Shareholders' Equity (Details 2) (Apollo Education Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock reissued, shares	300,000	400,000
Aggregate share repurchase program	$ 250,000,000
Treasury stock purchases, cost	16,871,000
Amount remaining on repurchase authorization	235,000,000
Share Repurchases [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)	600,000	0
Treasury stock purchases, cost	15,000,000
Treasury stock purchases, average price per share	$ 26.02
Repurchases Related To Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)	100,000	100,000
Treasury stock purchases, cost	$ 1,900,000	$ 3,472,000