Segment Information - Summary of Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue:
Total Revenue	$ 79,133	$ 67,888	$ 235,876	$ 211,889
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	3,226	3,764	9,955	11,758
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	3,308	(2,913)	15,042	4,147
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	121	1,019	1,002	3,207
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	785	(239)	4,291	1,596
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	1,278	1,194	4,171	4,151
Intersegment elimination
Revenue:
Total Revenue	(18)	(25)	(57)	(81)
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	2	(2)	2	3
American Public Education Segment
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	3,067	3,525	9,482	10,995
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	119	1,006	986	3,176
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	655	1,368	4,407	5,166
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	1,271	1,034	4,015	3,608
American Public Education Segment | Operating Segments
Revenue:
Total Revenue	69,610	61,217	210,251	190,386
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	2,840	247	15,495	14,358
Hondros College of Nursing Segment
Depreciation and amortization:
Total Depreciation and amortization	159	239	473	763
Interest income, net:
Interest income, net	2	13	16	31
Income tax expense (benefit):
Total Income tax expense (benefit)	130	(1,607)	(116)	(3,570)
Capital expenditures:
Total Capital expenditures	7	160	156	543
Hondros College of Nursing Segment | Operating Segments
Revenue:
Total Revenue	9,541	6,696	25,682	21,584
Income (loss) from operations before interest income and income taxes:
Total income from operations before interest income and income taxes	$ 466	$ (3,158)	$ (455)	$ (10,214)