Restructuring and Other Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		27 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012 Positions	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 24,116,000	$ 5,562,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			85,724,000
Balance	30,433,000
Non-cash adjustments	(10,391,000)
Payments	(14,555,000)
Balance	29,603,000		29,603,000
Accelerated depreciation	9,326,000	0
Share-based compensation	16,889,000	20,892,000
Number of positions eliminated	800
Restructuring liability, current	11,600,000		11,600,000	11,300,000
University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	16,896,000	5,562,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			59,811,000
Expected number of facilities abandoned	115
Apollo Global [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	79,000	0
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			5,997,000
Other [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	7,141,000	0
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			19,916,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	10,112,000	5,562,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			45,160,000
Balance	26,024,000
Non-cash adjustments	(9,326,000)
Payments	(2,994,000)
Balance	23,816,000		23,816,000
Interest accretion	300,000
Employee severance and other benefits [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	10,943,000	0
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			27,676,000
Balance	2,998,000
Non-cash adjustments	(1,065,000)
Payments	(9,111,000)
Balance	3,765,000		3,765,000
Share-based compensation	1,065,000
Other restructuring related costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	3,061,000	0
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			12,888,000
Balance	1,411,000
Non-cash adjustments	0
Payments	(2,450,000)
Balance	2,022,000		2,022,000
Other restructuring related costs [Member] | Other [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 3,061,000