Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Summary of Earnings (Loss) Per Share Basic and Diluted (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$ 30,819	$ (43,792)	$ 173,880	$ (165,637)	$ 171,631	$ (67,180)	$ 83,154	$ (166,767)	$ (4,730)	$ 20,838	$ 332,740
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									(11)	804	1,393
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.									(4,741)	21,642	334,133
Numerator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity									(61,974)	0	0
Adjusted for: accretion related to noncontrolling interests and equity redeemable at fair value									(559)	(6,358)	33
Gain upon conversion of Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock	0	0	(74,110)	0					(74,110)	0	0
Distributed and undistributed earnings to participating securities									0	(1)	(98)
Subtotal: accretion of Series A Preferred Stock, net, and other redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity									11,285	(298,492)	(1,521)
Net (loss) income from continuing operations available to common stockholders for basic earnings per share									6,544	(276,850)	332,612
Net (loss) income from continuing operations available to common stockholders for diluted earnings per share									(5,592)	(276,850)	332,612
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	56,621	(34,466)	38,072	18,853	$ 28,879	$ (36,309)	$ 33,943	$ 46,413	79,080	72,926	33,446
(Income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	$ (15,324)	$ (18,426)	$ 12,003	$ 318,327					296,580	0	0
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests									(852)	(3,103)	4,268
Allocation of earnings from discontinued operations to participating securities									0	(5)	(16)
Net income from discontinued operations for basic earnings per share									$ 374,808	$ 69,818	$ 37,698
Denominator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									212,769	172,409	133,295
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)									212,769	172,409	134,406
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ (0.18)	$ 1.14	$ (1.20)	$ 0.34	$ (0.82)	$ 0.09	$ (1.34)	$ 0.03	$ (1.60)	$ 2.50
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.18	(0.24)	0.23	1.79	0.14	(0.20)	0.19	0.29	1.76	0.40	0.28
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	0.31	(0.42)	1.37	0.59	0.48	(1.02)	0.28	(1.05)	1.79	(1.20)	2.78
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.13	(0.18)	0.78	(1.20)	0.34	(0.82)	0.09	(1.34)	(0.03)	(1.60)	2.48
Income from discontinued operations (in dollars per share)	0.18	(0.24)	0.22	1.79	0.14	(0.20)	0.19	0.29	1.76	0.40	0.28
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ (0.42)	$ 1.00	$ 0.59	$ 0.48	$ (1.02)	$ 0.28	$ (1.05)	$ 1.73	$ (1.20)	$ 2.76
Stock options
Denominator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Effect of dilutive stock (in shares)									0	0	833
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Denominator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Effect of dilutive stock (in shares)									0	0	278
Puttable Arrangements - Common and Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity									$ (292)	$ 317	$ 263
Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity									$ (61,974)	$ (292,450)	$ (1,719)