Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 776,739	$ 1,276,375
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	319,081	318,334
Marketable securities	114,317	0
Accounts receivable, net	197,952	198,279
Prepaid taxes	4,594	26,341
Deferred tax assets, current portion	60,018	69,052
Other current assets	59,504	49,609
Total current assets	1,532,205	1,937,990
Property and equipment, net	503,609	571,629
Goodwill	104,023	103,345
Intangible assets, net	133,207	149,034
Deferred tax assets, less current portion	83,436	77,628
Other assets	36,474	28,696
Total assets	2,392,954	2,868,322
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	20,063	638,588
Accounts payable	77,033	74,872
Income taxes payable	19,442	0
Student deposits	350,642	362,143
Deferred revenue	222,745	254,555
Accrued and other current liabilities	283,159	324,881
Total current liabilities	973,084	1,655,039
Long-term debt	67,578	81,323
Deferred tax liabilities	14,998	15,881
Other long-term liabilities	223,984	191,756
Total liabilities	1,279,644	1,943,999
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ equity
Preferred stock, no par value
Additional paid-in capital	29,281	93,770
Apollo Group Class A treasury stock, at cost	(3,848,759)	(3,878,612)
Retained earnings	4,970,125	4,743,150
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(38,584)	(30,034)
Total Apollo shareholders’ equity	1,112,167	928,378
Noncontrolling interests (deficit)	1,143	(4,055)
Total equity	1,113,310	924,323
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	2,392,954	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