance			Total
			and Related			and Other
			Costs, Net			Employee
						Separation Costs
	Instruction & educational support		$	30,612		$	5,548		$	36,160
	Marketing			—			120			120
	Admissions advisory			—			248			248
	General & administration			17,180			982			18,162
	Total charges		$	47,792		$	6,898		$	54,690
	The following details the changes in the Company’s restructuring liability by type of cost during the year ended December 31, 2013:
	($ in thousands)	Lease			Severance
		and Related			and Other			Total
		Costs, Net			Employee
					Separation Costs
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Restructuring and other charges (1)	47,792			6,898			54,690
	Non-cash adjustments(2)	(5,139		)	1,438			(3,701		)
	Payments	(103		)	(6,120		)	(6,223		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013(1)	$	42,550		$	2,216		$	44,766
	-1	The current portion of restructuring liabilities was $10.4 million as of December 31, 2013, most of which are included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and the long-term portion is included in Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gross obligation associated with restructuring liabilities as of December 31, 2013 is approximately $44.8 million, which principally represents non-cancelable leases that will be paid over the respective lease terms through 2022.
	-2	A total of $48.5 million of non-cash charges were incurred in connection with the restructuring. Non-cash adjustments for lease and related costs include $10.9 million of accelerated depreciation, partially offset by the release of certain deferred rent and leasehold incentive liabilities of approximately $5.7 million. Non-cash adjustments for severance and other employee separation costs represents share-based compensation.
	Lease and Related Costs, Net – During the fourth quarter of 2013, the University implemented a plan to close approximately 20 of its campus locations. The Company recorded approximately $36.0 million of aggregate charges representing the estimated fair value of future contractual operating lease obligations, which were recorded in the periods the Company ceased using the respective facilities. Lease obligations, some of which continue through 2022, are measured at fair value using a discounted cash flow approach encompassing significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). The estimation of future cash flows includes non-cancelable contractual lease costs over the remaining terms of the leases, partially offset by estimated future sublease rental income, which involves significant judgment. The Company’s estimate of the amount and timing of sublease rental income considers subleases that have been executed and subleases expect to be executed, based on current commercial real estate market data and conditions, and other qualitative factors specific to the facilities. The estimates will be subject to adjustment as market conditions change or as new information becomes available, including the execution of additional sublease agreements.
	Lease and related costs, net also includes $10.9 million of accelerated depreciation during 2013. This depreciation resulted from revising the useful lives of the fixed assets at the facilities discussed above through their closure dates. Prior to revising the estimated useful lives, a recoverability analysis was performed for the facilities’ fixed assets and no material impairment charges were recorded during 2013.
	Severance and Other Employee Separation Costs – The Company implemented workforce reductions in order to better align its human capital resources with the evolving needs of students. A total of $6.9 million in severance and other employee separation costs were recorded in the year ended December 31, 2013, of which approximately $6.1 million was paid in 2013. The majority of the remaining balance will be paid during the first three months of 2014.

Property_and_Equipment

Property and Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	4.          Property and Equipment
	The composition of property and equipment as of December 31, 2012 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands):
		2012			2013			Estimated
								useful life
								(years)
	Land	$	7,138		$	7,138			–
	Buildings and improvements		18,188			19,105			May-40
	Furniture, equipment, and computer hardware and software		153,597			159,160			10-May
	Leasehold improvements		38,362			39,299			10-Mar
	Construction in progress		670			790			–
			217,955			225,492
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(96,435	)		(131,071	)
		$	121,520		$	94,421
	Construction in progress includes costs associated with the construction of new campuses and the development of information technology applications. In 2012 and 2013, the Company recorded leasehold improvements of $1.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which were reimbursed by lessors as lease incentives. In 2012 and 2013, the Company wrote off $12.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in fixed assets that were fully depreciated and no longer in service.

Restricted_Cash

Restricted Cash	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Cash [Abstract]	'
Restricted Cash	'
	5.          Restricted Cash
	As part of commencing operations in Pennsylvania in 2003, the Company was required to maintain a “minimum protective endowment” of at least $500,000 in an interest-bearing account. These funds are required as long as the Company operates its campuses in the state. The Company accounts for these funds as a long-term asset.

Acquisition

Acquisition	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Acquisition [Abstract]	'
Acquisition	'
	6.          Acquisition
	On December 27, 2011, the Company completed an acquisition (the “Acquisition”) of certain assets which support the operations of the Jack Welch Management Institute (“JWMI”), an online leadership education program that offers a differentiated executive MBA degree and executive certificates. Simultaneous with the Acquisition, the Company entered into a License and Participation Agreement with Mr. Welch. The Company paid $7.0 million in the acquisition. The Company received $2.8 million from Mr. Welch representing his economic interest in JWMI, and the Company will make deferred payments to the sellers through 2021 valued at $2.1 million as of December 31, 2013. These amounts are included in other long-term liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company will make additional payments to Mr. Welch as he provides services to the Company on behalf of JWMI under the License and Participation Agreement.
	In connection with the Acquisition, the Company acquired course content valued at $0.8 million which is being amortized over its estimated useful life of five years. The Company has also recorded indefinite-lived intangible assets of $1.6 million, which are included in other assets in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Acquisition resulted in recording $6.8 million of goodwill, representing the excess of the purchase price over the fair value assigned to the underlying assets acquired. At December 31, 2013, the carrying amount of goodwill and the other assets acquired approximated the values at the acquisition date.
	JWMI’s operating results are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of the Acquisition. The results of operations of JWMI would not have had a material impact on the Company’s reported financial results if the Acquisition had been completed on January 1, 2011.

Term_Loan_and_Revolving_Credit

Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility	'
	7.          Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility
	On November 8, 2012, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (the “Amended Credit Facility”), providing for a $100.0 million revolving credit facility and $125.0 million term loan facility, with an option, subject to obtaining additional loan commitments and the satisfaction of certain conditions, to increase the commitments under the Credit Facility by up to $50.0 million in the future. Each of the revolving portions of the Amended Credit Facility, which includes a letter of credit subfacility of $50.0 million, and the term loan portion of the Amended Credit Facility matures on December 31, 2016, and amends and refinances the Company’s original Credit Facility. The term loan portion of the Amended Credit Facility, also includes required quarterly amortization payments in the amount of $781,250 in the case of each payment made during calendar years 2013 and 2014, 0.625% of the aggregate original principal amount of the term loan facility, and $1,562,500 in the case of each payment made during calendar years 2015 and 2016, 1.25% of the aggregate original principal amount of the term loan facility. The Amended Credit Facility is guaranteed by the Company’s subsidiary and is secured by substantially all of the personal property and assets of the Company and the guarantor.
	Borrowings under the Amended Credit Facility bear interest at LIBOR or a base rate plus a margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.50%, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio. For the $125.0 million term loan facility, the Company entered into an additional interest rate swap arrangement that fixes its interest rate on the entire term loan facility at an effective rate ranging from 2.85% to 3.35%, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio. In addition, an unused commitment fee ranging from 0.30% to 0.40%, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio, accrues on unused amounts under the revolving portion of the Amended Credit Facility. The Amended Credit Facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, representations, warranties, events of default and remedies upon default, including acceleration and rights to foreclose on the collateral securing the Amended Credit Facility. In addition, the Amended Credit Facility requires that the Company satisfy certain financial maintenance covenants, including:
	·	a total leverage ratio of not greater than 2.00:1.00;
	·	a coverage ratio of not less than 1.75:1.00; and
	·	a Department of Education financial responsibility composite score of not less than 1.5.
	The Company was in compliance with all the terms of the Amended Credit Facility at December 31, 2013.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company paid cash interest of $4.6 million, and the Company’s average annual interest rate, including non-cash charges for the amortization of debt financing costs, was 4.4%.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $121.9 million outstanding under the term loan facility and no balance outstanding under the revolving credit facility.
	Debt and short-term borrowings consist of the following as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Term loan		$	121,875
	Revolving credit facility			–
	Total debt			121,875
	Less: Current portion of long-term debt			3,125
	Long-term debt		$	118,750
	Aggregate debt maturities as of December 31, 2013 are as follows:
	2014		$	3,125
	2015			6,250
	2016			112,500
			$	121,875
	Interest Rate Swaps
	The Company was party to an interest rate swap on the outstanding balance of the Company’s existing Credit Facility. On November 8, 2012, the Company entered into an additional interest rate swap arrangement in order to minimize the interest rate exposure on the entire balance of the term loan facility (the “Swaps”, inclusive of the existing swap). The Swaps effectively fix the variable interest rate on the associated term loan at a rate ranging from 2.85% to 3.35%, depending on the Company’s leverage ratio, rather than being subject to fluctuations in the LIBOR rate. The terms of the Swaps effectively match the term of the underlying term loan facility. The Swaps have been designated as a cash flow hedge and have been deemed effective in accordance with the Derivatives and Hedging Topic, ASC 815. The Company expects the Swaps to continue to be deemed effective for the duration of the Swaps. The fair value of the Swaps is included in other long-term liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Fair_Value_Measurement

