Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 255,831	$ 245,110	$ 521,133	$ 491,618
Strayer University Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	138,080	131,728	283,734	262,474
Strayer University Segment | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	133,544	126,932	274,042	252,915
Strayer University Segment | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4,536	4,796	9,692	9,559
Capella University Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	117,751	113,382	237,399	229,144
Capella University Segment | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	112,483	107,947	226,669	218,168
Capella University Segment | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 5,268	$ 5,435	$ 10,730	$ 10,976