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, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Laureate Education, Inc.	$ 168,879	$ (122,807)
Adjusted for: accretion related to noncontrolling interests and equity redeemable at fair value	(3)	(5,438)
Subtotal: accretion of Series A convertible redeemable preferred stock and other redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	(57,403)	(38,876)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ 111,476	$ (161,683)
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	187,765	154,301
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	188,228	154,301
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ (1.05)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.59	$ (1.05)
Stock options
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Effect of dilutive stock (in shares)	0	0
Restricted stock units
Denominator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Effect of dilutive stock (in shares)	463	0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity	$ (76)	$ 5,822
Series A Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock
Numerator used in basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Accretion of temporary equity	$ (57,324)	$ (39,260)