Fair Value Measurement	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurement	'
	8.          Fair Value Measurement
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of the following as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
						Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			December 31,				Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
			2013				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
							Identical Assets/		Observable		Inputs
							Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
							(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds		$	8,382			$	8,382	$	–	$	–
	Interest rate swaps			45				–		45		–
	Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis		$	8,427			$	8,382	$	45	$	–
	Liabilities:
	Other liabilities:
	Deferred payments		$	2,115			$	–	$	–	$	2,115
	Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis		$	2,115			$	–	$	–	$	2,115
	Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of the following as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
							Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
			December 31,				Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
			2012				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
							Identical Assets/		Observable		Inputs
							Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
							(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds		$	1,380			$	1,380	$	–	$	–
	Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis		$	1,380			$	1,380	$	–	$	–
	Liabilities:
	Other liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps		$	1,211			$	–	$	1, 211	$	–
	Deferred payments			2,119				–		–		2,119
	Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis		$	3,330			$	–	$	1, 211	$	2,119
	The Company measures the above items on a recurring basis at fair value as follows:
	·	Money market funds – Classified in Level 1 is excess cash the Company holds in both taxable and tax-exempt money market funds and are included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company records any net unrealized gains and losses for changes in fair value as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses from the sale of marketable securities are based on the specific identification method. The Company’s remaining cash and cash equivalents held at December 31, 2012 and 2013, approximate fair value and is not disclosed in the above tables because of the short-term nature of the financial instruments.
	·	Interest rate swaps – The Company has two interest rate swaps with a notional amount of $121.9 million as of December 31, 2013, used to minimize the interest rate exposure on a portion of the Company’s variable rate debt. The interest rate swaps are used to fix the variable interest rate on the associated debt. The swaps are classified within Level 2 and are valued using readily available pricing sources which utilize market observable inputs including the current variable interest rate for similar types of instruments.
	·	Deferred payments – Classified within Level 3 as there is no liquid market for similarly priced instruments, and valued using a discounted cash flow model that encompassed significant unobservable inputs to estimate the operating results of the Acquisition. The assumptions used to prepare the discounted cash flows include estimates for interest rates, enrollment growth, retention rates and pricing strategies. These assumptions are subject to change as the underlying data sources evolve and the program matures.
	At December 31, 2013, the carrying value of the Company’s debt was $121.9 million. All of the Company’s debt is variable interest rate debt and the carrying amount approximates fair value.
	The Company did not change its valuation techniques associated with recurring fair value measurements from prior periods, and no assets or liabilities were transferred between levels of the fair value hierarchy during the years ended December 31, 2012 or 2013. Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, include $6.8 million of goodwill and $1.6 million of other indefinite-lived intangible assets resulting from the Acquisition. The deferred payment liability was established at the time of the Acquisition on December 27, 2011, and changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 liability that was outstanding throughout the year ended December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
			Deferred
			Payments
	Balance at December 31, 2012		$	2,119
	Amounts earned			(311	)
	Adjustments to fair value			307
	Transfers in or out of Level 3			—
	Balance at December 31, 2013		$	2,115

Stock_Options_Restricted_Stock

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]	'
Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units	'
	9.          Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	In April 2011, the Company’s stockholders approved the Strayer Education, Inc. 2011 Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), which replaced the Company’s 1996 equity compensation plan (the “1996 Plan”) and made 300,000 new shares available for issuance as equity compensation. In addition, shares previously available for issuance under the 1996 Plan were effectively carried over and are available for issuance under the Plan, for a total of approximately 350,000 shares that were made available for issuance as equity compensation under the Plan. The Plan provides for the granting of restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock options intended to qualify as incentive stock options, options that do not qualify as incentive stock options, and other forms of equity compensation and performance-based awards to employees, officers and directors of the Company, or to a consultant or advisor to the Company, at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Vesting provisions are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Options may be granted at option prices based at or above the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant. The maximum term of the awards granted under the Plan is ten years.
	In February 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved grants of 165,712 shares of restricted stock to certain individuals. These shares, which vest over a three- to five-year period, were granted pursuant to the Plan. The Company’s stock price closed at $62.28 on the date of these restricted stock grants. In March 2013, outstanding awards of 200,000 restricted shares were converted to restricted stock units. In May 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved grants of 43,659 shares of restricted stock. These shares, which vest in their entirety four years from the date of grant, were granted pursuant to the Plan. The Company’s Board of Directors also approved grants of 16,370 shares of restricted stock. These shares, which vest over a three-year period, were awarded to non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors, as part of Company’s annual director compensation program. The Company’s stock price closed at $45.81 on the date these restricted stock grants were awarded.
	Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock are reimbursed to the Company if the recipient forfeits his or her shares as a result of termination of employment prior to vesting in the award, unless waived by the Board of Directors.
	Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
	The table below sets forth the restricted stock activity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013:
			Number of			Weighted-
			shares			average
						grant price
	Balance, December 31, 2010			341,440		$	204.89
	Grants			74,868			130.96
	Vested shares			(17,574	)		131.31
	Forfeitures			(17,790	)		155.01
	Balance, December 31, 2011			380,944		$	194.26
	Grants			82,741			111.44
	Vested shares			(26,189	)		195.58
	Forfeitures			(3,057	)		127.51
	Balance, December 31, 2012			434,439		$	178.88
	Grants			225,741			57.9
	Vested shares			(51,916	)		164.22
	Forfeitures			(120,491	)		140.3
	Balance, December 31, 2013			487,773		$	131.51
	Stock Options
	The table below sets forth the stock option activity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 and other stock option information at December 31, 2013:
			Number of			Weighted-			Weighted-			Aggregate
			shares			average			average			intrinsic
						exercise price			remaining			value(1)
									contractual			(in thousands)
									life (years)
	Balance, December 31, 2010			100,000		$	107.28			2.1		$	4,494
	Grants			–			–
	Exercises			–			–
	Forfeitures			–			–
	Balance, December 31, 2011			100,000		$	107.28			1.1		$	–
	Grants			–			–
	Exercises			–			–
	Forfeitures			–			–
	Balance, December 31, 2012			100,000		$	107.28			0.1		$	–
	Grants			100,000			51.95
	Exercises						–
	Forfeitures/Expirations			(100,000	)		107.28
	Balance, December 31, 2013			100,000		$	51.95			7		$	–
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013			–		$	–			–			–
	-1	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the respective trading day and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holder had all option been exercised on the respective trading day. The amount of intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.
	The number of shares exercisable as of December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 are as follows:
			Number of			Weighted-
			shares			average
						exercise price
	Exercisable, December 31, 2011			100,000		$	107.28
	Exercisable, December 31, 2012			100,000		$	107.28
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013			-		$	51.95
	Valuation and Expense Information under Stock Compensation Topic ASC 718
	At December 31, 2013, total stock-based compensation cost which has not yet been recognized was $34.5 million for unvested restricted stock, restricted stock units, and stock option awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over the next 54 months on a weighted-average basis. Awards of approximately 351,000 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units are subject to performance conditions. The accrual for stock-based compensation for performance awards is based on the Company’s estimates that such performance criteria are probable of being achieved. Such a determination involves significant judgment surrounding the Company’s ability to maintain regulatory compliance. If the performance targets are not reached during the vesting period, or it is determined it is more likely than not that the performance criteria will not be achieved, related compensation expense is adjusted. During 2012, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that certain performance criteria for 45,920 shares would not be met, and reduced stock-based compensation expense by approximately $7.0 million.
	The following table sets forth the amount of stock-based compensation expense recorded in each of the expense line items (in thousands):
			2011			2012			2013
	Instruction and educational support		$	3,635		$	3,273		$	1,976
	Marketing			65			–			–
	Admissions advisory			–			–			–
	General and administration			9,534			2,191			7,315
	Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense			13,234			5,464			9,291
	Tax benefit			5,245			2,158			3,698
	Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax		$	7,989		$	3,306		$	5,593
	The following table summarizes information regarding share-based payment arrangements for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 (in thousands):
		For the year ended
		December 31,
		2011			2012			2013
Proceeds from stock options exercised		$	–		$	–		$	–
Excess tax benefits (shortfall) related to share-based payment arrangements		$	(569	)	$	(245	)	$	(3,567	)
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised(1)		$	–		$	–		$	–
-1	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised is estimated by taking the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the date of exercise and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options exercised for each option holder and then aggregated.

