Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 17, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	0-21039
Entity Registrant Name	Strategic Education, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MD
Entity Tax Identification Number	52-1975978
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
City Area Code	703
Local Phone Number	247-2500
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.01 par value
Trading Symbol	STRA
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,214,598
Entity Central Index Key	0001013934
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020