Shareholders' Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases, cost		80,682,000
Apollo Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock reissued, shares	400,000	200,000
Amount remaining on repurchase authorization	0
Apollo Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member] | Share Repurchases [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)	0	1,700,000
Treasury stock purchases, cost		78,200,000
Treasury stock purchases, average price per share		45.84
Apollo Group Class A nonvoting common stock [Member] | Repurchases Related To Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share Repurchases [Line Items]
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)	100,000	100,000
Treasury stock purchases, cost	$ 3,472,000	2,400,000