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
Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss from continuing operations attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	$ (122,807)	$ (103,167)
Adjusted for: accretion related to noncontrolling interests and equity redeemable at fair value	(5,438)	151
Subtotal: accretion of Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock and other redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	(38,876)	1,514
Net loss available to common stockholders	$ (161,683)	$ (101,653)
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	154,301	133,278
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	154,301	133,278
Basic and diluted loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.05)	$ (0.76)
Puttable Arrangements - Common and Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity	$ 5,822	$ 1,363
Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity	$ (39,260)	$ 0

Numerator Used In Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share [Abstract]

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The amount of net income or loss for the period per each share in instances when basic and diluted earnings per share are the same amount and reported as a single line item on the face of the financial statements. Basic earnings per share is the amount of net income or loss for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share includes the amount of net income or loss for the period available to each share of common stock or common unit outstanding during the reporting period and to each share or unit that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares or units for all dilutive potential common shares or units outstanding during the reporting period.

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The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent.

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Net income after adjustments for dividends on preferred stock (declared in the period) and/or cumulative preferred stock (accumulated for the period).

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Amount of preferred stock dividends and adjustments classified as other.

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The aggregate value of preferred stock dividends and other adjustments necessary to derive net income apportioned to common stockholders.

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Amount of decrease to net income for accretion of temporary equity to its redemption value to derive net income apportioned to common stockholders.

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The average number of shares or units issued and outstanding that are used in calculating diluted EPS or earnings per unit (EPU), determined based on the timing of issuance of shares or units in the period.

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This element represents the weighted average total number of shares issued throughout the period including the first (beginning balance outstanding) and last (ending balance outstanding) day of the period before considering any reductions (for instance, shares held in treasury) to arrive at the weighted average number of shares outstanding. Weighted average relates to the portion of time within a reporting period that common shares have been issued and outstanding to the total time in that period. Such concept is used in determining the weighted average number of shares outstanding for purposes of calculating earnings per share (basic).

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