American Public Education (APEI) 10-Q 5 Nov 13 2013 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Nov. 04, 2013
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-13	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'APEI	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AMERICAN PUBLIC EDUCATION INC	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001201792	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	17,519,893

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$143,780	$114,901
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $11,497 in 2013 and $11,106 in 2012	7,004	10,428
Prepaid expenses	4,131	4,290
Income tax receivable	1,891	4,953
Deferred income taxes	4,011	6,502
Total current assets	160,817	141,074
Property and equipment, net	88,097	82,840
Note receivable	6,000	6,000
Investments	10,557	6,664
Other assets, net	1,266	1,025
Total assets	266,737	237,603
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	12,179	17,251
Accrued liabilities	14,193	12,042
Income taxes payable	'	'
Deferred revenue and student deposits	28,762	25,777
Total current liabilities	55,134	55,070
Deferred income taxes	10,364	11,380
Total liabilities	65,498	66,450
Commitments and contingencies (Note 2)	'	'
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; Authorized shares - 10,000; no shares issued or outstanding	'	'
Common stock, $.01 par value; Authorized shares - 100,000; 17,679 issued and outstanding in 2013; 17,844 issued; and outstanding in 2012	177	178
Additional paid-in capital	161,891	157,449
Retained earnings	39,171	13,526
Total stockholders' equity	201,239	171,153
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$266,737	$237,603

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
Accounts receivable, allowance	$11,497	$11,106
Preferred stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, Authorized shares	10,000	10,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	'
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	'	'
Common stock, par value	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, Authorized shares	100,000	100,000
Common stock, issued	17,679	17,844
Common stock, outstanding	17,679	17,844

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenues	$81,777	$77,122	$246,542	$227,516
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'	'
Instructional costs and services	28,139	26,436	83,751	80,538
Selling and promotional	15,989	14,430	48,573	43,276
General and administrative	16,766	15,978	51,403	48,191
Depreciation and amortization	3,376	2,760	9,895	8,131
Total costs and expenses	64,270	59,604	193,622	180,136
Income from operations before interest income and income taxes	17,507	17,518	52,920	47,380
Interest income, net	77	30	230	17
Income before income taxes	17,584	17,548	53,150	47,397
Income tax expense	6,612	6,724	20,006	18,249
Equity investment loss, net of taxes	-61	'	-107	'
Net income	$10,911	$10,824	$33,037	$29,148
Net Income per common share:	'	'	'	'
Basic	$0.62	$0.61	$1.87	$1.64
Diluted	$0.61	$0.60	$1.84	$1.61
Weighted average number of common shares:	'	'	'	'
Basic	17,658,317	17,706,088	17,689,055	17,823,508
Diluted	17,876,747	17,950,524	17,942,798	18,103,996

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Operating activities	'	'
Net income	$33,037	$29,148
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities	'	'
Increase in allowance for bad debt	391	6,917
Depreciation and amortization	9,895	8,131
Stock-based compensation	3,004	2,870
Stock issued for director compensation	77	87
Loss on disposal	60	'
Investment loss	107	'
Deferred income taxes	1,475	-2,157
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts receivable	3,033	-17,278
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-6	1,398
Income tax receivable	3,062	-1,764
Accounts payable	-5,072	2,694
Accrued liabilities	2,151	1,716
Deferred revenue and student deposits	2,985	2,734
Net cash provided by operating activities	54,199	34,496
Investing activities	'	'
Capital expenditures	-15,093	-28,510
Equity investment	-4,000	-6,750
Note Receivable	'	-6,000
Capitalized program development costs and other assets	-195	-372
Net cash used in investing activities	-19,288	-41,632
Financing activities	'	'
Cash paid for repurchase of common/restricted stock	-8,233	-13,128
Cash received from issuance of common stock	1,718	934
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	483	1,885
Net cash used in financing activities	-6,032	-10,309
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	28,879	-17,445
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	114,901	119,006
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	143,780	101,561
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	'	'
Income taxes paid	$14,985	$10,401

