Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Schedule of Asset Impairment Charges (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Goodwill	$ 0	$ 23,465	$ 0
Impairments of Deferred costs and Other intangible assets, net	3,073	0	0
Impairments of long-lived assets	28,992	0	0
Total	40,597	23,465	0
Brazil
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Goodwill	0	0	0
Mexico
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Goodwill	0	0	0
Andean & Iberian
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Goodwill	0	0	0
Central America & U.S. Campuses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Goodwill	0	0	0
EMEAA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Goodwill	0	23,465	0
Online & Partnerships
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Goodwill	0	0	0
Tradenames
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Tradenames	8,532	0	0
Tradenames | Brazil
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Tradenames	0	0	0
Tradenames | Mexico
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Tradenames	0	0	0
Tradenames | Andean & Iberian
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Tradenames	0	0	0
Tradenames | Central America & U.S. Campuses
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Tradenames	5,443	0	0
Tradenames | EMEAA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Tradenames	3,089	0	0
Tradenames | Online & Partnerships
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Impairments of Tradenames	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0