Merger with Capella Education Company - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		8 Months Ended
	Aug. 01, 2018 USD ($) University	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Number of independent universities | University	2
Goodwill		$ 732,799		$ 732,799	$ 732,540
Merger costs		7,179	$ 5,347
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		0
Capella Merger
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Share conversion ratio of common stock issued	0.875
Goodwill	$ 725,999
Merger costs				20,100
Issuance costs	100
Reduction in current assets		300
Reduction in deferred tax liabilities		100
Course content and internally developed software including in Property and Equipment	$ 53,182
Amortization period (in years)	3 years
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		200
Strayer University
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 330,600	337,381		337,381	337,381
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		0
Capella University
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Goodwill	395,400	395,418		$ 395,418	$ 395,159
Goodwill, Acquired During Period		$ 0
Relief From Royalty Approach Valuation Technique | Capella Merger
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Course content and internally developed software including in Property and Equipment	14,000
Valuation, Cost Approach | Capella Merger
Business Acquisition, Equity Interests Issued or Issuable [Line Items]
Course content and internally developed software including in Property and Equipment	$ 5,000