Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill) (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 1,396,963
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(108,341)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	1,288,622
Acquisitions	113,307
Dispositions	(40,081)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(8,759)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,461,430
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(108,341)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	1,353,089
Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	1,073,433
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	971,174
Acquisitions	14,941
Dispositions	(2,420)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(8,759)
Goodwill, ending balance	1,077,195
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	974,936
Higher Education [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	409,016
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	409,016
Acquisitions	1,343
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(95)
Goodwill, ending balance	410,264
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	410,264
Test Preparation [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	152,187
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	49,928
Acquisitions	13,598
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	165,785
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(102,259)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	63,526
Kaplan International [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	512,230
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	512,230
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions	(2,420)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	(8,664)
Goodwill, ending balance	501,146
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	501,146
Cable [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	85,488
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	85,488
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	85,488
Television Broadcasting [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	203,165
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	0
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	203,165
Acquisitions	0
Dispositions	(37,661)
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	165,504
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	0
Goodwill, net, ending balance	165,504
Other Businesses [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill, beginning balance	34,877
Accumulated impairment losses, beginning balance	(6,082)
Goodwill, net, beginning balance	28,795
Acquisitions	98,366
Dispositions	0
Foreign currency exchange rate changes	0
Goodwill, ending balance	133,243
Accumulated impairment losses, ending balance	(6,082)
Goodwill, net, ending balance	$ 127,161