National American University (NAUH) 10-Q 4 Apr 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Document Information [Line Items]	'	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Period End Date	28-Feb-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Trading Symbol	'NAUH	'
Entity Registrant Name	'National American University Holdings, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001399855	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--05-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Smaller Reporting Company	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	25,113,617

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$16,740	$11,130
Available for sale investments	15,133	20,748
Student receivables - net of allowance of $507 and $870 at February 28, 2014 and May 31, 2013, respectively	2,495	3,628
Other receivables	296	722
Income tax receivable	0	122
Deferred income taxes	1,264	1,353
Prepaid and other current assets	2,373	841
Total current assets	38,301	38,544
Total property and equipment-net	43,882	44,944
OTHER ASSETS:	'	'
Condominium inventory	927	1,778
Land held for future development	312	312
Course development - net of accumulated amortization of $2,329 and $2,066 at February 28, 2014 and May 31, 2013, respectively	1,053	1,107
Note receivable-tenant improvements	1,329	0
Deposit on property and equipment	150	0
Other	1,347	1,397
Total other assets	5,118	4,594
TOTAL	87,301	88,082
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Current portion of capital lease payable	197	66
Accounts payable	3,622	5,403
Dividends payable	1,133	1,004
Student accounts payable	1,201	1,067
Income taxes payable	120	0
Deferred income	406	195
Accrued and other liabilities	6,068	6,966
Total current liabilities	12,747	14,701
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	5,224	5,720
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	6,527	6,479
CAPITAL LEASE PAYABLE, NET OF CURRENT PORTION	12,152	10,394
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 7)	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:	'	'
Common stock, $0.0001 par value (50,000,000 authorized; 28,170,286 issued and 25,111,908 outstanding as of February 28, 2014; 28,090,269 issued and 25,047,086 outstanding at May 31, 2013)	3	3
Additional paid-in capital	58,859	57,656
Retained earnings	11,369	12,610
Treasury stock, at cost (3,058,378 shares at February 28, 2014 and 3,043,183 at May 31, 2013)	-19,416	-19,359
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes-unrealized (loss) gain on available for sale securities	-9	7
Total National American University Holdings, Inc. stockholders' equity	50,806	50,917
Non-controlling interest	-155	-129
Total equity	50,651	50,788
TOTAL	$87,301	$88,082

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	31-May-13
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for student receivables	$507	$870
Accumulated amortization of course development	$2,329	$2,066
Common stock, Par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock,shares authorized	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock,shares issued	28,170,286	28,090,269
Common stock,shares outstanding	25,111,908	25,047,086
Treasury stock, shares	3,058,378	3,043,183

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
REVENUE:	'	'	'	'
Academic revenue	$29,469	$29,546	$87,702	$87,541
Auxiliary revenue	1,702	2,229	6,792	7,649
Rental income - apartments	283	280	851	824
Condominium sales	220	0	440	0
Total revenue	31,674	32,055	95,785	96,014
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Cost of educational services	7,234	7,045	21,835	21,695
Selling, general and administrative	21,325	20,658	65,090	61,465
Auxiliary expense	1,028	1,443	4,696	5,035
Cost of condominium sales	192	0	386	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of property	-3	3	-73	63
Total operating expenses	29,776	29,149	91,934	88,258
OPERATING INCOME	1,898	2,906	3,851	7,756
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'
Interest income	72	25	122	89
Interest expense	-168	-287	-567	-792
Other income - net	35	21	115	76
Total other expense	-61	-241	-330	-627
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES	1,837	2,665	3,521	7,129
INCOME TAX EXPENSE	-710	-1,048	-1,397	-2,798
NET INCOME	1,127	1,617	2,124	4,331
NET LOSS (INCOME) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST	-10	-18	26	-31
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES	1,117	1,599	2,150	4,300
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME -	'	'	'	'
Unrealized losses on investments, net of tax	-9	-9	-16	-44
Reclassification to earnings of realized losses	0	11	0	21
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME, NET OF TAX	-9	2	-16	-23
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NATIONAL AMERICAN UNIVERSITY HOLDINGS, INC.	$1,108	$1,601	$2,134	$4,277
Basic net earnings attributable to National American University Holdings, Inc.	$0.04	$0.06	$0.09	$0.17
Diluted net earnings attributable to National American University Holdings, Inc.	$0.04	$0.06	$0.09	$0.17
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	25,108,559	25,582,842	25,086,144	25,578,043
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	25,114,875	25,592,903	25,088,575	25,582,767

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common stock	Additional paid-in capital	Retained earnings	Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	Treasury stock	Non-controlling interest
In Thousands
Beginning Balance at May. 31, 2012	$50,712	$3	$57,203	$11,239	$25	($17,589)	($169)
Purchase of shares common stock for the treasury	-31	0	0	0	0	-31	0
Share based compensation expense	339	0	339	0	0	0	0
Dividends declared	-3,072	0	0	-3,072	0	0	0
Net income	4,331	0	0	4,300	0	0	31
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-23	0	0	0	-23	0	0
Ending Balance at Feb. 28, 2013	52,256	3	57,542	12,467	2	-17,620	-138
Beginning Balance at May. 31, 2013	50,788	3	57,656	12,610	7	-19,359	-129
Purchase of shares common stock for the treasury	-57	0	0	0	0	-57	0
Share based compensation expense	1,203	0	1,203	0	0	0	0
Dividends declared	-3,391	0	0	-3,391	0	0	0
Net income	2,124	0	0	2,150	0	0	-26
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	-16	0	0	0	-16	0	0
Ending Balance at Feb. 28, 2014	$50,651	$3	$58,859	$11,369	($9)	($19,416)	($155)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (Treasury stock)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Treasury stock	'	'
Number of common shares for treasury	15,195	7,608

