Zovio (ZVOI) 10-K 17 Mar 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	Mar. 10, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Bridgepoint Education Inc	'	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001305323	'	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'	'
Document Type	'10-K	'	'
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-13	'	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2013	'	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'FY	'	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	44,979,199	'
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'	'
Entity Public Float	'	'	$224

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$249,472	$255,965
Investments	65,901	136,967
Accounts receivable, net	28,565	67,371
Student loans receivable, net	1,043	556
Deferred income taxes	15,232	10,936
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	21,369	19,810
Total current assets	381,582	491,605
Property and equipment, net	91,425	95,966
Investments	41,062	121,738
Student loans receivable, net	11,785	15,143
Goodwill and intangibles, net	26,878	10,739
Deferred income taxes	18,507	13,266
Other long-term assets	2,740	2,330
Total assets	573,979	750,787
Current liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	5,195	4,588
Accrued liabilities	54,756	44,640
Deferred revenue and student deposits	132,791	175,057
Total current liabilities	192,742	224,285
Rent liability	23,927	25,173
Other long-term liabilities	9,271	9,759
Total liabilities	225,940	259,217
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 20)	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:	'	'
20,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding at both December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value:	'	'
300,000 shares authorized; 62,331 issued and 44,774 outstanding at December 31, 2013; 61,406 issued and 54,099 outstanding at December 31, 2012	623	614
Additional paid-in capital	168,829	151,709
Retained earnings	515,608	474,598
Accumulated other comprehensive gain	48	222
Treasury stock, 17,557 shares at cost at December 31, 2013, and 7,307 shares at cost at December 31, 2012	-337,069	-135,573
Total stockholders' equity	348,039	491,570
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$573,979	$750,787

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Stockholders' equity:	'	'
Preferred stock, par value per share	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000	20,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value per share	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000	300,000
Common stock, shares issued	62,331	61,406
Common stock, shares outstanding	44,774	54,099
Treasury stock, shares at cost	17,557	7,307

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
Revenue	$768,623	$968,171	$933,349
Costs and expenses:	'	'	'
Instructional costs and services	395,928	364,001	304,190
Admissions advisory and marketing	235,358	339,209	297,619
General and administrative	76,894	69,497	57,793
Total costs and expenses	708,180	772,707	659,602
Operating income	60,443	195,464	273,747
Other income, net	3,346	3,370	2,768
Income before income taxes	63,789	198,834	276,515
Income tax expense	22,779	75,413	103,751
Net income	$41,010	$123,421	$172,764
Earnings per common share:	'	'	'
Basic (in USD per share)	$0.76	$2.33	$3.30
Diluted (in USD per share)	$0.74	$2.21	$3.02
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in computing earnings per common share:	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	53,923	52,947	52,291
Diluted (in shares)	55,487	55,946	57,133

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
Net income	$41,010	$123,421	$172,764
Other comprehensive gain (loss), net of tax:	'	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments	-174	817	-595
Comprehensive income	$40,836	$124,238	$172,169

Consolidated_Statement_of_Stoc

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Gain/(Loss)	Treasury Stock
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$238,241	$558	$101,463	$178,413	$0	($42,193)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	'	55,801	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	10,595	'	10,595	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	3,070	3,070	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	4,889	31	4,858	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of option exercises and restricted stock, net of tax shortfall	19,096	'	19,096	'	'	'
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan, shares	'	67	'	'	'	'
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	1,330	1	1,329	'	'	'
Exercise of warrants, shares	'	43	'	'	'	'
Exercise of warrants	106	0	106	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-92,778	'	'	'	'	-92,778
Net income	172,764	'	'	172,764	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	-595	'	'	'	-595	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	353,648	590	137,447	351,177	-595	-134,971
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	'	58,981	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	13,729	'	13,729	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	3,128	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares, net	'	2,212	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	2,257	22	2,235	'	'	'
Tax withholdings related to net exercise of stock options	-10,418	'	-10,418	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of option exercises and restricted stock, net of tax shortfall	8,145	'	8,145	'	'	'
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan, shares	'	99	'	'	'	'
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	1,340	1	1,339	'	'	'
Stock issued under restricted stock plan, shares	'	33	'	'	'	'
Stock issued under restricted stock plan	-313	'	-313	'	'	'
Exercise of warrants, shares	'	81	'	'	'	'
Exercise of warrants	490	1	489	'	'	'
Tax withholdings related to net exercise of warrants	-944	'	-944	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-602	'	'	'	'	-602
Net income	123,421	'	'	123,421	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	817	'	'	'	817	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	491,570	614	151,709	474,598	222	-135,573
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	'	61,406	'	'	'	'
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock-based compensation	13,934	'	13,934	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	1,060	'	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares, net	'	589	'	'	'	'
Exercise of stock options	10,464	6	10,458	'	'	'
Tax withholdings related to net exercise of stock options	-9,170	'	-9,170	'	'	'
Excess tax benefit of option exercises and restricted stock, net of tax shortfall	1,516	'	1,516	'	'	'
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan, shares	'	116	'	'	'	'
Stock issued under employee stock purchase plan	1,234	1	1,233	'	'	'
Stock issued under restricted stock plan, shares	'	115	'	'	'	'
Stock issued under restricted stock plan	-1,080	1	-1,081	'	'	'
Exercise of warrants, shares	'	104	'	'	'	'
Exercise of warrants	231	1	230	'	'	'
Repurchase of common stock	-201,496	'	'	'	'	-201,496
Net income	41,010	'	'	41,010	'	'
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	-174	'	'	'	-174	'
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$348,039	$623	$168,829	$515,608	$48	($337,069)
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2013	'	62,330	'	'	'	'

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	$41,010	$123,421	$172,764
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'	'
Provision for bad debts	72,313	73,696	58,511
Depreciation and amortization	21,666	17,424	12,743
Amortization of premium/discount	3,559	6,805	3,969
Deferred income taxes	-10,506	-9,972	6,606
Stock-based compensation	13,934	13,729	10,595
Excess tax benefit of option exercises	-2,590	-10,058	-19,096
Loss on impairment of student loans receivable	1,998	0	0
Net realized gain on sale of marketable securities	-63	0	0
Loss on termination of leased space	328	0	0
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	751	1,153	13
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	-34,348	-81,577	-60,587
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-2,411	-1,056	-2,104
Student loans receivable	291	-3,778	-8,177
Other long-term assets	-412	2,131	253
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	13,687	12,100	27,509
Deferred revenue and student deposits	-41,607	-10,389	11,870
Other liabilities	-184	8,772	5,882
Uncertain tax position	-1,878	784	57
Net cash provided by operating activities	75,538	143,185	220,808
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'	'
Capital expenditures	-14,825	-25,296	-34,492
Purchases of investments	-26,759	-179,387	-337,084
Restricted cash	0	25	0
Capitalized costs for intangible assets	-19,563	-5,262	-3,521
Sales and maturities of investments	176,343	186,911	167,049
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	115,196	-23,009	-208,048
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'	'
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	10,464	2,257	4,889
Tax withholdings related to net exercise of stock options	-9,170	-10,418	0
Excess tax benefit of option exercises	2,590	10,058	19,096
Proceeds from the issuance of stock under employee stock purchase plan	1,234	1,340	1,330
Proceeds from the exercise of warrants	231	490	106
Tax withholdings related to net exercise of warrants	0	-944	0
Issuance of restricted stock	-1,080	-313	0
Repurchase of common stock	-201,496	-602	-92,778
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	-197,227	1,868	-67,357
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-6,493	122,044	-54,597
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	255,965	133,921	188,518
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	249,472	255,965	133,921
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information	'	'	'
Cash paid for interest	146	130	56
Cash paid for income taxes	38,642	65,075	76,731
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash transactions:	'	'	'
Purchase of equipment included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$136	$509	$2,489

Nature_of_Business

Nature of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Nature of Business	'
	Nature of Business
	Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), incorporated in 1999, is a provider of postsecondary education services. Its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, are regionally accredited academic institutions that offer associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs online, as well as at their traditional campuses located in Iowa and Colorado, respectively.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bridgepoint Education, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years' financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported total operating expenses or retained earnings.
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents is comprised of cash and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
	Investments
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company held short and long-term investments which consisted of demand notes, corporate notes and bonds and certificates of deposit. The Company's investments are denominated in U.S. dollars, investment grade and readily marketable. The Company considers as current assets those investments which will mature or are likely to be sold in less than one year.
	The Company has classified its investments as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value as determined by quoted market prices, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of comprehensive income and stockholders’ equity. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. Amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts, interest and realized gains and losses are included in other income, net in the consolidated statement of income.
	The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the realizable value of its investments. If events and circumstances indicate that a decline in the value of these assets has occurred and is other-than-temporary, the Company would record a charge to other income, net in the consolidated statement of income.
	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company uses the three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either observable directly or indirectly, through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company's Level 2 investments are valued using readily available pricing sources which utilize market observable inputs, including the current interest rate for similar types of instruments. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no transfers in or out of any fair value level of measurement.
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Accounts receivable consists of student accounts receivable, which represent amounts due for tuition, course digital materials, technology fees and other fees from currently enrolled and former students. Students generally fund their education through grants and/or loans under various Title IV programs, tuition assistance from military and corporate employers or personal funds. Payments are due on the respective course start date and are considered past due subsequent to the respective course start date. An account is considered delinquent 120 days subsequent to the course start date.
	Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. For accounts receivable, an allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated by management and is principally based on historical collection experience as well as (i) an assessment of individual accounts receivable over a specific aging and amount, (ii) consideration of the nature of the receivable accounts and (iii) potential changes in the business or economic environment. The provision for bad debts is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the consolidated statements of income. The Company charges off uncollectable accounts receivable when the student account is deemed uncollectable by internal collection efforts or by a third party collection agency.
	Student Loans Receivable and Loan Loss Reserves
	Student loans receivable consist of loans to qualified students and have a repayment period of 10 years from the date of graduation or withdrawal from the Company's institutions. The interest rate charged on student loans is a fixed rate of either 4.5% or 0.0% depending upon the repayment plan selected. If the student selects the rate of 0.0%, the student must pay $50 per month on the loan while enrolled in school and during the six months of grace period (after graduation or withdrawal) before the repayment period begins. On the 0.0% student loans, the Company imputes interest using the rate that would be used in a market transaction with similar terms. Interest income on student loans is recognized using the effective interest method and is recorded within other income, net in the consolidated statements of income. Revenue recognized related to student loans was immaterial during each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Student loans receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. For tuition related student loan receivables, the Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts, similar to that of accounts receivable, based on (i) an assessment of individual loans receivable over a specific aging and amount, (ii) consideration of the nature of the receivable accounts, (iii) potential changes in the business or economic environment and (iv) related FICO scores and other industry metrics. The related provision for bad debts is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the consolidated statements of income.
	For non-tuition related student loans, the Company utilizes an impairment methodology. Under this methodology, management determines whether a loan would be impaired if the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the individual loan agreement. This assessment is based on an analysis of several factors including aging history and delinquency trending, the risk characteristics, credit quality and loan performance of the specific loans, as well as current economic conditions and industry trends. Credit quality is assessed at the outset of a loan, based upon FICO score during the loan application process. The Company considers loans to be impaired when they reach a delinquency status that requires specialized collection efforts. The Company defines delinquency for loans as being for students who are no longer active, having amounts that are past due and having the last activity more than 120 days old. The Company records a loss reserve for the full book value of the impaired loans. For the year ended December 31, 2013, there was $2.0 million recorded for loan loss reserves. The loan loss reserve is maintained at a level deemed adequate by management based on a periodic analysis of the individual loans and is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the consolidated statements of income.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are recognized at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
	Buildings	39 years
	Furniture and office equipment	3 - 7 years
	Software	3 years
	Vehicles	5 years
	Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Upon the retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed and a gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated statements of income. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred.
	Leases
	Leases are evaluated and classified as either operating or capital leases. Leased property and equipment meeting certain criteria are capitalized, and the present value of the related lease payments is recognized as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of capitalized leased assets is computed on the straight-line method over the term of the lease or the life of the related asset, whichever is shorter.
	If the Company receives tenant allowances from the lessor for certain improvements made to the leased property, these allowances are capitalized as leasehold improvements and a long-term liability is established. The long-term liability is amortized on a straight-line basis over the corresponding lease term. 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 either a short-term or long-term liability.
	The Company recognizes liabilities for exit and disposal activities on non-cancelable lease obligations at fair value in the period the liability is incurred. For the non-cancelable lease obligations, the Company records the obligation when the contract is terminated in accordance with the contract terms. For the year ended December 31, 2013, there was $1.1 million recorded for lease exit costs.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant.
	The Company adopted accounting guidance which simplifies how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. The Company first assesses qualitative factors, such as deterioration in general economic conditions or negative company financial performance, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company's assessment of goodwill during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 indicated that there were no significant negative qualitative indicators, and therefore, goodwill was not impaired. There have been no impairment losses recognized by the Company for any periods presented. If negative qualitative indicators had been noted above, the Company would then need to assess the fair value of its reporting units to determine whether they were in excess of the carrying values.
	To evaluate the impairment of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company assessed the fair value of the assets to determine whether they were in excess of the carrying values. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible asset is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain, and can include such items as growth rates used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, as well as determination of appropriate market comparables. The Company's assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 did not result in any impairment. There have been no impairment losses recognized by the Company for any periods presented.
	The Company also has definite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of purchased intangibles and capitalized curriculum development costs. The definite-lived intangible assets are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company assesses potential impairment to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and an expense to operating results. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $0.7 million to write-off certain fixed assets as part of lease exit costs.
	Revenue and Deferred Revenue
	The Company's revenue consists of tuition, technology fees, course digital materials and other miscellaneous fees. Tuition revenue is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction net of scholarships and expected refunds, with the exception of an online student's first course, per degree level, at Ashford University. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2012, an online student's first course per degree level at Ashford University falls under a three-week conditional admission period in which the revenue is deferred until the student matriculates into the course.
	The Company's institutions' online students generally enroll in a program that encompasses a series of five to six-week courses which are taken consecutively over the length of the program. With the exception of those students under conditional admission, the online students are billed on a payment period basis on the first day of class. The Company's institutions' campus-based students enroll in a program that encompasses a series of nine-week or 16-week courses. Campus-based students are billed at the beginning of each term.
	If a student's attendance in a class precedes the receipt of cash from the student's source of funding, the Company establishes an account receivable and corresponding deferred revenue in the amount of the tuition due for that payment period. Cash received either directly from the student or from the student's source of funding reduces the balance of accounts receivable due from the student. Financial aid from sources such as the federal government's Title IV programs pertains to the online student's award year and is generally divided into two disbursement periods. As such, each disbursement period may contain funding for up to four courses. Financial aid disbursements are typically received during the online student's attendance in the first or second course. Since the majority of disbursements cover more courses than for which a student is currently enrolled, the amount received in excess effectively represents a prepayment from the online student for up to four courses. At the end of each accounting period, the deferred revenue and student deposits and related account receivable balances are reduced to present amounts attributable to the current course.
	For those students under conditional admission, the student is not obligated for payment until after their conditional admission period has lapsed, so there is no required refund. For all subsequent courses, the Company records a provision for expected refunds and reduces revenue for the amount that is expected to be subsequently refunded. Provisions for expected refunds have not been material to any period presented. If a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, a portion of such student's tuition is refunded.
	The Company records technology fees, which are one-time start up fees charged to each new online student, other than military, scholarship students or certain corporate reimbursement students. Technology fee revenue is recognized ratably over the average expected enrollment of a student. Effective January 1, 2013, Ashford University eliminated the one-time technology fee charged students and replaced it with a per course charge. The per course technology fee revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction. Other miscellaneous fees include fees for course content and textbooks and other services, such as commencements, and are recognized upon delivery of the goods or when the related service is performed.
	Workers Compensation
	The Company records a gross liability for estimated workers compensation claims, incurred but not yet reported, as of each balance sheet date. The Company also records the gross insurance recoverable due for individual claim amounts.  This is recorded as an other asset and as an equal accrued liability. The stop-loss premium is determined annually, but invoiced and paid on a quarterly basis. The related insurance premiums are expensed ratably over the coverage period.
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for its income taxes using the liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the bases used for financial reporting and income tax reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes are provided based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect at the time such temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize those tax assets through future operations.
	The Company evaluates and accounts for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach. Recognition (step one) occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) determines 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. Derecognition of a tax position that was previously recognized would occur when the Company subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more-likely-than-not threshold of being sustained.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date fair value of the award and is expensed over the vesting period. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date under this model requires judgment, including estimating volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and forfeiture rates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. The fair value of the Company's restricted stock units is based on the market price of its common stock on the date of grant.
	The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company estimates award forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company's equity plans require that option awards have an exercise price that equals or exceeds the closing price of the Company's common stock, as reported by the NYSE, on the date of grant.
	Stock-based compensation expense for stock awards is recorded in the consolidated statement of income, net of estimated forfeitures, using the graded vesting method over the requisite service periods of the respective stock awards.
	Instructional Costs and Services
	Instructional costs and services consist primarily of costs related to the administration and delivery of the Company's educational programs. This expense category includes compensation for campus-based faculty and administrative personnel, costs associated with online faculty, curriculum and new program development costs, financial aid processing costs, technology license costs, bad debt expense and costs associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the students. Instructional costs and services also include an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs.
	Admissions Advisory and Marketing
	Admissions advisory and marketing costs include compensation of personnel engaged in marketing and recruitment, as well as costs associated with purchasing leads and producing marketing materials. Such costs are generally affected by the cost of advertising media and leads, the efficiency of the Company's marketing and recruiting efforts, compensation for the Company's enrollment personnel and expenditures on advertising initiatives for new and existing academic programs. Admissions advisory and marketing costs also include an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs.
	Advertising costs, a subset of admissions advisory and marketing costs, consists primarily of marketing leads and other branding and promotional activities. These advertising activities are expensed as incurred, or the first time the advertising takes place, depending on the type of advertising activity. Advertising costs were $76.5 million, $103.7 million and $84.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	General and Administrative
	General and administrative expenses include compensation of employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, compliance and other corporate functions. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees, travel and entertainment expenses and an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs.
	Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the sum of (i) the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and (ii) potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period, if the effect is dilutive. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of incremental shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the stock options and warrants and upon the settlement of restricted stock units.
Segment Information
The Company operates in one reportable segment as a single educational delivery operation using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of both its campus-based and online students regardless of geography. The Company's chief operating decision maker, its CEO and President, manages the Company's operations as a whole, and no revenue, expense or operating income information is evaluated by the chief operating decision maker on any component level.
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting stockholders’ equity that, under GAAP, are excluded from net income. For the year ended December 31, 2013, such items consisted of unrealized gains and losses on investments.
The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive gain (loss) and the related tax effects for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
	December 31, 2013
	Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
Unrealized losses on investments	$	(280	)	$	106		$	(174	)
	December 31, 2012
	Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
Unrealized gains on investments	$	1,300		$	(483	)	$	817
	December 31, 2011
	Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
Unrealized losses on investments	$	(946	)	$	351		(595		)
The Company reclassed $63 thousand out of other comprehensive income for the year ended December 31, 2013, relating to the net realized gain on the sale of securities.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Incomes 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 addresses the diversity in practice regarding financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent the net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. The unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not as a reduction of the related deferred tax asset. The amendments in this standard are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2013-11, effective January 1, 2014, and does not believe that such adoption will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	The following table summarizes the fair value information of short and long-term investments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Demand notes	$	—			$	719			$	—			$	719
	Corporate notes and bonds	—				16,244				—				16,244
	Certificates of deposit	—				90,000				—				90,000
	Total	$	—			$	106,963			$	—			$	106,963
		December 31, 2012
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Demand notes	$	—			$	415			$	—			$	415
	Corporate notes and bonds	—				148,801				—				148,801
	Certificates of deposit	$	—			$	109,489			$	—			$	109,489
	Total	$	—			$	258,705			$	—			$	258,705
	The tables above include amounts related to investments classified as other investments, such as certificates of deposit, which are carried at amortized cost. The amortized cost of such investments approximated fair value at each balance sheet date. The assumptions used in these fair value estimates are considered as other observable inputs and are therefore categorized as Level 2 measurements under the accounting guidance. The balances of such other investments were $90.0 million and $109.5 million as of December 31, 2013, and December 31, 2012, respectively.
	The following table summarizes the differences between amortized cost and fair value of short and long-term investments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
								Gross unrealized
		Maturities in Years		Amortized Cost				Gain				Loss				Fair Value
	Short-term
	Demand notes	1 year or less		$	719			$	—			$	—			$	719
	Corporate notes and bonds	1 year or less		5,132				50				—				5,182
	Certificates of deposit	1 year or less		60,000				—				—				60,000
	Long-term
	Corporate notes and bonds	3 years or less		11,037				25				—				11,062
	Certificates of deposit	3 years or less		30,000				—				—				30,000
	Total			$	106,888			$	75			$	—			$	106,963
		December 31, 2012
								Gross unrealized
		Maturities in Years		Amortized Cost				Gain				Loss				Fair Value
	Short-term
	Demand notes	1 year or less		$	415			$	—			$	—			$	415
	Corporate notes and bonds	1 year or less		126,806				282				(25		)		127,063
	Certificate of deposit	1 year or less		9,489				—				—				9,489
	Long-term
	Corporate notes and bonds	3 years or less		21,641				117				(20		)		21,738
	Certificate of deposit	3 years or less		100,000				—				—				100,000
	Total			$	258,351			$	399			$	(45	)		$	258,705
	As of December 31, 2013, there were no investments that were in an unrealized loss position for either less than, or greater than, 12 months. There was no impairment considered other-than-temporary as it is more likely than not the Company will hold the securities until maturity or a recovery of the cost basis. The Company accumulates unrealized gains and losses on the available-for-sale debt securities, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) in the stockholders’ equity section of the Company's balance sheets. As of December 31, 2012, six of the Company's investments were in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. There were no investments that were in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months.

