Stockholders' Equity - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)				12 Months Ended
	May 19, 2023	May 20, 2022	May 15, 2020	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Nov. 27, 2023	Dec. 05, 2019	May 02, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period				3 years
Period of accelerated service				1 year
Total income tax benefit				$ 1,900,000	$ 1,100,000	$ 1,500,000
Stock repurchase program, amount authorized									$ 35,000,000.0
Stock repurchase program, additional authorized amount							$ 10,000,000	$ 25,000,000.0
Remaining purchase amount				$ 6,000,000		$ 8,400,000
Stock repurchased (in shares)				251,146	1,515,766
Repurchase of common stock, amount				$ 2,768,000	$ 9,708,000
Deemed repurchased (in shares)				122,186	91,855	80,764
Restricted by Consent of Shareholders
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, amount authorized				$ 30,000,000
Repurchase of common stock, subject to stockholder approval, minimum percentage				60.00%
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities (in shares)				109,638	163,382	133,588
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive securities (in shares)				0	885,080	490,127
Total unrecognized compensation expense				$ 6,800,000
Weighted average period				1 year 7 months 6 days
Shares forfeited (in shares)				33,788	110,632	181,801
Dollar amount for shares forfeited				$ 380,948	$ 1,866,736	$ 4,339,191
Stock options
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award vesting period				3 years
Total unrecognized compensation expense				$ 100,000
Weighted average period				9 months 18 days
Award expiration period				10 years
2017 Incentive Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares authorized to grant (up to) (in shares)				1,675,000
Award vesting period				3 years
Period of accelerated service				1 year
Amended American Public Education, Inc. 2017 Omnibus Plan
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Common stock available for issuance (in shares)	1,200,000	1,125,000	1,425,000