Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 1,178,690	$ 1,326,435
Costs and expenses:
Instructional and student advisory	456,797	455,812
Marketing	165,845	166,143
Admissions advisory	101,388	113,752
General and administrative	79,944	84,874
Depreciation and amortization	46,298	37,102
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	41,583	56,909
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	16,788	0
Restructuring and other charges	5,562	3,846
Litigation charge	0	881
Total costs and expenses	914,205	919,319
Operating income	264,485	407,116
Interest income	589	983
Interest expense	(1,999)	(2,170)
Other, net	141	(54)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes	263,216	405,875
Provision for income taxes	(115,932)	(169,579)
Income from continuing operations	147,284	236,296
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax	0	(628)
Net income	147,284	235,668
Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	2,030	(255)
Net income attributable to Apollo	$ 149,314	$ 235,413
Earnings per share - Basic:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo	$ 1.15	$ 1.61
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo	$ 1.15	$ 1.61
Earnings per share - Diluted:
Continuing operations attributable to Apollo	$ 1.14	$ 1.61
Discontinued operations attributable to Apollo	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo	$ 1.14	$ 1.61
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	130,318	146,352
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	130,874	146,663