Segment and Geographic Information - Non-cash items (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Non cash items included in segment income (loss) from operations by reportable segment
Depreciation and amortization	$ 109,154	$ 104,861	$ 54,543
Amortization of intangible assets	64,225	61,667	25,694
Restructuring costs	12,382	0	0
Stock-based compensation	14,610	12,160	15,532
Segments | Strayer University
Non cash items included in segment income (loss) from operations by reportable segment
Depreciation and amortization	24,570	23,956	20,427
Stock-based compensation	7,292	5,970	11,720
Segments | Capella University
Non cash items included in segment income (loss) from operations by reportable segment
Depreciation and amortization	18,080	18,837	7,693
Stock-based compensation	7,272	5,823	1,570
Segments | Australia/New Zealand
Non cash items included in segment income (loss) from operations by reportable segment
Depreciation and amortization	1,930	0	0
Stock-based compensation	46	0	0
Segment Reconciling Items
Non cash items included in segment income (loss) from operations by reportable segment
Amortization of intangible assets	64,225	61,667	25,694
Merger and integration costs	0	401	729
Restructuring costs	349	0	0
Merger and integration costs	$ 0	$ 367	$ 2,242