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net income	$2,124	$4,331
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	4,734	4,165
(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment	-73	63
Realized loss on available for sale investments	0	21
Provision for uncollectable tuition	2,424	3,227
Noncash compensation expense	1,203	339
Interest income capitalized on note receivable	-31	0
Deferred income taxes	-407	704
Changes in assets and liabilities:	'	'
Accounts and other receivables	-865	-3,821
Student notes	61	-85
Bookstore inventory	0	6
Condominium inventory	381	0
Prepaid and other current assets	-1,445	50
Accounts payable	-1,013	208
Deferred income	211	150
Other long-term liabilities	48	1,607
Income tax receivable/payable	242	978
Accrued and other liabilities	-1,186	1,431
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	6,408	13,374
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchases of available for sale investments	-32,982	-21,931
Proceeds from sale of available for sale investments	38,581	25,900
Purchases of property and equipment	-4,003	-7,682
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	503	21
Course development	-209	-165
Payment of deposit on property and equipment	-150	0
Payments received on contract for deed	293	0
Payments received on note receivable	621	0
Other	-22	-25
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	2,632	-3,882
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Repayments of capital lease payable	-111	-28
Purchase of treasury stock	-57	-31
Dividends paid	-3,262	-2,886
Net cash flows used in financing activities	-3,430	-2,945
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	5,610	6,547
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Beginning of year	11,130	15,658
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - End of period	16,740	22,205
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW AND NON-CASH INFORMATION:	'	'
Cash paid for income taxes	1,562	1,116
Cash paid for interest	584	793
Tenant improvements on capital lease financed through note receivable	2,000	0
Property and equipment purchases included in accounts payable	36	368
Dividends declared at February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013	$1,133	$1,026

Statement_Presentation_and_Bas

Statement Presentation and Basis of Consolidation	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Statement Presentation and Basis of Consolidation	'
	1	STATEMENT PRESENTATION AND BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION
	The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis. The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of National American University Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”), its subsidiary, Dlorah, Inc. (“Dlorah”), and its divisions, National American University (“NAU” or the “University”), and Fairway Hills. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a basis substantially consistent with the Company’s audited financial statements and in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial reporting. As permitted under these rules, certain footnotes and other financial information that are normally required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) can be condensed or omitted. The information in the condensed balance sheet as of May 31, 2013, was derived from the audited financial statements for the Company for the year then ended. Accordingly, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s annual financial statements which were included in the Company’s 10-K filed on August 2, 2013. Furthermore, the results of operations and cash flows for the nine month periods ended February 28, 2014 and 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. These financial statements include consideration of subsequent events through issuance. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
	In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation as prescribed by U.S. GAAP.
	Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms “we”, “us”, “our” and the “Company” used throughout this document refer to National American University Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Dlorah, Inc., which owns and operates National American University, sometimes referred to as “NAU” or the “University”.
	Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates the estimates and assumptions, including those related to bad debts, income taxes and certain accruals. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Nature of Operations	'
	2	NATURE OF OPERATIONS
	The Company’s common stock is listed as NAUH on The NASDAQ Global Market. The Company, through Dlorah, owns and operates National American University. NAU is a regionally accredited, proprietary, multi-campus institution of higher learning, offering associate, bachelors, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business-related disciplines, such as accounting, applied management, business administration and information technology, and in healthcare-related disciplines, such as nursing and healthcare management. In addition, in August 2013, NAU was approved by the Higher Learning Commission to offer an Education Doctorate (Ed.D) in Community College Leadership, which will be offered in Austin, Texas. Courses are offered through educational sites and online. Operations include educational sites (two of which are pending regulatory approvals – Houston, Texas and the Roueche Graduate Center in Austin, Texas) located in Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota and Texas; distance learning service centers in Indiana and Texas; and distance learning operations and central administration offices in Rapid City, South Dakota. A substantial portion of NAU’s academic income is dependent upon federal student financial aid programs, employer tuition assistance, and contracts to provide online course development, hosting and technical assistance to other educational institutions. To maintain eligibility for financial aid programs, NAU must comply with U.S. Department of Education requirements, including the maintenance of certain financial ratios.
	The Company, through Dlorah’s Fairway Hills real estate division, also manages apartment units and develops and sells multi-family residential real estate in the Rapid City, South Dakota area.
	For the nine months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, 92% and 91%, respectively, of the Company’s total revenues were derived from NAU’s academic revenue.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
	3	EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income attributable to National American University Holdings, Inc. by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur assuming vesting, conversion or exercise of all dilutive unexercised options and restricted stock.
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator for the basic and diluted EPS computations:
			Nine months ended				Three months ended
			February 28,				February 28,
			2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to National American University Holdings, Inc.		$	2,150	$	4,300	$	1,117	$	1,599
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute basic net income per common share			25,086,144		25,578,043		25,108,559		25,582,842
	Incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of restricted shares			2,431		4,724		6,316		10,061
	Common shares used to compute diluted net income per share			25,088,575		25,582,767		25,114,875		25,592,903
	Basic net income per common share		$	0.09	$	0.17	$	0.04	$	0.06
	Diluted net income per common share		$	0.09	$	0.17	$	0.04	$	0.06
	A total of 61,000 shares of common stock subject to issuance upon exercise of stock options for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2014 have been excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.
	A total of 370,750 shares of common stock subject to issuance upon exercise of stock options for the three and nine months ended February 28, 2013 respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS as the effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Recently_Adopted_and_New_Accou

Recently Adopted and New Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Recently Adopted and New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	4	RECENTLY ADOPTED AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	There are no new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Contract_for_Deed

