Restructuring and Other Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		39 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2013	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	$ 31,963,000	$ 24,116,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			292,196,000
Balance	119,801,000
Non-cash adjustments	(3,352,000)
Payments	(29,951,000)
Balance	118,461,000		118,461,000
Accelerated depreciation	2,806,000	9,326,000
Percentage of square feet exited	85.00%		85.00%
Expected future restructuring charges	35,000,000
Restructuring liability, current	57,900,000		57,900,000	55,191,000
Restructuring gross obligation	190,000,000		190,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Discount rate			3.00%
Maximum [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Discount rate			6.00%
University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	25,426,000	16,896,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			227,098,000
Expected number of facilities abandoned	115
Apollo Global [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	1,263,000	79,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			13,028,000
Other [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	5,274,000	7,141,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			52,070,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	13,760,000	10,112,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			186,071,000
Balance	104,048,000
Non-cash adjustments	(1,490,000)
Payments	(15,532,000)
Balance	100,786,000		100,786,000
Lease and related costs, net [Member] | University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Accelerated depreciation	2,806,000
Lease Abandonment Obligation [Member] | University Of Phoenix [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities	9,951,000		133,600,000
Severance and other employee separation costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	15,254,000	10,943,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			66,280,000
Balance	7,623,000
Non-cash adjustments	(1,862,000)
Payments	(10,740,000)
Balance	10,275,000		10,275,000
Other restructuring related costs [Member]
Restructuring [Line Items]
Restructuring and other charges	2,949,000	3,061,000
Cumulative costs for restructuring activities			39,845,000
Balance	8,130,000
Non-cash adjustments	0
Payments	(3,679,000)
Balance	$ 7,400,000		$ 7,400,000