Accounts_Receivable

Accounts Receivable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accounts receivable	$	70,668		$	114,039
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	42,103			46,668
	Accounts receivable, net	$	28,565		$	67,371
	There are an immaterial amount of accounts receivable at each balance sheet date with a payment due date of greater than one year.
	The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Beginning			Charged to			Deductions(1)			Ending
		Balance			Expense						Balance
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable:
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	46,668		$	72,495		$	(77,060	)	$	42,103
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	35,587			73,581			(62,500		)	46,668
	For the year ended December 31, 2011	28,064			57,077			(49,554		)	35,587
	-1	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.
	Student Loan Receivables
	Student loans receivable, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
	Short-term:	2013			2012
	Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)	$	587		$	428
	Student loans receivable (tuition related)	621			167
	Current student loans receivable	1,208			595
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	165			39
	Student loans receivable, net	$	1,043		$	556
		As of December 31,
	Long-term:	2013			2012
	Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)	$	7,347		$	9,279
	Student loans receivable (tuition related)	6,417			8,171
	Non-current student loans receivable	13,764			17,450
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	1,979			2,307
	Student loans receivable, net	$	11,785		$	15,143
	Student loans receivable is presented net of any related discount, and the balances approximated fair value at each balance sheet date. The Company estimated the fair value of the student loans receivable by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar arrangements. The assumptions used in this estimate are considered unobservable inputs and are therefore categorized as Level 3 measurements under the accounting guidance.
	The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for student loans receivable (tuition related) for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Beginning			Charged to			Deductions(1)			Ending
		Balance			Expense						Balance
	Allowance for doubtful student loans receivable:
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	2,346		$	(182	)	$	(19	)	$	2,145
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	2,378			115			(147		)	2,346
	For the year ended December 31, 2011	930			1,434			14			2,378
	-1	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.
	For the non-tuition related student loans receivable, the Company monitors the credit quality using credit scores, aging history and delinquency trending. The loan reserve methodology is reviewed on a quarterly basis. Delinquency is the main factor in determining if a loan is impaired. If a loan were determined to be impaired, interest would no longer accrue. For the year ended December 31, 2013 there was $2.0 million of loans that were impaired, and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, no loans were impaired. As of December 31, 2013, an immaterial amount of loans had been placed on non-accrual status.
	As of December 31, 2013, the delinquency status of gross student loans receivable was as follows (in thousands):
	Less than 120 days	$	16,998
	From 120 - 269 days	1,238
	Greater than 270 days	2,132
	Total gross student loans receivable	20,368
	Less: Amounts reserved or impaired	(4,143		)
	Less: Discount on student loans receivable	(3,397		)
	Total student loans receivable, net	$	12,828

Student_Loan_Receivables

Student Loan Receivables	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Student Loan Receivables	'
	Accounts Receivable
	Accounts receivable, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accounts receivable	$	70,668		$	114,039
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	42,103			46,668
	Accounts receivable, net	$	28,565		$	67,371
	There are an immaterial amount of accounts receivable at each balance sheet date with a payment due date of greater than one year.
	The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Beginning			Charged to			Deductions(1)			Ending
		Balance			Expense						Balance
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable:
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	46,668		$	72,495		$	(77,060	)	$	42,103
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	35,587			73,581			(62,500		)	46,668
	For the year ended December 31, 2011	28,064			57,077			(49,554		)	35,587
	-1	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.
	Student Loan Receivables
	Student loans receivable, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
	Short-term:	2013			2012
	Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)	$	587		$	428
	Student loans receivable (tuition related)	621			167
	Current student loans receivable	1,208			595
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	165			39
	Student loans receivable, net	$	1,043		$	556
		As of December 31,
	Long-term:	2013			2012
	Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)	$	7,347		$	9,279
	Student loans receivable (tuition related)	6,417			8,171
	Non-current student loans receivable	13,764			17,450
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	1,979			2,307
	Student loans receivable, net	$	11,785		$	15,143
	Student loans receivable is presented net of any related discount, and the balances approximated fair value at each balance sheet date. The Company estimated the fair value of the student loans receivable by discounting the future cash flows using current rates for similar arrangements. The assumptions used in this estimate are considered unobservable inputs and are therefore categorized as Level 3 measurements under the accounting guidance.
	The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for student loans receivable (tuition related) for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Beginning			Charged to			Deductions(1)			Ending
		Balance			Expense						Balance
	Allowance for doubtful student loans receivable:
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	2,346		$	(182	)	$	(19	)	$	2,145
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	2,378			115			(147		)	2,346
	For the year ended December 31, 2011	930			1,434			14			2,378
	-1	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.
	For the non-tuition related student loans receivable, the Company monitors the credit quality using credit scores, aging history and delinquency trending. The loan reserve methodology is reviewed on a quarterly basis. Delinquency is the main factor in determining if a loan is impaired. If a loan were determined to be impaired, interest would no longer accrue. For the year ended December 31, 2013 there was $2.0 million of loans that were impaired, and for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, no loans were impaired. As of December 31, 2013, an immaterial amount of loans had been placed on non-accrual status.
	As of December 31, 2013, the delinquency status of gross student loans receivable was as follows (in thousands):
	Less than 120 days	$	16,998
	From 120 - 269 days	1,238
	Greater than 270 days	2,132
	Total gross student loans receivable	20,368
	Less: Amounts reserved or impaired	(4,143		)
	Less: Discount on student loans receivable	(3,397		)
	Total student loans receivable, net	$	12,828

Prepaid_Expense_and_Other_Curr

Prepaid Expense and Other Current Assets	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	'
	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Prepaid expenses	$	10,814	$	9,367
	Prepaid licenses	5,833		5,864
	Prepaid insurance	1,131		1,134
	Interest receivable	86		2,221
	Other current assets	3,505		1,224
	Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	21,369	$	19,810

Property_and_Equipment_Net

Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment, Net	'
	Property and Equipment, Net
	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	7,091		$	7,091
	Buildings	28,916			25,430
	Furniture and office equipment	84,852			79,656
	Software	10,075			6,053
	Leasehold improvements	24,360			23,756
	Vehicles	147			147
	Total property and equipment	155,441			142,133
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(64,016		)	(46,167		)
	Total property and equipment, net	$	91,425		$	95,966
	Depreciation and amortization expense associated with property and equipment totaled $18.2 million, $15.9 million and $12.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Net

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangibles, Net	'
	Goodwill and Intangibles, Net
	Goodwill and intangibles, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
	Definite-lived intangible assets:	Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Capitalized curriculum costs	$	14,540		$	(5,035	)	$	9,505
	Purchased intangible assets	15,857			(1,051		)	14,806
	Total definite-lived intangible assets	$	30,397		$	(6,086	)	$	24,311
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles							2,567
	Total goodwill and intangibles, net							$	26,878
		December 31, 2012
	Definite-lived intangible assets:	Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Capitalized curriculum costs	$	9,977		$	(1,823	)	$	8,154
	Purchased intangible assets	$	857		$	(839	)	$	18
	Total definite-lived intangible assets	$	10,834		$	(2,662	)	$	8,172
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles							2,567
	Total goodwill and intangibles, net							$	10,739
	In addition to capitalized curriculum development costs in 2013, on October 31, 2013, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Forbes Agreement”) to license certain trademarks and print and online content, as well as other intellectual property, for use in Ashford University's bachelor’s and master’s business programs. The Forbes Agreement has an initial 12-year term, with an option to renew. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company made a payment of $15 million as an intangible asset as of December 31, 2013 which will be amortized over the life of the agreement. Additionally, the Company will pay royalties beginning 2014, based on a percentage of annual revenues attributable to Ashford University’s business-related programs, subject to a $2.5 million annual minimum. The Company does not plan to capitalize any future costs to renew or extend the term of the acquired intangible assets.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, amortization expense was $3.4 million, $1.6 million, and $0.6 million respectively. The following table summarizes the estimated remaining amortization expense as of each fiscal year ended below (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		$	5,143
	2015		3,995
	2016		2,234
	2017		1,232
	2018		1,232
	Thereafter		10,475
	Total future amortization expense		$	24,311

Accrued_Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued Liabilities
	Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accrued salaries and wages	$	12,790	$	11,585
	Accrued bonus	2,277		1,603
	Accrued vacation	9,696		8,993
	Accrued litigation and fees	8,000		—
	Accrued expenses	19,081		15,924
	Rent liability	2,446		—
	Accrued income taxes payable	466		6,535
	Total accrued liabilities	$	54,756	$	44,640
	There was a reduction in force during the second quarter of 2013 to help better align personnel resources with the impact of previously announced institutional initiatives regarding enrollments. We recognized $5.9 million of severance costs for wages and benefits during the second quarter for this reduction in force. The total severance amount was charged as $4.8 million to instructional costs and services, $0.3 million to admissions advisory and marketing expenses, and $0.8 million to general and administrative expenses. These costs were fully paid during the third quarter of 2013 from existing cash on hand.

Deferred_Revenue_and_Student_D

Deferred Revenue and Student Deposits	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Deferred Revenue and Student Deposits	'
	Deferred Revenue and Student Deposits
	Deferred revenue and student deposits consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred revenue	$	29,279	$	44,967
	Student deposits	103,512		130,090
	Total deferred revenue and student deposits	$	132,791	$	175,057

Credit_Facilities

Credit Facilities	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Credit Facilities	'
	Credit Facilities
	On April 13, 2012, the Company entered into a $50 million revolving line of credit (“Facility”) pursuant to an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement (“Revolving Credit Agreement”) with the lenders signatory thereto and Comerica Bank (“Comerica”), as administrative agent for the lenders. At the Company's option, the Company may increase the size of the Facility up to $100 million (in certain minimum increments), subject to the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Agreement. Additionally, the Company may request swing-line advances under the Facility up to $3 million in the aggregate.
	Under the Revolving Credit Agreement and the documents executed in connection therewith (collectively, the “Facility Loan Documents”), the lenders have agreed to make loans to the Company and issue letters of credit on the Company's behalf, subject to the terms and conditions of the Facility Loan Documents. The Facility has a term of three years and matures on April 13, 2015. Interest and fees accruing under the Facility are payable quarterly in arrears and principal is payable at maturity. The Company may terminate the Facility upon five days notice, without premium or penalty, other than customary breakage fees.
	For any advance under the Facility, interest will accrue at either the “Base Rate” or the “Eurodollar-based Rate,” at the Company's option. The Base Rate means, for any day, 0.5% plus the greatest of: (1) the prime rate for such day, (2) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day, plus 1.0%, and (3) the daily adjusting LIBOR rate, plus 1.0%. The Eurodollar-based Rate means, for any day, 1.5% plus the quotient of (1) the LIBOR Rate, divided by (2) a percentage equal to 100% minus the maximum rate on such date at which the Agent is required to maintain reserves on “Eurocurrency Liabilities” as defined in Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. For any advance under the swing line, interest will accrue at either the Base Rate or, if made available to the Company by the swing line lender, at the lender's option, a different rate quoted by such lender. For any letter of credit issued on the Company's behalf under the New Facility, the Company is required to pay a fee of 1.50% of the undrawn amount of such letter of credit plus a letter of credit facing fee. The Company is also required to pay a facility fee of 0.25% of the aggregate commitment then in effect under the Facility, whether used or unused.
	The Facility Loan Documents contain other customary affirmative, negative and financial maintenance covenants, representations and warranties, events of default, and remedies upon an event of default, including the acceleration of debt and the right to foreclose on the collateral securing the Facility. The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in the Loan Documents as of December 31, 2013 and 2012.
	As security for the performance of the Company's obligations under the Facility Loan Documents, the Company granted the lenders a first priority security interest in substantially all of the Company's assets, including its real property which is worth $7.1 million as of December 31, 2013.
	As of December 31, 2013, and up through the date of filing, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the line of credit. As of December 31, 2013, the Company used the availability under the line of credit to issue letters of credit aggregating $5.8 million.
	Surety Bond Facility
	As part of its normal business operations, the Company is required to provide surety bonds in certain states in which the Company does business. As of December 31, 2013, the Company's total available surety bond facility was $12.0 million and the surety had issued bonds under the facility totaling $6.5 million on the Company's behalf.