Nature_of_the_Business

Nature of the Business	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Nature of the Business	'
	1. Nature of the Business
	American Public Education, Inc. (“APEI”) together with its subsidiary (the “Company”) is a provider of online post-secondary education directed primarily at the needs of the military and public service communities that operates in one reportable segment. APEI’s subsidiary, American Public University System, Inc., a West Virginia corporation, operates American Public University System (“APUS”) which is a regionally accredited online post-secondary university that includes American Military University (“AMU”) and American Public University (“APU”).
	APUS achieved regional accreditation in May 2006 with The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and has been eligible to participate in federal student aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, which we refer to as Title IV programs, since November 2006.

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation	'
	2. Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”).  All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statement presentations. In the opinion of management, these statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present a fair statement of our consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows. Operating results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2013. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and footnotes in its audited financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	There have been no applicable pronouncements since our last filing.
	Investments
	On September 30, 2012, the Company made a $6.8 million or approximately 19.9% investment in preferred stock of NWHW Holdings, Inc. (“NWHW Holdings”), which in turn acquired New Horizons Worldwide, Inc. (“New Horizons”). New Horizons is a global IT training company operating in approximately 260 locations around the world through franchise arrangements in 41 states and 63 countries. In connection with the investment, APEI is entitled to certain rights, including right to representation on the Board of Directors of NWHW Holdings. The Company recorded the investment at cost and will recognize its share of earnings or losses in the investee in the periods for which they are reported with a corresponding adjustment in the carrying amount of the investment.
	On February 20, 2013, the Company made a $4.0 million investment in preferred stock of Fidelis Education,  Inc. (“Fidelis Education”), representing approximately 21.6% of its fully diluted equity. Fidelis Education is developing a technology platform that will assist working adult students with education advising and career mentoring services as they pursue college degrees.  In connection with the investment, APEI is entitled to certain rights, including right to representation on the Board of Directors. The Company recorded the investment at cost and will recognize its share of earnings or losses in the investee in the periods for which they are reported with a corresponding adjustment in the carrying amount of the investment.
	Note Receivable
	In connection with the Company's minority investment in NWHW Holdings, the Company extended $6.0 million in credit to New Horizons in exchange for a subordinated note. The note matures on September 28, 2018, with monthly interest payments of 5.0% per annum during the first five years of the note and interest payments of 6.0% per annum in the sixth year. We evaluate the loan receivable by analyzing the borrower's creditworthiness, cash flows and financial status, and the condition and estimated value of the collateral. We consider a loan to be impaired when, based upon current information and events, we believe it is probable that we will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.
	Commitments and Contingencies
	The Company accrues for costs associated with contingencies including, but not limited to, regulatory compliance and legal matters when such costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Liabilities established to provide for contingencies are adjusted as further information develops, circumstances change, or contingencies are resolved. The Company bases these accruals on management’s estimate of such costs, which may vary from the ultimate cost and expenses associated with any such contingency.
	From time to time, the Company may be involved in litigation in the normal course of its business.  The Company is not aware of any pending or threatened litigation matters that, in the opinion of management, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, operations, financial condition or cash flows.
	Concentration
	Approximately 36%  and 37% of the Company’s revenues for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 were derived from students who received tuition assistance from tuition assistance programs sponsored by the United States Department of Defense (“DoD”) compared to approximately 37% and 39% of the Company’s revenues for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012.  Approximately 16% of the Company’s revenues for each of the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 was derived from students who were eligible for veterans benefits, compared to approximately 14% and 13% of the Company’s revenues for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012. Approximately 37% and 36% of the Company’s revenues for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2013, were from students using financial aid under the Title IV programs compared to 37% and 35% for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2012. A reduction in any of these programs or a change in maximum benefits allowed to students thereunder could have a significant impact on the Company’s operations.