Contract for Deed	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Contract for Deed	'
	5	CONTRACT FOR DEED
	The Company signed a contract for deed on its former Rapid City campus located at 321 Kansas City Street on March 28, 2013 for $4,000. Of this sales price, $20 was received as a down payment. The remaining $3,980 is being financed by the Company for three years at 5% interest. Annual interest payments are due each December 31. No principal payments are required until the expiration of the contract’s three-year term; however, any such payments received may result in removal of the lien on certain buildings included in the campus property.
	Because the buyer’s initial and continuing investment is not adequate in accordance with ASC 360-20-40, and the note receivable is not supported by specific evidence of collectability, the sale has not met the accounting requirements to be considered consummated. As such, the property remains on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and continues to be depreciated because the asset has not met the held for sale criteria, the note receivable has not been recorded, and interest income will be recognized as received.
	The sale will be recorded at such time the uncertainties surrounding the transaction are removed. For federal income tax purposes, the sale has been recognized. A portion of the taxable gain will be due for the year ended May 31, 2013, and the remaining portion will be payable as cash is received under the installment method.
	As part of the contract for deed, the University is leasing back the Animal Health building for $7 per month under a long-term lease agreement beginning June 1, 2013. The building is not considered a significant portion of the property sold. All rent due to the buyer will offset interest income payments due under the contract for deed.
	On July 8, 2013, the Company received $760 as payment on the contract for deed, to include $10 in interest and $500 toward the release of a lien on the dormitory buildings included in the campus property. As such, the dormitory buildings and land were deemed sold, resulting in a gain of $97. The remaining cash received of $250 is considered a non-refundable deposit at February 28, 2014.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders Equity	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Stockholders Equity	'
	6	STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Stock-Based Compensation
	In December 2009, the Company adopted the 2009 Stock Option and Compensation Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which the Company may grant restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock options to aid in recruiting and retaining employees, officers, directors and other consultants. Restricted stock awards accrue dividends that are paid when the shares vest. Restricted stock unit awards do not accrue dividends prior to vesting. Grants are issued at prices determined by the compensation committee, generally equal to the closing price of the stock on the date of the grant, vest over various terms (generally three years), and expire ten years from the date of the grant. The Plan allows vesting based upon performance criteria. Certain option and share awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control of the Company (as defined in the Plan). The fair value of stock options granted is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Share options issued under the Plan may be incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options. At February 28, 2014, all stock options issued have been nonqualified stock options. A total of 1,300,000 shares were authorized by the Plan. Shares forfeited or canceled are eligible for reissuance under the Plan. At February 28, 2014, 808,920 shares of common stock remain available for issuance under the Plan.
	In April 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors recommended shareholder approval, and approval was obtained at the October 2013 Shareholder Meeting, to establish the 2013 Restricted Stock Unit Plan (the “2013 Plan”) authorizing the issuance of up to 750,000 shares of the Company’s stock to participants in the 2013 Plan. The Company may grant restricted stock awards or restricted stock units to aid in recruiting and retaining employees, officers, directors and other consultants. Restricted stock awards accrue dividends that are paid when the shares vest. Restricted stock unit awards do not accrue dividends prior to vesting. Restricted stock grants are issued at prices determined by the compensation committee, generally equal to the closing price of the stock on the date of the grant and vest over various terms. Shares forfeited or canceled are eligible for reissuance under the Plan.
	At February 28, 2014, 145,000 shares of common stock remain available for issuance under the 2013 Plan.
	Restricted stock
	The fair value of restricted stock awards was calculated using the Company’s stock price as of the associated grant date, and the expense is accrued ratably over the vesting period of the award.
	During the quarter ended August 31, 2013, the Company issued 750,000 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with performance based vesting under the 2013 Plan. Approval of the 2013 Plan was received at the October shareholder meeting. 446,500 RSU’s were issued at a grant date fair value of $3.78 per share. The remaining 303,500 RSUs were issued to certain holders of time based vesting stock options who surrendered a like number of stock options in exchange. The grant date fair value of these modified RSUs was $4.31 per share. This represents the total of the remaining unamortized fair value associated with the options surrendered, $420, plus the incremental fair value at the time of the exchange calculated using the restricted stock fair value, $3.78 per share, and the fair value of the stock options immediately prior to surrender. The incremental fair value was $890. The total fair value of these modified awards, $1,310, will be amortized over the two year service period of the RSUs. The number of shares to be earned will determined by the Company’s profitability during the year ending May 31, 2015 along with attaining certain operating metrics.
	During the quarter ended February 28, 2014 57,000 RSUs granted under the 2013 Plan were cancelled. For the nine months ended February 28, 2014 145,000 RSUs granted under the 2013 Plan have been cancelled. No additional restricted shares were issued during the nine months ended February 28, 2014.
	Compensation expenses associated with restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards, respectively, totaled $24 and $251 for the quarter ended February 28, 2014; year to date compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards, respectively totaled $56 and $913 for the nine month period ended February 28, 2014. For the quarter ended February 28, 2013, compensation expenses associated with restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards, respectively, totaled $15 and $(22); year to date compensation expense associated with restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards, respectively totaled $33 and $55 for the nine month period ended February 28, 2013. At February 28, 2014, unamortized compensation cost of restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards totaled $1,588. The unamortized cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years as of February 28, 2014.
	Restricted Shares		Shares			Weighted Average
						Grant Date Fair
						Value
	Non-vested shares at May 31, 2013			13,442		$	4.46
	Granted			477,229			3.76
	Modified			303,500			4.31
	Vested			(16,001	)		4.3
	Cancelled			(145,000	)		3.88
	Non-vested shares at February 28, 2014			633,170		$	4
	Restricted Shares		Shares			Weighted Average
						Grant Date Fair
						Value
	Non-vested shares at May 31, 2012			1,416		$	10.59
	Granted			62,791			4.57
	Vested			(13,285	)		5.24
	Forfeited			(4,580	)		4.6
	Non-vested shares at February 28, 2013			46,342		$	4.56
	Stock options
	The Company accounts for stock option-based compensation by estimating the fair value of options granted using a Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company recognizes the expense for grants of stock options on a straight-line basis in the statement of operations as operating expense based on their fair value over the requisite service period.
	During the quarter and year to date periods ended February 28, 2014 stock options totaling 15,000 were issued by the Company. For stock options issued during the nine months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, the following assumptions were used to determine fair value:
	Assumptions used:		For the nine months ended			For the nine months ended
			February 28,			February 28,
			2014			2013
	Expected term (in years)			5.75			5.99
	Expected volatility			56.1	%		61.2	%
	Weighted average risk free interest rate			1.9	%		0.85	%
	Weighted average risk free interest rate range			1.9	%		0.80-.85	%
	Weighted average expected dividend			4.91	%		2.87	%
	Weighted average expected dividend range			4.91	%		2.87	%
	Weighted average fair value		$	1.26		$	2.01
	The volatilities are based on historic volatilities from the traded shares of the Company over the past four years. The Company has analyzed the forfeitures of stock and option grants and has deemed the effect to be immaterial and therefore did not include a forfeiture rate in the expense calculation. The expected term of options granted is the safe harbor period. The risk-free interest rate for periods matching the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected dividend is based on the historic dividend of the Company.
	A summary of option activity under the Plan as of February 28, 2014 and 2013, and changes during the nine month periods then ended is presented below:
	Stock Options		Shares			Weighted			Weighted		Aggregate
						average			average		intrinsic
						exercise			remaining		value
						price			contractual		$0
									life (years)
	Outstanding at May 31, 2013			368,000		$	7.67
	Granted			15,000			3.67
	Exercised			0			—
	Modified			(303,500	)		7.46
	Cancelled			(3,500	)		5.96
	Outstanding at February 28, 2014			76,000		$	7.82			7.4	$	—
	Exercisable at February 28, 2014			58,750		$	9			6.7	$	—
	Stock Options		Shares			Weighted			Weighted		Aggregate
						average			average		intrinsic
						exercise			remaining		value
						price			contractual		$0
									life (in
									years)
	Outstanding at May 31, 2012			223,950		$	9.92
	Granted			156,800			4.6
	Exercised			0
Cancelled			(10,000	)		9.35			—		—
Outstanding at February 28, 2013			370,750		$	7.68			8.6	$	—
Exercisable at February 28, 2013			135,781		$	9.57			7.7	$	—
On June 1, 2013, 303,500 stock option were exchanged for 303,500 performance vesting restricted stock units, as noted above in the restricted stock paragraphs of this footnote.
The Company recorded compensation expense for stock options of $4 and $72 for the three months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively, in the statements of operations. For the nine months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively, compensation expense for stock options was $10 and $201. As of February 28, 2014 there was $18 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock option based compensation arrangements granted under the Plan. The unamortized cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.2 years as of February 28, 2014.
The Company plans to issue new shares as settlement of options that are exercised.
Dividends
The following table presents details of the Company’s 2014 and 2013 dividend payments:
Date declared		Record date		Payment date	Per share
August 27, 2012		September 30, 2012		October 5, 2012	$	0.04
October 29, 2012		14-Dec-12		December 28, 2012	$	0.04
January 28, 2013		29-Mar-13		12-Apr-13	$	0.04
April 29, 2013		28-Jun-13		12-Jul-13	$	0.04
August 26, 2013		30-Sep-13		11-Oct-13	$	0.045
October 28, 2013		30-Dec-13		10-Jan-14	$	0.045
January 25, 2014		28-Mar-14		11-Apr-14	$	0.045

