Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020	Oct. 31, 2020	Nov. 27, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type		10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date		Oct. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus		2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus		Q2
Entity Shell Company		false
Entity Registrant Name		BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
Entity Central Index Key		0001634117
Current Fiscal Year End Date		--05-01
Entity Filer Category		Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company		false
Entity Small Business		false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			49,063,650
Document Quarterly Report		true
Trading Symbol		BNED
Security Exchange Name		NYSE
Title of 12(b) Security		Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
Document Transition Report		false
Entity File Number		1-37499
Local Phone Number		991-2665
City Area Code		(908)
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code		07920
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code		DE
Entity Tax Identification Number		46-0599018
Entity Address, State or Province		NJ
Entity Address, City or Town		Basking Ridge,
Entity Address, Address Line One		120 Mountain View Blvd.,
Entity Current Reporting Status		Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current		Yes