Noncontrolling Interests - Summarized Activity of Redeemable Limited Partners (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		$ 104,381
Distributions	$ (1,816)	(2,566)	$ (3,037)	$ (3,661)
Conversion of OP Units into shares of ACC common stock				(251)
Ending balance	20,912
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance		104,381
Distributions	(1,816)	(2,566)	(3,037)	(3,661)
Conversion of OP Units into shares of ACC common stock				(251)
Ending balance	20,912
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP \| Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	17,768	104,381	186,695	184,446
Net loss	(32)	311	163	259
Distributions	(234)	(234)	(288)	(305)
Purchase of noncontrolling interests		(77,200)
Adjustments to reflect redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value	3,410	(9,490)	(660)	2,547
Ending balance	$ 20,912	$ 17,768	$ 185,910	186,695
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP LP \| Common and preferred units
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Conversion of OP Units into shares of ACC common stock				$ (252)

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

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- Definition

Change in noncontrolling interest during the period as a result of a change in the redemption value of redeemable noncontrolling interest.

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Decrease in noncontrolling interest balance from payment of dividends or other distributions by the non-wholly owned subsidiary or partially owned entity, included in the consolidation of the parent entity, to the noncontrolling interest holders.

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- Definition

Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

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The cash outflow during the period for redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests.

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- Definition

Value of stock issued during the period upon the conversion of units. An example of a convertible unit is an umbrella partnership real estate investment trust unit (UPREIT unit).

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Carrying amount, attributable to parent and noncontrolling interests, of an entity's issued and outstanding stock which is not included within permanent equity. Temporary equity is a security with redemption features that are outside the control of the issuer, is not classified as an asset or liability in conformity with GAAP, and is not mandatorily redeemable. Includes any type of security that is redeemable at a fixed or determinable price or on a fixed or determinable date or dates, is redeemable at the option of the holder, or has conditions for redemption which are not solely within the control of the issuer. Includes stock with a put option held by an ESOP and stock redeemable by a holder only in the event of a change in control of the issuer.

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