Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net income	$ 133,740	$ 147,284
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Share-based compensation	16,889	20,892
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	(372)
Depreciation and amortization	43,695	46,298
Accelerated depreciation included in restructuring	9,326	0
Amortization of lease incentives	(3,740)	(3,789)
Amortization of deferred gains on sale-leasebacks	(700)	(700)
Goodwill and other intangibles impairment	0	16,788
Non-cash foreign currency gain, net	(607)	(397)
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	33,406	41,583
Litigation credit	(16,850)	0
Deferred income taxes	6,064	(1,747)
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding the impact of acquisition:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	(33,241)	2,315
Accounts receivable	(36,349)	(75,698)
Other assets	(6,432)	(6,105)
Accounts payable	(11,771)	858
Income taxes payable	82,032	115,412
Student deposits	18,522	(22,272)
Deferred revenue	8,075	22,340
Accrued and other liabilities	(31,928)	(1,448)
Net cash provided by operating activities	210,131	301,242
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment	(27,539)	(23,585)
Acquisition, net of cash acquired	0	(73,736)
Other investing activities	(14,819)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(42,358)	(97,321)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Payments on borrowings	(625,762)	(496,322)
Proceeds from borrowings	2,176	0
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(42,500)	0
Apollo Group Class A common stock purchased for treasury	(3,472)	(80,682)
Issuance of Apollo Group Class A common stock	1,113	2,575
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation	0	372
Net cash used in financing activities	(668,445)	(574,057)
Exchange rate effect on cash and cash equivalents	306	(491)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(500,366)	(370,627)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	1,276,375	1,571,664
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	776,009	1,201,037
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow and non-cash information
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds	10,243	1,316
Cash paid for interest	1,906	2,344
Restricted stock units vested and released	9,496	7,125
Capital lease additions	0	6,668
Credits received for tenant improvements	0	19,941
Debt incurred for acquired technology	$ 0	$ 14,389