Document and Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Billions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2020	Jun. 28, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-K
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity File Number	0-21039
Entity Tax Identification Number	52-1975978
Trading Symbol	STRA
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Registrant Name	STRATEGIC EDUCATION, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001013934
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 3.8
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,970,944
Entity Address, Address Line One	2303 Dulles Station Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	Herndon,
Entity Address, State or Province	VA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	20171
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
City Area Code	703
Local Phone Number	247-2500
Title of 12(b) Security	COMMON STOCK, $0.01 PAR VALUE