Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 578,572	$ 672,754	$ 1,297,624	$ 1,520,902
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
Acquisition and other related costs	1,742	13,005	4,961	13,005
Litigation charges	100	9,000	100	9,000
Total assets	2,405,941		2,405,941		3,092,935
University Of Phoenix [Member]
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	487,769	594,081	1,080,622	1,338,944
Operating (loss) income	1,350	86,682	94,861	270,155
Total assets	769,666		769,666		824,895
Apollo Global [Member]
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	81,100	68,634	196,240	159,793
Operating (loss) income	(27,541)	(40,004)	(32,383)	(37,787)
Acquisition and other related costs	1,000	13,000	2,700	13,000
Total assets	671,914		671,914		680,363
Other [Member]
Segment reporting [Line Items]
Net revenue	9,703	10,039	20,762	22,165
Operating (loss) income	(28,335)	(36,382)	(56,510)	(51,711)
Acquisition and other related costs	700		2,300
Litigation charges		9,000		9,000
Total assets	$ 964,361		$ 964,361		$ 1,587,677