Lease_Obligations

Lease Obligations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Lease Obligations	'
	Lease Obligations
	Operating leases
	The Company leases certain office facilities and office equipment under non-cancelable lease arrangements that expire at various dates through 2023. The office leases contain certain renewal options. Rent expense under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements is accounted for on a straight-line basis and totaled $37.1 million, $36.8 million and $31.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	The following table summarizes the future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements in effect at December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	$	36,962
	2015	37,226
	2016	37,293
	2017	37,363
	2018	34,072
	Thereafter	41,722
	Total minimum payments	$	224,638

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.
	Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the sum of (i) the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period and (ii) potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period, if the effect is dilutive. Potentially dilutive securities for the periods presented may include incremental shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of options and warrants and upon the settlement of restricted stock units.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	41,010		$	123,421		$	172,764
	Denominator:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	53,923			52,947			52,291
	Effect of dilutive options and restricted stock units	1,482			2,762			4,572
	Effect of dilutive warrants	82			237			270
	Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding	55,487			55,946			57,133
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.76		$	2.33		$	3.3
	Diluted earnings per common share	0.74			2.21			3.02
	For the periods indicated, the computation of dilutive common shares outstanding excludes certain stock options to purchase shares of common stock for the periods indicated because their effect was anti-dilutive.
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in thousands)	2013		2012			2011
	Options	3,004		2,524			1,332
	Restricted stock units	3		—			—

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock Options
	The Company grants stock options from its 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (“2009 Plan”). The compensation committee of the Company's board of directors, or the full board of directors, determines eligibility, vesting schedules and exercise prices for awards granted under the 2009 Plan. Options granted under the 2009 Plan typically have a maximum contractual term of 10 years, subject to continuing service to the Company. Options are generally granted with a four-year vesting requirement, under which the option holder must continue providing service to the Company at each vesting period. All options granted in 2013, 2012 and 2011, were awarded pursuant to the 2009 Plan. Under the 2009 Plan, the number of authorized shares is subject to automatic increase, without the need for further approval by the Company's board of directors and stockholders each January 1, through and including January 1, 2019, pursuant to a formula contained in the plan.
	Before the adoption of the 2009 Plan, the Company awarded options pursuant to the Company's Amended and Restated 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (“2005 Plan”). Effective upon the closing of the Company's initial public offering, the 2005 Plan was terminated and no further options may be issued under that plan, provided that all options then outstanding under the 2005 Plan will continue to remain outstanding pursuant to the terms of the 2005 Plan and applicable award agreements.
	The following table presents a summary of the stock option activity in 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except for exercise prices and contractual terms):
		Options			Weighted-				Weighted-		Aggregate
		Outstanding			Average				Average		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise				Remaining
					Price				Contractual
									Term
									(in years)
	31-Dec-10	10,195			$	4.76			5.47		$	147,545
	Granted	1,294			17.41
	Exercised	(3,070	)		1.59
	Forfeitures and expired	(139	)		17.65
	31-Dec-11	8,280			7.7				5.9		127,308
	Granted	1,595			22.59
	Exercised	(3,128	)		0.72
	Forfeitures and expired	(335	)		19.79
	31-Dec-12	6,412			14.17				7.21		$	9,010
	Granted	483			10.23
	Exercised	(1,060	)		9.87
	Forfeitures and expired	(345	)		20.65
	31-Dec-13	5,490			$	14.25			6.52		$	28,769
	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013	5,435			$	14.22			6.5		$	28,588
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013	3,809			$	12.82			5.8		$	23,827
	The Company has reserved 10.0 million shares of common stock for issuance upon the exercise of stock options and settlement of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) (including outstanding stock awards) under the Company's equity incentive plans as of December 31, 2013. Shares issued from option exercises and settlements of RSUs are drawn from the authorized but unissued shares of common stock. During the year ended December 31, 2013, there were 1.1 million stock options exercised with an intrinsic value of $9.4 million. The actual tax benefit realized from these exercises was $2.1 million. The Company also recognized a tax benefit shortfall of $0.6 million related to stock options exercised at values lower than the related compensation expense, and $0.5 million related to stock options that expired unexercised during the year. During the year ended December 31, 2012, there were 3.1 million stock options exercised, with an intrinsic value of $45.2 million. The actual tax benefit realized from these exercises was $10.1 million. The Company also recognized a tax benefit shortfall of $1.5 million related to stock options exercised at values lower than the related compensation expense, and $0.2 million related to stock options that expired unexercised during the year. During the year ended December 31, 2011, there were 3.1 million stock options exercised, with an intrinsic value of $58.4 million. The actual tax benefit realized from these exercises was $19.1 million.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, approximately 137,000 and 53,000 stock options expired.
	The fair value of each option award granted during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company's determination of the fair value of share-based awards is affected by the Company's common stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of complex and subjective variables. Below is a summary of the assumptions used for the options granted in the years indicated:
		2013				2012				2011
	Weighted average exercise price per share	$	10.23			$	22.59			$	17.41
	Risk-free interest rate	1		%		1.2		%		2.5		%
	Expected dividend yield	—				—				—
	Expected volatility	58.9		%		54.6		%		52.7		%
	Expected life (in years)	5.85				5.67				6.12
	Forfeiture rate	5		%		4		%		4		%
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	5.48			$	11.26			$	9.07
	The risk-free interest rate is based on the currently available rate on a U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issue with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option converted into a continuously compounded rate. The dividend yield reflects the fact that the Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its common stock and does not currently anticipate paying cash dividends in the future. The volatility of the Company's common stock is based upon a blended rate of the Company's historical volatility and that of publicly-traded securities of a peer group of comparable companies in the Company's industry. The peer group volatility supplements the Company's historical volatility in order to calculate a volatility that approximates the expected term used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model. In evaluating comparability, the Company considered factors such as industry, stage of life cycle and size. The Company now has enough historical option exercise information to be able to accurately compute an expected term for use as an assumption in the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and as such, its computation of expected term was calculated using its own historical data.
	The Company recorded $13.9 million, $13.7 million and $10.6 million of compensation expense related to equity awards for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The related income tax benefit was $5.2 million, $5.1 million and $3.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, there was $5.6 million, $12.9 million and $10.6 million, respectively, of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested options.
	The Company records stock-based compensation expense over the vesting term using the graded-vesting method. At December 31, 2013, the unrecognized compensation costs of stock options are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years.
	Restricted Stock Units
	In 2011, the Company began granting RSUs under the 2009 Plan. The Company now primarily grants RSUs to its employees. Each RSU represents a future issuance of one share of common stock contingent upon the recipient's continued service to the Company through the vesting date. Upon the vesting date, RSUs are automatically settled for shares of the Company's common stock unless the applicable award agreement provides for delayed settlement. If, prior to the vesting date, the employee's status as a full-time employee is terminated, then the RSU is automatically canceled on the employment termination date. The fair value of an RSU is calculated based on the market value of the common stock on the grant date and is amortized over the applicable vesting period using the graded-vesting method.
	A summary of the Company’s RSU activity and related information is as follows:
		Restricted Stock Units			Weighted Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Balance at December 31, 2010	—			$	—
	Awarded	56,855			23.97
	Vested	—			—
	Canceled	—			—
	Balance at December 31, 2011	56,855			23.97
	Awarded	362,199			9.72
	Vested	(56,855	)		23.97
	Canceled	—			—
	Balance at December 31, 2012	362,199			9.72
	Awarded	1,016,035			10.5
	Vested	(181,104	)		9.72
	Canceled	(98,613	)		10.39
	Balance at December 31, 2013	1,098,517			$	10.38
	As of December 31, 2013 and 2012, there was $6.5 million and $2.6 million, respectively, of unrecognized compensation costs related to unvested RSUs. The unrecognized compensation costs of RSUs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.
	During the year ended December 31, 2013, 181,104 RSU's vested and were released with a market value of $3.0 million. The actual tax benefit realized from these RSU's released was $0.5 million. During the year ended December 31, 2012, 56,855 RSU's vested and were released with a market value of $0.8 million. The Company recognized a tax benefit shortfall of $0.2 million related to restricted stock vesting at values lower than the related compensation expense. No RSUs vested during the year ended December 31, 2011. There were not any RSUs granted prior to 2011.

Warrants

Warrants	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Warrants	'
	Warrants
	The Company had issued warrants to purchase common stock to various employees, consultants, licensors and lenders. Each warrant represented the right to purchase one share of common stock. No warrants were issued during the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011. During the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, approximately 104,000, 174,000 and 43,000 warrants to purchase shares of common stock were exercised, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, all outstanding warrants were expired.
	The following table summarizes information with respect to all warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands, except exercise prices):
	Exercise Price	December 31,
		2012
	$1.13	41
	$2.25	55
	$2.84	—
	$2.92	19
	$9.00	3
	Total	118

Stock_Repurchase_Program

Stock Repurchase Program	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Class of Stock Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Stock Repurchase Program	'
	Stock Repurchase Programs
	The Company's Board of Directors has authorized us to repurchase outstanding shares of our common stock from time to time in the open market through block trades or otherwise depending on market conditions and other considerations, pursuant to the applicable Securities and Exchange Commission Rules. The Company's policy is to retain these repurchased shares as treasury shares and not to retire them. The amount and timing of future share repurchases, if any, will be made as market and business conditions warrant.
	In July 2010, the Company's board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to $60.0 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock over the following 12 months (the “2010 Repurchase Program”), and in May 2011, the Company's board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $75.0 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock over the following 12 months (the “2011 Repurchase Program”). Both of these repurchase programs were authorized with the intention of creating additional value for stockholders. Under the repurchase programs, the Company was authorized to purchase shares from time to time in the open market, through block trades or otherwise. The Company repurchased a total of 7.3 million shares at a weighted average cost of $18.62, for a total cost of $135.0 million.
	On April 30, 2012, the Company's board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to an additional $75.0 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock over the following 12 months. The repurchase program was authorized with the intention of creating additional value for stockholders. Under the repurchase program, the Company is authorized to purchase shares from time to time in the open market, through block trades or otherwise. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had completed this authorized repurchase program, and no shares were repurchased under this program.
	In December 2012, we repurchased 0.1 million shares of our common stock from certain senior executives in the amount of $0.6 million. The repurchase was approved by our board of directors following its approval and recommendation by the compensation committee and the audit committee. The shares were repurchased at a price equal to the closing price of our common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the day the repurchase was approved by our board of directors. No shares were sold into the market in connection with the share repurchase. The repurchase related to tax withholding requirements on stock options exercised and are not part of the repurchase programs described above.
	On November 10, 2013, a special committee of our board of directors approved a plan to purchase up to 10,250,000 shares of our common stock through a tender offer. The tender offer commenced on November 13, 2013 and expired on December 11, 2013. On December 18, 2013, we repurchased shares of our common stock through the tender offer at a price of $19.50 per share. The tender offer was oversubscribed, resulting in the purchase of 10.2 million shares, including 0.2 million shares underlying previously unexercised stock options, for a total cost of $199.9 million, exclusive of fees. The repurchased shares were added to treasury stock.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for taxes. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in tax and deductions in future years.
	The components of income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	30,051			$	77,720			$	88,513
	State	3,234				7,665				8,632
		33,285				85,385				97,145
	Deferred:
	Federal	(9,172		)		(9,246		)		6,997
	State	(1,334		)		(726		)		(391		)
		(10,506		)		(9,972		)		6,606
	Total	$	22,779			$	75,413			$	103,751
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss	$	235			$	258
	Fixed assets	214				233
	Bad debt	6,855				7,479
	Vacation accrual	2,762				2,815
	Stock-based compensation	15,340				13,299
	Deferred rent	9,944				9,404
	State tax	2,316				2,541
	Bonus accrual	849				599
	Unearned interest	1,281				731
	Accrued expenses	4,224				52
	Revenue reserves	1,145				189
	Other	153				145
	Total deferred tax assets	45,318				37,745
	Valuation allowance	—				—
	Net deferred tax assets	45,318				37,745
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Fixed assets and intangibles	(11,550		)		(13,411		)
	Unrealized gain on investments	(28		)		(132		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(11,578		)		(13,543		)
	Total net deferred tax assets	$	33,740			$	24,202
	The current year change in net deferred tax assets of $9.5 million is comprised of net deferred expense of $10.5 million recorded through income tax expense, offset by the $1.1 million tax benefit shortfall recorded to additional paid in capital, and the $0.1 million tax effect of unrealized loss on investments recorded through other comprehensive income.
	Deferred taxes are reflected in the balance sheet as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013				2012
	Current deferred tax assets	$	15,232			$	10,936
	Current deferred tax liabilities	—				—
	Noncurrent deferred tax assets	18,508				13,266
	Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	—				—
	Total	$	33,740			$	24,202
	The Company periodically assesses the likelihood that it will be able to recover its deferred tax assets. The Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible profits. Based on the Company's history of earnings, the Company concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will fully utilize the deferred tax assets. Accordingly, the Company has not provided any valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets.
	At December 31, 2013, the Company had federal net operating loss carry forwards of $0.7 million, which are available to offset future taxable income. The federal net operating loss carry forwards will begin to expire in 2022. Pursuant to Internal Code Section 382, use of the net operating loss carryforwards may be limited if a cumulative change in ownership of more than 50% occurs within a three-year period. The Company has performed a Section 382 analysis and has determined that there is no material effect on the net operating loss carryforwards.
	A reconciliation of the income tax expense computed using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% and the Company's provision for income taxes follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013						2012					2011
	Computed expected federal tax expense	$	22,326		35	%		$	69,592		35	%	$	96,780		35	%
	State taxes, net of federal benefit	1,183			1.8			4,700			2.4		5,434			2
	Permanent differences	917			1.5			1,074			0.5		1,601			0.6
	Uncertain tax positions	(1,647		)	(2.6	)		31			—		(192		)	(0.1	)
	Other	—			—			16			—		128			—
	Income tax expense	$	22,779		35.7	%		$	75,413		37.9	%	$	103,751		37.5	%
	The Company evaluates and accounts for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach. Recognition (step one) occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) determines the amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Derecognition of a tax position that was previously recognized would occur when the Company subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more-likely-than-not threshold of being sustained.
	The accrual for uncertain tax positions can result in a difference between the estimated benefit recorded in the Company's financial statements and the benefit taken or expected to be taken in the Company's income tax returns. This difference is generally referred to as an “unrecognized tax benefit.”
	The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011	$	8,070
Gross increases-tax positions in prior period	965
Gross decreases-tax positions in prior period	—
Gross increases-current period tax positions	231
Settlements	—
Lapse of statute of limitations	—
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2012	9,266
Gross increases-tax positions in prior period	—
Gross decreases-tax positions in prior period	(5		)
Gross increases-current period tax positions	100
Settlements	—
Lapse of statute of limitations	(1,974		)
Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2013	$	7,387
Included in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits at both December 31, 2013 and 2012 is $4.8 million and $6.6 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the Company's effective tax rate. Also included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at both December 31, 2013 and 2012 is $2.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to other tax accounts, primarily deferred tax assets.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At both December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company had approximately $1.7 million respectively, of accrued interest, before any tax benefit, related to uncertain tax positions.
The tax years 2002-2013 are open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. The California Franchise Tax Board is auditing the Company's 2008 and 2009 California income tax returns. The Company does not expect any significant adjustments resulting from this audit. It is reasonably possible that the total amount of the unrecognized tax benefit will change during the next 12 months, however the Company does not expect the potential change to have a material effect on the results of operations or financial position in the next year.
The Company's continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Regulatory

