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		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Numerator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
(Loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	$ (97,959)	$ 86,317	$ (104,380)	$ 330,539
Adjusted for: accretion related to noncontrolling interests and equity redeemable at fair value	0	756	(6,357)	(201)
Distributed and undistributed earnings to participating securities	0	(22)	0	(104)
Accretion of Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock and other redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	(84,060)	2,160	(192,141)	3,233
Net (loss) income available to common stockholders	$ (182,019)	$ 88,477	$ (296,521)	$ 333,772
Denominator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	178,871	133,303	167,261	133,291
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	178,871	134,229	167,261	134,217
Basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.02)	$ 0.66	$ (1.77)	$ 2.50
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (1.02)	$ 0.66	$ (1.77)	$ 2.49
Employee Stock Option
Denominator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Effect of dilutive stock (in shares)	0	828	0	858
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Denominator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Effect of dilutive stock (in shares)	0	98	0	68
Puttable Arrangements - Common and Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity	$ (105)	$ 1,426	$ (635)	$ 3,538
Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity	$ (83,955)	$ 0	$ (185,149)	$ 0