Accrued and Other Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Salaries, wages and benefits	$ 125,165,000	$ 135,553,000
Restructuring obligations	43,339,000	55,191,000
Accrued advertising	33,853,000	45,850,000
Accrued legal and other professional obligations	33,651,000	31,310,000
Student refunds, grants and scholarships	20,072,000	7,180,000
Deferred rent and other lease liabilities	12,384,000	14,001,000
Curriculum materials	12,069,000	10,764,000
Other	47,835,000	46,857,000
Total accrued and other current liabilities	363,607,000	346,706,000
Other Long Term Liabilities [Abstract]
Restructuring obligations	59,744,000	64,610,000
Deferred rent and other lease liabilities	57,788,000	67,641,000
Deferred Revenue	51,831,000	21,080,000
Deferred gains on sale-leasebacks	21,641,000	22,894,000
Uncertain tax positions	9,770,000	33,637,000
Other	33,168,000	23,580,000
Total other long-term liabilities	233,942,000	233,442,000
Current Portion [Member]
Contingent consideration		0
Open Colleges [Member] | Current Portion [Member]
Contingent consideration	$ 35,239,000