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	7	COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	From time to time, NAU is a party to various claims, lawsuits or other proceedings relating to the conduct of its business. Although the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and some claims, lawsuits or other proceedings may be disposed of unfavorably, management believes, based on facts presently known, that the outcome of such legal proceedings and claims, lawsuits or other proceedings will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows or future results of operations.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Fair Value Measurements	'
	8	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The following table summarizes certain information for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, in thousands:
			Quoted		Other		Unobservable		Fair value
			prices in		observable		inputs (level 3)
			active		inputs
			markets		(level 2)
			(level 1)
	February 28, 2014
	Investments
	CD’s and money market accounts		$	449	$	3,894	$	—	$	4,343
	US treasury bills and notes			10,995		—		—		10,995
	Total assets at fair value		$	11,444	$	3,894	$	—	$	15,338
	May 31, 2013
	Investments
	CD’s and money market accounts		$	1,860	$	2,190	$	—	$	4,050
	US treasury bills and notes			18,314		—		—		18,314
	Total assets at fair value		$	20,174	$	2,190	$	—	$	22,364
	Following is a summary of the valuation techniques for assets and liabilities recorded in the consolidated condensed balance sheets at fair value on a recurring basis:
	CD’s and money market accounts: Investments which have closing prices readily available from an active market are used as being representative of fair value. The Company classifies these investments as level 1. Market prices for certain CD’s are obtained from quoted prices for similar assets. The Company classifies these investments as level 2.
	U.S. treasury bills and notes: Closing prices are readily available from active markets and are used as being representative of fair value. The Company classifies these investments as level 1.
	Fair value of financial instruments: The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, CD’s and money market accounts, US treasury bills and notes, receivables, payables, and capital lease payables. The carrying values approximated fair values for cash and cash equivalents, receivables, and payables because of the short term nature of these instruments. CD’s and money market accounts, and treasury bills and notes are recorded at fair values as indicated in the preceding disclosures.

Capital_Lease_Obligation

Capital Lease Obligation	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Capital Lease Obligation	'
	9	CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION
	During the quarter ended November 30, 2013, the Company increased its capital lease obligation by $2,000 to account for tenant improvements. The Company initially paid for the improvements; however, during the quarter an agreement was entered into with the lessor to reimburse the Company under the terms of a $2,000 note receivable. The note receivable requires monthly payments of $14 at 6.0%. Such payments will directly offset the monthly payments to the lessor under the capital lease obligation. During the quarter ended February 28, 2014 the Company received $400 on the note receivable. Future minimum commitments under the revised capital lease obligation as of February 28, 2014 are as follows:
	2014		$	270
	2015			1,092
	2016			1,115
	2017			1,137
	2018			1,159
	Thereafter			17,992
	Total future minimum lease obligation			22,765
	Less: imputed interest on capital lease			(10,416	)
	Net present value of lease obligation		$	12,349

