Restructuring and Other Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2014	May 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 23,200,000	$ 14,900,000	$ 15,200,000	$ 32,000,000	$ 67,300,000	$ 61,500,000	$ 44,100,000	$ 24,100,000	$ 85,343,000	$ 197,022,000	$ 38,695,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	343,973,000								343,973,000
Balance	103,083,000				119,801,000				103,083,000	119,801,000	30,433,000
Non-cash adjustments									(7,532,000)	(43,740,000)
Payments									(94,529,000)	(63,914,000)
Balance	103,083,000				119,801,000				103,083,000	119,801,000	30,433,000
Restructuring liability, current	43,339,000				55,191,000				43,339,000	55,191,000
Restructuring gross obligation	170,000,000								170,000,000
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									61,899,000	158,757,000	20,002,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	263,571,000								263,571,000
Number of facilities									110
University Of Phoenix [Member] | FY13 campus closure [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Number of facilities									115
Apollo Global [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges									6,091,000	6,053,000	5,712,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	17,856,000								17,856,000
Other [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges									17,353,000	32,212,000	12,981,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	62,546,000								62,546,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges									47,279,000	137,263,000	15,981,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	219,590,000								219,590,000
Balance	96,204,000				104,048,000				96,204,000	104,048,000	26,024,000
Non-cash adjustments									(3,251,000)	(31,114,000)
Payments									(51,872,000)	(28,125,000)
Balance	96,204,000				104,048,000				96,204,000	104,048,000	26,024,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member] | University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation									7,600,000	50,100,000
Lease Abandonment Obligation [Member] | University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	158,300,000								158,300,000
Severance and other employee separation costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges									33,215,000	32,690,000	12,887,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	82,638,000								82,638,000
Balance	5,687,000				7,623,000				5,687,000	7,623,000	2,998,000
Non-cash adjustments									(4,281,000)	(405,000)
Payments									(30,870,000)	(27,660,000)
Balance	5,687,000				7,623,000				5,687,000	7,623,000	2,998,000
Other restructuring related costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges									4,849,000	27,069,000	9,827,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	41,745,000								41,745,000
Balance	1,192,000				8,130,000				1,192,000	8,130,000	1,411,000
Non-cash adjustments									0	(12,221,000)
Payments									(11,787,000)	(8,129,000)
Balance	$ 1,192,000				$ 8,130,000				$ 1,192,000	$ 8,130,000	$ 1,411,000