Concentration (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
American Public Education Segment
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of students served in military on active duty at time of initial enrollment	58.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | DoD tuition assistance programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	41.00%	39.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | Title IV programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	23.00%	24.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | VA education benefits
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	23.00%	23.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | Cash and other sources
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	13.00%	14.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | Hondros College of Nursing Segment | Title IV programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	81.00%	80.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | Hondros College of Nursing Segment | VA education benefits
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	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	17.00%	18.00%