Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,396,963
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(108,341)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,288,622
Acquisitions	82,790
Dispositions	(37,661)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	14,957
Goodwill, ending balance	1,457,049
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(108,341)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,348,708
Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,073,433
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	971,174
Acquisitions	14,901
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	14,957
Goodwill, ending balance	1,103,291
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,001,032
Higher Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	409,016
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	409,016
Acquisitions	2,186
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	7
Goodwill, ending balance	411,209
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	411,209
Test Preparation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	152,187
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	49,928
Acquisitions	12,715
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	164,902
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	62,643
Kaplan International [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	512,230
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	512,230
Acquisitions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	14,950
Goodwill, ending balance	527,180
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	527,180
Cable [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	85,488
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	85,488
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	203,165
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	203,165
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions	(37,661)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	165,504
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	165,504
Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	34,877
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(6,082)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	28,795
Acquisitions	67,889
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	102,766
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(6,082)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 96,684