Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 719,052	$ 848,148
Instructional and student advisory	324,264	337,202
Marketing	128,793	133,829
Admissions advisory	57,085	49,698
General and administrative	72,367	74,779
Depreciation and amortization	36,404	36,338
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	17,398	13,978
Restructuring and other charges	19,028	31,963
Acquisition costs and contingent consideration charges	3,219	0
Total costs and expenses	658,558	677,787
Operating income	60,494	170,361
Interest income	589	568
Interest expense	(1,662)	(2,086)
Other (loss) income, net	(1,285)	807
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	58,136	169,650
Provision for income taxes	(25,667)	(70,218)
Income from continuing operations	32,469	99,432
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(391)
Net income	32,469	99,041
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,316	(150)
Net income attributable to Apollo	$ 33,785	$ 98,891
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo	$ 0.31	$ 0.88
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo	$ 0.00	$ (0.01)
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.87
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo	$ 0.31	$ 0.87
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.31	$ 0.87
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	108,581	113,326
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	109,378	113,960