Restructuring and Other Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		42 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 15,209,000	$ 44,076,000	$ 47,172,000	$ 68,192,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					307,405,000
Balance			119,801,000
Non-cash adjustments			(4,137,000)
Payments			(47,534,000)
Balance	115,302,000		115,302,000		115,302,000
Accelerated depreciation			4,316,000	30,641,000
Restructuring liability, current	56,687,000		56,687,000		56,687,000	55,191,000
Restructuring gross obligation	175,000,000		175,000,000		175,000,000
Expected future restructuring charges			10,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Discount rate					3.00%
Maximum [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Discount rate					6.00%
University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	11,229,000	38,445,000	36,655,000	55,341,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					238,327,000
Expected number of facilities abandoned			115
Percentage of square feet exited	90.00%		90.00%		90.00%
Apollo Global [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	304,000	3,336,000	1,567,000	3,415,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					13,332,000
Other [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	3,676,000	2,295,000	8,950,000	9,436,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					55,746,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	9,505,000	34,640,000	23,265,000	44,752,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					195,576,000
Balance			104,048,000
Non-cash adjustments			(1,811,000)
Payments			(27,082,000)
Balance	98,420,000		98,420,000		98,420,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member] | University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation			4,316,000
Lease Abandonment Obligation [Member] | University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			16,972,000		140,600,000
Severance and other employee separation costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	4,863,000	8,217,000	20,117,000	19,160,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					71,143,000
Balance			7,623,000
Non-cash adjustments			(2,326,000)
Payments			(16,437,000)
Balance	8,977,000		8,977,000		8,977,000
Other restructuring related costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	841,000	1,219,000	3,790,000	4,280,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities					40,686,000
Balance			8,130,000
Non-cash adjustments			0
Payments			(4,015,000)
Balance	$ 7,905,000		$ 7,905,000		$ 7,905,000