Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 1,277,439	$ 1,231,910	$ 2,133,372	$ 2,138,444
Costs and expenses:
Direct costs	942,246	963,794	1,795,478	1,833,617
General and administrative expenses	91,343	57,548	156,911	105,416
Operating income	243,850	210,568	180,983	199,411
Interest income	4,460	4,062	9,154	9,868
Interest expense	(98,962)	(105,833)	(201,595)	(209,602)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(6,915)	(1,681)	(8,430)	(1,681)
Gain (loss) on derivatives	26,970	1,999	39,117	(8,751)
Other income (expense), net	(380)	(1,276)	56	(1,317)
Foreign currency exchange (loss) gain, net	(9,726)	26,252	(7,436)	53,934
(Loss) gain on sales of subsidiaries, net	(172)	243,261	(172)	243,261
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliates	159,125	377,352	11,677	285,123
Income tax expense	(42,028)	(28,393)	(14,934)	(38,351)
Equity in net income of affiliates, net of tax	1	279	1	20
Net (loss) income	117,098	349,238	(3,256)	246,792
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(712)	(1,849)	(3,166)	(2,570)
Net (loss) income attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	116,386	347,389	(6,422)	244,222
Accretion of Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock and other redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	(69,212)	(438)	(108,081)	1,077
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$ 47,174	$ 346,951	$ (114,503)	$ 245,299
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Basic (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 2.60	$ (0.71)	$ 1.84
Diluted (loss) earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.28	$ 2.59	$ (0.71)	$ 1.83