Restructuring and Other Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		33 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2013 Positions	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 63,103,000	$ 7,577,000	$ 131,295,000	$ 29,287,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					192,903,000
Balance			30,433,000
Non-cash adjustments			(28,830,000)
Payments			(39,070,000)
Balance	93,828,000		93,828,000		93,828,000
Accelerated depreciation			41,581,000	0
Number of positions eliminated			1,000
Expected future restructuring charges			75,000,000
Restructuring liability, current	37,000,000		37,000,000		37,000,000	11,300,000
University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	56,777,000	535,000	112,118,000	22,245,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					155,033,000
Expected number of facilities abandoned			115
Apollo Global [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	1,527,000	2,681,000	4,942,000	2,681,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					10,860,000
Other [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	4,799,000	4,361,000	14,235,000	4,361,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					27,010,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	55,737,000	535,000	100,489,000	22,245,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					135,537,000
Balance			26,024,000
Non-cash adjustments			(27,010,000)
Payments			(11,341,000)
Balance	88,162,000		88,162,000		88,162,000
Restructuring liability, current	31,315,000		31,315,000		31,315,000	6,902,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member] | University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation			41,581,000
Lease Abandonment Obligation [Member] | University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			57,596,000
Severance and other employee separation costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	5,084,000	2,681,000	24,244,000	2,681,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					40,977,000
Balance			2,998,000
Non-cash adjustments			(1,820,000)
Payments			(19,890,000)
Balance	5,532,000		5,532,000		5,532,000
Other restructuring related costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	2,282,000	4,361,000	6,562,000	4,361,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					16,389,000
Balance			1,411,000
Non-cash adjustments			0
Payments			(7,839,000)
Balance	$ 134,000		$ 134,000		$ 134,000