Regulatory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Regulatory [Abstract]	'
Regulatory	'
	Regulatory
	The Company is subject to extensive regulation by federal and state governmental agencies and accrediting bodies. In particular, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (the “Higher Education Act”), and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of Education (the “Department”) subject the Company to significant regulatory scrutiny on the basis of numerous standards that institutions of higher education must satisfy in order to participate in the various federal student financial assistance programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
	Ashford University is regionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (“WASC”) and University of the Rockies is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (“HLC”).
	WASC Grant of Initial Accreditation of Ashford University
	On July 10, 2013, WASC granted Initial Accreditation to Ashford University for five years, until July 15, 2018. This WASC action permitted Ashford University to designate WASC as its accreditor of record for purposes of eligibility to participate in the Title IV programs following approval by the Department, the university's withdrawal from HLC and the transfer of relevant records to WASC. Ashford University formally submitted its request for such approvals to the Department on July 17, 2013.On November 4, 2013, the Department notified Ashford University that the Department would approve the university’s change in accreditor, recognizing WASC as Ashford University’s accreditor, along with the renewal of certification for continued participation in the Title IV, HEA programs. On December 13, 2013, the university effected its transition to WASC accreditation and designated its San Diego, California facilities as its main campus and its Clinton, Iowa campus as an additional location. As part of a continuing WASC monitoring process, the university will host WASC in a special visit in spring 2015.
	Beginning in 2014, WASC will institute “Mid-Cycle Reviews” of its accredited institutions near the midpoint of their periods of accreditation. The purpose of the Mid-Cycle Review is to identify problems with an institution's or program's continued compliance with agency standards while taking into account institutional or program strengths and stability. The Mid-Cycle Review will focus particularly on student achievement, including indications of educational effectiveness, retention and graduation data.
	Application for Licensure by California BPPE
	To be eligible to participate in Title IV programs, an institution must be legally authorized to offer its educational programs by the states in which it is physically located. Effective July 1, 2011, the Department established new requirements to determine if an institution is considered to be legally authorized by a state. In connection with its transition to WASC accreditation, Ashford University designated its San Diego, California facilities as its main campus for Title IV purposes. WASC-accredited institutions operating in California are not required to obtain approval from the State of California, Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, or BPPE, in order to operate in the state. Under the Department’s state authorization rule, an institution must be approved or licensed on a basis other than accreditation in instances in which it is not established by name as an educational institution by a state through a charter, statute, constitutional provision, or other action issued by an appropriate state agency or entity. On May 21, 2013, the Department published a notice stating that it would provide an extension of the effective date of the state authorization rule until July 1, 2014 to qualifying institutions that obtain from a state an explanation of how the extension of time would permit the state to comply with the regulations. The California Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a letter explaining the need for an extension. As it is uncertain how the Department will interpret the state authorization rule or the applicability of the extension of time, the university submitted an Application for Approval to Operate an Accredited Institution to BPPE on September 10, 2013. If BPPE approves the university’s application, the university will no longer be exempt from certain laws and regulations applicable to private, post-secondary educational institutions. These laws and regulations entail certain California reporting requirements, including but not limited to, graduation, employment and licensing data, certain changes of ownership and control, faculty and programs, and student refund policies, as well as the triggering of other state and federal student employment data reporting and disclosure requirements.
	Request for information from Ashford University by Iowa College Student Aid Commission
	On September 22, 2012, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission requested that Ashford University provide the commission with certain information and documentation related to, among other matters, the denial of Ashford University's application for WASC accreditation, the university's compliance with HLC criteria and policies, a teach-out plan in the event that Ashford University is unsuccessful in obtaining WASC accreditation and is sanctioned by HLC, and information relating to admissions employees, receipt of financial aid, availability of books, credit balance authorizations, and academic and financial support and advisement services to students. The commission requested that Ashford University provide the requested information by November 12, 2012 and make an in-person presentation during the commission's meeting on November 16, 2012. The university made the presentation and has notified the commission of its successful accreditation by WASC.
	Negotiated Rulemaking
	The Department held public hearings in May and June 2013 inviting the submission of topics for consideration in a series of rulemaking efforts to achieve a long-term agenda in higher education focused on access, affordability, academic quality and completion. Recent hearings have focused on topics including, but not limited to, cash management of Title IV program funds, state authorization for programs offering distance or correspondence education, gainful employment, credit and clock hour conversions, changes made to the Clery Act by the Violence Against Women Act of 2013 (P.L. 113-4), and the definition of “adverse credit” for PLUS borrowers.
	In June 2013, the Department announced its intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations that would establish standards for programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. The committee met for three sessions between September and December 2013, but did not reach consensus on the content of the proposed regulations. On March 14, 2014, the Department published proposed regulations for comment by the public for a sixty day period.
	In January 2014, the Department held the first of three negotiated rulemaking sessions to implement the changes to the Clery Act required by the enactment of the Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA. Two other sessions are scheduled for February 2014 and March-April 2014. While the final regulations will likely not be implemented prior to July 1, 2015, the Department notified institutions in an Electronic Announcement in May 2013 that until the regulations go into effect, it expects institutions to make a good faith effort to comply with the statutory requirements. Among other things, VAWA requires institutions to compile statistics for certain crimes reported to campus security authorities or local police agencies. Under the statute, an institution must include the new required information in its Annual Security Report issued no later than October 1, 2014.
	In February 2014, the Department held the first of three negotiation sessions related to various new program integrity initiatives, including the potential reintroduction of the Distance Education Rule (34 C.F.R. § 600.9(c)) that was vacated by a federal court in 2011. The February sessions produced no substantive outcomes, but sessions in March 2014 plan to address the Department’s draft of a proposed regulation on distance education that could materially impact our business.
	Additional topics to be considered at March and April sessions are expected to include, but may not be limited to, the following: cash management of Title IV funds, including the use of debit cards and the handling of Title IV credit balances; state authorization for foreign locations; clock to credit hour conversion; the definition of “adverse credit” for borrowers in the Federal Direct PLUS Loan Program; and the application of the repeat coursework provisions to graduate and undergraduate programs.
	We cannot predict the scope and content of the regulations that may emerge from these or other rulemaking activities that the Department initiates. Compliance with additional regulations, or with modifications to existing regulations, and/or regulatory scrutiny that results in the Company's institutions being allegedly out of compliance with these regulations, could result in direct and indirect costs of compliance, fines, liabilities, sanctions or lawsuits, which could have a material adverse effect on enrollments, revenues, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
	The “90/10” Rule
	Under the Higher Education Act, a for-profit institution loses its eligibility to participate in Title IV programs if the institution derives more than 90% of its revenues (calculated in accordance with applicable Department regulations) from Title IV program funds for two consecutive fiscal years. This rule is commonly referred to as the “90/10 rule.” Any institution that violates the 90/10 rule for two consecutive fiscal years becomes ineligible to participate in Title IV programs for at least two fiscal years. In addition, an institution whose rate exceeds 90% for any single year will be placed on provisional certification and may be subject to other enforcement measures.
	For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, Ashford University derived 85.6%, 86.4% and 86.8%, respectively, and University of the Rockies derived 87.6%, 87.3% and 85.0%, respectively, of their respective revenues (calculated in accordance with applicable Department regulations) from students whose source of funding is through Title IV funds.
	Cohort Default Rate
	For each federal fiscal year, the Department calculates a rate of student defaults over a two-year measuring period for each educational institution which is known as a “cohort default rate.” An institution may lose its eligibility to participate in the Direct Loan and Pell programs if, for each of the three most recent federal fiscal years for which information is available, 25% or more of its students who became subject to a repayment obligation in that federal fiscal year defaulted on such obligation by the end of the following federal fiscal year. In addition, an institution may lose its eligibility to participate in the Direct Loan program if its cohort default rate exceeds 40% in the most recent federal fiscal year for which default rates have been calculated by the Department. Ashford University's two-year cohort default rates for the 2011, 2010 and 2009 federal fiscal years, were 10.1%, 10.2%, and 15.3%, respectively. The two-year cohort default rates for University of the Rockies for the 2011, 2010 and 2009 federal fiscal years, were 4.8%, 4.0% and 3.3%, respectively.
	The August 2008 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act included significant revisions to the requirements concerning cohort default rates. Under the revised law, the period for which students' defaults on their loans are included in the calculation of an institution's cohort default rate was extended by one additional year, which is expected to increase the cohort default rates for most institutions. That change was effective with the calculation of institutions' cohort default rates for the federal fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, which rates were calculated and issued by the Department in September 2012. The Department will not impose sanctions based on rates calculated under this new methodology until three consecutive years of rates have been calculated, which is expected to occur in 2014. Until that time, the Department will continue to calculate rates under the old calculation method and impose sanctions based on those rates. The revised law also increases the threshold for ending an institution's participation in the relevant Title IV programs from 25% to 30%, effective for final three-year cohort default rates published on or after the 2012 federal fiscal year. The revised law changes the threshold for placement on provisional certification to 30% for two of the three most recent fiscal years for which the Department has published official three-year cohort default rates. Ashford University's three-year cohort default rates for the 2010 and 2009 federal fiscal years, were 16.3% and 19.8%, respectively. The three-year cohort default rates for University of the Rockies for the 2010 and 2009 federal fiscal years, were 8.0% and 3.3%, respectively.
	Return of Title IV Funds
	An institution participating in Title IV programs must correctly calculate the amount of unearned Title IV program funds that have been disbursed to students who withdraw from their educational programs before completion and must return those unearned funds in a timely manner, generally within 45 days of the date the school determines that the student has withdrawn. Under Department regulations, failure to make timely returns of Title IV program funds for 5% or more of students sampled on the institution's annual compliance audit in either of its two most recently completed fiscal years can result in the institution having to post a letter of credit in an amount equal to 25% of its required Title IV returns during its most recently completed fiscal year. If unearned funds are not properly calculated and returned in a timely manner, an institution is also subject to monetary liabilities or an action to impose a fine or to limit, suspend or terminate its participation in Title IV programs. For the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company's institutions did not exceed the 5% threshold for late refunds sampled.
	Financial Responsibility
	The Department calculates an institution's composite score for financial responsibility based on its (i) equity ratio, which measures the institution's capital resources, ability to borrow and financial viability; (ii) primary reserve ratio, which measures the institution's ability to support current operations from expendable resources; and (iii) net income ratio, which measures the institution's ability to operate at a profit. An institution that does not meet the Department's minimum composite score may demonstrate its financial responsibility by posting a letter of credit in favor of the Department and possibly accepting other conditions on its participation in the Title IV programs.
	For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, the consolidated composite score calculated was 3.0, satisfying the composite score requirement of the Department's financial responsibility test, which institutions must satisfy in order to participate in Title IV programs. We expect the consolidated composite score to be 3.0 for the year ended December 31, 2013. However, the consolidated calculation is subject to determination by the Department once it receives and reviews our audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013.

