Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 74,616	$ 73,441
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	3,338	4,051
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	2,693	1,382
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	702	1,053
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	974	(63)
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	1,869	1,585
Intersegment elimination
Revenue:
Revenue	(17)	(27)
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	1	6
American Public Education Segment
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	3,194	3,782
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	690	1,047
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	1,215	1,666
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	1,745	1,345
American Public Education Segment | Operating Segments
Revenue:
Revenue	67,094	65,721
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	3,577	7,522
Hondros College of Nursing Segment
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	144	269
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	12	6
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	(241)	(1,729)
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	124	240
Hondros College of Nursing Segment | Operating Segments
Revenue:
Revenue	7,539	7,747
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	$ (885)	$ (6,146)