Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) Entity	Dec. 31, 2016 shares
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Contributions by noncontrolling interest	$ 8,158
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of third-party joint venture partners (entities) | Entity	3
Contributions by noncontrolling interest	$ 8,158
Equity interests held by owners of common units and preferred units (percent)	0.80%	0.80%
Common OP Unit
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of operating partnership units to common stock (in shares) | shares		280,915
Preferred OP Unit
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of operating partnership units to common stock (in shares) | shares		31,846
Partially owned properties
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Contributions by noncontrolling interest	$ 9,400