Net_Income_Per_Common_Share

Net Income Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Net Income Per Common Share	'
	3. Net Income Per Common Share
	Basic net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share increases the shares used in the per share calculation by the dilutive effects of options and restricted stock.  Stock options are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share when their effect is anti-dilutive.  There were 2,770 and 169,919 anti-dilutive stock options excluded from the calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 439,647 and 265,495 anti-dilutive stock options excluded from the calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	'
	4. Income Taxes
	The Company is subject to U.S. Federal income taxes as well as income taxes of multiple state jurisdictions.  For Federal and state tax purposes, the tax years from 2010 to 2012 remain open to examination.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	5. Stock-Based Compensation
	On March 15, 2011, the Board of Directors adopted the American Public Education, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2011 Incentive Plan”), and APEI’s stockholders approved the 2011 Incentive Plan on May 6, 2011, at which time the 2011 Incentive Plan became effective. Upon effectiveness of the 2011 Incentive Plan, APEI ceased making awards under the American Public Education, Inc. 2007 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2007 Incentive Plan”). The 2011 Incentive Plan allows APEI to grant up to 2,000,000 shares plus any shares of common stock that are subject to outstanding awards under the American Public Education, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2002 Stock Plan”) or the 2007 Incentive Plan that terminate due to expiration, forfeiture, cancellation or otherwise without the issuance of such shares.  As of September 30, 2013, there were 588,968 shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2002 Stock Plan and the 2007 Incentive Plan and 178,227 shares subject to outstanding awards under the 2011 Incentive Plan.  Awards under the 2011 Incentive Plan may include the following award types: stock options, which may be either incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options; stock appreciation rights; restricted stock; restricted stock units; dividend equivalent rights; performance shares; performance units; cash-based awards; other stock-based awards, including unrestricted shares; or any combination of the foregoing.
	Stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock grants is expensed over the vesting period using the straight-line method for Company employees and the graded-vesting method for members of the Board of Directors and is measured using APEI’s stock price on the date of grant. The fair value of each option award is estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Prior to 2012, we calculated the expected term of stock option awards using the “simplified method” in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletins  No. 107 and 110 because we lacked sufficient historical data and were unable to make reasonable expectations regarding the future. We also estimate forfeitures of share-based awards at the time of grant and revise such estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from original projections. We make assumptions with respect to expected stock price volatility based on the average historical volatility of peers with similar attributes. In addition, we determine the risk-free interest rate by selecting the U.S. Treasury five-year constant maturity, quoted on an investment basis in effect at the time of grant for that business day. In the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 there were no options granted.
	Options granted through September 30, 2013 vest ratably over periods of three to five years and expire in seven to ten years from the date of grant.  Option activity is summarized as follows (unaudited):
		Number			Weighted			Weighted-Average			Aggregate
		of Options			Average			Contractual			Intrinsic
					Exercise Price			Life (Yrs)			Value
											(In thousands)
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012		691,082		$	26.59
	Options granted		—		$	—
	Awards exercised		(96,665	)	$	17.15
	Awards forfeited		(17,983	)	$	37.64
	Outstanding, September 30, 2013		576,434		$	27.82			3.19		$	5,750
	Exercisable, September 30, 2013		520,796		$	26.79			3.08		$	5,735
	The following table summarizes information regarding stock option exercises (unaudited):
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Proceeds from stock options exercised	$	1,658		$	934
	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	2,022		$	6,204
	Tax benefit from exercises	$	339		$	2,122
	The table below summarizes the restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited):
		Number			Weighted-Average
		of Shares			Grant Price
					and Fair Value
	Non-vested, December 31, 2012		136,397		$	39.21
	Shares granted		123,951		$	37.5
	Vested shares		(65,585	)	$	37.7
	Shares forfeited		(4,002	)	$	39.94
	Non-vested, September 30, 2013		190,761		$	38.61
	Stock-based compensation cost charged against income during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Instructional costs and services	$	224		$	213		$	653		$	669
	Marketing and promotional		113			96			331			288
	General and administrative		685			631			2,020			1,913
	Stock-based compensation expense in operating income		1,022			940			3,004			2,870
	Tax benefit		(404	)		(372	)		(1,190	)		(1,136	)
	Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	618		$	568		$	1,814		$	1,734
	As of  September 30, 2013, there was $5.3 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, representing $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost associated with share-based compensation arrangements, and $5.1 million of unrecognized compensation cost associated with non-vested restricted stock.  The total remaining cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.5 years.

