Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 4,377,989	$ 4,244,192	$ 4,291,659
Costs and expenses:
Direct costs	3,665,134	3,615,338	3,760,016
General and administrative expenses	315,471	222,496	194,686
Loss on impairment of assets	40,597	23,465	0
Operating income	356,787	382,893	336,957
Interest income	19,669	18,670	13,328
Interest expense	(362,904)	(421,936)	(398,042)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(8,392)	(17,363)	(1,263)
Gain (loss) on derivatives	28,656	(6,084)	(2,607)
Other (expense) income, net	(2,193)	910	195
Foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net	5,838	67,450	(149,178)
(Loss) gain on sales of subsidiaries, net	(10,662)	406,557	0
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates	26,799	431,097	(200,610)
Income tax benefit (expense)	66,813	(65,001)	(117,730)
Equity in net income of affiliates, net of tax	152	90	2,495
Net income (loss)	93,764	366,186	(315,845)
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(2,299)	5,661	(403)
Net income (loss) attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	91,465	371,847	(316,248)
Accretion of Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock and other redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	(298,497)	(1,537)	(6,173)
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$ (207,032)	$ 370,310	$ (322,421)
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:
Basic (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.20)	$ 2.78	$ (2.44)
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.20)	$ 2.76	$ (2.44)