Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 776,009	$ 1,276,375
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	351,575	318,334
Accounts receivable, net	201,456	198,279
Prepaid taxes	5,041	26,341
Deferred tax assets, current portion	55,489	69,052
Other current assets	64,513	49,609
Total current assets	1,454,083	1,937,990
Property and equipment, net	546,520	571,629
Goodwill	103,558	103,345
Intangible assets, net	145,789	149,034
Deferred tax assets, less current portion	80,446	77,628
Other assets	38,521	28,696
Total assets	2,368,917	2,868,322
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	22,236	638,588
Accounts payable	63,202	74,872
Income taxes payable	60,717	0
Student deposits	381,124	362,143
Deferred revenue	262,813	254,555
Accrued and other current liabilities	263,433	324,881
Total current liabilities	1,053,525	1,655,039
Long-term debt	75,562	81,323
Deferred tax liabilities	16,096	15,881
Other long-term liabilities	203,705	191,756
Total liabilities	1,348,888	1,943,999
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock, no par value
Additional paid-in capital	41,311	93,770
Apollo Group Class A treasury stock, at cost	(3,864,989)	(3,878,612)
Retained earnings	4,876,645	4,743,150
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(34,188)	(30,034)
Total Apollo shareholders’ equity	1,018,883	928,378
Noncontrolling interests (deficit)	1,146	(4,055)
Total equity	1,020,029	924,323
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,368,917	2,868,322
Apollo Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Shareholders’ equity
Apollo Group common stock	103	103
Apollo Group Class B voting common stock [Member]
Shareholders’ equity
Apollo Group common stock	$ 1	$ 1