Revenue - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Jan. 01, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Retained earnings		$ 105,961,000	$ 133,930,000
Contract assets		0
Deferred revenue and student deposits		17,426,000	18,310,000
Deferred revenue		9,600,000	9,900,000
Student deposits		7,800,000	8,400,000
Interest earned		15,000
Subsequent Event
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Monthly grant payment	$ 200
Semester grant payment	$ 600
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Adjustments from adoption of ASC 606
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Retained earnings				$ 278,000
American Public Education Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Refund liability		9,000,000	12,000,000
HCN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Refund liability		$ 0	$ 0
Instructional services, net of grants and scholarships
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of days of bill date to receive payment		30 days
Graduation fees | American Public Education Segment
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Graduation fee per degree		$ 100
Textbook and other course materials | HCN
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of days of bill date to receive payment		30 days