Retirement_Plans

Retirement Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Retirement Plans	'
	Retirement Plans
	The Company maintains an employee savings plan that qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the savings plan, participating employees may contribute a portion of their pre-tax earnings up to the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit. Additionally, the Company may elect to make matching contributions into the savings plan in its sole discretion. The Company's total expense related to the 401(k) plan was $3.3 million, $3.3 million and $2.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Litigation
	From time to time, the Company is a party to various lawsuits, claims and other legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. When the Company becomes aware of a claim or potential claim, it assesses the likelihood of any loss or exposure. In accordance with authoritative guidance, the Company records loss contingencies in its financial statements only for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum estimated liability. If the loss is not probable or the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated, the Company discloses the nature of the specific claim if the likelihood of a potential loss is reasonably possible and the amount involved is material. The Company continuously assesses the potential liability related to the Company’s pending litigation and revises its estimates when additional information becomes available. Below is a list of material legal proceedings to which the Company or its subsidiaries is a party.
	Compliance Audit by the Department's Office of the Inspector General (“OIG”)
	In January 2011, Ashford University received a final audit report from the OIG regarding the compliance audit commenced in May 2008 and covering the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. The audit covered Ashford University's administration of Title IV program funds, including compliance with regulations governing institutional and student eligibility, awards and disbursements of Title IV program funds, verification of awards and returns of unearned funds during that period, and its compensation of financial aid and recruiting personnel during the period May 10, 2005 through June 30, 2009.
	The final audit report contained audit findings, in each case for the period July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007, which are applicable to award year 2006-2007. Each finding was accompanied by one or more recommendations to the Department's Office of Federal Student Aid (the “FSA”). Ashford University provided the FSA a detailed response to OIG’s final audit report in February 2011. In June 2011, in connection with two of the six findings, the FSA requested that Ashford University conduct a file review of the return to Title IV calculations for all Title IV recipients who withdrew from distance education programs during the 2006-2007 award year. The institution cooperated with the request and supplied the information within the time frame required. If the FSA were to determine to assess a monetary liability or commence other administrative action, Ashford University would have an opportunity to contest the assessment or proposed action through administrative proceedings, with the right to seek review of any final administrative action in the federal courts.
	The outcome of this audit is uncertain at this point because of the many questions of fact and law that may arise. At present, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action based on the information available to the Company. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liability associated with this matter.
	Iowa Attorney General Civil Investigation of Ashford University
	In February 2011, Ashford University received from the Attorney General of the State of Iowa (“Iowa Attorney General”) a Civil Investigative Demand and Notice of Intent to Proceed (“CID”) relating to the Iowa Attorney General’s investigation of whether certain of the university's business practices comply with Iowa consumer laws. Pursuant to the CID, the Iowa Attorney General has requested documents and detailed information for the time period January 1, 2008 to present. On June 24, 2013, October 25, 2013, and February 10, 2014, representatives from the Company and Ashford University met with the Iowa Attorney General to discuss the status of the investigation and the Iowa Attorney General’s allegations against the Company which had been communicated to the Company several weeks prior to the June 24th meeting. During these meetings, the Iowa Attorney General and Ashford University also discussed the general framework of a potential resolution of the Iowa Attorney General’s allegations, which involves several components including injunctive relief, nonmonetary remedies and restitution. Ashford University is cooperating with the investigation and continuing to discuss the potential resolution of the Iowa Attorney General’s allegations. Accordingly, the Company estimates that a reasonable range of loss for this matter is between $6.2 million and $9.5 million. The Company has accrued $9.0 million, which represents its best estimate of a potential resolution, including restitution, the cost of non-monetary remedies and future legal costs.
	New York Attorney General Investigation of Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
	In May 2011, the Company received from the Attorney General of the State of New York (“NY Attorney General”) a Subpoena relating to the NY Attorney General's investigation of whether the Company and its academic institutions have complied with certain New York state consumer protection, securities and finance laws. Pursuant to the Subpoena, the NY Attorney General has requested from the Company and its academic institutions documents and detailed information for the time period March 17, 2005 to present. The Company is cooperating with the investigation and cannot predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of the investigation at this time.
	North Carolina Attorney General Investigation of Ashford University
	In September 2011, Ashford University received from the Attorney General of the State of North Carolina (“NC Attorney General”) an Investigative Demand relating to the NC Attorney General's investigation of whether the university's business practices complied with North Carolina consumer protection laws. Pursuant to the Investigative Demand, the NC Attorney General has requested from Ashford University documents and detailed information for the time period January 1, 2008 to present. Ashford University is cooperating with the investigation and cannot predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of the investigation at this time.
	California Attorney General Investigation of For-Profit Educational Institutions
	In January 2013, the Company received from the Attorney General of the State of California (“CA Attorney General”) an Investigative Subpoena relating to the CA Attorney General’s investigation of for-profit educational institutions. Pursuant to the Investigative Subpoena, the CA Attorney General has requested documents and detailed information for the time period March 1, 2009 to present. On July 24, 2013, the CA Attorney General filed a petition to enforce certain categories of the Subpoena related to recorded calls and electronic marketing data. On September 25, 2013, we reached an agreement with the CA Attorney General to produce certain categories of the documents requested in the petition and stipulated to continue the hearing on the petition to enforce from October 3, 2013 to January 9, 2014. On January 13, 2014, the Company received a second Investigative Subpoena from the CA Attorney General requesting additional documents and information for the time period March 1, 2009 through the current date. The Company cannot predict the eventual scope, duration or outcome of the investigation at this time. As a result, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action and accordingly has not accrued any liability associated with this action.
	Stevens v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
	In February 2011, the Company received a copy of a complaint filed as a class action lawsuit naming the Company, Ashford University, LLC, and certain employees as defendants. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Diego and was captioned Stevens v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. The complaint generally alleged that the plaintiffs and similarly situated employees were improperly denied certain wage and hour protections under California law.
	In April 2011, the Company received a copy of a complaint filed as a class action lawsuit naming the Company and Ashford University, LLC, as defendants. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Diego, and was captioned Moore v. Ashford University, LLC. The complaint generally alleged that the plaintiff and similarly situated employees were improperly denied certain wage and hour protections under California law.
	In May 2011, the Company received a copy of a complaint filed as a class action lawsuit naming the Company as a defendant. The complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Diego on May 6, 2011, and was captioned Sanchez v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. The complaint generally alleged that the plaintiff and similarly situated employees were improperly denied certain wage and hour protections under California law.
	In October 2011, the above named cases were consolidated because they involved common questions of fact and law, with Stevens v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc. designated as the lead case.
	In April 2012, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs of the above named cases to settle the claims on a class-wide basis. Under the terms of the settlement agreement, the Company agreed to pay an amount to settle the plaintiffs' claims, plus any related payroll taxes. The Company accrued a $10.8 million expense in connection with the settlement agreement during the year ending December 31, 2012. On August 24, 2012, the Court granted final approval of the class action settlement and entered a final judgment in accordance with the terms of the settlement agreement. This settlement was paid out prior to December 31, 2012.
	Securities Class Action
	On July 13, 2012, a securities class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by Donald K. Franke naming the Company, Andrew Clark, Daniel Devine and Jane McAuliffe as defendants for allegedly making false and materially misleading statements regarding the Company’s business and financial results, specifically the concealment of accreditation problems at Ashford University. The complaint asserts a putative class period stemming from May 3, 2011 to July 6, 2012. A substantially similar complaint was also filed in the same court by Luke Sacharczyk on July 17, 2012 making similar allegations against the Company, Andrew Clark and Daniel Devine. The Sacharczyk complaint asserts a putative class period stemming from May 3, 2011 to July 12, 2012. Finally, on July 26, 2012, another purported securities class action complaint was filed in the same court by David Stein against the same defendants based upon the same general set of allegations and class period. The complaints allege violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder and seek unspecified monetary relief, interest, and attorneys’ fees.
	On October 22, 2012, the Sacharczyk and Stein actions were consolidated with the Franke action and the Court appointed the City of Atlanta General Employees Pension Fund and the Teamsters Local 677 Health Services & Insurance Plan as lead plaintiffs. A consolidated complaint was filed on December 21, 2012 and the Company filed a motion to dismiss on February 19, 2013. On September 13, 2013, the Court granted the motion to dismiss with leave to amend for alleged misrepresentations relating to Ashford University’s quality of education, the WASC accreditation process, and the Company’s financial forecasts. The Court denied the motion to dismiss for alleged misrepresentations concerning Ashford University’s persistence rates. The plaintiff did not file an amended complaint by the October 31, 2013 deadline and therefore the case is now proceeding to discovery.
	The outcome of this legal proceeding is uncertain at this point because of the many questions of fact and law that may arise. At present, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action based on the information available to the Company. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liability associated with this action.
	Shareholder Derivative Actions
	In re Bridgepoint, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Action
	On July 24, 2012, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in California Superior Court by Alonzo Martinez. In the complaint, the plaintiff asserts a derivative claim on the Company's behalf against certain of its current and former officers and directors. The complaint is entitled Martinez v. Clark, et al., and generally alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties of candor, good faith and loyalty, wasted corporate assets and were unjustly enriched. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary relief and disgorgement on behalf of the Company, as well as other equitable relief and attorneys' fees. On September 28, 2012, a substantially similar shareholder derivative complaint was filed in California Superior Court by David Adolph-Laroche. In the complaint, the plaintiff asserts a derivative claim on the Company's behalf against certain of its current and former officers and directors. The complaint is entitled Adolph-Laroche v. Clark, et al., and generally alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties of candor, good faith and loyalty, wasted corporate assets and were unjustly enriched.
	On October 11, 2012, the Adolph-Laroche action was consolidated with the Martinez action and the case is now entitled In re Bridgepoint, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Action. A consolidated complaint was filed on December 18, 2012 and the defendants filed a motion to stay the case while the underlying securities class action is pending. The motion was granted by the Court on April 11, 2013. A status conference was held on October 10, 2013, during which the Court ordered the stay continued for the duration of discovery in the securities class action, but permitted the plaintiff to receive copies of any discovery responses served in the underlying securities class action.
	Cannon v. Clark, et al.
	On November 1, 2013, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by James Cannon. In the complaint, the plaintiff asserts a derivative claim on the Company's behalf against certain of its current officers and directors. The complaint is entitled Cannon v. Clark, et al. and is substantially similar to the previously filed California State Court derivative action now entitled In re Bridgepoint, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Action. In the complaint, plaintiff generally alleges that the individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties of candor, good faith and loyalty, wasted corporate assets and were unjustly enriched. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary relief and disgorgement on behalf of the Company, as well as other equitable relief and attorneys' fees. Pursuant to a stipulation among the parties, on January 6, 2014, the Court ordered the case stayed during discovery in the underlying securities class action, but permitted the plaintiff to receive copies of any discovery responses served in the underlying securities class action.
	Di Giovanni v. Clark, et al., and Craig-Johnston v. Clark, et al.
	On December 9, 2013, two nearly identical shareholder derivative complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California. The complaints assert derivative claims on our behalf against the members of our board of directors as well as against Warburg Pincus & Co., Warburg Pincus LLC, Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, and Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P. The two lawsuits are captioned Di Giovanni v. Clark, et al., and Craig-Johnston v. Clark, et al. The complaints allege that all of the defendants breached their fiduciary duties and were unjustly enriched and that the individual defendants wasted corporate assets in connection with the tender offer commenced by the Company on November 13, 2013. The lawsuits seek unspecified monetary relief and disgorgement, as well as other equitable relief and attorneys’ fees.
	Klein v. Clark, et al.
	On January 9, 2014, a shareholder derivative complaint was filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in San Diego. The complaint asserts derivative claims on our behalf against the members of our board of directors as well as against Warburg Pincus & Co., Warburg Pincus LLC, Warburg Pincus Partners LLC, and Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P. The lawsuit is captioned Klein v. Clark, et al. The complaint alleges that all of the defendants breached their fiduciary duties and were unjustly enriched and that the individual defendants wasted corporate assets in connection with the tender offer commenced by the Company on November 13, 2013. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary relief and disgorgement, as well as other equitable relief and attorneys’ fees.
	Guzman v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
	In January 2011, Betty Guzman filed a class action lawsuit against the Company, Ashford University and University of the Rockies in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The complaint is entitled Guzman v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc., et al., and alleges that the defendants engaged in misrepresentation and other unlawful behavior in their efforts to recruit and retain students. The complaint asserts a putative class period of March 1, 2005 through the present. In March 2011, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint, which was granted by the Court with leave to amend in October 2011.
	In January 2012, the plaintiff filed a first amended complaint asserting similar claims and the same class period, and the defendants filed another motion to dismiss. In May 2012, the Court granted University of the Rockies’ motion to dismiss and granted in part and denied in part the motion to dismiss filed by the Company and Ashford University. The Court also granted the plaintiff leave to file a second amended complaint. In August 2012, the plaintiff filed a second amended complaint asserting similar claims and the same class period. The second amended complaint seeks unspecified monetary relief, disgorgement of all profits, various other equitable relief, and attorneys’ fees. The defendants filed a motion to strike portions of the second amended complaint, which was granted in part and denied in part. On March 14, 2013, the Company filed a motion to deny class certification for students enrolled on or after May 2007 when Ashford University adopted a binding arbitration policy. On August 23, 2013, the Court denied the motion finding that although “some” absent class members in this case may have signed an enforceable arbitration agreement, this does not demonstrate an overbroad or unascertainable class that forecloses certification at this stage of the proceedings. On September 23, 2013, the Court entered an order bifurcating discovery and permitting only class certification discovery to take place until the plaintiff’s motion for class certification, which is due to be filed on or before April 30, 2014, is decided.
	The outcome of this legal proceeding is uncertain at this point because of the many questions of fact and law that may arise. At present, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action based on the information available to the Company. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liability associated with this action.
	Qui Tam Complaints
	In December 2012, the Company received notice that the U.S. Department of Justice had declined to intervene in a qui tam complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by Ryan Ferguson and Mark T. Pacheco under the Federal False Claims Act on March 10, 2011 and unsealed on December 26, 2012. The case is entitled United States of America, ex rel., Ryan Ferguson and Mark T. Pacheco v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc., Ashford University and University of the Rockies. The qui tam complaint alleges, among other things, that since March 10, 2005, the Company caused its institutions, Ashford University and University of the Rockies, to violate the Federal False Claims Act by falsely certifying to the U.S. Department of Education that the institutions were in compliance with various regulations governing the Title IV programs, including those that require compliance with federal rules regarding the payment of incentive compensation to enrollment personnel, student disclosures, and misrepresentation in connection with the institutions' participation in the Title IV programs. The complaint seeks significant damages, penalties and other relief. On April 30, 2013, the relators petitioned the Court for voluntary dismissal of the complaint without prejudice. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a notice stipulating to the dismissal and the Court granted the dismissal on June 12, 2013.
	In January 2013, the Company received notice that the U.S. Department of Justice had declined to intervene in a qui tam complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California by James Carter and Roger Lengyel under the Federal False Claims Act on July 2, 2010 and unsealed on January 2, 2013. The case is entitled United States of America, ex rel., James Carter and Roger Lengyel v. Bridgepoint Education, Inc., Ashford University. The qui tam complaint alleges, among other things, that since March 2005, the Company and Ashford University have violated the Federal False Claims Act by falsely certifying to the U.S. Department of Education that Ashford University was in compliance with federal rules regarding the payment of incentive compensation to enrollment personnel in connection with the institution's participation in Title IV programs. Pursuant to a stipulation between the parties, the relators filed an amended complaint on May 10, 2013. The amended complaint is substantially similar to the original complaint and seeks significant damages, penalties and other relief. On January 8, 2014, the Court denied the Company's motion to dismiss and the case is proceeding to discovery.
	The outcome of this legal proceeding is uncertain at this point because of the many questions of fact and law that may arise. At present, the Company cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss for this action based on the information available to the Company. Accordingly, the Company has not accrued any liability associated with this action.
	Employee Class Actions
	On October 24, 2012, a class action complaint was filed in California Superior Court by former employee Marla Montano naming the Company and Ashford University as defendants. The case is entitled Marla Montano v. Bridgepoint Education and Ashford University. The complaint asserts a putative class consisting of former employees who were terminated in January 2012 and July 2012 as a result of a mass layoff, relocation or termination and alleges that the defendants failed to comply with the notice and payment provisions of the California WARN Act. A substantially similar complaint, entitled Dilts v. Bridgepoint Education and Ashford University, was also filed in the same court on the same day by Austin Dilts making similar allegations and asserting the same putative class. The complaints seek back pay, the cost of benefits, penalties and interest on behalf of the putative class members, as well as other equitable relief and attorneys' fees.
	On January 25, 2013, the Company filed motions to compel binding arbitration with the Court, which were granted on May 20, 2013. The parties subsequently agreed to settle all of the claims for an immaterial amount and as a result the cases are now concluded.

Concentration_of_Risk

Concentration of Risk	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]	'
Concentration of Risk	'
	Concentration of Risk
	Concentration of Revenue
	In 2013, Ashford University derived 85.6% and University of the Rockies derived 87.6% of their respective revenues (in each case calculated on a cash basis in accordance with applicable Department regulations) from students whose source of funding is through Title IV programs. See Note 18, “Regulatory-The “90/10” Rule.” Title IV programs are subject to political and budgetary considerations and are subject to extensive and complex regulations. The Company's administration of these programs is periodically reviewed by various regulatory agencies. Any regulatory violation could be the basis for the initiation of potentially adverse actions including a suspension, limitation, or termination proceeding, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's enrollments, revenues and results of operations.
	Students obtain access to federal student financial aid through a Department prescribed application and eligibility certification process. Student financial aid funds are generally made available to students at prescribed intervals throughout their expected length of study. Students typically apply the funds received from the federal financial aid programs first to pay their tuition and fees. Any remaining funds are distributed directly to the student.
	Concentration of Credit Risk
	The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents accounts in financial institutions. Accounts at these institutions are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) up to $250,000. The Company performs ongoing evaluations of these institutions to limit its concentrations risk exposure.
	Concentration of Sources of Supply
	The Company is dependent on a third party provider for its online platform, which includes a learning management system, which stores, manages and delivers course content, enables assignment uploading, provides interactive communication between students and faculty and supplies online assessment tools. The partial or complete loss of this source may have an adverse effect on enrollments, revenues and results of operations.

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)	'
	Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
	The following tables set forth unaudited results of operations and certain operating data for each quarter during 2013 and 2012. The Company believes that the information reflects all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information below. Basic and diluted earnings per common share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of quarterly basic and diluted per common share information may not equal annual basic and diluted earnings per common share.
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	2013
	Revenue	$	221,984	$	197,574	$	185,612	$	163,453
	Operating income (loss)	43,420		16,028		12,851		(11,856		)
	Net income (loss)	26,967		10,368		10,135		(6,460		)
	Earnings (loss) per common share:
	Basic	$	0.5	$	0.19	$	0.19	$	(0.12	)
	Diluted	0.49		0.19		0.18		(0.12		)
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	2012
	Revenue	$	250,437	$	256,302	$	252,076	$	209,356
	Operating income	50,629		68,782		47,109		28,944
	Net income	31,971		43,258		29,820		18,372
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	0.61	$	0.82	$	0.56	$	0.34
	Diluted	0.57		0.77		0.53		0.33

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	On February 10, 2014, representatives from the Company and Ashford University met with the Iowa Attorney General to discuss the status of the investigation and the Iowa Attorney General’s allegations against the Company. During this meeting, the Iowa Attorney General and Ashford University discussed the general framework of a potential resolution of the Iowa Attorney General’s allegations. For additional information, see Note 20, “Commitments and Contingencies - Iowa Attorney General Civil Investigation of Ashford University.”

