Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows from Continuing and Discontinued Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income	$ 147,284	$ 235,668
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation	20,892	15,032
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	(372)	(69)
Depreciation and amortization	46,298	37,102
Amortization of lease incentives	(3,789)	(3,531)
Amortization of deferred gains on sale-leasebacks	(700)	(411)
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	16,788	0
Non-cash foreign currency gain, net	(397)	(5)
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	41,583	56,909
Litigation charge	0	881
Restructuring and other charges	5,562	3,846
Deferred income taxes	(1,747)	(2,379)
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the impact of acquisition:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	2,315	(28,275)
Accounts receivable	(75,698)	(40,333)
Other assets	(6,105)	(12,788)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(20,160)	(24,500)
Income taxes payable	115,412	142,219
Student deposits	(22,272)	(6,301)
Deferred revenue	22,340	(3,116)
Other liabilities	14,008	15,727
Net cash provided by operating activities	301,242	385,676
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(23,585)	(50,640)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	(73,736)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(97,321)	(50,640)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Payments on borrowings	(496,322)	(406,283)
Proceeds from borrowings	0	1,799
Apollo Class A common stock purchased for treasury	(80,682)	(176,931)
Issuance of Apollo Group Class A common stock	2,575	1,847
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	372	69
Net cash used in financing activities	(574,057)	(579,499)
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents	(491)	184
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(370,627)	(244,279)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	1,571,664	1,284,769
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	1,201,037	1,040,490
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and non-cash information
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	1,316	17,080
Cash paid for interest	2,344	3,179
Credits received for tenant improvements	19,941	5,012
Acquired technology (Note 5)	14,389	0
Restricted stock units vested and released	7,125	1,409
Capital lease additions	$ 6,668	$ 0