Concentration (Details)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
American Public Education Segment
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of students served in military on active duty at time of initial enrollment	57.00%		57.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | DoD tuition assistance programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	35.00%	37.00%	38.00%	37.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | Title IV programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	26.00%	26.00%	25.00%	26.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | VA education benefits
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	24.00%	23.00%	23.00%	23.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | Cash and other sources
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	15.00%	14.00%	14.00%	14.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | Hondros College of Nursing Segment | Title IV programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	83.00%	82.00%	81.00%	83.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | Hondros College of Nursing Segment | VA education benefits
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	3.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | Hondros College of Nursing Segment | Cash and other sources
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	14.00%	16.00%	17.00%	15.00%