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting	'
	10	SEGMENT REPORTING
	Operating segments are defined as business areas or lines of an enterprise about which financial information is available and evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision makers, or decision-making groups, in deciding how to allocate capital and other resources to such lines of business.
	The Company operates two operating and reportable segments: NAU and other. The NAU segment contains the revenues and expenses associated with the University operations and the allocated portion of corporate overhead. The other segment contains primarily real estate. These operating segments are divisions of the Company for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by executive management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
	General administrative costs of the Company are allocated to specific divisions of the Company.
	The following table presents the reportable segment financial information, in thousands:
			Nine months ended February 28, 2014									Nine months ended February 28, 2013
									Consolidated									Consolidated
			NAU			Other			Total			NAU			Other			Total
	Revenue:
	Academic revenue		$	87,702		$	0		$	87,702		$	87,541		$	0		$	87,541
	Auxiliary revenue			6,792			0			6,792			7,649			0			7,649
	Rental income — apartments			0			851			851			0			824			824
	Condominium sales			0			440			440			0			0			0
	Total revenue			94,494			1,291			95,785			95,190			824			96,014
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of educational services			21,835			0			21,835			21,695			0			21,695
	Selling, general & administrative			63,833			1,257			65,090			60,189			1,276			61,465
	Auxiliary expense			4,696			0			4,696			5,035			0			5,035
	Cost of condominium sales			0			386			386			0			0			0
	(Loss) gain on disposition of property			23			(96	)		(73	)		(4	)		67			63
	Total operating expenses			90,387			1,547			91,934			86,915			1,343			88,258
	Income (loss) from operations			4,107			(256	)		3,851			8,275			(519	)		7,756
	Other income (expense):
	Interest income			43			79			122			79			10			89
	Interest expense			(567	)		0			(567	)		(792	)		0			(792	)
	Other (expense) income —net			0			115			115			(21	)		97			76
	Total other (expense) income			(524	)		194			(330	)		(734	)		107			(627	)
	Income (loss) before taxes		$	3,583		$	(62	)	$	3,521		$	7,541		$	(412	)	$	7,129
			As of February 28, 2014									As of February 28, 2013
			NAU			Other			Consolidated			NAU			Other			Consolidated
									Total									Total
	Total assets		$	74,018		$	13,283		$	87,301		$	76,760		$	11,662		$	88,422
			Three months ended February 28, 2014									Three months ended February 28, 2013
									Consolidated									Consolidated
			NAU			Other			Total			NAU			Other			Total
	Revenue:
	Academic revenue		$	29,469		$	0		$	29,469		$	29,546		$	0		$	29,546
	Auxiliary revenue			1,702			0			1,702			2,229			0			2,229
	Rental income — apartments			0			283			283			0			280			280
	Condominium sales			0			220			220			0			0			0
	Total revenue			31,171			503			31,674			31,775			280			32,055
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of educational services			7,234			0			7,234			7,045			0			7,045
	Selling, general &administrative			20,898			427			21,325			20,272			386			20,658
	Auxiliary expense			1,028			0			1,028			1,443			0			1,443
	Cost of condominium sales			0			192			192			0			0			0
	(Gain) loss on disposition of property			(3	)		0			(3	)		3			0			3
	Total operating expenses			29,157			619			29,776			28,763			386			29,149
	Income (loss) from operations			2,014			(116	)		1,898			3,012			(106	)		2,906
	Other income (expense):
	Interest income			11			61			72			22			3			25
	Interest expense			(168	)		0			(168	)		(287	)		0			(287	)
	Other (expense) income —net			0			35			35			(10	)		31			21
	Total other (expense) income			(157	)		96			(61	)		(275	)		34			(241	)
	Income (loss) before taxes		$	1,857		$	(20	)	$	1,837		$	2,737		$	(72	)	$	2,665

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Subsequent Events	'
	11	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
	We evaluated subsequent events after the balance sheet date through the date the consolidated financial statements were issued. We did not identify any additional material events or transactions occurring during this subsequent event reporting period that required further recognition or disclosure in these consolidated condensed financial statements.

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator for Basic and Diluted EPS Computations	'
	The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator for the basic and diluted EPS computations:
		Nine months ended				Three months ended
		February 28,				February 28,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to National American University Holdings, Inc.	$	2,150	$	4,300	$	1,117	$	1,599
	Denominator:
	Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute basic net income per common share		25,086,144		25,578,043		25,108,559		25,582,842
	Incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of restricted shares		2,431		4,724		6,316		10,061
	Common shares used to compute diluted net income per share		25,088,575		25,582,767		25,114,875		25,592,903
	Basic net income per common share	$	0.09	$	0.17	$	0.04	$	0.06
	Diluted net income per common share	$	0.09	$	0.17	$	0.04	$	0.06

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Summary of Restricted Shares Activity	'
	Restricted Shares	Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Non-vested shares at May 31, 2013		13,442		$	4.46
	Granted		477,229			3.76
	Modified		303,500			4.31
	Vested		(16,001	)		4.3
	Cancelled		(145,000	)		3.88
	Non-vested shares at February 28, 2014		633,170		$	4
	Restricted Shares	Shares			Weighted Average
					Grant Date Fair
					Value
	Non-vested shares at May 31, 2012		1,416		$	10.59
	Granted		62,791			4.57
	Vested		(13,285	)		5.24
	Forfeited		(4,580	)		4.6
	Non-vested shares at February 28, 2013		46,342		$	4.56
Summary of Stock Options Issued	'
	For stock options issued during the nine months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, the following assumptions were used to determine fair value:
	Assumptions used:	For the nine months ended			For the nine months ended
		February 28,			February 28,
		2014			2013
	Expected term (in years)		5.75			5.99
	Expected volatility		56.1	%		61.2	%
	Weighted average risk free interest rate		1.9	%		0.85	%
	Weighted average risk free interest rate range		1.9	%		0.80-.85	%
	Weighted average expected dividend		4.91	%		2.87	%
	Weighted average expected dividend range		4.91	%		2.87	%
	Weighted average fair value	$	1.26		$	2.01
Summary of Stock Option Activity	'
	A summary of option activity under the Plan as of February 28, 2014 and 2013, and changes during the nine month periods then ended is presented below:
	Stock Options	Shares			Weighted			Weighted		Aggregate
					average			average		intrinsic
					exercise			remaining		value
					price			contractual		$0
								life (years)
	Outstanding at May 31, 2013		368,000		$	7.67
	Granted		15,000			3.67
	Exercised		0			—
	Modified		(303,500	)		7.46
	Cancelled		(3,500	)		5.96
	Outstanding at February 28, 2014		76,000		$	7.82			7.4	$	—
	Exercisable at February 28, 2014		58,750		$	9			6.7	$	—
	Stock Options	Shares			Weighted			Weighted		Aggregate
					average			average		intrinsic
					exercise			remaining		value
					price			contractual		$0
								life (in
								years)
	Outstanding at May 31, 2012		223,950		$	9.92
	Granted		156,800			4.6
	Exercised		0
	Cancelled		(10,000	)		9.35			—		—
	Outstanding at February 28, 2013		370,750		$	7.68			8.6	$	—
	Exercisable at February 28, 2013		135,781		$	9.57			7.7	$	—
Summary of Dividend Payments	'
	The following table presents details of the Company’s 2014 and 2013 dividend payments:
	Date declared	Record date		Payment date	Per share
	August 27, 2012	September 30, 2012		October 5, 2012	$	0.04
	October 29, 2012	14-Dec-12		December 28, 2012	$	0.04
	January 28, 2013	29-Mar-13		12-Apr-13	$	0.04
	April 29, 2013	28-Jun-13		12-Jul-13	$	0.04
	August 26, 2013	30-Sep-13		11-Oct-13	$	0.045
	October 28, 2013	30-Dec-13		10-Jan-14	$	0.045
	January 25, 2014	28-Mar-14		11-Apr-14	$	0.045

