Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Prepaid Expenses And Other Prepaid Expenses and Other Prepaid Expenses and Other Prepaid Expenses and Other Other Assets: Other Assets Abstract Perkins Program Fund Net Perkins Program Fund, Net Perkins Program Fund, Net Total Other Assets Total Other Assets Total Other Assets Total Other Assets Deferred Rent And Other Deferred Rent and Other Deferred Rent and Other Deferred Rent and Other Tuition Tuition Tuition INTEREST AND OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME: Interest And Other Expense Income Abstract Net Interest And Other Expense Income Net Interest and Other (Expense) Income Net Interest and Other (Expense) Income Net Interest and Other (Expense) Income Net Interest and Other (Expense) Income Provision For Refunds And Uncollectible Accounts Provision for Refunds and Uncollectible Accounts Provision for Refunds and Uncollectible Accounts Accretion Of Non Controlling Interest Put Option Accretion of Non-controlling Interest Put Option Accretion of Non-controlling Interest Put Option Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract] Dividends And Stock Repurchase Program Text Block DIVIDENDS AND STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM DIVIDENDS AND STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM Dividends and Stock Repurchase Program [Abstract] DIVIDENDS AND STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM [Abstract] Intangible Assets [Abstract] INTANGIBLE ASSETS [Abstract] Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract] Cash Paid During Period For Abstract. Cash Paid During Period For Abstract Cash Paid During Period For: Segment Information. Segment Information [Abstract] Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Capital Expenditures Capital Expenditures Payments to Acquire Productive Assets Depreciation Depreciation Unrealized Net (Gain) Loss on Investments Unrealized Net Gain on Investments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments Amortization Amortization of Intangible Assets Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Basic Basic Earnings Per Share, Basic Buildings Buildings and Improvements, Gross Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Interest Interest Paid, Net Accounts Receivable Accounts Receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Advance Tuition Payments Increase (Decrease) in Customer Advances Accrued Salaries, Wages, Benefits and Expenses Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Prepaid Expenses and Other Prepaid Expenses and Other Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid, Deferred Expense and Other Assets Changes in Assets and Liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value, 200,000,000 Shares Authorized; 70,271,000; 71,030,000 and 71,067,000 Shares Issued and Outstanding at September 30, 2010, June 30, 2010 and September 30, 2009, Respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Construction In Progress Construction In Progress Construction in Progress, Gross Cost of Educational Services Cost of Goods and Services Sold Total Current Liabilities Liabilities, Current, Total Total Current Liabilities Current Liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Advance Tuition Payments Customer Advances, Current Deferred Income Taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred Income Taxes, Net Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current Deferred Income Taxes, Net Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Diluted Diluted Earnings Per Share, Diluted Effects of Exchange Rate Differences Effects of Exchange Rate Differences Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Stock-Based Compensation Expense Share-based Compensation Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract] STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract] Gain Loss On Investments Net Investment Gain Net Investment Gain Loss on Disposals of Land, Buildings and Equipment Loss on Disposals of Land, Buildings and Equipment Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract] INCOME TAXES Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes, Net Income Taxes Paid, Net Intangible Assets, Net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Goodwill Goodwill Interest Expense Interest Expense Interest Expense, Debt Land Land TOTAL LIABILITIES Liabilities, Total TOTAL LIABILITIES LIABILITIES: Liabilities [Abstract] TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity, Total TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Portion of Debt Line of Credit, Current Debt [Abstract] DEBT [Abstract] Marketable Securities and Investments Marketable Securities, Current NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEVRY INC. NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEVRY INC. Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Proceeds from Stock Issued Under Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proceeds from Stock Plans Total Other Liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Total Other Liabilities Other Liabilities: Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Operating Income Operating Income (Loss) Other Other Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities Cash Dividends Paid Cash Dividends Paid Payments of Dividends, Common Stock Borrowings Under Collateralized Line of Credit Proceeds from Issuance of Other Long-term Debt Borrowings Under Revolving Credit Facility Proceeds from Long-term Lines of Credit Marketable Securities Sales Marketable Securities Sales Proceeds from Exercise of Stock Options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Total land, buildings and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross Land, Buildings and Equipment, Net Land, Buildings and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Marketable Securities Purchased Marketable Securities Purchased Payments to Acquire Marketable Securities Repayments Under Revolving Credit Facility Repayments Under Revolving Credit Facility Repayments of Long-term Lines of Credit Repayments Under Collateralized Line of Credit Repayments Under Collateralized Line of Credit Repayments of Other Long-term Debt Repurchase of Common Stock for Treasury Repurchase of Common Stock for Treasury Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock Restricted Cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Retained Earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total Revenues Sales Revenue, Net, Total Total Revenues REVENUES: Sales Revenue, Net [Abstract] Other Educational Other Educational Other Sales Revenue, Net DEBT Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities [Text Block] SEGMENT INFORMATION Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Student Services and Administrative Expense Student Services and Administrative Expense Selling, General and Administrative Expense SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Excess Tax Benefit from Stock-Based Payments Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities Total Current Assets Assets, Current, Total Total Current Assets Current Assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Land, Buildings and Equipment: Property, Plant and Equipment, Net [Abstract] TOTAL ASSETS Assets, Total TOTAL ASSETS INTANGIBLE ASSETS Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Interest Income Investment Income, Interest STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Equipment Machinery and Equipment, Gross ASSETS: Assets [Abstract] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block] INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] Interim Financial Statements [Abstract] INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS [Abstract] Treasury Stock, at Cost (3,216,000; 2,394,000 and 1,894,000 Shares, Respectively) Treasury Stock, at Cost (3,216,000; 2,394,000 and 1,894,000 Shares, Respectively) Treasury Stock, Value Deferred Tuition Revenue Deferred Tuition Revenue Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Deferred Tuition Revenue Deferred Tuition Revenue Deferred Revenue Other Assets Other Assets Other Assets, Noncurrent EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO DEVRY INC. SHAREHOLDERS: Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] Income Before Income Taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Cumulative Effects of Changes in Accounting Principles, Noncontrolling Interest Common stock, par value Common stock, par value Treasury stock at cost Treasury stock at cost Treasury Stock, at Cost (2,077,000; 1,663,000 and 1,267,000 Shares, Respectively) TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent, Total TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Income Taxes [Abstract] INCOME TAXES [Abstract] Income Tax Provision Income Tax Provision Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Restricted Cash Restricted Cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash for Operating Activities COSTS AND EXPENSES: Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Total Operating Costs and Expenses Costs and Expenses, Total Total Operating Costs and Expenses Non-cash Investing Activity: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Net Income NET INCOME Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interest Net Loss Attributable to Non-controlling Interest Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Accounts Payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued Expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued Salaries, Wages and Benefits Employee-related Liabilities, Current Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Document Report Type Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type