Goodwill and Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016	Aug. 31, 2016
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	$ 272,699
Currency translation adjustment	(7,007)
Goodwill ending balance	265,692
Intangible assets, net	179,417	$ 191,146
Future intangible amortization [Abstract]
Remainder of 2017	10,388
2018	10,243
2019	4,975
2020	3,054
2021	2,176
2022	1,871
Thereafter	3,160
Total estimated future amortization expense	35,867
University Of Phoenix [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	0
Currency translation adjustment	0
Goodwill ending balance	0
Apollo Global [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	241,501
Currency translation adjustment	(7,007)
Goodwill ending balance	234,494
Other [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill beginning balance	31,198
Currency translation adjustment	0
Goodwill ending balance	$ 31,198