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes certain information for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, in thousands:
		Quoted		Other		Unobservable		Fair value
		prices in		observable		inputs (level 3)
		active		inputs
		markets		(level 2)
		(level 1)
	February 28, 2014
	Investments
	CD’s and money market accounts	$	449	$	3,894	$	—	$	4,343
	US treasury bills and notes		10,995		—		—		10,995
	Total assets at fair value	$	11,444	$	3,894	$	—	$	15,338
	May 31, 2013
	Investments
	CD’s and money market accounts	$	1,860	$	2,190	$	—	$	4,050
	US treasury bills and notes		18,314		—		—		18,314
	Total assets at fair value	$	20,174	$	2,190	$	—	$	22,364

Capital_Lease_Obligation_Table

Capital Lease Obligation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Schedule of Future Minimum Commitments under Revised Capital Lease Obligation	'
	Future minimum commitments under the revised capital lease obligation as of February 28, 2014 are as follows:
	2014	$	270
	2015		1,092
	2016		1,115
	2017		1,137
	2018		1,159
	Thereafter		17,992
	Total future minimum lease obligation		22,765
	Less: imputed interest on capital lease		(10,416	)
	Net present value of lease obligation	$	12,349

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Financial Information of Reportable Segment	'
	The following table presents the reportable segment financial information, in thousands:
		Nine months ended February 28, 2014									Nine months ended February 28, 2013
								Consolidated									Consolidated
		NAU			Other			Total			NAU			Other			Total
	Revenue:
	Academic revenue	$	87,702		$	0		$	87,702		$	87,541		$	0		$	87,541
	Auxiliary revenue		6,792			0			6,792			7,649			0			7,649
	Rental income — apartments		0			851			851			0			824			824
	Condominium sales		0			440			440			0			0			0
	Total revenue		94,494			1,291			95,785			95,190			824			96,014
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of educational services		21,835			0			21,835			21,695			0			21,695
	Selling, general & administrative		63,833			1,257			65,090			60,189			1,276			61,465
	Auxiliary expense		4,696			0			4,696			5,035			0			5,035
	Cost of condominium sales		0			386			386			0			0			0
	(Loss) gain on disposition of property		23			(96	)		(73	)		(4	)		67			63
	Total operating expenses		90,387			1,547			91,934			86,915			1,343			88,258
	Income (loss) from operations		4,107			(256	)		3,851			8,275			(519	)		7,756
	Other income (expense):
	Interest income		43			79			122			79			10			89
	Interest expense		(567	)		0			(567	)		(792	)		0			(792	)
	Other (expense) income —net		0			115			115			(21	)		97			76
	Total other (expense) income		(524	)		194			(330	)		(734	)		107			(627	)
	Income (loss) before taxes	$	3,583		$	(62	)	$	3,521		$	7,541		$	(412	)	$	7,129
		As of February 28, 2014									As of February 28, 2013
		NAU			Other			Consolidated			NAU			Other			Consolidated
								Total									Total
	Total assets	$	74,018		$	13,283		$	87,301		$	76,760		$	11,662		$	88,422
		Three months ended February 28, 2014									Three months ended February 28, 2013
								Consolidated									Consolidated
		NAU			Other			Total			NAU			Other			Total
	Revenue:
	Academic revenue	$	29,469		$	0		$	29,469		$	29,546		$	0		$	29,546
	Auxiliary revenue		1,702			0			1,702			2,229			0			2,229
	Rental income — apartments		0			283			283			0			280			280
	Condominium sales		0			220			220			0			0			0
	Total revenue		31,171			503			31,674			31,775			280			32,055
	Operating expenses:
	Cost of educational services		7,234			0			7,234			7,045			0			7,045
	Selling, general &administrative		20,898			427			21,325			20,272			386			20,658
	Auxiliary expense		1,028			0			1,028			1,443			0			1,443
	Cost of condominium sales		0			192			192			0			0			0
	(Gain) loss on disposition of property		(3	)		0			(3	)		3			0			3
	Total operating expenses		29,157			619			29,776			28,763			386			29,149
	Income (loss) from operations		2,014			(116	)		1,898			3,012			(106	)		2,906
	Other income (expense):
	Interest income		11			61			72			22			3			25
	Interest expense		(168	)		0			(168	)		(287	)		0			(287	)
	Other (expense) income —net		0			35			35			(10	)		31			21
	Total other (expense) income		(157	)		96			(61	)		(275	)		34			(241	)
	Income (loss) before taxes	$	1,857		$	(20	)	$	1,837		$	2,737		$	(72	)	$	2,665

Nature_of_Operations_Additiona

Nature of Operations - Additional Information (Detail) (NAU)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
NAU	'	'
Nature Of Operations [Line Items]	'	'
Total revenues that were derived from NAU's academic revenue	92.00%	91.00%

