Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 3,024,178	$ 3,635,924	$ 4,193,190
Instructional and student advisory	1,301,004	1,561,568	1,776,596
Marketing	557,649	641,784	641,699
Admissions advisory	215,196	253,319	371,901
General and administrative	287,884	326,908	341,872
Depreciation and amortization	150,575	161,733	177,804
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	53,819	83,798	146,742
Restructuring and other charges	85,343	197,022	38,695
Contingent consideration charges and acquisition costs	19,837	0	0
Litigation charge (credit)	13,900	(24,600)	4,725
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	0	0	16,788
Total costs and expenses	2,685,207	3,201,532	3,516,822
Operating income	338,971	434,392	676,368
Interest income	2,230	1,913	1,187
Interest expense	(7,914)	(8,745)	(11,745)
Other (loss) income, net	(547)	2,407	476
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	332,740	429,967	666,286
Provision for income taxes	(121,324)	(176,457)	(282,779)
Income from continuing operations	211,416	253,510	383,507
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(6,618)	(4,545)	33,499
Net income	204,798	248,965	417,006
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	4,506	(439)	5,672
Net income attributable to Apollo	$ 209,304	$ 248,526	$ 422,678
Earnings (loss) per share - Basic:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 1.94	$ 2.25	$ 3.24
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.05)	$ 0.24
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 1.88	$ 2.20	$ 3.48
Earnings (loss) per share - Diluted:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 1.92	$ 2.23	$ 3.22
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.04)	$ 0.23
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 1.86	$ 2.19	$ 3.45
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	111,354	112,712	121,607
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	112,610	113,285	122,357