Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 578,572	$ 672,754	$ 1,297,624	$ 1,520,902
Instructional and student advisory	293,073	316,577	617,337	653,779
Marketing	127,421	139,272	256,214	273,101
Admissions advisory	57,840	53,121	114,925	102,819
General and administrative	70,598	67,275	142,965	142,054
Depreciation and amortization	34,819	37,465	71,223	73,803
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	11,969	11,534	29,367	25,512
Restructuring and impairment charges	35,536	15,209	54,564	47,172
Acquisition and other related costs	1,742	13,005	4,961	13,005
Litigation charges	100	9,000	100	9,000
Total costs and expenses	633,098	662,458	1,291,656	1,340,245
Operating (loss) income	(54,526)	10,296	5,968	180,657
Interest income	740	599	1,329	1,167
Interest expense	(1,739)	(1,983)	(3,401)	(4,069)
Other (loss) income, net	(1,146)	107	(2,431)	914
(Loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes	(56,671)	9,019	1,465	178,669
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes	20,533	5,130	(5,134)	(65,088)
(Loss) income from continuing operations	(36,138)	14,149	(3,669)	113,581
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(1,972)	0	(2,363)
Net (loss) income	(36,138)	12,177	(3,669)	111,218
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,528	2,428	3,844	2,278
Net (loss) income attributable to Apollo	$ (33,610)	$ 14,605	$ 175	$ 113,496
Earnings (Loss) Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo	$ (0.31)	$ 0.15	$ 0.00	$ 1.03
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)
Basic (loss) income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ 0.13	$ 0.00	$ 1.01
Earnings Per Share, Diluted [Abstract]
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo	$ (0.31)	$ 0.15	$ 0.00	$ 1.02
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)	$ 0.00	$ (0.02)
Diluted (loss) income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ (0.31)	$ 0.13	$ 0.00	$ 1.00
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	108,166	112,151	108,375	112,742
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	108,166	113,380	109,337	113,676