Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 566,078	$ 1,228,813
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	224,987	224,135
Marketable securities	193,745	187,472
Accounts receivable, net	235,453	225,398
Prepaid taxes	55,113	34,006
Deferred tax assets	82,018	83,871
Other current assets	55,344	58,855
Total current assets	1,412,738	2,042,550
Marketable securities	75,096	87,811
Property and equipment, net	402,920	435,733
Goodwill	248,632	259,901
Intangible assets, net	167,768	189,365
Deferred tax assets	50,400	37,335
Other assets	48,387	40,240
Total assets	2,405,941	3,092,935
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	15,664	609,506
Accounts payable	72,294	63,907
Student deposits	262,387	280,562
Deferred revenue	261,428	225,818
Accrued and other current liabilities	308,181	363,607
Total current liabilities	919,954	1,543,400
Long-term debt	45,157	47,590
Deferred tax liabilities	25,715	22,674
Other long-term liabilities	225,884	233,942
Total liabilities	1,216,710	1,847,606
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	55,621	64,527
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, no par value
Additional paid-in capital	0	0
Apollo Class A treasury stock, at cost	(3,965,057)	(3,936,607)
Retained earnings	5,152,466	5,143,949
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(54,574)	(27,320)
Total Apollo shareholders’ equity	1,132,939	1,180,126
Noncontrolling interests	671	676
Total equity	1,133,610	1,180,802
Total liabilities, redeemable noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity	2,405,941	3,092,935
Common stock [Member] | Apollo Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Shareholders’ equity:
Apollo common stock	103	103
Total equity	103	103
Common stock [Member] | Apollo Class B voting common stock [Member]
Shareholders’ equity:
Apollo common stock	1	1
Total equity	$ 1	$ 1