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities

Other Long-Term Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Other Long-Term Liabilities	'
	10.         Other Long-Term Liabilities
	Other long-term liabilities consist of the following as of December 31, 2012 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2012		2013
	Loss on facilities not in use	$	–	$	34,339
	Deferred rent and other facility costs		11,650		8,258
	Deferred payments (see Note 6)		4,919		4,915
	Unearned tuition		–		1,897
	Lease incentives		3,150		1,353
	Deferred gain on sale of campus building		975		694
	Fair value of interest rate swap (see Note 7)		1,211		–
		$	21,905	$	51,456
	Loss on Facilities Not in Use and Deferred Rent and Other Facility Costs
	The Company records lease costs of campuses and non-campus facilities that are not currently in use. In accordance with ASC 840-20, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of a lease. The difference between the rent payment and the straight-line rent expense is recorded as a liability.
	Unearned Tuition
	The Company offers certain scholarship and awards programs to students who earn the awards while they successfully complete course requirements.  The long-term liability for unearned tuition represents the estimated value of these awards which the Company expects will be realized after one year.
	Lease Incentives
	In conjunction with the opening of new campuses, the Company, in some instances, was reimbursed by the lessors for improvements made to the leased properties. In accordance with ASC 840-20, these improvements were capitalized as leasehold improvements and a liability was established for the reimbursements. The leasehold improvements and the liability are amortized on a straight-line basis over the corresponding lease terms, which generally range from five to 10 years.
	Deferred Gain on Sale of Campus Building
	In June 2007, the Company sold one of its campus buildings for $5.8 million. The Company is leasing back most of the campus building over a 10-year period. In conjunction with this sale and lease back transaction, the Company realized a gain of $2.8 million before tax, which is deferred and recognized over the 10-year lease term.

Other_Employee_Benefit_Plans

Other Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Other Employee Benefit Plans	'
	11.         Other Employee Benefit Plans
	The Company has a 401(k) plan covering all eligible employees of the Company. Effective January 1, 2014, participants may contribute up to $17,500 of their base compensation annually.  Employee contributions are voluntary. Discretionary contributions were made by the Company matching 50% of employee deferrals up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s annual salary. The Company’s contributions, which vest immediately, totaled $2.7 million, $2.9 million and $1.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively.
	In May 1998, the Company adopted the Strayer Education, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). Under the ESPP, eligible employees may purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain limitations, at 90% of its market value at the date of purchase. Purchases are limited to 10% of an employee’s eligible compensation. The aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be made available for purchase by participating employees under the ESPP is 2,500,000 shares. Shares purchased in the open market for employees for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013 were as follows:
		Shares		Average price
		purchased		per share
	2011		6,636	$	98.55
	2012		6,549	$	71.14
	2013		8,911	$	42.27

Stock_Repurchase_Plan

Stock Repurchase Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Repurchase Plan [Abstract]	'
Stock Repurchase Plan	'
	12.         Stock Repurchase Plan
	As announced on November 3, 2003, the Company’s Board of Directors initially authorized the Company to repurchase up to an aggregate of $15 million in value of common stock through December 31, 2004 in open market purchases from time to time at the discretion of the Company’s management depending on market conditions and other corporate considerations. The Company’s Board of Directors amended the program on various dates, increasing the repurchase amount authorized and extending the expiration date. At December 31, 2013, approximately $70 million of the Company’s share repurchase authorization was remaining for repurchases through December 31, 2014.  All of the Company’s share repurchases were effected in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This stock repurchase plan may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time by the Company without notice.
	A summary of the Company’s stock repurchase activity for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013, all of which was part of a publicly announced plan, is set forth in the table below:
		Number of		Average price		Amount available
		shares		paid		for future
		repurchased		per share		repurchases
						(in millions)
	2011		1,581,444	$	128.15	$	80
	2012		484,841	$	51.56	$	95
	2013		495,085	$	50.49	$	70
	Repurchases of common stock are recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. To the extent additional paid-in capital had been reduced to zero through stock repurchases, retained earnings was then reduced.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	13.        Commitments and Contingencies
	The University participates in various federal student financial assistance programs which are subject to audit. Management believes that the potential effects of audit adjustments, if any, for the periods currently under audit will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 99 long-term, non-cancelable operating leases for campuses and other administrative facilities. Rent expense was $42.2 million, $46.5 million and $82.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively. Rent expense for 2013 includes approximately $36.0 in charges related to the closure of approximately 20 locations. The rents on the Company’s leases are subject to annual increases. The minimum rental commitments for the Company as of December 31, 2013 are as follows (in thousands):
		Minimum
		rental
		commitments
	2014	$	41,975
	2015		39,740
	2016		34,488
	2017		29,114
	2018		24,155
	Thereafter		47,640
	Total	$	217,112

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	14.        Income Taxes
	The income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013 is summarized below (in thousands):
		2011			2012			2013
	Current:
	Federal	$	53,344		$	36,028		$	26,390
	State		12,081			8,333			4,582
	Total current		65,425			44,361			30,972
	Deferred:
	Federal		4,760			(608	)		(18,387	)
	State		(707	)		(708	)		(1,726	)
	Total deferred		4,053			(1,316	)		(20,113	)
	Total provision for income taxes	$	69,478		$	43,045		$	10,859
	The tax effects of the principal temporary differences that give rise to the Company’s deferred tax assets are as follows as of December 31, 2012 and 2013 (in thousands):
		2012			2013
	Tuition receivable	$	4,215		$	4,021
	Employee-related liabilities		280			144
	Other facility-related costs		826			3,684
	Current net deferred tax asset		5,321			7,849
	Property and equipment		(15,972	)		(13,091	)
	Deferred leasing costs		3,475			3,082
	Stock-based compensation		13,814			13,871
	Other facility-related costs		1,484			13,696
	Interest rate swap		474			(18	)
	Other		4			(411	)
	Long-term net deferred tax asset		3,279			17,129
	Net deferred tax asset	$	8,600		$	24,978
	The Company had $0.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2013, all of which resulted from tax positions taken during the year ended December 31, 2013. A liability for uncertain tax positions of $2.2 million as of December 31, 2013, also for tax positions taken during the year ended December 31, 2013, is included in income taxes payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	A reconciliation between the Company’s statutory tax rate and the effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013 is as follows:
		2011			2012			2013
	Statutory federal rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefits		4.3			4.3			4.6
	Other		0.3			0.2			0.2
	Effective tax rate		39.6	%		39.5	%		39.8	%
	Cash payments for income taxes were $67.0 million in 2011, $47.4 million in 2012 and $26.5 million in 2013.

Summarized_Quarterly_Financial

Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'
Summarized Quarterly Financial Data	'
	15.          Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	Quarterly financial information for 2012 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands except per share data):
		Quarter
	2012	First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues	$	149,532		$	146,254		$	124,260		$	141,933
	Income from operations		40,858			36,168			7,836			28,725
	Net income		23,989			21,212			4,103			16,627
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	2.1		$	1.86		$	0.36		$	1.47
	Diluted	$	2.09		$	1.85		$	0.36		$	1.47
		Quarter
	2013	First			Second			Third			Fourth
	Revenues	$	137,506		$	131,980		$	110,031		124,083
	Income (loss) from operations		29,919			26,257			6,621			(30,096	)
	Net income (loss)		17,231			15,002			3,149			(18,957	)
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	1.59	$	1.43		$	0.3		$	(1.80	)
	Diluted	$	1.59		$	1.42		$	0.3		$	(1.80	)

Litigation

Litigation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Litigation	'
	16.         Litigation
	From time to time, the Company is involved in litigation and other legal proceedings arising out of the ordinary course of its business. There are no pending material legal proceedings to which the Company is subject or to which the Company's property is subject.

Regulation

Regulation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Regulation [Abstract]	'
Regulation	'
	17.         Regulation
	The Department of Education previously attempted to define “an eligible program of training to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.” After a federal court invalidated the Department’s regulation, the Department established a negotiated rulemaking committee to consider the issue of gainful employment. The negotiations did not result in the required consensus, and the Department has indicated that it expects to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for public comment in early 2014.
	Although it is not yet known what will be included in the Department’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the most recent proposal by the Department put before the Committee included three metrics, as described in more detail in Part I, Item I, Regulation. The proposal included measurements of program cohort default rates (“pCDR”), annual debt-to-earnings, and discretionary debt-to-earnings. Under the proposal, a program would remain eligible for Title IV funding if it has a cohort default rate less than 30%, and the annual loan payment of a typical graduate of the program does not exceed 8% of the average or median annual earnings, or 20% of the average or median discretionary income. Under the annual and discretionary debt-to-earnings metrics, a program would become Title IV ineligible for three years if it fails either metric for two out of three years, or is in a warning zone for four consecutive years. Under the pCDR, a program would become Title IV ineligible for 3 years if the three-year default rate of three consecutive cohorts of students is greater than or equal to 30%.

