Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue	$ 856,335	$ 1,055,183
Instructional and student advisory	339,679	432,150
Marketing	137,844	162,873
Admissions advisory	51,509	71,308
General and administrative	75,230	73,539
Depreciation and amortization	36,338	43,695
Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable	13,978	33,406
Restructuring and other charges	31,963	24,116
Litigation credit	0	(16,850)
Total costs and expenses	686,541	824,237
Operating income	169,794	230,946
Interest income	568	549
Interest expense	(2,086)	(2,042)
Other, net	807	1,799
Income before income taxes	169,083	231,252
Provision for income taxes	(70,042)	(97,512)
Net income	99,041	133,740
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(150)	(245)
Net income attributable to Apollo	$ 98,891	$ 133,495
Basic income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87	$ 1.19
Diluted income per share attributable to Apollo (in dollars per share)	$ 0.87	$ 1.18
Basic weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	113,326	112,420
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding (in shares)	113,960	112,849