Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 265,302	$ 246,508
Strayer University Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	145,654	130,745
Strayer University Segment | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	140,497	125,983
Strayer University Segment | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	5,157	4,762
Capella University Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	119,648	115,763
Capella University Segment | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	114,186	110,221
Capella University Segment | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 5,462	$ 5,542