Significant_Accounting_Policie1

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Financial Statement Presentation	'
	Financial statement presentation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its only subsidiary, the University. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition	'
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company’s educational programs are offered on a quarterly basis and such periods coincide with the Company's quarterly financial reporting periods. Approximately 96% of the Company’s revenues during the year ended December 31, 2013, consisted of tuition revenue. Tuition revenue is recognized in the quarter of instruction. Tuition revenue is shown net of any refunds, withdrawals, corporate discounts, scholarships and employee tuition discounts. At the start of each academic term, a liability (unearned tuition) is recorded for academic services to be provided and a tuition receivable is recorded for the portion of the tuition not paid upfront in cash. Any cash received prior to the start of an academic term is recorded as unearned tuition. The estimated value of scholarship awards which will be realized in the future is based on historical experience of students who are expected to realize scholarship awards earned as courses are successfully completed. Unearned tuition is recorded as a current or long-term liability in the consolidated balance sheets based on when the benefit is expected to be realized. Revenues also include textbook-related income, application fees, technology fees, placement test fees, withdrawal fees, certificate revenue, and other income, which are recognized when earned.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash maintained in mostly FDIC-insured bank accounts and cash invested in bank overnight deposits and money market mutual funds. The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments with various financial institutions. The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Concentration of Credit Risk	'
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	The Company places its cash and temporary cash investments in bank overnight deposits and money market mutual funds with various financial institutions. Cash and cash equivalent balances are in excess of the FDIC insurance limit. The Company has not experienced any losses on its cash and cash equivalents.
Tuition Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Tuition Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company records tuition receivable and unearned tuition for its students upon the start of the academic term. Therefore, at the end of the quarter (and academic term), tuition receivable represents amounts due from students for educational services already provided and unearned tuition represents advance payments from students for academic services to be provided in the future. Tuition receivables are not collateralized; however, credit risk is minimized as a result of the diverse nature of the University’s student base. The University establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts primarily based upon historical collection rates by age of receivable (net of recoveries). The Company periodically assesses its methodologies for estimating bad debts in consideration of actual experience. The Company’s tuition receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts were as follows:
			December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2012			2013
	Tuition receivable		$	29,858		$	26,145
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			(6,596	)		(10,303	)
	Tuition receivable, net		$	23,262		$	15,842
	Approximately $3.4 million of tuition receivable is included in "Other assets" in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013, because these amounts are expected to be collected after 12 months.
	The following table illustrates changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for each of the past three years:
			Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)		2011			2012			2013
	Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts		$	7,935		$	7,279		$	6,596
	Additions charged to expense			24,877			23,728			22,225
	Write-offs, net of recoveries			(25,533	)		(24,411	)		(18,518	)
	Ending allowance for doubtful accounts		$	7,279		$	6,596		$	10,303
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. In accordance with the Property, Plant and Equipment Topic, ASC 360, the carrying values of the Company’s assets are re-evaluated when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If it is determined that an impairment loss has occurred based on expected undiscounted future cash flows, then a loss is recognized using a fair-value based model. Through 2013, no such impairment loss had occurred. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 40 years. Depreciation and amortization amounted to $21.5 million, $24.0 and $35.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, and 2013 respectively.
	Construction in progress includes costs of computer software developed for internal use, and is accounted for in accordance with the Internal-Use Software Topic, ASC 350-40. Computer software development costs that are incurred in the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. During the development stage direct consulting costs, payroll and payroll-related costs for employees that are directly associated with the project are capitalized and will be amortized over the estimated useful life of the software once placed into operation. Purchases of property and equipment and changes in accounts payable for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been adjusted to exclude non-cash purchases of property and equipment transactions during that period.
Fair Value	'
	Fair Value
	The Fair Value Measurement Topic, ASC 820-10 (“ASC 820-10”), establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used to measure fair value, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety within the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Under ASC 820-10, fair value of an investment is the price that would be received to sell an asset or to transfer a liability to an entity in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to assets and liabilities with readily available quoted prices in an active market and lowest priority to unobservable inputs which require a higher degree of judgment when measuring fair value, as follows:
	·	Level 1 assets or liabilities use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the measurement date;
	·	Level 2 assets or liabilities use observable inputs, other than quoted market prices, that are either directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace for identical or similar assets and liabilities; and
	·	Level 3 assets or liabilities use unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity.
	The Company’s assets and liabilities that are subject to fair value measurement are categorized in one of the three levels above. Fair values are based on the inputs available at the measurement dates, and may rely on certain assumptions that may affect the valuation of fair value for certain assets or liabilities.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
	Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the amount assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Indefinite-lived intangible assets, which include a trade name, are recorded at fair market value on their acquisition date. An indefinite life was assigned to the trade name because it has the continued ability to generate cash flows indefinitely.
	Goodwill and the indefinite-lived intangible asset are assessed at least annually for impairment during the three-month period ending September 30, or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change between annual tests that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the respective reporting unit below its carrying amount. Under Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08,  Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Goodwill for Impairment , the Company is permitted, but not required, to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the more thorough quantitative goodwill impairment test. Following its qualitative assessment, the Company determined it was not more likely than not that the fair value of its goodwill was less than the carrying amount and, accordingly, no impairment existed in 2013.
Long-Term Liabilities	'
	Long-Term Liabilities
	Included in the Company’s long-term liabilities are the non-current portion of the Company’s borrowings under its term loan and revolving credit facility, liabilities related to the Company's operating leases, deferred payments related to an acquisition, fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap, and the non-current portion of unearned tuition. In conjunction with the opening of some campuses and other facilities, the Company was reimbursed by the lessors for improvements made to those leased properties. In accordance with the Operating Leases Subtopic, ASC 840-20 (“ASC 840-20”), these reimbursements were capitalized as leasehold improvements and a liability was established. The leasehold improvements and the liability are amortized on a straight-line basis over the corresponding lease terms, which generally range from five to ten years. In accordance with ASC 840-20, the Company records rent expense on a straight-line basis over the initial term of a lease. The cumulative difference between the rent payment and the straight-line rent expense is recorded as a liability. The Company also records the non-current portion of the gain related to the sale and lease back of a campus facility as a long-term liability. (See Note 10 below for more information.)
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	On the date that the Company enters into a derivative contract, it designates the derivative as a hedge of (a) a forecasted transaction or (b) the variability of cash flows that are to be received or paid in connection with a recognized asset or liability (a cash flow hedge). All derivatives are recognized in the balance sheet at their fair value.
	Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is highly effective and that is designated and qualifies as a cash flow hedge, to the extent that the hedge is effective, are recorded, net of income tax, in other comprehensive income, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows of the hedged transaction (e.g., until periodic settlements of a variable-rate asset or liability are recorded in earnings). Any hedge ineffectiveness (which represents the amount by which the changes in the fair value of the derivative exceed the variability in the cash flows of the forecasted transaction) is recorded in current-period earnings.
	The Company formally documents all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Company also formally assesses (both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis) whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of hedged items and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods. When it is determined that a derivative is not (or has ceased to be) highly effective as a hedge, the Company discontinues hedge accounting prospectively.
Authorized Stock	'
	Authorized Stock
	The Company has authorized 20,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01, of which 11,387,299 and 10,797,464 shares were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The Company also has authorized 8,000,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which has been issued or outstanding since 2004. Before any preferred stock may be issued in the future, the Board of Directors would need to establish the preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and the terms or conditions of the redemption of the preferred stock.
Advertising Costs	'
	Advertising Costs
	The Company expenses advertising costs in the quarter incurred, except for costs associated with the production of media commercials which are expensed when the commercial is first aired.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	As required by the Stock Compensation Topic, ASC 718, the Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including employee stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, and employee stock purchases related to the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan, based on estimated fair values. Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the period ended December 31 2013, is based on awards ultimately expected to vest and, therefore, has been adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The Company is required to estimate forfeitures at the time of grant and revise, if necessary, the estimate in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The forfeiture rate used is based on historical experience. The Company also assesses the likelihood that performance criteria associated with performance-based awards will be met.  If it is determined that it is more likely than not that performance criteria will not be achieved, the Company revises its estimate of the number of shares it believes will ultimately vest.
Net Income Per Share	'
	Net Income Per Share
	Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the periods. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur assuming conversion or exercise of all dilutive unexercised stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units. The dilutive effect of stock awards was determined using the treasury stock method. Under the treasury stock method, all of the following are assumed to be used to repurchase shares of the Company’s common stock: (1) the proceeds received from the exercise of stock options, (2) the amount of compensation cost associated with the stock awards for future service not yet recognized by the Company, and (3) the amount of tax benefits that would be recorded in additional paid-in capital when the stock awards become deductible for income tax purposes. Stock options are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share when the stock option exercise price of an individual grant exceeds the average market price for the period. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company had no issued and outstanding stock options that were included in the calculation.
	Set forth below is a reconciliation of shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands):
			2011			2012			2013
	Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute basic earnings per share			11,906			11,390			10,584
	Incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options			8			–			–
	Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units			29			50			40
	Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share			11,943			11,440			10,624
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company provides for deferred income taxes based on temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.
	The Income Taxes Topic, ASC 740 (“ASC 740”), requires the company to determine whether uncertain tax positions should be recognized within the Company’s financial statements. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. Uncertain tax positions are recognized when a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is determined to be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. Upon determination, uncertain tax positions are measured to determine the amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position is derecognized if it no longer meets the more likely than not threshold of being sustained.
	The tax years 2012 and 2013 remain open for Federal tax examination and the tax years 2009–2012 remain open to examination by state and local taxing jurisdictions in which the Company is subject.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of expenses during the period reported. The most significant management estimates included allowances for doubtful accounts, the useful lives of property and equipment, fair value of future contractual operating lease obligations, potential sublease income and vacancy periods, accrued expenses, forfeiture rates and the likelihood of achieving performance criteria for stock-based awards, value of free courses earned by students that will be redeemed in the future, valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and the interest rate swap arrangement, and the provision for income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Comprehensive Income	'
	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income consists of net income and unrealized gains or losses on investments in marketable securities, and the change in the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap, net of income taxes.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”), which provides guidance on disclosure requirements for items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The standard requires entities to present (either on the face of the income statement or in the notes to the financial statements) the effects of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income on income statement line items. ASU 2013-02 was effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2013-02 on January 1, 2013, did not have a material impact the Company’s disclosures.
	In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (“ASU 2013-11”). The standard provides that a liability related to an unrecognized tax benefit would be offset against a deferred tax asset instead of presented gross for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward if such settlement is required or expected in the event the uncertain tax position is disallowed. ASU 2013-11 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2013. The Company believes adoption of ASU 2013-11 will not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results from operations.

