Restructuring Charges - Additional information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Number of employees reduced in connection with reduction in force (RIF)	66		475
Restructuring Expenses	$ 11,665,000	$ 0
Other Restructuring Costs	1,700,000
Restructuring Reserve, Current	15,500,000
Voluntary Separation Plan [Member]
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring Expenses			10,300,000
Wood Dale Facility [Member]
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring Expenses	7,900,000
DeVry's Carrington and DeVry University [Member]
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring Expenses	6,300,000
DeVry University and DeVry Inc. Home Office [Member]
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring Expenses	10,400,000
Business, Technology and Management
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring Expenses	8,000,000
Medical and Healthcare
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring Expenses	700,000
DeVry Home Office
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring Expenses	3,000,000
Real Estate [Member] | DeVry University and DeVry Inc. Home Office [Member]
Restructuring And Other [Line Items]
Restructuring Expenses	$ 1,300,000