Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 99,041	$ 133,740
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation	11,973	16,889
Depreciation and amortization	36,338	43,695
Accelerated depreciation included in restructuring	2,806	9,326
Non-cash foreign currency gain, net	(1,099)	(607)
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	13,978	33,406
Litigation credit	0	(16,850)
Deferred income taxes	4,738	6,064
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	(26,438)	(33,241)
Accounts receivable	(11,148)	(36,349)
Other assets	(11,190)	(6,432)
Accounts payable	(8,835)	(11,771)
Income taxes	64,469	82,032
Student deposits	(805)	18,522
Deferred revenue	8,076	8,075
Accrued and other liabilities	(53,007)	(36,368)
Net cash provided by operating activities	128,897	210,131
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(34,366)	(27,539)
Purchases of marketable securities	(146,333)	(14,819)
Maturities of marketable securities	57,412	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(123,287)	(42,358)
Financing activities:
Payments on borrowings	(615,925)	(625,762)
Proceeds from borrowings	0	2,176
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	0	(42,500)
Purchases of stock for treasury	(16,871)	(3,472)
Issuances of stock	796	1,113
Net cash used in financing activities	(632,000)	(668,445)
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents	35	306
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(626,355)	(500,366)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,414,485	1,276,375
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	788,130	776,009
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and non-cash information:
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	0	10,243
Cash paid for interest	1,891	1,906
Restricted stock units vested and released	$ 5,113	$ 9,496