Accrued and Other Liabilities (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Salaries, wages and benefits	$ 69,844	$ 125,165
Student refunds, grants and scholarships	45,019	20,072
Restructuring obligations	42,630us-gaap_RestructuringReserveCurrent	43,339us-gaap_RestructuringReserveCurrent
Accrued legal and other professional obligations	38,800	33,651
Accrued advertising	24,043us-gaap_AccruedAdvertisingCurrent	33,853us-gaap_AccruedAdvertisingCurrent
Deferred rent and other lease liabilities	12,323	12,384
Curriculum materials	11,684apol_CurriculumMaterials	12,069apol_CurriculumMaterials
Contingent consideration	0
Other	40,762us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent	47,835us-gaap_OtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent
Total accrued and other current liabilities	285,105us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent	363,607us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesCurrent
Other Long-Term Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred revenue	62,665us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrent	51,831us-gaap_DeferredRevenueNoncurrent
Restructuring obligations	55,523us-gaap_RestructuringReserveNoncurrent	59,744us-gaap_RestructuringReserveNoncurrent
Deferred rent and other lease liabilities	55,244	57,788
Deferred gains on sale-leasebacks	21,273	21,641
Uncertain tax positions	9,429	9,770
Other	30,919apol_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther	33,168apol_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesOther
Total other long-term liabilities	235,053us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent	233,942us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Open Colleges [Member] \| Current Portion [Member]
Contingent consideration		$ 35,239

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for professional fees, such as for legal and accounting services received, and other legal obligations. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

No definition available.