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	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Income from continuing operations attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	$ 116,386	$ 347,389	$ (6,422)	$ 244,222
Adjusted for: accretion related to noncontrolling interests and equity redeemable at fair value	(919)	(1,108)	(6,357)	(957)
Distributed and undistributed earnings to participating securities	(7)	(79)	0	(78)
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
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	168,591	133,291	161,620	133,285
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	168,657	134,197	161,620	134,201
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
Employee Stock Option
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Effect of dilutive stock (in shares)	0	851	0	862
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Effect of dilutive stock (in shares)	66	55	0	54
Puttable Arrangements - Common and Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity	$ (6,352)	$ 749	$ (530)	$ 2,112
Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity	$ (61,934)	$ 0	$ (101,194)	$ 0

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The amount of net income (loss) for the period per each share of common stock or unit outstanding during the reporting period.

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The amount of net income (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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Additional shares included in the calculation of diluted EPS as a result of the potentially dilutive effect of share based payment arrangements using the treasury stock method.

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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 earnings (loss) distributed and earnings (loss) allocated to participating securities for the basic earnings (loss) per share or per unit calculation under the two-class method.

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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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