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Subsequent Events	'
	6. Subsequent Events
	On November 1, 2013, the Company announced that it had acquired National Education Seminars, Inc., operating as Hondros College, Nursing Programs (“HCON”), in a stock purchase transaction. The Company acquired all of the outstanding equity of HCON for an adjusted aggregate purchase price, subject to post-closing working capital adjustments, of $45.0 million. The Company assumed no debt in the acquisition of HCON.

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Option Activity	'
	Option activity is summarized as follows (unaudited):
		Number			Weighted			Weighted-Average			Aggregate
		of Options			Average			Contractual			Intrinsic
					Exercise Price			Life (Yrs)			Value
											(In thousands)
	Outstanding, December 31, 2012		691,082		$	26.59
	Options granted		—		$	—
	Awards exercised		(96,665	)	$	17.15
	Awards forfeited		(17,983	)	$	37.64
	Outstanding, September 30, 2013		576,434		$	27.82			3.19		$	5,750
	Exercisable, September 30, 2013		520,796		$	26.79			3.08		$	5,735
Stock Option Exercise	'
	The following table summarizes information regarding stock option exercises (unaudited):
		September 30, 2013			September 30, 2012
		(In thousands)
	Proceeds from stock options exercised	$	1,658		$	934
	Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	2,022		$	6,204
	Tax benefit from exercises	$	339		$	2,122
Restricted Stock Activity	'
	The table below summarizes the restricted stock activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 (unaudited):
		Number			Weighted-Average
		of Shares			Grant Price
					and Fair Value
	Non-vested, December 31, 2012		136,397		$	39.21
	Shares granted		123,951		$	37.5
	Vested shares		(65,585	)	$	37.7
	Shares forfeited		(4,002	)	$	39.94
	Non-vested, September 30, 2013		190,761		$	38.61
Stock-Based Compensation Cost Charged Against Income	'
	Stock-based compensation cost charged against income during the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2012 is as follows:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2012			2013			2012
		(Unaudited)						(Unaudited)
		(In thousands)						(In thousands)
	Instructional costs and services	$	224		$	213		$	653		$	669
	Marketing and promotional		113			96			331			288
	General and administrative		685			631			2,020			1,913
	Stock-based compensation expense in operating income		1,022			940			3,004			2,870
	Tax benefit		(404	)		(372	)		(1,190	)		(1,136	)
	Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	618		$	568		$	1,814		$	1,734

Basis_of_Presentation_Addition

Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Feb. 20, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2012

Students Who Received Federal Student Aid

Students Who Received Federal Student Aid

Students Who Received Federal Student Aid

Students Who Received Federal Student Aid

Sales Revenue, Services, Net

Sales Revenue, Services, Net

Sales Revenue, Services, Net

Sales Revenue, Services, Net

Sales Revenue, Services, Net

Sales Revenue, Services, Net

Sales Revenue, Services, Net

Sales Revenue, Services, Net

New Horizons Worldwide Inc

New Horizons Worldwide Inc

New Horizons Worldwide Inc

NWHW Holdings Inc

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

Customer Concentration Risk

First Five Years

Sixth Year

Location

Students Who Receive Tuition Assistance Sponsored by United States Department of Defense

Students Who Receive Tuition Assistance Sponsored by United States Department of Defense

Students Who Receive Tuition Assistance Sponsored by United States Department of Defense

Students Who Receive Tuition Assistance Sponsored by United States Department of Defense

Students Eligible for Veterans Benefits

Students Eligible for Veterans Benefits

Students Eligible for Veterans Benefits

Students Eligible for Veterans Benefits

State

Country

Basis of Presentation [Line Items]

