Shareholders' Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases, cost			$ 72,237,000	$ 3,881,000
Apollo Education Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Aggregate share repurchase program			250,000,000
Amount remaining on repurchase authorization			180,300,000
Treasury stock reissued, shares	110,000	118,000	391,000	524,000
Apollo Education Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member] | Share Repurchases [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)	1,713,000	0	2,290,000	0
Treasury stock purchases, cost	54,684,000	0	69,684,000	0
Treasury stock purchases, average price per share	$ 31.93	$ 0	$ 30.44	$ 0
Apollo Education Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member] | Repurchases Related To Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)	25,000	20,000	113,000	159,000
Treasury stock purchases, cost	$ 682,000	$ 409,000	$ 2,553,000	$ 3,881,000