Concentration (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
American Public Education Segment
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of students served in military on active duty at time of initial enrollment	59.00%		59.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | DoD tuition assistance programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	44.00%	40.00%	43.00%	40.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | VA education benefits
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	21.00%	23.00%	22.00%	22.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | Title IV programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	20.00%	24.00%	21.00%	24.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | American Public Education Segment | Cash and other sources
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	15.00%	13.00%	14.00%	14.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | Hondros College of Nursing Segment | VA education benefits
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%	2.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | Hondros College of Nursing Segment | Title IV programs
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	83.00%	80.00%	82.00%	80.00%
Customer Concentration Risk | Revenue | Hondros College of Nursing Segment | Cash and other sources
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of segment revenue	15.00%	18.00%	16.00%	18.00%