Commitments and Contingencies - Noncontrolling Interest Holder Put Agreements and Company Call Arrangements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 30, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 12,157	$ 12,295
INTI Education Holdings Sdn Bhd | Laureate Education, Inc.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, ownership percentage by noncontrolling owners	10.10%
Puttable common stock | INTI Education Holdings Sdn Bhd
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total noncontrolling interest holder put arrangements	$ 10,443
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	10,443
Puttable non-controlling interest
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total noncontrolling interest holder put arrangements	10,443
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	10,443
Puttable common stock - not currently redeemable
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total noncontrolling interest holder put arrangements	0
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	1,714
Puttable Arrangements - Common and Preferred Stock
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total noncontrolling interest holder put arrangements	10,443
Total redeemable noncontrolling interests and equity	$ 12,157