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	.
Self Insurance Reserve [Policy Text Block]	'
	Workers Compensation
	The Company records a gross liability for estimated workers compensation claims, incurred but not yet reported, as of each balance sheet date. The Company also records the gross insurance recoverable due for individual claim amounts.  This is recorded as an other asset and as an equal accrued liability. The stop-loss premium is determined annually, but invoiced and paid on a quarterly basis. The related insurance premiums are expensed ratably over the coverage period.
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Bridgepoint Education, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	'
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements	'
	Reclassifications
	Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years' financial statements to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported total operating expenses or retained earnings.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	'
	Cash and Cash Equivalents
	Cash and cash equivalents is comprised of cash and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Investments	'
	Investments
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company held short and long-term investments which consisted of demand notes, corporate notes and bonds and certificates of deposit. The Company's investments are denominated in U.S. dollars, investment grade and readily marketable. The Company considers as current assets those investments which will mature or are likely to be sold in less than one year.
	The Company has classified its investments as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value as determined by quoted market prices, with unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, reported as a separate component of comprehensive income and stockholders’ equity. Held-to-maturity securities are carried at amortized cost. Amortization of premiums, accretion of discounts, interest and realized gains and losses are included in other income, net in the consolidated statement of income.
	The Company regularly monitors and evaluates the realizable value of its investments. If events and circumstances indicate that a decline in the value of these assets has occurred and is other-than-temporary, the Company would record a charge to other income, net in the consolidated statement of income.
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	The Company uses the three-tier fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either observable directly or indirectly, through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. The Company's Level 2 investments are valued using readily available pricing sources which utilize market observable inputs, including the current interest rate for similar types of instruments. During the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, there were no transfers in or out of any fair value level of measurement.
Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	Accounts receivable consists of student accounts receivable, which represent amounts due for tuition, course digital materials, technology fees and other fees from currently enrolled and former students. Students generally fund their education through grants and/or loans under various Title IV programs, tuition assistance from military and corporate employers or personal funds. Payments are due on the respective course start date and are considered past due subsequent to the respective course start date. An account is considered delinquent 120 days subsequent to the course start date.
	Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. For accounts receivable, an allowance for doubtful accounts is estimated by management and is principally based on historical collection experience as well as (i) an assessment of individual accounts receivable over a specific aging and amount, (ii) consideration of the nature of the receivable accounts and (iii) potential changes in the business or economic environment. The provision for bad debts is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the consolidated statements of income. The Company charges off uncollectable accounts receivable when the student account is deemed uncollectable by internal collection efforts or by a third party collection agency.
	Student Loans Receivable and Loan Loss Reserves
	Student loans receivable consist of loans to qualified students and have a repayment period of 10 years from the date of graduation or withdrawal from the Company's institutions. The interest rate charged on student loans is a fixed rate of either 4.5% or 0.0% depending upon the repayment plan selected. If the student selects the rate of 0.0%, the student must pay $50 per month on the loan while enrolled in school and during the six months of grace period (after graduation or withdrawal) before the repayment period begins. On the 0.0% student loans, the Company imputes interest using the rate that would be used in a market transaction with similar terms. Interest income on student loans is recognized using the effective interest method and is recorded within other income, net in the consolidated statements of income. Revenue recognized related to student loans was immaterial during each of the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
	Student loans receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. For tuition related student loan receivables, the Company estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts, similar to that of accounts receivable, based on (i) an assessment of individual loans receivable over a specific aging and amount, (ii) consideration of the nature of the receivable accounts, (iii) potential changes in the business or economic environment and (iv) related FICO scores and other industry metrics. The related provision for bad debts is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the consolidated statements of income.
	For non-tuition related student loans, the Company utilizes an impairment methodology. Under this methodology, management determines whether a loan would be impaired if the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the individual loan agreement. This assessment is based on an analysis of several factors including aging history and delinquency trending, the risk characteristics, credit quality and loan performance of the specific loans, as well as current economic conditions and industry trends. Credit quality is assessed at the outset of a loan, based upon FICO score during the loan application process. The Company considers loans to be impaired when they reach a delinquency status that requires specialized collection efforts. The Company defines delinquency for loans as being for students who are no longer active, having amounts that are past due and having the last activity more than 120 days old. The Company records a loss reserve for the full book value of the impaired loans. For the year ended December 31, 2013, there was $2.0 million recorded for loan loss reserves. The loan loss reserve is maintained at a level deemed adequate by management based on a periodic analysis of the individual loans and is recorded within the instructional costs and services line in the consolidated statements of income.
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are recognized at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
	Buildings	39 years
	Furniture and office equipment	3 - 7 years
	Software	3 years
	Vehicles	5 years
	Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. Upon the retirement or disposition of property and equipment, the related cost and accumulated depreciation is removed and a gain or loss is recorded in the consolidated statements of income. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed in the period incurred.
Leases	'
	Leases
	Leases are evaluated and classified as either operating or capital leases. Leased property and equipment meeting certain criteria are capitalized, and the present value of the related lease payments is recognized as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of capitalized leased assets is computed on the straight-line method over the term of the lease or the life of the related asset, whichever is shorter.
	If the Company receives tenant allowances from the lessor for certain improvements made to the leased property, these allowances are capitalized as leasehold improvements and a long-term liability is established. The long-term liability is amortized on a straight-line basis over the corresponding lease term. 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 either a short-term or long-term liability.
	The Company recognizes liabilities for exit and disposal activities on non-cancelable lease obligations at fair value in the period the liability is incurred. For the non-cancelable lease obligations, the Company records the obligation when the contract is terminated in accordance with the contract terms.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The Company tests goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events and circumstances warrant.
	The Company adopted accounting guidance which simplifies how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. The Company first assesses qualitative factors, such as deterioration in general economic conditions or negative company financial performance, to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. The Company's assessment of goodwill during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 indicated that there were no significant negative qualitative indicators, and therefore, goodwill was not impaired. There have been no impairment losses recognized by the Company for any periods presented. If negative qualitative indicators had been noted above, the Company would then need to assess the fair value of its reporting units to determine whether they were in excess of the carrying values.
	To evaluate the impairment of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, the Company assessed the fair value of the assets to determine whether they were in excess of the carrying values. Determining the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible asset is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain, and can include such items as growth rates used to calculate projected future cash flows, risk-adjusted discount rates, future economic and market conditions, as well as determination of appropriate market comparables. The Company's assessment of indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 did not result in any impairment. There have been no impairment losses recognized by the Company for any periods presented.
	The Company also has definite-lived intangible assets, which primarily consist of purchased intangibles and capitalized curriculum development costs. The definite-lived intangible assets are recognized at cost less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	'
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company assesses potential impairment to its long-lived assets when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded when the carrying amount of the long-lived asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. Any required impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset exceeds fair value and is recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related asset and an expense to operating results. During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $0.7 million to write-off certain fixed assets as part of lease exit costs.
Revenue and Deferred Revenue	'
	Revenue and Deferred Revenue
	The Company's revenue consists of tuition, technology fees, course digital materials and other miscellaneous fees. Tuition revenue is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction net of scholarships and expected refunds, with the exception of an online student's first course, per degree level, at Ashford University. Effective in the fourth quarter of 2012, an online student's first course per degree level at Ashford University falls under a three-week conditional admission period in which the revenue is deferred until the student matriculates into the course.
	The Company's institutions' online students generally enroll in a program that encompasses a series of five to six-week courses which are taken consecutively over the length of the program. With the exception of those students under conditional admission, the online students are billed on a payment period basis on the first day of class. The Company's institutions' campus-based students enroll in a program that encompasses a series of nine-week or 16-week courses. Campus-based students are billed at the beginning of each term.
	If a student's attendance in a class precedes the receipt of cash from the student's source of funding, the Company establishes an account receivable and corresponding deferred revenue in the amount of the tuition due for that payment period. Cash received either directly from the student or from the student's source of funding reduces the balance of accounts receivable due from the student. Financial aid from sources such as the federal government's Title IV programs pertains to the online student's award year and is generally divided into two disbursement periods. As such, each disbursement period may contain funding for up to four courses. Financial aid disbursements are typically received during the online student's attendance in the first or second course. Since the majority of disbursements cover more courses than for which a student is currently enrolled, the amount received in excess effectively represents a prepayment from the online student for up to four courses. At the end of each accounting period, the deferred revenue and student deposits and related account receivable balances are reduced to present amounts attributable to the current course.
	For those students under conditional admission, the student is not obligated for payment until after their conditional admission period has lapsed, so there is no required refund. For all subsequent courses, the Company records a provision for expected refunds and reduces revenue for the amount that is expected to be subsequently refunded. Provisions for expected refunds have not been material to any period presented. If a student withdraws from a program prior to a specified date, a portion of such student's tuition is refunded.
	The Company records technology fees, which are one-time start up fees charged to each new online student, other than military, scholarship students or certain corporate reimbursement students. Technology fee revenue is recognized ratably over the average expected enrollment of a student. Effective January 1, 2013, Ashford University eliminated the one-time technology fee charged students and replaced it with a per course charge. The per course technology fee revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the applicable period of instruction. Other miscellaneous fees include fees for course content and textbooks and other services, such as commencements, and are recognized upon delivery of the goods or when the related service is performed.
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company accounts for its income taxes using the liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the bases used for financial reporting and income tax reporting purposes. Deferred income taxes are provided based on the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect at the time such temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize those tax assets through future operations.
	The Company evaluates and accounts for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach. Recognition (step one) occurs when the Company concludes that a tax position, based solely on its technical merits, is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination. Measurement (step two) determines 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. Derecognition of a tax position that was previously recognized would occur when the Company subsequently determines that a tax position no longer meets the more-likely-than-not threshold of being sustained.
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date fair value of the award and is expensed over the vesting period. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock-based awards at the grant date under this model requires judgment, including estimating volatility, employee stock option exercise behaviors and forfeiture rates. The assumptions used in calculating the fair value of stock-based awards represent the Company's best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. The fair value of the Company's restricted stock units is based on the market price of its common stock on the date of grant.
	The amount of stock-based compensation expense recognized during a period is based on the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. The Company estimates award forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company's equity plans require that option awards have an exercise price that equals or exceeds the closing price of the Company's common stock, as reported by the NYSE, on the date of grant.
	Stock-based compensation expense for stock awards is recorded in the consolidated statement of income, net of estimated forfeitures, using the graded vesting method over the requisite service periods of the respective stock awards.
Instructional Costs and Services	'
	Instructional Costs and Services
	Instructional costs and services consist primarily of costs related to the administration and delivery of the Company's educational programs. This expense category includes compensation for campus-based faculty and administrative personnel, costs associated with online faculty, curriculum and new program development costs, financial aid processing costs, technology license costs, bad debt expense and costs associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the students. Instructional costs and services also include an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs.
Admissions advisory and marketing	'
	Instructional costs and services consist primarily of costs related to the administration and delivery of the Company's educational programs. This expense category includes compensation for campus-based faculty and administrative personnel, costs associated with online faculty, curriculum and new program development costs, financial aid processing costs, technology license costs, bad debt expense and costs associated with other support groups that provide services directly to the students. Instructional costs and services also include an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs.
	Admissions Advisory and Marketing
	Admissions advisory and marketing costs include compensation of personnel engaged in marketing and recruitment, as well as costs associated with purchasing leads and producing marketing materials. Such costs are generally affected by the cost of advertising media and leads, the efficiency of the Company's marketing and recruiting efforts, compensation for the Company's en
General and Administrative	'
	General and Administrative
	General and administrative expenses include compensation of employees engaged in corporate management, finance, human resources, compliance and other corporate functions. General and administrative expenses also include professional services fees, travel and entertainment expenses and an allocation of information technology, facility, depreciation and amortization costs.
Earnings Per Share	'
	Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the sum of (i) the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and (ii) potentially dilutive securities outstanding during the period, if the effect is dilutive. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of incremental shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of the stock options and warrants and upon the settlement of restricted stock units.
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company operates in one reportable segment as a single educational delivery operation using a core infrastructure that serves the curriculum and educational delivery needs of both its campus-based and online students regardless of geography. The Company's chief operating decision maker, its CEO and President, manages the Company's operations as a whole, and no revenue, expense or operating income information is evaluated by the chief operating decision maker on any component level.
Comprehensive Income	'
	Comprehensive Income
	Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting stockholders’ equity that, under GAAP, are excluded from net income. For the year ended December 31, 2013, such items consisted of unrealized gains and losses on investments.
	The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive gain (loss) and the related tax effects for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
		Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
	Unrealized losses on investments	$	(280	)	$	106		$	(174	)
		December 31, 2012
		Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
	Unrealized gains on investments	$	1,300		$	(483	)	$	817
		December 31, 2011
		Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
	Unrealized losses on investments	$	(946	)	$	351		(595		)
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, “Incomes 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 addresses the diversity in practice regarding financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. The guidance requires an unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of, to be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to the related deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. To the extent the net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position. The unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a liability and not as a reduction of the related deferred tax asset. The amendments in this standard are effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2013-11, effective January 1, 2014, and does not believe that such adoption will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment are recognized at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
	Buildings	39 years
	Furniture and office equipment	3 - 7 years
	Software	3 years
	Vehicles	5 years
	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	7,091		$	7,091
	Buildings	28,916			25,430
	Furniture and office equipment	84,852			79,656
	Software	10,075			6,053
	Leasehold improvements	24,360			23,756
	Vehicles	147			147
	Total property and equipment	155,441			142,133
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(64,016		)	(46,167		)
	Total property and equipment, net	$	91,425		$	95,966
Components of Other Comprehensive Loss and the Related Tax Effects	'
	The following table summarizes the components of other comprehensive gain (loss) and the related tax effects for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
		Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
	Unrealized losses on investments	$	(280	)	$	106		$	(174	)
		December 31, 2012
		Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
	Unrealized gains on investments	$	1,300		$	(483	)	$	817
		December 31, 2011
		Before-Tax Amount			Tax Effect			Net-of-Tax Amount
	Unrealized losses on investments	$	(946	)	$	351		(595		)

Investments_Tables

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Information of Short and Long-term Investments	'
	The following table summarizes the fair value information of short and long-term investments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Demand notes	$	—			$	719			$	—			$	719
	Corporate notes and bonds	—				16,244				—				16,244
	Certificates of deposit	—				90,000				—				90,000
	Total	$	—			$	106,963			$	—			$	106,963
		December 31, 2012
		Level 1				Level 2				Level 3				Total
	Demand notes	$	—			$	415			$	—			$	415
	Corporate notes and bonds	—				148,801				—				148,801
	Certificates of deposit	$	—			$	109,489			$	—			$	109,489
	Total	$	—			$	258,705			$	—			$	258,705
Schedule of Difference Between Amortized Cost and Fair Value	'
	The following table summarizes the differences between amortized cost and fair value of short and long-term investments as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
								Gross unrealized
		Maturities in Years		Amortized Cost				Gain				Loss				Fair Value
	Short-term
	Demand notes	1 year or less		$	719			$	—			$	—			$	719
	Corporate notes and bonds	1 year or less		5,132				50				—				5,182
	Certificates of deposit	1 year or less		60,000				—				—				60,000
	Long-term
	Corporate notes and bonds	3 years or less		11,037				25				—				11,062
	Certificates of deposit	3 years or less		30,000				—				—				30,000
	Total			$	106,888			$	75			$	—			$	106,963
		December 31, 2012
								Gross unrealized
		Maturities in Years		Amortized Cost				Gain				Loss				Fair Value
	Short-term
	Demand notes	1 year or less		$	415			$	—			$	—			$	415
	Corporate notes and bonds	1 year or less		126,806				282				(25		)		127,063
	Certificate of deposit	1 year or less		9,489				—				—				9,489
	Long-term
	Corporate notes and bonds	3 years or less		21,641				117				(20		)		21,738
	Certificate of deposit	3 years or less		100,000				—				—				100,000
	Total			$	258,351			$	399			$	(45	)		$	258,705

Accounts_Receivable_Tables

Accounts Receivable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Accounts Receivable	'
	Accounts receivable, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accounts receivable	$	70,668	$	114,039
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	42,103		46,668
	Accounts receivable, net	$	28,565	$	67,371
	Student loans receivable, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
	Short-term:	2013		2012
	Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)	$	587	$	428
	Student loans receivable (tuition related)	621		167
	Current student loans receivable	1,208		595
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	165		39
	Student loans receivable, net	$	1,043	$	556
		As of December 31,
	Long-term:	2013		2012
	Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)	$	7,347	$	9,279
	Student loans receivable (tuition related)	6,417		8,171
	Non-current student loans receivable	13,764		17,450
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	1,979		2,307
	Student loans receivable, net	$	11,785	$	15,143
Changes in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Beginning		Charged to			Deductions(1)			Ending
		Balance		Expense						Balance
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable:
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	46,668	$	72,495		$	(77,060	)	$	42,103
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	35,587		73,581			(62,500		)	46,668
	For the year ended December 31, 2011	28,064		57,077			(49,554		)	35,587
	-1	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.
	The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for student loans receivable (tuition related) for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Beginning		Charged to			Deductions(1)			Ending
		Balance		Expense						Balance
	Allowance for doubtful student loans receivable:
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	2,346	$	(182	)	$	(19	)	$	2,145
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	2,378		115			(147		)	2,346
	For the year ended December 31, 2011	930		1,434			14			2,378
	-1	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Student_Loan_Receivables_Table

Student Loan Receivables (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Student Loans Receivables, Net	'
	Accounts receivable, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
	Accounts receivable	$	70,668		$	114,039
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	42,103			46,668
	Accounts receivable, net	$	28,565		$	67,371
	Student loans receivable, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
	Short-term:	2013			2012
	Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)	$	587		$	428
	Student loans receivable (tuition related)	621			167
	Current student loans receivable	1,208			595
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	165			39
	Student loans receivable, net	$	1,043		$	556
		As of December 31,
	Long-term:	2013			2012
	Student loans receivable (non-tuition related)	$	7,347		$	9,279
	Student loans receivable (tuition related)	6,417			8,171
	Non-current student loans receivable	13,764			17,450
	Less allowance for doubtful accounts	1,979			2,307
	Student loans receivable, net	$	11,785		$	15,143
Changes in the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	'
	The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for accounts receivable for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Beginning			Charged to			Deductions(1)			Ending
		Balance			Expense						Balance
	Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable:
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	46,668		$	72,495		$	(77,060	)	$	42,103
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	35,587			73,581			(62,500		)	46,668
	For the year ended December 31, 2011	28,064			57,077			(49,554		)	35,587
	-1	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.
	The following table presents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for student loans receivable (tuition related) for the periods indicated (in thousands):
		Beginning			Charged to			Deductions(1)			Ending
		Balance			Expense						Balance
	Allowance for doubtful student loans receivable:
	For the year ended December 31, 2013	$	2,346		$	(182	)	$	(19	)	$	2,145
	For the year ended December 31, 2012	2,378			115			(147		)	2,346
	For the year ended December 31, 2011	930			1,434			14			2,378
	-1	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.
Delinquency Status of Gross Student Loans Receivable	'
	As of December 31, 2013, the delinquency status of gross student loans receivable was as follows (in thousands):
	Less than 120 days	$	16,998
	From 120 - 269 days	1,238
	Greater than 270 days	2,132
	Total gross student loans receivable	20,368
	Less: Amounts reserved or impaired	(4,143		)
	Less: Discount on student loans receivable	(3,397		)
	Total student loans receivable, net	$	12,828

Prepaid_Expense_and_Other_Curr1

Prepaid Expense and Other Current Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	'
	Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Prepaid expenses	$	10,814	$	9,367
	Prepaid licenses	5,833		5,864
	Prepaid insurance	1,131		1,134
	Interest receivable	86		2,221
	Other current assets	3,505		1,224
	Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	21,369	$	19,810

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment	'
	Property and equipment are recognized at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method based on estimated useful lives of the related assets as follows:
	Buildings	39 years
	Furniture and office equipment	3 - 7 years
	Software	3 years
	Vehicles	5 years
	Property and equipment, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013			2012
	Land	$	7,091		$	7,091
	Buildings	28,916			25,430
	Furniture and office equipment	84,852			79,656
	Software	10,075			6,053
	Leasehold improvements	24,360			23,756
	Vehicles	147			147
	Total property and equipment	155,441			142,133
	Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(64,016		)	(46,167		)
	Total property and equipment, net	$	91,425		$	95,966

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Net_T

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Intangibles, Net	'
	Goodwill and intangibles, net, consist of the following (in thousands):
		December 31, 2013
	Definite-lived intangible assets:	Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Capitalized curriculum costs	$	14,540		$	(5,035	)	$	9,505
	Purchased intangible assets	15,857			(1,051		)	14,806
	Total definite-lived intangible assets	$	30,397		$	(6,086	)	$	24,311
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles							2,567
	Total goodwill and intangibles, net							$	26,878
		December 31, 2012
	Definite-lived intangible assets:	Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
	Capitalized curriculum costs	$	9,977		$	(1,823	)	$	8,154
	Purchased intangible assets	$	857		$	(839	)	$	18
	Total definite-lived intangible assets	$	10,834		$	(2,662	)	$	8,172
	Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles							2,567
	Total goodwill and intangibles, net							$	10,739
Summary of Estimated Remaining Amortization Expense	'
	The following table summarizes the estimated remaining amortization expense as of each fiscal year ended below (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		$	5,143
	2015		3,995
	2016		2,234
	2017		1,232
	2018		1,232
	Thereafter		10,475
	Total future amortization expense		$	24,311

