Restructuring and Other Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011	May 31, 2012 Facilities	May 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2011
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 7,577,000	$ 0	$ 29,287,000	$ 3,846,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			52,200,000
Restructuring liability			17,802,000
Expense incurred			29,734,000
Interest accretion			1,368,000
Payments			(9,726,000)
Restructuring liability	39,178,000		39,178,000
Restructuring liability, current	16,200,000		16,200,000		3,200,000
Number of facilities abandoned			4
University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	535,000	0	22,245,000	3,846,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			45,158,000
Apollo Global Other [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	2,681,000	0	2,681,000	0
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			2,681,000
Corporate [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	4,361,000	0	4,361,000	0
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			4,361,000
Non-cancelable lease obligations and related costs, net [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	535,000	0	22,245,000	0
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			41,312,000
Restructuring liability			17,802,000
Expense incurred			22,692,000
Interest accretion			1,368,000
Payments			(6,391,000)
Restructuring liability	35,471,000		35,471,000
Employee severance and other benefits [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	2,681,000	0	2,681,000	3,846,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			6,527,000
Restructuring liability			0
Expense incurred			2,681,000
Interest accretion			0
Payments			(2,681,000)
Restructuring liability	0		0
Other restructuring related costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	4,361,000	0	4,361,000	0
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			4,361,000
Restructuring liability			0
Expense incurred			4,361,000
Interest accretion			0
Payments			(654,000)
Restructuring liability	3,707,000		3,707,000
Lease abandonment obligation [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			$ 38,700,000