Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 239,026	$ 241,747	$ 760,159	$ 733,365
Strayer University Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	128,411	129,993	412,145	392,466
Strayer University Segment | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	124,344	125,184	398,385	378,099
Strayer University Segment | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4,067	4,809	13,760	14,367
Capella University Segment
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	110,615	111,754	348,014	340,899
Capella University Segment | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	105,565	106,479	332,234	324,647
Capella University Segment | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 5,050	$ 5,275	$ 15,780	$ 16,252