Acquisitions - Summary of assets acquired and the liabilities assumed in acquisition (Details) $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands		1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 05, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 AUD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 1,707,089	$ 1,828,365	$ 1,786,554
Net cash paid at acquisition				$ 17,019	$ 835	$ 0
Avansys
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets	$ 3,921
Property and equipment	13,673
Goodwill	4,658
Other long-term assets	815
Total assets acquired	23,067
Current portion of long-term debt	874
Other current liabilities	3,332
Total liabilities	4,206
Net assets acquired attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	18,861
Debt assumed	874
Net assets acquired attributable to Laureate Education, Inc. plus debt assumed	19,735
Net assets acquired	18,861
Cash acquired	(1,842)
Net cash paid at acquisition	$ 17,019
Careers Australia
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets		$ 2,552
Property and equipment		9,581
Goodwill		3,584
Other intangible assets		3,293
Total assets acquired		19,010
Current portion of long-term debt		166
Other current liabilities		8,997
Long-term debt, less current portion		7,267
Other long-term liabilities		1,745
Total liabilities		18,175
Net assets acquired attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.		835
Debt assumed		7,433	$ 9,850
Net assets acquired attributable to Laureate Education, Inc. plus debt assumed		8,268
Net assets acquired		835
Net cash paid at acquisition		$ 835	$ 1,107