Accrued_Liabilities_Tables

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]	'
Accrued Liabilities	'
	Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Accrued salaries and wages	$	12,790	$	11,585
	Accrued bonus	2,277		1,603
	Accrued vacation	9,696		8,993
	Accrued litigation and fees	8,000		—
	Accrued expenses	19,081		15,924
	Rent liability	2,446		—
	Accrued income taxes payable	466		6,535
	Total accrued liabilities	$	54,756	$	44,640

Deferred_Revenue_and_Student_D1

Deferred Revenue and Student Deposits (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]	'
Deferred Revenue and Student Deposits	'
	Deferred revenue and student deposits consist of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013		2012
	Deferred revenue	$	29,279	$	44,967
	Student deposits	103,512		130,090
	Total deferred revenue and student deposits	$	132,791	$	175,057

Lease_Obligations_Tables

Lease Obligations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Leases [Abstract]	'
Future Minimum Rental Payments Under Non-Cancelable Operating Leases	'
	The following table summarizes the future minimum rental payments under non-cancelable operating lease arrangements in effect at December 31, 2013 (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	$	36,962
	2015	37,226
	2016	37,293
	2017	37,363
	2018	34,072
	Thereafter	41,722
	Total minimum payments	$	224,638

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	'
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per share data):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013			2012			2011
	Numerator:
	Net income	$	41,010		$	123,421		$	172,764
	Denominator:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding	53,923			52,947			52,291
	Effect of dilutive options and restricted stock units	1,482			2,762			4,572
	Effect of dilutive warrants	82			237			270
	Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding	55,487			55,946			57,133
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.76		$	2.33		$	3.3
	Diluted earnings per common share	0.74			2.21			3.02
Antidilutive Securities	'
	For the periods indicated, the computation of dilutive common shares outstanding excludes certain stock options to purchase shares of common stock for the periods indicated because their effect was anti-dilutive.
		Year Ended December 31,
	(in thousands)	2013		2012			2011
	Options	3,004		2,524			1,332
	Restricted stock units	3		—			—

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	The following table presents a summary of the stock option activity in 2013, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands, except for exercise prices and contractual terms):
		Options			Weighted-				Weighted-		Aggregate
		Outstanding			Average				Average		Intrinsic Value
					Exercise				Remaining
					Price				Contractual
									Term
									(in years)
	31-Dec-10	10,195			$	4.76			5.47		$	147,545
	Granted	1,294			17.41
	Exercised	(3,070	)		1.59
	Forfeitures and expired	(139	)		17.65
	31-Dec-11	8,280			7.7				5.9		127,308
	Granted	1,595			22.59
	Exercised	(3,128	)		0.72
	Forfeitures and expired	(335	)		19.79
	31-Dec-12	6,412			14.17				7.21		$	9,010
	Granted	483			10.23
	Exercised	(1,060	)		9.87
	Forfeitures and expired	(345	)		20.65
	31-Dec-13	5,490			$	14.25			6.52		$	28,769
	Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013	5,435			$	14.22			6.5		$	28,588
	Exercisable at December 31, 2013	3,809			$	12.82			5.8		$	23,827
Summary of Assumptions Used for Options Granted	'
	Below is a summary of the assumptions used for the options granted in the years indicated:
		2013				2012				2011
	Weighted average exercise price per share	$	10.23			$	22.59			$	17.41
	Risk-free interest rate	1		%		1.2		%		2.5		%
	Expected dividend yield	—				—				—
	Expected volatility	58.9		%		54.6		%		52.7		%
	Expected life (in years)	5.85				5.67				6.12
	Forfeiture rate	5		%		4		%		4		%
	Weighted average grant date fair value per share	$	5.48			$	11.26			$	9.07
Summary of Restricted Stock Units Activity	'
	A summary of the Company’s RSU activity and related information is as follows:
		Restricted Stock Units			Weighted Average
					Grant Date
					Fair Value
	Balance at December 31, 2010	—			$	—
	Awarded	56,855			23.97
	Vested	—			—
	Canceled	—			—
	Balance at December 31, 2011	56,855			23.97
	Awarded	362,199			9.72
	Vested	(56,855	)		23.97
	Canceled	—			—
	Balance at December 31, 2012	362,199			9.72
	Awarded	1,016,035			10.5
	Vested	(181,104	)		9.72
	Canceled	(98,613	)		10.39
	Balance at December 31, 2013	1,098,517			$	10.38

Warrants_Tables

Warrants (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Warrants Outstanding	'
	The following table summarizes information with respect to all warrants outstanding as of December 31, 2012 (in thousands, except exercise prices):
	Exercise Price	December 31,
		2012
	$1.13	41
	$2.25	55
	$2.84	—
	$2.92	19
	$9.00	3
	Total	118

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Components of Income Tax Expense	'
	The components of income tax expense are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013				2012				2011
	Current:
	Federal	$	30,051			$	77,720			$	88,513
	State	3,234				7,665				8,632
		33,285				85,385				97,145
	Deferred:
	Federal	(9,172		)		(9,246		)		6,997
	State	(1,334		)		(726		)		(391		)
		(10,506		)		(9,972		)		6,606
	Total	$	22,779			$	75,413			$	103,751
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	'
	Deferred tax assets and liabilities are comprised of the following (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013				2012
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss	$	235			$	258
	Fixed assets	214				233
	Bad debt	6,855				7,479
	Vacation accrual	2,762				2,815
	Stock-based compensation	15,340				13,299
	Deferred rent	9,944				9,404
	State tax	2,316				2,541
	Bonus accrual	849				599
	Unearned interest	1,281				731
	Accrued expenses	4,224				52
	Revenue reserves	1,145				189
	Other	153				145
	Total deferred tax assets	45,318				37,745
	Valuation allowance	—				—
	Net deferred tax assets	45,318				37,745
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Fixed assets and intangibles	(11,550		)		(13,411		)
	Unrealized gain on investments	(28		)		(132		)
	Total deferred tax liabilities	(11,578		)		(13,543		)
	Total net deferred tax assets	$	33,740			$	24,202
	Deferred taxes are reflected in the balance sheet as follows (in thousands):
		As of December 31,
		2013				2012
	Current deferred tax assets	$	15,232			$	10,936
	Current deferred tax liabilities	—				—
	Noncurrent deferred tax assets	18,508				13,266
	Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	—				—
	Total	$	33,740			$	24,202
Schedule of Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	'
	A reconciliation of the income tax expense computed using the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% and the Company's provision for income taxes follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2013						2012					2011
	Computed expected federal tax expense	$	22,326		35	%		$	69,592		35	%	$	96,780		35	%
	State taxes, net of federal benefit	1,183			1.8			4,700			2.4		5,434			2
	Permanent differences	917			1.5			1,074			0.5		1,601			0.6
	Uncertain tax positions	(1,647		)	(2.6	)		31			—		(192		)	(0.1	)
	Other	—			—			16			—		128			—
	Income tax expense	$	22,779		35.7	%		$	75,413		37.9	%	$	103,751		37.5	%
Summary of Unrecognized Tax Benefits	'
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2011	$	8,070
	Gross increases-tax positions in prior period	965
	Gross decreases-tax positions in prior period	—
	Gross increases-current period tax positions	231
	Settlements	—
	Lapse of statute of limitations	—
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2012	9,266
	Gross increases-tax positions in prior period	—
	Gross decreases-tax positions in prior period	(5		)
	Gross increases-current period tax positions	100
	Settlements	—
	Lapse of statute of limitations	(1,974		)
	Unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2013	$	7,387

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation1

Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	'
	The following tables set forth unaudited results of operations and certain operating data for each quarter during 2013 and 2012. The Company believes that the information reflects all adjustments necessary to present fairly the information below. Basic and diluted earnings per common share are computed independently for each of the quarters presented. Therefore, the sum of quarterly basic and diluted per common share information may not equal annual basic and diluted earnings per common share.
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	2013
	Revenue	$	221,984	$	197,574	$	185,612	$	163,453
	Operating income (loss)	43,420		16,028		12,851		(11,856		)
	Net income (loss)	26,967		10,368		10,135		(6,460		)
	Earnings (loss) per common share:
	Basic	$	0.5	$	0.19	$	0.19	$	(0.12	)
	Diluted	0.49		0.19		0.18		(0.12		)
		First		Second		Third		Fourth
		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter		Quarter
		(In thousands, except per share data)
	2012
	Revenue	$	250,437	$	256,302	$	252,076	$	209,356
	Operating income	50,629		68,782		47,109		28,944
	Net income	31,971		43,258		29,820		18,372
	Earnings per common share:
	Basic	$	0.61	$	0.82	$	0.56	$	0.34
	Diluted	0.57		0.77		0.53		0.33

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
	segment
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Advertising costs	$76.50	$103.70	$84
Number of reportable segments	1	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Receivables) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
				Repayment Plan One	Repayment Plan Two	Repayment Plan Two
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable, repayment term following graduation or withdrawal	'10 years	'	'	'	'	'
Student loans receivable, interest rate	'	'	'	4.50%	'	0.00%
Student loans receivable, monthly payment during school and grace period	'	'	'	'	$50	'
Student loans receivable, grace period following graduation or withdrawal	'6 months	'	'	'	'	'
Loss on impairment of student loans receivable	$1,998,000	$0	$0	'	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Property and Equipment) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'7 years
Buildings	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'39 years
Software and Software Development Costs [Member]	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'3 years
Vehicles	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'
Property and equipment, estimated useful lives	'5 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Revenue and Deferred Revenue) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013
	disbursement
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'
Conditional admission period	'21 days
Number of disbursement periods for financial aid	2
Online	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'
Length of educational course, short	'35 days
Length of educational course, long	'42 days
Campus-based	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'
Length of educational course, short	'63 days
Length of educational course, long	'112 days
Maximum	'
Deferred Revenue Arrangement [Line Items]	'
Number of courses covered by each disbursement	4

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Comprehensive Loss) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'	'	'
Unrealized losses on investments, before-tax amount	($280)	$1,300	($946)
Unrealized losses on investments, tax benefit	106	-483	351
Unrealized losses on investments, net-of-tax amount	-174	817	-595
Net realized gain on sale of securities	$63	$0	$0

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Leases) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Lease exit costs	$1.10

Summary_of_Significant_Account9

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Impairment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Impairment charge to write off certain fixed assets as part of lease exit costs	$0.70

Investments_Fair_Value_Informa

Investments (Fair Value Information) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	$106,963,000	$258,705,000
Other investments and securities, at cost	90,000,000	109,500,000
Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Level 2	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	106,963,000	258,705,000
Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Demand Notes	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	719,000	415,000
Demand Notes | Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Demand Notes | Level 2	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	719,000	415,000
Demand Notes | Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Corporate Notes and Bonds	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	16,244,000	148,801,000
Corporate Notes and Bonds | Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Corporate Notes and Bonds | Level 2	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	16,244,000	148,801,000
Corporate Notes and Bonds | Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Certificates of Deposit	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	90,000,000	109,489,000
Certificates of Deposit | Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	0	0
Certificates of Deposit | Level 2	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	90,000,000	109,489,000
Certificates of Deposit | Level 3	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale securities	$0	$0

Investments_Differences_Betwee

Investments (Differences Between Amortized Cost and Fair Value of Investments) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	106,888	258,351
Gross unrealized gain	75	399
Gross unrealized loss	0	-45
Fair value	106,963	258,705
Number of investments in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months	0	6
Number of investments in an unrealized loss position for greater than 12 months	0	0
Demand Notes	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	719	415
Gross unrealized gain	0	0
Gross unrealized loss	0	0
Fair value	719	415
Corporate Notes and Bonds, Short-term	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	5,132	126,806
Gross unrealized gain	50	282
Gross unrealized loss	0	-25
Fair value	5,182	127,063
Certificates of Deposit, Short-term	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	60,000	9,489
Gross unrealized gain	0	0
Gross unrealized loss	0	0
Fair value	60,000	9,489
Corporate Notes and Bonds, Long-term	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	11,037	21,641
Gross unrealized gain	25	117
Gross unrealized loss	0	-20
Fair value	11,062	21,738
Certificates of Deposit, Long-term	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Amortized cost	30,000	100,000
Gross unrealized gain	0	0
Gross unrealized loss	0	0
Fair value	30,000	100,000
Certificates of Deposit, Long-term | Maximum	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Maturities in years	'3 years	'3 years

Accounts_Receivable_Details

Accounts Receivable (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'
Accounts receivable	$70,668	$114,039
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	42,103	46,668
Accounts receivable	$28,565	$67,371

Accounts_Receivable_Valuation_

Accounts Receivable (Valuation Accounts) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	$42,103		$46,668		'
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning Balance	46,668		35,587		28,064
Charged to Expense	72,495		73,581		57,077
Deductions(1)	-77,060	[1]	-62,500	[1]	-49,554	[1]
Ending Balance	'		$46,668		$35,587
[1]	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Student_Loan_Receivables_Detai

Student Loan Receivables (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current student loans receivable	$1,208	$595	'
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	165	39	'
Student loans receivable, net	1,043	556	'
Noncurrent student loans receivable	13,764	17,450	'
Less allowance for doubtful accounts	1,979	2,307	'
Student loans receivable, net	11,785	15,143	'
Impaired student loans	1,998	0	0
Non-tuition Related	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current student loans receivable	587	428	'
Noncurrent student loans receivable	7,347	9,279	'
Tuition Related	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Current student loans receivable	621	167	'
Noncurrent student loans receivable	$6,417	$8,171	'

Student_Loan_Receivables_Allow

Student Loan Receivables (Allowance for Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Student Loans Receivable, USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Allowance for Doubtful Student Loans Receivable	'		'		'
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]	'		'		'
Beginning Balance	$2,346		$2,378		$930
Charged to Expense	-182		115		1,434
Deductions(1)	-19	[1]	-147	[1]	14	[1]
Ending Balance	$2,145		$2,346		$2,378
[1]	Deductions represent accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Student_Loan_Receivables_Delin

Student Loan Receivables (Delinquency Status) (Details) (Allowance for Doubtful Student Loans Receivable, USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for Doubtful Student Loans Receivable	'
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]	'
Less than 120 days	$16,998
From 120 - 269 days	1,238
Greater than 270 days	2,132
Total gross student loans receivable	20,368
Less: Amounts reserved or impaired	-4,143
Less: Discount on student loans receivable	-3,397
Total student loans receivable, net	$12,828

Prepaid_Expense_and_Other_Curr2

Prepaid Expense and Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Prepaid expenses	$10,814	$9,367
Prepaid licenses	5,833	5,864
Prepaid insurance	1,131	1,134
Interest receivable	86	2,221
Other current assets	3,505	1,224
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets	$21,369	$19,810

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Det

Property and Equipment, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$155,441,000	$142,133,000	'
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-64,016,000	-46,167,000	'
Total property and equipment, net	91,425,000	95,966,000	'
Depreciation and amortization associated with property and equipment, including assets under capital lease	18,200,000	15,900,000	12,100,000
Land	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	7,091,000	7,091,000	'
Buildings	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	28,916,000	25,430,000	'
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	84,852,000	79,656,000	'
Software and Software Development Costs [Member]	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	10,075,000	6,053,000	'
Leasehold Improvements	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	24,360,000	23,756,000	'
Vehicles	'	'	'
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	$147,000	$147,000	'

Goodwill_and_Intangibles_Net_D

Goodwill and Intangibles, Net (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended					0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
				Capitalized Curriculum Costs [Member]	Capitalized Curriculum Costs [Member]	Purchased Intangible Assets [Member]	Purchased Intangible Assets [Member]	Purchased Intangible Assets [Member]
Goodwill and Intangibles, Net:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	$30,397,000	$10,834,000	'	$14,540,000	$9,977,000	'	$15,857,000	$857,000
Accumulated amortization	-6,086,000	-2,662,000	'	-5,035,000	-1,823,000	'	-1,051,000	-839,000
Net carrying amount	24,311,000	8,172,000	'	9,505,000	8,154,000	'	14,806,000	18,000
Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles	2,567,000	2,567,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total goodwill and intangibles, net	26,878,000	10,739,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amortization expense	3,400,000	1,600,000	600,000	'	'	'	'	'
Licensing Agreement:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Initial term of Forbes Agreement	'	'	'	'	'	'12 years	'	'
Upfront payment for Forbes Agreement	'	'	'	'	'	'	15,000,000	'
Future minimum annual royalty payments due	'	'	'	'	'	'	2,500,000	'
Estimated Remaining Amortization Expense as of Each Fiscal Year:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2014	5,143,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2015	3,995,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2016	2,234,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2017	1,232,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
2018	1,232,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Thereafter	10,475,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total future amortization expense	$24,311,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'

