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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) shares in Thousands |  | 1 Months Ended | 6 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jul. 01, 2018 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) Employee shares | May 31, 2017 USD ($) Employee shares | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) Project Agency | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Average days from the date of receipt in which funds remain as restricted cash and cash equivalents |  |  |  |  | 60 to 90 days |  |
Period of LIBOR interest rate |  |  |  |  | 30 days |  |
Reduction in revenue due to scholarships offered to students |  |  |  | $ 101,176,000 |  | $ 135,630,000 |
Royalty amortization period |  |  |  |  | 20 years |  |
Remaining prepaid royalty assets impaired | $ 3,037,000 |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of stages of software development projects | Project |  |  |  |  | 3 |  |
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes |  |  |  |  | $ 1,174,000 |  |
Deferred revenue |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 46,895,000
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated useful life |  |  |  |  | 3 years |  |
Grand Canyon University [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Remaining prepaid royalty assets impaired |  |  |  |  | $ 3,037,000 |  |
Number of former employees hired | Employee |  | 100 | 100 |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards |  |  |  |  | $ 7,880,000 |  |
Grand Canyon University [Member] | Restricted Stock Grants [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares issued under plan | shares |  | 82 | 82 |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards |  | $ 7,880,000 | $ 7,880,000 |  |  |  |
Grand Canyon University [Member] | Master Services Agreement [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of tuition and fee revenue used for closing of purchase agreement |  |  |  |  | 60.00% |  |
Initial maturity period of agreement |  |  |  |  | 15 years |  |
Early termination period of agreement |  |  |  |  | 7 years |  |
Refund or return rights under agreement |  |  |  |  | $ 0 |  |
Interest Rate Corridor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of derivative instrument |  |  |  |  | $ 61,667,000 |  |
Description of interest rate risk hedge at several thresholds |  |  |  |  | The Company pays variable interest monthly based on the 30 Day LIBOR rates until that index reaches 1.5%. If 30 Day LIBOR is equal to 1.5% through 3.0%, the Company pays 1.5%. If 30 Day LIBOR exceeds 3.0%, the Company pays actual 30 Day LIBOR less 1.5%. |  |
Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | LIBOR [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum percentage of variable interest rates based on LIBOR |  |  |  |  | 1.50% |  |
Percentage of amount paid by Company |  |  |  |  | 1.50% |  |
Percentage deducted from LIBOR for actual payment |  |  |  |  | 1.50% |  |
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Effective portion of gain (loss) on derivatives included as a component of other comprehensive income |  |  |  |  | $ 330,000 | $ 169,000 |
Other Assets [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair values of interest rate corridor instrument |  |  |  |  | $ 801,000 |  | $ 509,000
Minimum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of days from the date of receipt in which funds remain as restricted cash and cash equivalents |  |  |  |  | 60 days |  |
Number of major rating agencies reporting credit ratings | Agency |  |  |  |  | 1 |  |
Minimum [Member] | Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | LIBOR [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of LIBOR |  |  |  |  | 1.50% |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of days from the date of receipt in which funds remain as restricted cash and cash equivalents |  |  |  |  | 90 days |  |
Maximum [Member] | Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | LIBOR [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of LIBOR |  |  |  |  | 3.00% |  |
Revenue from Contracts with Customers [Member] | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Direct and incremental capitalized costs |  |  |  |  | $ 9,015,000 |  |
Deferred revenue |  |  |  |  | $ 7,451,000 |  |

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