Revenue Recognition - Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 267,494	$ 239,026	$ 255,831	$ 265,302	$ 263,772	$ 241,747	$ 245,110	$ 246,508	$ 1,027,653	$ 997,137	$ 634,185
Strayer University
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									537,633	536,969	477,839
Strayer University | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									519,964	517,586	455,609
Strayer University | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									17,669	19,383	22,230
Capella University
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									466,639	460,168	156,346
Capella University | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									445,300	438,676	148,168
Capella University | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									21,339	21,492	8,178
Australia/New Zealand
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									23,381	0	0
Australia/New Zealand | Tuition, net of discounts, grants and scholarships
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									22,431	0	0
Australia/New Zealand | Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues									$ 950	$ 0	$ 0