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Minority investment

$4,000,000

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$6,800,000

Minority investment, ownership percentage

21.60%

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19.90%

Number of locations

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260

Number of states

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41

Number of countries

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63

Note receivable

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$6,000,000

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$6,000,000

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Note receivable, maturity date

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28-Sep-18

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Note receivable, interest rate

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5.00%

6.00%

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Concentration risk, percentage

'

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37.00%

37.00%

36.00%

35.00%

36.00%

37.00%

37.00%

39.00%

16.00%

14.00%

16.00%

13.00%

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Net_Income_Per_Common_Share_Ad

Net Income Per Common Share - Additional Information (Detail) (Employee Stock Option)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share	2,770	439,647	169,919	265,495

Stock_Based_Compensation_Addit

Stock Based Compensation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	6-May-11	Sep. 30, 2013
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified		Employee Stock Option	Employee Stock Option	Employee Stock Option	Restricted Stock	Stock Compensation Plan	2011 Incentive Plan	2011 Incentive Plan	2002 Stock Plan and 2007 Incentive Plan
			Minimum	Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share based compensation award, shares authorized for grant	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,000,000	'
Shares subject to outstanding awards	'	'	'	'	'	'	178,227	'	588,968
Option vesting period	'	'	'3 years	'5 years	'	'	'	'	'
Option expiration period	'	'	'7 years	'10 years	'	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$5.30	$0.20	'	'	$5.10	'	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost, weighted average period for recognition	'	'	'	'	'1 year 6 months	'1 year 6 months	'	'	'

Stock_Option_Activity_Detail

Stock Option Activity (Detail) (Employee Stock Option, 2011 Incentive Plan, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013
Employee Stock Option | 2011 Incentive Plan	'
Number of options	'
Outstanding, December 31, 2012	691,082
Options granted	'
Awards exercised	-96,665
Awards forfeited	-17,983
Outstanding, September 30, 2013	576,434
Exercisable, September 30, 2013	520,796
Weighted average exercise price	'
Outstanding, beginning balance	$26.59
Options granted	'
Awards exercised	$17.15
Awards forfeited	$37.64
Outstanding, ending balance	$27.82
Exercisable, September 30, 2013	$26.79
Weighted average contractual life (years)	'
Outstanding, September 30, 2013	'3 years 2 months 9 days
Exercisable, September 30, 2013	'3 years 29 days
Aggregate intrinsic value	'
Outstanding, September 30, 2013	$5,750
Exercisable, September 30, 2013	$5,735

Stock_Option_Exercise_Detail

Stock Option Exercise (Detail) (Employee Stock Option, 2011 Incentive Plan, USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Employee Stock Option | 2011 Incentive Plan	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Proceeds from stock options exercised	$1,658	$934
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	2,022	6,204
Tax benefit from exercises	$339	$2,122

Restricted_Stock_Activity_Deta

Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock, 2011 Incentive Plan, USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Restricted Stock | 2011 Incentive Plan	'
Number of shares	'
Non-vested, December 31, 2012	136,397
Shares granted	123,951
Vested shares	-65,585
Shares forfeited	-4,002
Non-vested, September 30, 2013	190,761
Weighted-average grant price and fair value	'
Non vested, beginning balance	$39.21
Shares granted	$37.50
Vested shares	$37.70
Shares forfeited	$39.94
Non vested, ending balance	$38.61

StockBased_Compensation_Cost_C

Stock-Based Compensation Cost Charged Against Income (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense in operating income	$1,022	$940	$3,004	$2,870
Tax benefit	-404	-372	-1,190	-1,136
Stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	618	568	1,814	1,734
Instructional costs and services	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense in operating income	224	213	653	669
Marketing and promotional	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense in operating income	113	96	331	288
General and administrative	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation expense in operating income	$685	$631	$2,020	$1,913

Subsequent_Events_Additional_I

Subsequent Events - Additional Information (Detail) (Subsequent Event, Hondros College, Nursing Programs, USD $)	Nov. 01, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Subsequent Event | Hondros College, Nursing Programs	'
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'
Aggregate purchase price of outstanding equity acquired	$45