Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows from Continuing and Discontinued Operations (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2009
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income	$ 535,796	$ 521,581	$ 593,830
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation	70,040	64,305	68,038
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(4,014)	(6,648)	(18,543)
Depreciation and amortization	159,006	147,035	113,350
Amortization of lease incentives	(18,822)	(13,358)	(12,807)
Impairment on discontinued operations	0	9,400	0
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	219,927	184,570	0
Loss on fixed assets write-off	0	0	9,416
Amortization of deferred gains on sale-leasebacks	(2,221)	(1,705)	(1,715)
Non-cash foreign currency loss (gain), net	1,662	643	(62)
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	181,297	282,628	152,490
Litigation (credit) charge, net	(11,951)	177,982	80,500
Restructuring and other charges	22,913	0	0
Deferred income taxes	55,823	(125,399)	(13,799)
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the impact of acquisitions and business disposition:
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	64,725	(11,828)	(48,149)
Accounts receivable	(121,120)	(265,996)	(192,289)
Prepaid taxes	(25,241)	10,421	(30,848)
Other assets	(9,900)	2,183	9,945
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	4,851	(44,653)	45,406
Student deposits	(70,120)	3,445	59,458
Deferred revenue	(79,488)	32,887	80,315
Other liabilities	(76,041)	65,749	17,542
Net cash provided by operating activities	897,122	1,033,242	912,078
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(162,573)	(168,177)	(127,356)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(5,497)	(523,795)
Maturities of marketable securities	10,000	5,000	8,035
Proceeds from sale-leaseback, net	169,018	0	0
Proceeds from business disposition	21,251	0	0
Collateralization of letter of credit	126,615	(126,615)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	164,311	(295,289)	(643,116)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Payments on borrowings	(437,925)	(477,568)	(37,341)
Proceeds from borrowings	410,051	475,454	513,170
Apollo Class A common stock purchased for treasury	(783,168)	(446,398)	(452,487)
Issuance of Apollo Group Class A common stock	24,903	19,671	117,076
Noncontrolling interest contributions	6,875	2,460	58,980
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	4,014	6,648	18,543
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(775,250)	(419,733)	217,941
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents	712	(1,697)	(1,852)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	286,895	316,523	485,051
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	1,284,769	968,246	483,195
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	1,571,664	1,284,769	968,246
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and non-cash information
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	464,701	514,532	472,241
Cash paid for interest	10,972	7,837	3,683
Capital lease additions	31,818	2,372	1,313
Credits received for tenant improvements	25,538	17,372	12,674
Restricted stock units vested and released	$ 21,470	$ 19,868	$ 22,617