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Cover - USD ($)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Jan. 31, 2022
Jun. 30, 2021
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2021    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 001-31924    
Entity Registrant Name NELNET, INC    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code NE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 84-0748903    
Entity Address, Address Line One 121 South 13th Street, Suite 100    
Entity Address, City or Town Lincoln,    
Entity Address, State or Province NE    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 68508    
City Area Code 402    
Local Phone Number 458-2370    
Title of 12(b) Security Class A Common Stock, Par Value $0.01 per Share    
Trading Symbol NNI    
Security Exchange Name NYSE    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Public Float     $ 1,468,829,489
Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, scheduled to be held May 19, 2022, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.    
Entity Central Index Key 0001258602    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2021    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Class A      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   27,101,036  
Class B      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   10,674,892