Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,571,664	$ 1,284,769
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	379,407	444,132
Accounts receivable, net	215,567	264,377
Deferred tax assets, current portion	124,137	166,549
Prepaid taxes	35,629	39,409
Other current assets	44,382	38,031
Assets held for sale from discontinued operations	0	15,945
Total current assets	2,370,786	2,253,212
Property and equipment, net	553,027	619,537
Restricted cash equivalents for collateralization of letter of credit	0	126,615
Marketable securities	5,946	15,174
Goodwill	133,297	322,159
Intangible assets, net	121,117	150,593
Deferred tax assets, less current portion	70,949	99,071
Other assets	14,584	15,090
Total assets	3,269,706	3,601,451
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt	419,318	416,361
Accounts payable	69,551	90,830
Accrued liabilities	398,806	375,461
Student deposits	424,045	493,245
Deferred revenue	293,436	359,724
Other current liabilities	50,131	53,416
Liabilities held for sale from discontinued operations	0	4,474
Total current liabilities	1,655,287	1,793,511
Long-term debt	179,691	168,039
Deferred tax liabilities	26,400	38,875
Total other long-term liabilities	164,339	212,286
Total liabilities	2,025,717	2,212,711
Commitments and contingencies (Note 20)
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, no par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued
Additional paid-in capital	68,724	46,865
Apollo Group Class A treasury stock, at cost, 58,003 and 40,714 shares as of August 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively	(3,125,175)	(2,407,788)
Retained earnings	4,320,472	3,748,045
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(23,761)	(31,176)
Total Apollo shareholders equity	1,240,364	1,356,050
Noncontrolling interests	3,625	32,690
Total equity	1,243,989	1,388,740
Total liabilities and shareholders equity	3,269,706	3,601,451
Apollo Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Apollo Group common stock	103	103
Apollo Group Class B voting common stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Apollo Group common stock	$ 1	$ 1