Significant_Accounting_Policie2

Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of tuition receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts	'
		December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2012			2013
	Tuition receivable	$	29,858		$	26,145
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(6,596	)		(10,303	)
	Tuition receivable, net	$	23,262		$	15,842
Schedule of allowance for doubtful accounts	'
		Year Ended December 31,
	($ in thousands)	2011			2012			2013
	Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts	$	7,935		$	7,279		$	6,596
	Additions charged to expense		24,877			23,728			22,225
	Write-offs, net of recoveries		(25,533	)		(24,411	)		(18,518	)
	Ending allowance for doubtful accounts	$	7,279		$	6,596		$	10,303
Schedule of reconciliation of shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share	'
		2011			2012			2013
	Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute basic earnings per share		11,906			11,390			10,584
	Incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options		8			–			–
	Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units		29			50			40
	Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share		11,943			11,440			10,624

Restructuring_and_Related_Char1

Restructuring and Related Charges (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Restructuring and Related Charges [Abstract]	'
Schedule of restructuring and related costs	'
			Year Ended December 31, 2013
	($ in thousands)		Lease			Severance			Total
			and Related			and Other
			Costs, Net			Employee
						Separation Costs
	Instruction & educational support		$	30,612		$	5,548		$	36,160
	Marketing			—			120			120
	Admissions advisory			—			248			248
	General & administration			17,180			982			18,162
	Total charges		$	47,792		$	6,898		$	54,690
Schedule of restructuring reserve by type of cost	'
	($ in thousands)	Lease			Severance
		and Related			and Other			Total
		Costs, Net			Employee
					Separation Costs
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	—		$	—		$	—
	Restructuring and other charges (1)	47,792			6,898			54,690
	Non-cash adjustments(2)	(5,139		)	1,438			(3,701		)
	Payments	(103		)	(6,120		)	(6,223		)
	Balance at December 31, 2013(1)	$	42,550		$	2,216		$	44,766
	-1	The current portion of restructuring liabilities was $10.4 million as of December 31, 2013, most of which are included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and the long-term portion is included in Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gross obligation associated with restructuring liabilities as of December 31, 2013 is approximately $44.8 million, which principally represents non-cancelable leases that will be paid over the respective lease terms through 2022.
	-2	A total of $48.5 million of non-cash charges were incurred in connection with the restructuring. Non-cash adjustments for lease and related costs include $10.9 million of accelerated depreciation, partially offset by the release of certain deferred rent and leasehold incentive liabilities of approximately $5.7 million. Non-cash adjustments for severance and other employee separation costs represents share-based compensation.

Property_and_Equipment_Tables

Property and Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Composition of property and equipment	'
		2012			2013			Estimated
								useful life
								(years)
	Land	$	7,138		$	7,138			–
	Buildings and improvements		18,188			19,105			May-40
	Furniture, equipment, and computer hardware and software		153,597			159,160			10-May
	Leasehold improvements		38,362			39,299			10-Mar
	Construction in progress		670			790			–
			217,955			225,492
	Accumulated depreciation and amortization		(96,435	)		(131,071	)
		$	121,520		$	94,421

Term_Loan_and_Revolving_Credit1

Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility [Abstract]	'
Schedule of debt and short-term borrowings	'
	Term loan	$	121,875
	Revolving credit facility		–
	Total debt		121,875
	Less: Current portion of long-term debt		3,125
	Long-term debt	$	118,750
Schedule of aggregate debt maturities	'
	2014	$	3,125
	2015		6,250
	2016		112,500
		$	121,875

Fair_Value_Measurement_Tables

Fair Value Measurement (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurement [Abstract]	'
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis	'
					Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		December 31,				Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		2013				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
						Identical Assets/		Observable		Inputs
						Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	8,382			$	8,382	$	–	$	–
	Interest rate swaps		45				–		45		–
	Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	8,427			$	8,382	$	45	$	–
	Liabilities:
	Other liabilities:
	Deferred payments	$	2,115			$	–	$	–	$	2,115
	Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	$	2,115			$	–	$	–	$	2,115
						Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
		December 31,				Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		2012				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
						Identical Assets/		Observable		Inputs
						Liabilities		Inputs		(Level 3)
						(Level 1)		(Level 2)
	Assets:
	Cash equivalents:
	Money market funds	$	1,380			$	1,380	$	–	$	–
	Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$	1,380			$	1,380	$	–	$	–
	Liabilities:
	Other liabilities:
	Interest rate swaps	$	1,211			$	–	$	1, 211	$	–
	Deferred payments		2,119				–		–		2,119
	Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	$	3,330			$	–	$	1, 211	$	2,119
Schedule of changes in fair value of level 3 liability	'
		Deferred
		Payments
	Balance at December 31, 2012	$	2,119
	Amounts earned		(311	)
	Adjustments to fair value		307
	Transfers in or out of Level 3		—
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	2,115

Stock_Options_Restricted_Stock1

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Abstract]	'
Schedule of restricted stock activity	'
			Number of			Weighted-
			shares			average
						grant price
	Balance, December 31, 2010			341,440		$	204.89
	Grants			74,868			130.96
	Vested shares			(17,574	)		131.31
	Forfeitures			(17,790	)		155.01
	Balance, December 31, 2011			380,944		$	194.26
	Grants			82,741			111.44
	Vested shares			(26,189	)		195.58
	Forfeitures			(3,057	)		127.51
	Balance, December 31, 2012			434,439		$	178.88
	Grants			225,741			57.9
	Vested shares			(51,916	)		164.22
	Forfeitures			(120,491	)		140.3
	Balance, December 31, 2013			487,773		$	131.51
Schedule of stock option activity	'
			Number of			Weighted-			Weighted-			Aggregate
			shares			average			average			intrinsic
						exercise price			remaining			value(1)
									contractual			(in thousands)
									life (years)
	Balance, December 31, 2010			100,000		$	107.28			2.1		$	4,494
	Grants			–			–
	Exercises			–			–
	Forfeitures			–			–
	Balance, December 31, 2011			100,000		$	107.28			1.1		$	–
	Grants			–			–
	Exercises			–			–
	Forfeitures			–			–
	Balance, December 31, 2012			100,000		$	107.28			0.1		$	–
	Grants			100,000			51.95
	Exercises						–
	Forfeitures/Expirations			(100,000	)		107.28
	Balance, December 31, 2013			100,000		$	51.95			7		$	–
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013			–		$	–			–			–
	-1	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the respective trading day and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holder had all option been exercised on the respective trading day. The amount of intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.
Summary of number of shares exercisable	'
			Number of			Weighted-
			shares			average
						exercise price
	Exercisable, December 31, 2011			100,000		$	107.28
	Exercisable, December 31, 2012			100,000		$	107.28
	Exercisable, December 31, 2013			-		$	51.95
Schedule of stock-based compensation expense	'
			2011			2012			2013
	Instruction and educational support		$	3,635		$	3,273		$	1,976
	Marketing			65			–			–
	Admissions advisory			–			–			–
	General and administration			9,534			2,191			7,315
	Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense			13,234			5,464			9,291
	Tax benefit			5,245			2,158			3,698
	Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax		$	7,989		$	3,306		$	5,593
Schedule of information regarding share-based payment arrangements	'
			For the year ended
			December 31,
			2011			2012			2013
	Proceeds from stock options exercised		$	–		$	–		$	–
	Excess tax benefits (shortfall) related to share-based payment arrangements		$	(569	)	$	(245	)	$	(3,567	)
	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised(1)		$	–		$	–		$	–
	-1	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised is estimated by taking the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the date of exercise and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options exercised for each option holder and then aggregated.

