Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 1,055,183	$ 1,171,900
Instructional and student advisory	432,150	453,281
Marketing	162,873	165,564
Admissions advisory	71,308	101,388
General and administrative	73,539	79,899
Depreciation and amortization	43,695	46,167
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	33,406	41,583
Restructuring and other charges	24,116	5,562
Litigation credit	(16,850)	0
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	0	16,788
Total costs and expenses	824,237	910,232
Operating income	230,946	261,668
Interest income	549	506
Interest expense	(2,042)	(1,999)
Other, net	1,799	140
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	231,252	260,315
Provision for income taxes	(97,512)	(115,179)
Income from continuing operations	133,740	145,136
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	2,148
Net income	133,740	147,284
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(245)	2,030
Net income attributable to Apollo	$ 133,495	$ 149,314
Earnings per share – Basic:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 1.13
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 1.19	$ 1.15
Earnings per share – Diluted:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 1.13
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.01
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 1.18	$ 1.14
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	112,420	130,318
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	112,849	130,874