Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014 Segments2	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments			7
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 679,058	$ 834,372	$ 1,535,393	$ 1,889,555
Operating income	7,130	29,780	176,924	260,726
Interest income	599	388	1,167	937
Interest expense	(1,983)	(2,092)	(4,069)	(4,134)
Other, net	107	(126)	914	1,673
Income before income taxes	5,853	27,950	174,936	259,202
Acquisition costs and contingent consideration charges	13,005	0	13,005	0
Litigation charge (credit), net	(9,000)	6,350	(9,000)	23,200
Total assets	2,531,430		2,531,430		2,997,947
University Of Phoenix [Member]
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	594,081	753,566	1,338,944	1,689,350
Operating income	86,682	74,757	270,155	318,617
Total assets	874,980		874,980		790,537
Apollo Global [Member]
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	68,634	56,965	159,793	147,479
Operating income	(40,004)	(25,921)	(37,787)	(35,287)
Acquisition costs and contingent consideration charges	13,005		13,005
Total assets	613,187		613,187		359,903
Other [Member]
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	16,343	23,841	36,656	52,726
Operating income	(39,548)	(19,056)	(55,444)	(22,604)
Litigation charge (credit), net	(9,000)	5,000	(9,000)	21,900
Total assets	$ 1,043,263		$ 1,043,263		$ 1,847,507