Accrued_Liabilities_Narrative_

Accrued Liabilities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Accrued salaries and wages	$12,790	$11,585
Accrued bonus	2,277	1,603
Accrued vacation	9,696	8,993
Estimated Litigation Liability, Current	8,000	0
Accrued expenses	19,081	15,924
Rent liability	2,446	0
Accrued income taxes payable	466	6,535
Accrued liabilities	$54,756	$44,640

Accrued_Liabilities_Details

Accrued Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Severance costs	$5.90
Instructional Costs and Services	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Severance costs	4.8
Admissions Advisory and Marketing	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Severance costs	0.3
General and Administrative	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'
Severance costs	$0.80

Deferred_Revenue_and_Student_D2

Deferred Revenue and Student Deposits (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred Revenue [Abstract]	'	'
Deferred revenue	$29,279	$44,967
Student deposits	103,512	130,090
Total deferred revenue and student deposits	$132,791	$175,057

Credit_Facilities_Details

Credit Facilities (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Apr. 13, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Pledged Assets Separately Reported, Real Estate Pledged as Collateral, at Fair Value	'	7,100,000
Revolving line of credit, amount outstanding	'	0
Surety Bond Facility [Abstract]	'	'
Surety bond facility, available amount	'	12,000,000
Surety bond facility, issued amount	'	6,500,000
January 2010 Credit Facility	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving line of credit, amount outstanding	'	5,800,000
April 2012 Credit Facility	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	100,000,000	'
Revolving line of credit, current borrowing capacity	50,000,000	'
Revolving line of credit, maximum swing-line advances	$3,000,000	'
Revolving line of credit, term	'three years	'
Revolving line of credit, notice required for termination	'	'5 days
Commitment fee, percentage on undrawn amount of letter of credit	1.50%	'
Revolving line of credit, facility fee, percentage	0.25%	'
Base Rate | April 2012 Credit Facility	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving line of credit, fixed portion of interest rate	0.50%	'
Eurodollar-based Rate | April 2012 Credit Facility	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving line of credit, fixed portion of interest rate	1.50%	'
Federal Funds Rate | Base Rate | April 2012 Credit Facility	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving line of credit, variable portion of interest rate, addition to reference rate	1.00%	'
Daily Adjusting LIBOR | Base Rate | April 2012 Credit Facility	'	'
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]	'	'
Revolving line of credit, variable portion of interest rate, addition to reference rate	1.00%	'

Lease_Obligations_Details

Lease Obligations (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Leases [Abstract]	'	'	'
Rent expense under non-cancelable operting lease arrangements	$37,100,000	$36,800,000	$31,700,000
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]	'	'	'
2013	36,962,000	'	'
2014	37,226,000	'	'
2015	37,293,000	'	'
2016	37,363,000	'	'
2017	34,072,000	'	'
Thereafter	41,722,000	'	'
Total minimum payments	$224,638,000	'	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Basic_and_D

Earnings Per Share (Basic and Diluted) (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. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Numerator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Net income	($6,460)	$10,135	$10,368	$26,967	$18,372	$29,820	$43,258	$31,971	$41,010	$123,421	$172,764
Denominator:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	53,923	52,947	52,291
Effect of dilutive options and restricted stock units (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,482	2,762	4,572
Effect of dilutive warrants (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	82	237	270
Diluted weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in shares)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	55,487	55,946	57,133
Earnings per share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic earnings per share (in USD per share)	($0.12)	$0.19	$0.19	$0.50	$0.34	$0.56	$0.82	$0.61	$0.76	$2.33	$3.30
Diluted earnings per share (in USD per share)	($0.12)	$0.18	$0.19	$0.49	$0.33	$0.53	$0.77	$0.57	$0.74	$2.21	$3.02

Earnings_Per_Share_AntiDilutiv

Earnings Per Share (Anti-Dilutive Securities) (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Stock Options	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities	3,004	2,524	1,332
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities	3	0	0

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Number of common shares reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options and settlement of RSUs	10,000,000	'	'
Exercise of stock options, shares	1,060,000	3,128,000	3,070,000
Intrinsic value of exercised options	$9,400,000	$45,200,000	$58,400,000
Excess tax benefit of option exercises	2,590,000	10,058,000	19,096,000
Tax benefit realized from exercise of stock options	2,100,000	10,100,000	19,100,000
Tax benefit shortfall related to share-based compensation activity	600,000	1,500,000	'
Option expirations in period	137,000	53,000	'
Stock-based compensation expense	13,900,000	13,700,000	10,600,000
Income tax benefit of stock-based compensation expense	5,200,000	5,100,000	3,900,000
Shares of common stock represented by each RSU	1	'	'
Stock Options	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Award expiration period	'10 years	'	'
Award vesting period	'4 years	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	5,600,000	12,900,000	10,600,000
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition	'1 year 1 month 3 days	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Unrecognized compensation cost	$6,500,000	$2,600,000	'
Unrecognized compensation cost, period for recognition	'1 year 7 months	'	'
Number vested and released in period	181,104	56,855	0

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation (Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	$500,000	$200,000	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	6,412	8,280	10,195	'
Granted	483	1,595	1,294	'
Exercised	-1,060	-3,128	-3,070	'
Forfeitures and expired	-345	-335	-139	'
Balance, end of period	5,490	6,412	8,280	10,195
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013	5,435	'	'	'
Exercisable at December 31, 2013	3,809	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period, weighted-average exercise price (in USD per share)	$14.17	$7.70	$4.76	'
Granted, weighted-average exercise price (in USD per share)	$10.23	$22.59	$17.41	'
Exercised, weighted-average exercise price (in USD per share)	$9.87	$0.72	$1.59	'
Forfeitures, weighted-average exercise price (in USD per share)	$20.65	$19.79	$17.65	'
Balance, end of period, weighted-average exercise price (in USD per share)	$14.25	$14.17	$7.70	$4.76
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2013	$14.22	'	'	'
Exercisable at December 31, 2013	$12.82	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Additional Disclosures [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Balance, weighted-average remaining contractual term	'6 years 6 months 7 days	'7 years 2 months 14 days	'5 years 10 months 24 days	'5 years 5 months 19 days
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012, weighted-average remaining contractual term	'6 years 6 months	'	'	'
Exercisable at December 31, 2012, weighted-average remaining contractual term	'5 years 9 months 18 days	'	'	'
Balance, aggregate intrinsic value	28,769,000	9,010,000	127,308,000	147,545,000
Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2012, aggregate intrinsic value	28,588,000	'	'	'
Exercisable at December 31, 2012, aggregate intrinsic value	$23,827,000	'	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Option

Stock-Based Compensation (Option Valuation Assumptions) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Weighted average exercise price per share (in USD per share)	$10.23	$22.59	$17.41
Weighted average grant date fair value per share (in USD per share)	$5.48	$11.26	$9.07
Stock Options	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'
Risk-free interest rate	1.00%	1.20%	2.50%
Expected dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Expected volatility	58.90%	54.60%	52.70%
Expected life (in years)	'5 years 10 months 6 days	'5 years 8 months 1 day	'6 years 1 month 13 days
Forfeiture rate	5.00%	4.00%	4.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Restri

Stock-Based Compensation (Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax benefit (Shortfall) Realized from Exercise of Restricted Stock Units	$0.50	($0.20)	'
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Shortfall Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	-0.5	-0.2	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period	362,199	56,855	0
Awarded	1,016,035	362,199	56,855
Vested and released	-181,104	-56,855	0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value	$3	$0.80	'
Canceled	-98,613	0	0
Balance, end of period	1,098,517	362,199	56,855
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Roll Forward]	'	'	'
Balance, beginning of period, weighted average grant date fair value (in USD per share)	$9.72	$23.97	$0
Awarded, weighted average grant date fair value (in USD per share)	$10.50	$9.72	$23.97
Vested and released, weighted average grant date fair value (in USD per share)	$9.72	$23.97	$0
Canceled, weighted average grant date fair value (in USD per share)	$10.39	$0	$0
Balance, end of period, weighted average grant date fair value (in USD per share)	$10.38	$9.72	$23.97

Warrants_Details

Warrants (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'
Warrant purchase rights	1	'	'
Warrants exercised during period	104,000	174,000	43,000
Warrants outstanding	'	118,000	'
$1.125 Exercise Price	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'
Warrants outstanding	'	41,000	'
Exercise price of warrants	1.125	'	'
$2.250 Exercise Price	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'
Warrants outstanding	'	55,000	'
Exercise price of warrants	2.25	'	'
$2.835 Exercise Price	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'
Warrants outstanding	'	0	'
Exercise price of warrants	2.835	'	'
$2.925 Exercise Price	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'
Warrants outstanding	'	19,000	'
Exercise price of warrants	2.925	'	'
$9.000 Exercise Price	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'
Warrants outstanding	'	3,000	'
Exercise price of warrants	9	'	'

Stock_Repurchase_Program_Detai

Stock Repurchase Program (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

18 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2012

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 31, 2011

Dec. 18, 2013

Jul. 31, 2010

31-May-11

Apr. 30, 2012

Nov. 10, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

2010 Repurchase Program

2011 Repurchase Program

2012 Repurchase Program

Tender Offer Repurchase Program 2013 [Member] [Domain]

Stock Options

Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock repurchase program, authorized amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$60,000,000

$75,000,000

$75,000,000

'

'

Stock repurchase program, period in force

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'12 months

'12 months

'12 months

'

'

Shares repurchased

10,200,000

'

'

100,000

'

7,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

200,000

Shares repurchased, weighted average cost per share

'

'

'

'

'

$18.62

'

'

'

'

'

'

Shares repurchased, total cost

'

'

201,496,000

602,000

92,778,000

135,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Repurchase of common stock

$199,900,000

$600,000

$201,496,000

$602,000

$92,778,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

10,250,000

'

Share Price

'

'

'

'

'

'

$19.50

'

'

'

'

'

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Change in net deferred tax assets	$9,500,000	'	'
Change in net deferred tax expense	10,500,000	'	'
Tax benefit shortfall recorded to additional paid in capital	1,100,000	'	'
Tax effect of unrealized gain on investments	100,000	'	'
Effective income tax rate	35.70%	37.90%	37.50%
Gross unrecognized tax benefits	7,387,000	9,266,000	8,070,000
Gross unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective tax rate if recognized	4,800,000	6,600,000	'
Unrecognized tax benefits that would result in adjustments to other tax accounts	2,600,000	2,700,000	'
Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions	$1,700,000	$1,700,000	'

Income_Taxes_Components_of_Inc

Income Taxes (Components of Income Tax Expense) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current:	'	'	'
Federal	$30,051	$77,720	$88,513
State	3,234	7,665	8,632
Current income tax expense (benefit)	33,285	85,385	97,145
Deferred:	'	'	'
Federal	-9,172	-9,246	6,997
State	-1,334	-726	-391
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	-10,506	-9,972	6,606
Total	$22,779	$75,413	$103,751

Income_Taxes_Deferred_Tax_Asse

Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:	'	'
Net operating loss	$235	$258
Fixed assets	214	233
Bad debt	6,855	7,479
Vacation accrual	2,762	2,815
Stock-based compensation	15,340	13,299
Deferred rent	9,944	9,404
State tax	2,316	2,541
Bonus accrual	849	599
Unearned interest	1,281	731
Accrued expenses	4,224	52
Revenue reserves	1,145	189
Other	153	145
Total deferred tax assets	45,318	37,745
Valuation allowance	0	0
Net deferred tax assets	45,318	37,745
Deferred tax liabilities:	'	'
Fixed assets and intangibles	-11,550	-13,411
Unrealized gain on investments	-28	-132
Total deferred tax liabilities	-11,578	-13,543
Total net deferred tax assets	$33,740	$24,202

Income_Taxes_Balance_Sheet_Loc

Income Taxes (Balance Sheet Location of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Current deferred tax assets	$15,232	$10,936
Current deferred tax liabilities	0	0
Noncurrent deferred tax assets	18,508	13,266
Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities	0	0
Total net deferred tax assets	$33,740	$24,202

Income_Taxes_Operating_Loss_Ca

Income Taxes (Operating Loss Carryforwards) (Details) (Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [Member]	'
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]	'
Net operating loss carryforwards	$0.70

Income_Taxes_Income_Tax_Reconc

Income Taxes (Income Tax Reconciliation) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Income Tax Reconciliation, Amount:	'	'	'
Computed expected federal tax expense	$22,326	$69,592	$96,780
State taxes, net of federal benefit	1,183	4,700	5,434
Permanent differences	917	1,074	1,601
Uncertain tax positions	-1,647	31	-192
Other	0	16	128
Total	$22,779	$75,413	$103,751
Income Tax Reconciliation, Percent:	'	'	'
Computed expected federal tax expense	35.00%	35.00%	35.00%
State taxes, net of federal benefit	1.80%	2.40%	2.00%
Permanent differences	1.50%	0.50%	0.60%
Uncertain tax positions	-2.60%	0.00%	-0.10%
Other	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Income tax expense	35.70%	37.90%	37.50%

Income_Taxes_Unrecognized_Tax_

Income Taxes (Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]	'	'
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period	$9,266	$8,070
Gross increases-tax positions in prior period	0	965
Gross decreases-tax positions in prior period	-5	0
Gross increases-current period tax positions	100	231
Settlements	0	0
Lapse of statute of limitations	-1,974	0
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of period	$7,387	$9,266

Regulatory_Details

Regulatory (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
The 90-10 Rule:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Title IV eligibility, maximum allowable percentage of revenue from Title IV programs over two consecutive years	90.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Title IV eligibility, minimum term of ineligibility once noncompliant	'2 years	'	'	'	'	'
Title IV eligibility, maximum allowable percentage of revenue from Title IV programs in any single year	90.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Return of Title IV Funds:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Deadline for return of unearned funds after student withdrawal	'45 days	'	'	'	'	'
Unearned Title IV funds, trigger for letter of credit requirement, noncompliance of return of funds, maximum allowable percentage in either of last two annual audits	5.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Unearned Title IV funds, noncompliance of return of funds, required letter of credit as percentage of required returns	25.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Unearned Title IV funds, actual percentage of noncompliance with return of funds requirement (less than 5%)	5.00%	5.00%	'	'	'	'
Ashford University	'	'	'	'	'	'
The 90-10 Rule:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Actual percentage of revenue from Title IV programs	85.60%	86.40%	86.80%	'	'	'
Accreditation, Regulatory Compliance, Cohort Default Rate	'	'	'	10.10%	10.20%	15.30%
Return of Title IV Funds:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Composite score	'	3	'	'	'	'
Estimated composite score	3	'	'	'	'	'
University of the Rockies	'	'	'	'	'	'
The 90-10 Rule:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Actual percentage of revenue from Title IV programs	87.60%	87.30%	85.00%	'	'	'
Accreditation, Regulatory Compliance, Cohort Default Rate	'	'	'	4.80%	4.00%	3.30%
Return of Title IV Funds:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Composite score	'	3	'	'	'	'
Estimated composite score	3	'	'	'	'	'
Three-year cohort default rate [Member] | Ashford University	'	'	'	'	'	'
The 90-10 Rule:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accreditation, Regulatory Compliance, Cohort Default Rate	'	'	'	'	16.30%	19.80%
Three-year cohort default rate [Member] | University of the Rockies	'	'	'	'	'	'
The 90-10 Rule:	'	'	'	'	'	'
Accreditation, Regulatory Compliance, Cohort Default Rate	'	'	'	'	8.00%	3.30%

Retirement_Plans_Details

Retirement Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Expense related to 401(k) plan	$3.30	$3.30	$2.20

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum	$6.20	'
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	9.5	'
Estimated Litigation Liability	9	'
Loss contingency, estimate of possible loss	'	$10.80

Concentration_of_Risk_Details

Concentration of Risk (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents, FDIC insurance limit	250,000	'	'
Ashford University	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Actual percentage of revenue from Title IV programs	85.60%	86.40%	86.80%
University of the Rockies	'	'	'
Concentration Risk [Line Items]	'	'	'
Actual percentage of revenue from Title IV programs	87.60%	87.30%	85.00%

Quarterly_Results_of_Operation2

Quarterly Results of Operations (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. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$163,453	$185,612	$197,574	$221,984	$209,356	$252,076	$256,302	$250,437	$768,623	$968,171	$933,349
Operating income (loss)	-11,856	12,851	16,028	43,420	28,944	47,109	68,782	50,629	60,443	195,464	273,747
Net income	($6,460)	$10,135	$10,368	$26,967	$18,372	$29,820	$43,258	$31,971	$41,010	$123,421	$172,764
Earnings per common share:	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Basic (in USD per share)	($0.12)	$0.19	$0.19	$0.50	$0.34	$0.56	$0.82	$0.61	$0.76	$2.33	$3.30
Diluted (in USD per share)	($0.12)	$0.18	$0.19	$0.49	$0.33	$0.53	$0.77	$0.57	$0.74	$2.21	$3.02