Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Revenue:
Revenue	$ 82,127	$ 70,560	$ 156,743	$ 144,001
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	3,391	3,943	6,729	7,994
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	9,041	5,678	11,734	7,060
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	179	1,135	881	2,188
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	2,532	1,898	3,506	1,835
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	1,024	1,372	2,893	2,957
Intersegment elimination
Revenue:
Revenue	(22)	(29)	(39)	(56)
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	(1)	(1)	0	5
American Public Education Segment
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	3,221	3,688	6,415	7,470
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	177	1,123	867	2,170
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	2,537	2,132	3,752	3,798
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	999	1,229	2,744	2,574
American Public Education Segment | Operating Segments
Revenue:
Revenue	73,547	63,448	140,641	129,169
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	9,077	6,589	12,655	14,111
Hondros College of Nursing Segment
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	170	255	314	524
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	2	12	14	18
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	(5)	(234)	(246)	(1,963)
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	25	143	149	383
Hondros College of Nursing Segment | Operating Segments
Revenue:
Revenue	8,602	7,141	16,141	14,888
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	$ (35)	$ (910)	$ (921)	$ (7,056)