Reconciliation_of_Numerator_an

Reconciliation of Numerator and Denominator for Basic and Diluted EPS Computations (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net income attributable to National American University Holdings, Inc.	$1,117	$1,599	$2,150	$4,300
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Weighted average shares outstanding used to compute basic net income per common share	25,108,559	25,582,842	25,086,144	25,578,043
Common shares used to compute diluted net income per share	25,114,875	25,592,903	25,088,575	25,582,767
Basic net income per common share	$0.04	$0.06	$0.09	$0.17
Diluted net income per common share	$0.04	$0.06	$0.09	$0.17
Restricted Stock	'	'	'	'
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise	6,316	10,061	2,431	4,724

Earnings_per_Share_Additional_

Earnings per Share - Additional Information (Detail) (Stock Options)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Stock Options	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of shares excluded from calculation of diluted EPS	61,000	370,750	61,000	370,750

Contract_for_Deed_Additional_I

Contract for Deed - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 08, 2013	Mar. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	31-May-13
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Property, sales price	'	$4,000	'	'	'	'	'
Down payment received from property sales	'	20	'	'	'	'	'
Receivable from property sales	'	3,980	296	'	296	'	722
Receivable term	'	'3 years	'	'	'	'	'
Receivable stated interest rate	'	5.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Sale lease back monthly rental payment	'	'	'	'	7	'	'
Proceeds from partial collection of receivable including interest and non-refundable deposit	760	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceed from interest received	10	'	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from collection of property sales receivable	500	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of property	97	'	3	-3	73	-63	'
Non-refundable deposit	'	'	$250	'	$250	'	'

Stockholders_Equity_Additional

Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Stock options vest over various terms	'	'	'	'3 years	'	'
Expiry of stock options	'	'	'	'10 years	'	'
Volatilities period	'	'	'	'4 years	'	'
Stock Options	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares authorized for issuance	1,300,000	'	'	1,300,000	'	'
Common stock remain available for issuance	808,920	'	'	808,920	'	'
Unamortized compensation cost weighted average period	'	'	'	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'	'
Stock issued	15,000	'	'	15,000	'	'
Compensation expense of stock options	$4	'	$72	$10	$201	'
Unamortized compensation cost of unvested stock options	18	'	'	18	'	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares authorized for issuance	'	'	'	'	'	750,000
Common stock remain available for issuance	145,000	'	'	145,000	'	'
Restricted stock units granted	'	446,500	'	477,229	62,791	'
Restricted stock unit, grant date fair value per share	'	$3.78	'	$3.76	$4.57	'
Restricted stock unit modified, granted	'	303,500	'	303,500	'	'
Restricted stock unit modified, grant date fair value per share	'	$4.31	'	$4.31	'	'
Unamortized fair value associated with options surrendered	'	420	'	'	'	'
Incremental fair value	'	890	'	'	'	'
Total fair value of awards modified	'	1,310	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock unit, amortized service period	'	'2 years	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock units cancelled	57,000	'	'	145,000	4,580	'
Compensation expenses restricted stock award	251	'	-22	913	55	'
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Performance Based Vesting Schedule	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Restricted stock units granted	'	750,000	'	'	'	'
Restricted Stock	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Compensation expenses restricted stock award	24	'	15	56	33	'
Restricted Stock And Restricted Stock Unit	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'
Total fair value of awards modified	$1,588	'	'	$1,588	'	'
Unamortized compensation cost weighted average period	'	'	'	'1 year 2 months 12 days	'	'

Summary_of_Restricted_Shares_A

Summary of Restricted Shares Activity (Detail) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs), USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	'	'	'	'
Restricted Shares	'	'	'	'
Shares, non-vested shares, beginning balance	'	13,442	13,442	1,416
Restricted stock unit, granted	'	446,500	477,229	62,791
Shares, modified	'	303,500	303,500	'
Shares, vested	'	'	-16,001	-13,285
Shares, cancelled/forfeited	-57,000	'	-145,000	-4,580
Shares, non-vested shares, ending balance	633,170	'	633,170	46,342
Weighted average grant date fair value	'	'	'	'
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested shares, beginning balance	'	$4.46	$4.46	$10.59
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted	'	$3.78	$3.76	$4.57
Weighted average grant date fair value, modified	'	$4.31	$4.31	'
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested	'	'	$4.30	$5.24
Weighted average grant date fair value, cancelled/forfeited	'	'	$3.88	$4.60
Weighted average grant date fair value, Non-vested shares, Ending balance	$4	'	$4	$4.56

Summary_of_Stock_Options_Issue

Summary of Stock Options Issued (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Expected term (in years)	'5 years 9 months	'5 years 11 months 27 days
Expected volatility	56.10%	61.20%
Weighted average risk free interest rate	1.90%	0.85%
Weighted average risk free interest rate range, minimum	1.90%	0.80%
Weighted average risk free interest rate range, maximum	'	0.85%
Weighted average expected dividend	4.91%	2.87%
Weighted average fair value	$1.26	$2.01
Maximum	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]	'	'
Weighted average expected dividend	4.91%	2.87%

Summary_of_Option_Activity_Det

Summary of Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Shares	'	'
Outstanding Shares, Beginning Balance	368,000	223,950
Shares, Granted	15,000	156,800
Shares, Exercised	0	0
Shares, Modified	-303,500	'
Shares, Cancelled	-3,500	-10,000
Outstanding Shares, Ending Balance	76,000	370,750
Exercisable Shares, At The End of Period	58,750	135,781
Weighted Average Exercise Price	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Beginning balance	$7.67	$9.92
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$3.67	$4.60
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Exercised	'	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Modified	$7.46	'
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancelled	$5.96	$9.35
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance	$7.82	$7.68
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Ending balance exercisable	$9	$9.57
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	'	'
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years), Outstanding	'7 years 4 months 24 days	'8 years 7 months 6 days
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years), Exercisable	'6 years 8 months 12 days	'7 years 8 months 12 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, cancelled	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value, Ending Balance	'	'
Aggregate Intrinsic Value,Exercisable at the end of Period	'	'