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities_Tab

Other Long-Term Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Schedule of noncurrent liabilities	'
		2012		2013
	Loss on facilities not in use	$	–	$	34,339
	Deferred rent and other facility costs		11,650		8,258
	Deferred payments (see Note 6)		4,919		4,915
	Unearned tuition		–		1,897
	Lease incentives		3,150		1,353
	Deferred gain on sale of campus building		975		694
	Fair value of interest rate swap (see Note 7)		1,211		–
		$	21,905	$	51,456

Other_Employee_Benefit_Plans_T

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'
Schedule of shares purchased in the open market for employees	'
		Shares		Average price
		purchased		per share
	2011		6,636	$	98.55
	2012		6,549	$	71.14
	2013		8,911	$	42.27

Stock_Repurchase_Plan_Tables

Stock Repurchase Plan (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock Repurchase Plan [Abstract]	'
Schedule of stock repurchase activity	'
		Number of		Average price		Amount available
		shares		paid		for future
		repurchased		per share		repurchases
						(in millions)
	2011		1,581,444	$	128.15	$	80
	2012		484,841	$	51.56	$	95
	2013		495,085	$	50.49	$	70

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]	'
Schedule of minimum rental commitments	'
		Minimum
		rental
		commitments
	2014	$	41,975
	2015		39,740
	2016		34,488
	2017		29,114
	2018		24,155
	Thereafter		47,640
	Total	$	217,112

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]	'
Schedule of income tax provision	'
		2011			2012			2013
	Current:
	Federal	$	53,344		$	36,028		$	26,390
	State		12,081			8,333			4,582
	Total current		65,425			44,361			30,972
	Deferred:
	Federal		4,760			(608	)		(18,387	)
	State		(707	)		(708	)		(1,726	)
	Total deferred		4,053			(1,316	)		(20,113	)
	Total provision for income taxes	$	69,478		$	43,045		$	10,859
Schedule of tax effects of principal temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets	'
		2012			2013
	Tuition receivable	$	4,215		$	4,021
	Employee-related liabilities		280			144
	Other facility-related costs		826			3,684
	Current net deferred tax asset		5,321			7,849
	Property and equipment		(15,972	)		(13,091	)
	Deferred leasing costs		3,475			3,082
	Stock-based compensation		13,814			13,871
	Other facility-related costs		1,484			13,696
	Interest rate swap		474			(18	)
	Other		4			(411	)
	Long-term net deferred tax asset		3,279			17,129
	Net deferred tax asset	$	8,600		$	24,978
Schedule of reconciliation between statutory tax rate and effective tax rate	'
		2011			2012			2013
	Statutory federal rate		35	%		35	%		35	%
	State income taxes, net of federal benefits		4.3			4.3			4.6
	Other		0.3			0.2			0.2
	Effective tax rate		39.6	%		39.5	%		39.8	%

Summarized_Quarterly_Financial1

Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Summarized Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]	'
Schedule of quarterly financial information	'
	Quarter
	2012	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Revenues	$	149,532	$	146,254	$	124,260	$	141,933
	Income from operations		40,858		36,168		7,836		28,725
	Net income		23,989		21,212		4,103		16,627
	Net income per share:
	Basic	$	2.1	$	1.86	$	0.36	$	1.47
	Diluted	$	2.09	$	1.85	$	0.36	$	1.47
		Quarter
	2013	First		Second		Third		Fourth
	Revenues	$	137,506	$	131,980	$	110,031	$	124,083
	Income (loss) from operations		29,919		26,257		6,621		(30,096	)
	Net income (loss)		17,231		15,002		3,149		(18,957	)
	Net income (loss) per share:
	Basic	$	1.59	$	1.43	$	0.3	$	(1.80	)
	Diluted	$	1.59	$	1.42	$	0.3	$	(1.80	)

Nature_of_Operations_Details

Nature of Operations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	Segments
Nature of Operations [Abstract]	'
Number of reporting segments	1

Significant_Accounting_Policie3

Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of tuition receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts	'	'
Tuition receivable	$26,145	$29,858
Allowances for doubtful accounts	-10,303	-6,596
Tuition receivable, net	$15,842	$23,262

Significant_Accounting_Policie4

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of allowance for doubtful accounts	'	'	'
Beginning allowance for doubtful accounts	$6,596	$7,279	$7,935
Additions charged to expense	22,225	23,728	24,877
Write-offs, net of recoveries	-18,518	-24,411	-25,533
Ending allowance for doubtful accounts	$10,303	$6,596	$7,279

Significant_Accounting_Policie5

Significant Accounting Policies (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of reconciliation of shares used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute basic earnings per share	10,584	11,390	11,906
Incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options	'	'	8
Unvested restricted stock and restricted stock units	40	50	29
Shares used to compute diluted earnings per share	10,624	11,440	11,943

Significant_Accounting_Policie6

Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Percentage of tuition revenue in total revenue	96.00%	'	'
Tuition receivable included in other assets	$3,400,000	'	'
Depreciation and amortization on property and equipment	$35,563,000	$23,973,000	$21,525,000
Common stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01	'
Common stock, shares issued	10,797,464	11,387,299	'
Common stock, shares outstanding	10,797,464	11,387,299	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	8,000,000	'	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	'	'	'
Income tax description	'Upon determination, uncertain tax positions are measured to determine the amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax position is derecognized if it no longer meets the more likely than not threshold of being sustained.	'	'
Issued and outstanding of stock options	'	'	8,000
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life of property and equipment	'3 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated useful life of property and equipment	'40 years	'	'

Restructuring_and_Related_Char2

Restructuring and Related Charges (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Cost Reduction Initiatives and Related Charges [Line Items]	'	'	'
Instruction and educational support	$310,446	$300,098	$292,003
Marketing	75,426	71,864	74,293
Admissions advisory	20,390	26,374	26,531
General & administration	64,637	50,056	55,464
Total charges	470,899	448,392	448,291
Restructuring and Related Charges [Member]	'	'	'
Cost Reduction Initiatives and Related Charges [Line Items]	'	'	'
Instruction and educational support	36,160	'	'
Marketing	120	'	'
Admissions advisory	248	'	'
General & administration	18,162	'	'
Total charges	54,690	'	'
Lease and Related Costs [Member] | Restructuring and Related Charges [Member]	'	'	'
Cost Reduction Initiatives and Related Charges [Line Items]	'	'	'
Instruction and educational support	30,612	'	'
Marketing	'	'	'
Admissions advisory	'	'	'
General & administration	17,180	'	'
Total charges	47,792	'	'
Severance and Other Employee Separation Costs [Member] | Restructuring and Related Charges [Member]	'	'	'
Cost Reduction Initiatives and Related Charges [Line Items]	'	'	'
Instruction and educational support	5,548	'	'
Marketing	120	'	'
Admissions advisory	248	'	'
General & administration	982	'	'
Total charges	$6,898	'	'

Restructuring_and_Related_Char3

Restructuring and Related Charges (Details 1) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Cost Reduction Initiatives and Related Charges [Line Items]	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	'
Restructuring and other charges (1)	54,690	[1]
Non-cash adjustments(2)	-3,701	[2]
Payments	-6,223
Balance at December 31, 2013(1)	44,766	[1]
Lease and Related Costs [Member]	'
Cost Reduction Initiatives and Related Charges [Line Items]	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	'
Restructuring and other charges (1)	47,792	[1]
Non-cash adjustments(2)	-5,139	[2]
Payments	-103
Balance at December 31, 2013(1)	42,550	[1]
Severance and Other Employee Separation Costs [Member]	'
Cost Reduction Initiatives and Related Charges [Line Items]	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	'
Restructuring and other charges (1)	6,898	[1]
Non-cash adjustments(2)	1,438	[2]
Payments	-6,120
Balance at December 31, 2013(1)	$2,216	[1]
[1]	The current portion of restructuring liabilities was $10.4 million as of December 31, 2013, most of which are included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and the long-term portion is included in Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gross obligation associated with restructuring liabilities as of December 31, 2013 is approximately $44.8 million, which principally represents non-cancelable leases that will be paid over the respective lease terms through 2022.
[2]	A total of $48.5 million of non-cash charges were incurred in connection with the restructuring. Non-cash adjustments for lease and related costs include $10.9 million of accelerated depreciation, partially offset by the release of certain deferred rent and leasehold incentive liabilities of approximately $5.7 million. Non-cash adjustments for severance and other employee separation costs represents share-based compensation.

