Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013 Segments2	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2013	Dec. 20, 2013 Subsequent Event [Member]	Nov. 30, 2013 University Of Phoenix [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 University Of Phoenix [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 University Of Phoenix [Member]	Nov. 30, 2013 Apollo Global [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Apollo Global [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Apollo Global [Member]	Nov. 30, 2013 Other [Member]	Nov. 30, 2012 Other [Member]	Aug. 31, 2013 Other [Member]
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	7
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Percentage of shares acquired				70.00%
Net revenue	$ 856,335	$ 1,055,183			$ 744,863	$ 935,784		$ 91,159	$ 90,514		$ 20,313	$ 28,885
Operating income	169,794	230,946			183,473	243,860		2,217	(9,366)		(15,896)	(3,548)
Interest income	568	549
Interest expense	(2,086)	(2,042)
Other, net	807	1,799
Income before income taxes	169,083	231,252
Litigation credit	0	(16,850)										(16,850)
Total assets	$ 2,463,030		$ 2,997,947		$ 780,839		$ 790,537	$ 393,063		$ 359,903	$ 1,289,128		$ 1,847,507