Summary_of_Dividend_Declaratio

Summary of Dividend Declaration and Payment Date (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Period One	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Date declared	27-Aug-12
Record date	30-Sep-12
Payment date	5-Oct-12
Per share	$0.04
Period Two	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Date declared	29-Oct-12
Record date	14-Dec-12
Payment date	28-Dec-12
Per share	$0.04
Period Three	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Date declared	28-Jan-13
Record date	29-Mar-13
Payment date	12-Apr-13
Per share	$0.04
Period Four	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Date declared	29-Apr-13
Record date	28-Jun-13
Payment date	12-Jul-13
Per share	$0.04
Period Five	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Date declared	26-Aug-13
Record date	30-Sep-13
Payment date	11-Oct-13
Per share	$0.05
Period Six	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Date declared	28-Oct-13
Record date	30-Dec-13
Payment date	10-Jan-14
Per share	$0.05
Period Seven	'
Dividends Payable [Line Items]	'
Date declared	25-Jan-14
Record date	28-Mar-14
Payment date	11-Apr-14
Per share	$0.05

Summary_of_Assets_and_Liabilit

Summary of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Detail) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring, USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments	'	'
Total assets at fair value	$15,338	$22,364
CD's and money market accounts	'	'
Investments	'	'
Total assets at fair value	4,343	4,050
US treasury bills and notes	'	'
Investments	'	'
Total assets at fair value	10,995	18,314
Quoted Prices in active markets (Level 1)	'	'
Investments	'	'
Total assets at fair value	11,444	20,174
Quoted Prices in active markets (Level 1) | CD's and money market accounts	'	'
Investments	'	'
Total assets at fair value	449	1,860
Quoted Prices in active markets (Level 1) | US treasury bills and notes	'	'
Investments	'	'
Total assets at fair value	10,995	18,314
Other observable inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Investments	'	'
Total assets at fair value	3,894	2,190
Other observable inputs (Level 2) | CD's and money market accounts	'	'
Investments	'	'
Total assets at fair value	$3,894	$2,190

Capital_Lease_Obligation_Addit

Capital Lease Obligation - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Capital Lease Obligations [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Tenant improvements on capital lease financed through note receivable	'	$2,000	$2,000	$0
Notes receivable amount	'	2,000	'	'
Notes receivable per month	'	14	'	'
Notes receivable interest rate percentage	'	6.00%	'	'
Proceeds from long-term capital lease obligations	$400	'	'	'

Schedule_of_Future_Minimum_Com

Schedule of Future Minimum Commitments under Revised Capital Lease Obligation (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule Of Future Minimum Lease Payments For Capital Leases [Line Items]	'
2014	$270
2015	1,092
2016	1,115
2017	1,137
2018	1,159
Thereafter	17,992
Total future minimum lease obligation	22,765
Less: imputed interest on capital lease	-10,416
Net present value of lease obligation	$12,349

Segment_Reporting_Additional_I

Segment Reporting - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
	Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'
Number of reportable segments	2

Summary_of_Segment_Revenue_Det

Summary of Segment Revenue (Detail) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 08, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
REVENUE:	'	'	'	'	'
Academic	'	$29,469	$29,546	$87,702	$87,541
Auxiliary	'	1,702	2,229	6,792	7,649
Rental income - apartments	'	283	280	851	824
Condominium sales	'	220	0	440	0
Total revenue	'	31,674	32,055	95,785	96,014
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of educational services	'	7,234	7,045	21,835	21,695
Selling, general & administrative	'	21,325	20,658	65,090	61,465
Auxiliary expense	'	1,028	1,443	4,696	5,035
Cost of condominium sales	'	192	0	386	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of property	-97	-3	3	-73	63
Total operating expenses	'	29,776	29,149	91,934	88,258
Income (loss) from operations	'	1,898	2,906	3,851	7,756
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	72	25	122	89
Interest expense	'	-168	-287	-567	-792
Other (expense) income -net	'	35	21	115	76
Total other (expense) income	'	-61	-241	-330	-627
Income (loss) before taxes	'	1,837	2,665	3,521	7,129
Operating Segments | NAU	'	'	'	'	'
REVENUE:	'	'	'	'	'
Academic	'	29,469	29,546	87,702	87,541
Auxiliary	'	1,702	2,229	6,792	7,649
Rental income - apartments	'	0	0	0	0
Condominium sales	'	0	0	0	0
Total revenue	'	31,171	31,775	94,494	95,190
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of educational services	'	7,234	7,045	21,835	21,695
Selling, general & administrative	'	20,898	20,272	63,833	60,189
Auxiliary expense	'	1,028	1,443	4,696	5,035
Cost of condominium sales	'	0	0	0	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of property	'	-3	3	23	-4
Total operating expenses	'	29,157	28,763	90,387	86,915
Income (loss) from operations	'	2,014	3,012	4,107	8,275
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	11	22	43	79
Interest expense	'	-168	-287	-567	-792
Other (expense) income -net	'	0	-10	0	-21
Total other (expense) income	'	-157	-275	-524	-734
Income (loss) before taxes	'	1,857	2,737	3,583	7,541
Operating Segments | Other	'	'	'	'	'
REVENUE:	'	'	'	'	'
Academic	'	0	0	0	0
Auxiliary	'	0	0	0	0
Rental income - apartments	'	283	280	851	824
Condominium sales	'	220	0	440	0
Total revenue	'	503	280	1,291	824
OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'	'
Cost of educational services	'	0	0	0	0
Selling, general & administrative	'	427	386	1,257	1,276
Auxiliary expense	'	0	0	0	0
Cost of condominium sales	'	192	0	386	0
(Gain) loss on disposition of property	'	0	0	-96	67
Total operating expenses	'	619	386	1,547	1,343
Income (loss) from operations	'	-116	-106	-256	-519
Other income (expense):	'	'	'	'	'
Interest income	'	61	3	79	10
Interest expense	'	0	0	0	0
Other (expense) income -net	'	35	31	115	97
Total other (expense) income	'	96	34	194	107
Income (loss) before taxes	'	($20)	($72)	($62)	($412)

Summary_of_Segment_Assets_Deta

Summary of Segment Assets (Detail) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets	$87,301	$88,082	$88,422
Operating Segments | NAU	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets	74,018	'	76,760
Operating Segments | Other	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'
Total assets	$13,283	'	$11,662