Restructuring_and_Related_Char4

Restructuring and Related Charges (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
	Campus
Restructuring and Related Charges [Abstract]	'		'
Restructuring liabilities	$10,400,000		'
Restructuring charges gross obligations liability	44,766,000	[1]	'
Lease term expire	'2022		'
Campus location closed	20		'
Contractual obligation	36,000,000		'
Severance and other employee separation costs	6,900,000		'
Restructuring and related cost, accelerated depreciation	10,900,000		'
Non-cash charges incurred with restructing	48,500,000		'
Deferred rent and leasehold incentives	5,700,000		'
Severance and other employee separation costs paid	$6,100,000		'
[1]	The current portion of restructuring liabilities was $10.4 million as of December 31, 2013, most of which are included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and the long-term portion is included in Other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gross obligation associated with restructuring liabilities as of December 31, 2013 is approximately $44.8 million, which principally represents non-cancelable leases that will be paid over the respective lease terms through 2022.

Property_and_Equipment_Details

Property and Equipment (Details) (USD $)

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Land [Member]

Land [Member]

Buildings and improvements [Member]

Buildings and improvements [Member]

Buildings and improvements [Member]

Buildings and improvements [Member]

Furniture, equipment and computer hardware and software [Member]

Furniture, equipment and computer hardware and software [Member]

Furniture, equipment and computer hardware and software [Member]

Furniture, equipment and computer hardware and software [Member]

Leasehold improvements [Member]

Leasehold improvements [Member]

Leasehold improvements [Member]

Leasehold improvements [Member]

Construction in progress [Member]

Construction in progress [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Estimated useful life (years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'5 years

'40 years

'

'

'5 years

'10 years

'

'

'3 years

'10 years

'

'

Property and equipment, gross

$225,492

$217,955

$7,138

$7,138

$19,105

$18,188

'

'

$159,160

$153,597

'

'

$39,299

$38,362

'

'

$790

$670

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

-131,071

-96,435

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property and equipment, net

$94,421

$121,520

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Property_and_Equipment_Details1

Property and Equipment (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Property and Equipment [Abstract]	'	'
Leasehold improvements reimbursed by lessors as lease incentives	$0.30	$1.10
Fixed assets written off	$0.80	$12.50

Restricted_Cash_Details

Restricted Cash (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
Restricted Cash (Textual)	'
Minimum protective endowment	$500,000

Acquisition_Details

Acquisition (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 27, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013
			Certain assets of Jack Welch Management Institute [Member]	Certain assets of Jack Welch Management Institute [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Purchase price paid for acquisition of certain assets of the Jack Welch Management Institute	'	'	$7,000,000	'
Cash received form Mr. Welch representing his economic interest in JWMI	'	'	2,800,000	'
Deferred payments to the sellers	'	'	'	2,100,000
Value of acquired course content	'	'	800,000	'
Estimated useful life of course content	'	'	'5 years	'
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets	'	'	1,600,000	'
Goodwill	$6,800,000	$6,800,000	$6,800,000	'

Term_Loan_and_Revolving_Credit2

Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of debt and short-term borrowings	'	'
Total debt	$121,875	'
Less: Current portion of long-term debt	3,125	3,125
Long-term debt	118,750	121,875
Term loan [Member]	'	'
Schedule of debt and short-term borrowings	'	'
Total debt	121,875	'
Revolving credit facility [Member]	'	'
Schedule of debt and short-term borrowings	'	'
Total debt	'	'

Term_Loan_and_Revolving_Credit3

Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of aggregate debt maturities	'
2014	$3,125
2015	6,250
2016	112,500
Total debt	$121,875

Term_Loan_and_Revolving_Credit4

Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Nov. 08, 2012
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Maturity date	31-Dec-16	'	'
Long term debt	'	$121,875,000	'
Term loan facility, quarterly amortization payments, during 2013	'	'	781,250
Term loan facility, quarterly amortization payments, during 2014	'	'	781,250
Term loan facility, quarterly amortization payments, during 2015	'	'	1,562,500
Term loan facility, quarterly amortization payments, during 2016	'	'	1,562,500
Quarterly payment percentage of aggregate original principal amount of term loan facility in year one and two	'	'	0.63%
Quarterly payment percentage of aggregate original principal amount of term loan facility in year three and four	'	'	1.25%
Cash interest paid	'	4,600,000	'
Average annual interest rate	'	4.40%	'
Covenant terms required by credit facility	'	'1) A total leverage ratio of not greater than 2.00:1.00; 2) A coverage ratio of not less than 1.75:1.00; 3) A Department of Education financial composite score of not less than 1.5.	'
Maximum total leverage ratio	'	2	'
Minimum coverage ratio	'	1.75	'
Minimum department of education financial composite score	'	1.5	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, value	'	'	100,000,000
Long term debt	'	'	'
Option to increase commitments under credit facility	'	'	50,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Debt instrument description of variable rate basis	'	'base rate	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Margin rate for interest if using base rate	'	2.00%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Margin rate for interest if using base rate	'	2.50%	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Debt instrument description of variable rate basis	'	'LIBOR	'
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Letter of Credit [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Letter of credit subfacility	'	'	50,000,000
Term Loan Facility [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Revolving credit facility, value	'	'	125,000,000
Long term debt	'	$121,875,000	'
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Unused commitment fee	'	0.30%	'
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Unused commitment fee	'	0.40%	'
Term Loan Facility [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility (Textual)	'	'	'
Interest rate swap, fixed rate minimum	'	2.85%	'
Interest rate swap, fixed rate maximum	'	3.35%	'

Fair_Value_Measurement_Details

Fair Value Measurement (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	$8,427	$1,380
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	2,115	3,330
Deferred Payments [Member]	'	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	2,115	2,119
Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	45	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'	1,211
Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	8,382	1,380
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	8,382	1,380
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member] | Deferred Payments [Member]	'	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities (Level 1) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	8,382	1,380
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	45	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'	1,211
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Deferred Payments [Member]	'	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	45	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'	1,211
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	2,115	2,119
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Deferred Payments [Member]	'	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	2,115	2,119
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Interest Rate Swaps [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Other liabilities:	'	'
Total liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Money Market Funds [Member]	'	'
Cash equivalents:	'	'
Total assets at fair value on a recurring basis	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurement_Details1

Fair Value Measurement (Details 1) (Deferred Payments [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Payments [Member]	'
Schedule of changes in fair value of level 3 liability	'
Balance at December 31, 2012	$2,119
Amounts earned	-311
Adjustments to fair value	307
Transfers in or out of Level 3	'
Balance at December 31, 2013	$2,115

Fair_Value_Measurement_Details2

Fair Value Measurement (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	Swap
Fair Value Measurement (Textual)	'	'
Carrying value of the debt	$121,875,000	'
Number of interest rate swaps	2	'
Interest rate swap, notional amount	121,900,000	'
Fair value assets and liabilities hierarchy level transfers amount	'	'
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurement (Textual)	'	'
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, goodwill	6,800,000	6,800,000
Assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, other indefinite-lived intangible assets	$1,600,000	$1,600,000

Stock_Options_Restricted_Stock2

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Details) (Restricted Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Restricted Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of restricted stock activity	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Number of shares	434,439	380,944	341,440
Grants, Number of shares	225,741	82,741	74,868
Vested shares, Number of shares	-51,916	-26,189	-17,574
Forfeitures, Number of shares	-120,491	-3,057	-17,790
Ending Balance, Number of shares	487,773	434,439	380,944
Beginning Balance, Weighted-average grant price	$178.88	$194.26	$204.89
Grants, Weighted-average grant price	$57.90	$111.44	$130.96
Vested shares, Weighted-average grant price	$164.22	$195.58	$131.31
Forfeitures, Weighted-average grant price	$140.30	$127.51	$155.01
Ending Balance, Weighted-average grant price	$131.51	$178.88	$194.26

