Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 946,774	$ 1,122,258	$ 2,836,329	$ 3,256,840
Instructional and student advisory	393,387	466,117	1,209,239	1,345,005
Marketing	156,918	158,583	493,104	483,120
Admissions advisory	65,078	95,290	204,618	298,083
General and administrative	82,717	88,085	237,474	251,978
Depreciation and amortization	38,360	45,042	123,554	133,063
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	15,258	35,430	67,566	108,009
Restructuring and other charges	63,103	7,577	131,295	29,287
Litigation charge (credit)	0	4,725	(23,200)	4,725
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	0	0	0	16,788
Total costs and expenses	814,821	900,849	2,443,650	2,670,058
Operating income	131,953	221,409	392,679	586,782
Interest income	506	160	1,443	881
Interest expense	(1,940)	(2,830)	(6,074)	(6,618)
Other, net	(862)	(402)	811	(44)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	129,657	218,337	388,859	581,001
Provision for income taxes	(49,487)	(87,059)	(161,290)	(245,346)
Income from continuing operations	80,170	131,278	227,569	335,655
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	3,104	0	7,182
Net income	80,170	134,382	227,569	342,837
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(217)	(348)	(594)	4,393
Net income attributable to Apollo	$ 79,953	$ 134,034	$ 226,975	$ 347,230
Earnings per share – Basic:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 1.11	$ 2.02	$ 2.74
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.05
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 1.13	$ 2.02	$ 2.79
Earnings per share – Diluted:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 1.11	$ 2.01	$ 2.72
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.00	$ 0.02	$ 0.00	$ 0.05
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.71	$ 1.13	$ 2.01	$ 2.77
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	112,742	118,134	112,579	124,560
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	113,372	118,793	113,121	125,335