Stock_Options_Restricted_Stock3

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Details 1) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of stock option activity	'	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Number of shares	100,000	100,000	100,000	'
Grants, Number of shares	100,000	'	'	'
Exercises, Number of shares	'	'	'	'
Forfeitures/Expirations, Number of shares	-100,000	'	'	'
Ending Balance, Number of shares	100,000	100,000	100,000	100,000
Exercisable, Number of shares	'	100,000	100,000	'
Beginning Balance, Weighted-average exercise price	$107.28	$107.28	$107.28	'
Grants, Weighted-average exercise price	$51.95	'	'	'
Exercises, Weighted-average exercise price	'	'	'	'
Forfeitures/Expirations, Weighted-average exercise price	$107.28	'	'	'
Ending Balance, Weighted-average exercise price	$51.95	$107.28	$107.28	$107.28
Exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price	$51.95	$107.28	$107.28	'
Weighted-average remaining contractual life (yrs.)	'7 years	'1 month 6 days	'1 year 1 month 6 days	'2 years 1 month 6 days
Exercisable, Weighted-average remaining contractual life (yrs.)	'0 years	'	'	'
Beginning Balance, Aggregate intrinsic value	'	'	$4,494	'
Ending Balance, Aggregate intrinsic value	'	'	'	4,494
Exercisable, Aggregate intrinsic value	'	'	'	'

Stock_Options_Restricted_Stock4

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Details 2) (Stock Options [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Options [Member]	'	'	'
Summary of number of shares exercisable	'	'	'
Exercisable, Number of shares	'	100,000	100,000
Exercisable, Weighted-average exercise price	$51.95	$107.28	$107.28

Stock_Options_Restricted_Stock5

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Details 3) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense	$9,291	$5,464	$13,234
Tax benefit	3,698	2,158	5,245
Stock-based compensation expense, net of income tax	5,593	3,306	7,989
Instruction and educational support [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense	1,976	3,273	3,635
Marketing [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense	'	'	65
Admissions advisory [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense	'	'	'
General and administration [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expense	$7,315	$2,191	$9,534

Stock_Options_Restricted_Stock6

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Details 4) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of information regarding share-based payment arrangements	'	'	'
Proceeds from stock options exercised	'	'	'
Excess tax benefits (shortfall) related to share-based payment arrangements	-3,567	-245	-569
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised (1)	'	'	'

Stock_Options_Restricted_Stock7

Stock Options, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	31-May-13	Mar. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
		1996 Equity Compensation Plan [Member]	2011 Equity Compensation Plan [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	Minimum [Member]	Maximum [Member]
							Non-employee [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]	Restricted Stock [Member]
Stock Options and Restricted Stock (Textual)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares approved for grants	'	'	'	43,659	'	165,712	16,370	'	'
Shares available for grant	'	350,000	300,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Vesting period, years	'	'	'	'4 years	'	'	'3 years	'3 years	'5 years
Closing price of stock on date of stock grant	'	'	'	'	'	$62.28	$45.81	'	'
Restricted shares converted to restricted stock units	'	'	'	'	200,000	'	'	'	'
Maximum term of the awards granted under the Plan	'10 years	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation cost which has not yet been recognized	$34.50	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation cost recognized period, in months	'54 months	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock awarded subject to performance condition	351,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of shares not meeting performance criteria	45,920	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Reduction in stock based compensation	$7	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities_Det

Other Long-Term Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]	'	'
Loss on facilities not in use	$34,339	'
Deferred rent and other facility costs	8,258	11,650
Deferred payments (see Note 6)	4,915	4,919
Unearned tuition	1,897	'
Lease incentives	1,353	3,150
Deferred gain on sale of campus building	694	975
Fair value of interest rate swap (see Note 7)	'	1,211
Total other long-term liabilities	$51,456	$21,905

Other_LongTerm_Liabilities_Det1

Other Long-Term Liabilities (Details Textual) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2007	Dec. 31, 2013
	Asset
Other Long -Term Liabilities (Textual)	'	'
Sale price of one of campus buildings	$5.80	'
Sale and lease back term for most of the campus building	'	'Over a 10-year period
Sale and lease back term	'10 years	'
Gain on sale and lease back of one of campus buildings before tax	$2.80	'
Number of assets sold	1	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'
Other Long -Term Liabilities (Textual)	'	'
Leasehold improvements and long-term liability amortization period	'	'5 years
Maximum [Member]	'	'
Other Long -Term Liabilities (Textual)	'	'
Leasehold improvements and long-term liability amortization period	'	'10 years

Other_Employee_Benefit_Plans_D

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (Employee Stock [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Employee Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Shares purchased	8,911	6,549	6,636
Average price per share	$42.27	$71.14	$98.55

Other_Employee_Benefit_Plans_D1

Other Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Other Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]	'	'	'
Maximum annual contribution to 401(k) plan by employees, effective January 1, 2014	$17,500	'	'
Percentage of company matching contribution to 401(K) plan	50.00%	'	'
Defined contribution plan employer matching contribution percent	3.00%	'	'
Company's contributions to 401(K) plan	$1,100,000	$2,900,000	$2,700,000
Common stock shares purchase price limit for employees as percentage of market value under Employee Stock Purchase Plan	90.00%	'	'
Employee stock purchase plan maximum percentage of purchase employee can make on eligible compensation	10.00%	'	'
Maximum number of shares available for purchase by participating employees	2,500,000	'	'

Stock_Repurchase_Plan_Details

Stock Repurchase Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of stock repurchase activity	'	'	'
Amount available for future purchases	$70	$95	$80
Common Stock [Member]	'	'	'
Schedule of stock repurchase activity	'	'	'
Number of shares repurchased	495,085	484,841	1,581,444
Average price paid per share	$50.49	$51.56	$128.15
Amount available for future purchases	$70	$95	$80

Stock_Repurchase_Plan_Details_

Stock Repurchase Plan (Details Textual) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 03, 2003	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Repurchase Plan (Textual)	'	'	'	'
Authorized common stock for repurchases, amount	$15	'	'	'
Remaining authorized share for repurchases, amount	'	$70	$95	$80

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of minimum rental commitments	'
2014	$41,975
2015	39,740
2016	34,488
2017	29,114
2018	24,155
Thereafter	47,640
Total	$217,112

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	Campus
	Lease
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual)	'	'	'
Number of long-term, non-cancelable operating leases	99	'	'
Rent expense	$82.20	$46.50	$42.20
Charges related to the closure of campuses and other administrative facilities	$36	'	'
Number of locations to be closed	20	'	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$26,390	$36,028	$53,344
State	4,582	8,333	12,081
Total current	30,972	44,361	65,425
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	-18,387	-608	4,760
State	-1,726	-708	-707
Total deferred	-20,113	-1,316	4,053
Total provision for income taxes	$10,859	$43,045	$69,478

Income_Taxes_Details_1

Income Taxes (Details 1) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of tax effects of principal temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets	'	'
Tuition receivable	$4,021	$4,215
Employee-related liabilities	144	280
Other facility-related costs	3,684	826
Current net deferred tax asset	7,849	5,321
Property and equipment	-13,091	-15,972
Deferred leasing costs	3,082	3,475
Stock-based compensation	13,871	13,814
Other facility-related costs	13,696	1,484
Interest rate swap	-18	474
Other	-411	4
Long-term net deferred tax asset	17,129	3,279
Net deferred tax asset	$24,978	$8,600

Income_Taxes_Details_2

Income Taxes (Details 2)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of reconciliation between statutory tax rate and effective tax rate	'	'	'
Statutory federal rate	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State income taxes, net of federal benefits	4.60%	4.30%	4.30%
Other	0.20%	0.20%	0.30%
Effective tax rate	39.80%	39.50%	39.60%

Income_Taxes_Details_Textual

Income Taxes (Details Textual) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes (Textual)	'	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits	$0.20	'	'
Liability for uncertain tax positions, current	2.2	'	'
Cash payments for income taxes	$26.50	$47.40	$67

Summarized_Quarterly_Financial2

Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Schedule of quarterly financial information	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$124,083	$110,031	$131,980	$137,506	$141,933	$124,260	$146,254	$149,532	$503,600	$561,979	$627,434
Income (loss) from operations	-30,096	6,621	26,257	29,919	28,725	7,836	36,168	40,858	32,701	113,587	179,143
Net income (loss)	($18,957)	$3,149	$15,002	$17,231	$16,627	$4,103	$21,212	$23,989	$16,425	$65,930	$106,044
Net income per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic	($1.80)	$0.30	$1.43	$1.59	$1.47	$0.36	$1.86	$2.10	$1.55	$5.79	$8.91
Diluted	($1.80)	$0.30	$1.42	$1.59	$1.47	$0.36	$1.85	$2.09	$1.55	$5.76	$8.88

Regulation_Details

Regulation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Regulation [Abstract]	'
Percentage of annual loans payment	30.00%
Average of median annual earning percentage	8.00%
Average of median discretionary percentage	20.00%
Title IV ineligible description	'Under the pCDR, a program would become Title IV ineligible for 3 years if the three-year default rate of three consecutive cohorts of students is greater than or equal to 30%.