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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands |  | 3 Months Ended |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jul. 01, 2018 | Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2019 Institution | Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Jan. 22, 2019 USD ($) | Jan. 01, 2019 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Costs capitalized to obtain or fulfill contracts with customers |  |  |  |  | $ 0 |  |  |  |
Unbilled revenue |  |  |  |  | 1,556 |  |  |  |
Reduction in revenue due to scholarships offered to students |  |  | $ 60,241 |  |  |  |  |  |
Other assets |  |  |  |  | 2,020 |  |  | $ 478 |
Amounts written off |  | $ 0 | 3,722 |  |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts |  |  | 7,182 |  | 0 |  |  |  | $ 5,907
Number of university partners |  | 18 |  | 18 |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes |  |  | (1,174) |  |  |  |  |  |
Right-of-use assets |  |  |  |  | 13,186 |  | $ 498 |  |
Lease liabilities |  |  |  |  | 13,266 |  | $ 498 |  |
Right-of-use assets |  |  |  |  |  | $ 13,069 |  |  |
Lease liability |  |  |  |  |  | $ 13,069 |  |  |
Election of hindsight practical expedient |  | true |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Election of package of practical expedients |  | true |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect from the adoption of accounting pronouncements, net of taxes |  |  | 1,174 |  |  |  |  |  |
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Estimated Average Useful Life |  | 3 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Capitalized Content Development |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other assets |  |  |  |  | 1,222 |  |  |  |
Estimated Average Useful Life |  | 4 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest Rate Corridor [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Notional amount of derivative instrument |  |  |  |  | 58,333 |  |  |  |
Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | 30 Day LIBOR equal to 1.5% through 3.0% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate spread on 30 Day LIBOR |  | 1.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | 30 Day LIBOR exceeds 3.0% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest rate spread on 30 Day LIBOR |  | 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 |  | $ 142 | $ 231 |  |  |  |  |  |
Other Assets [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fair values of interest rate corridor instrument |  |  |  |  | $ 423 |  |  | $ 600 |
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Initial contract terms |  | 7 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum [Member] | Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | 30 Day LIBOR equal to 1.5% through 3.0% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
30 Day LIBOR index rate |  | 1.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Minimum [Member] | Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | 30 Day LIBOR exceeds 3.0% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
30 Day LIBOR index rate |  | 3.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Initial contract terms |  | 15 years |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum [Member] | Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | LIBOR [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
30 Day LIBOR index rate |  | 1.50% |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Maximum [Member] | Interest Rate Corridor [Member] | 30 Day LIBOR equal to 1.5% through 3.0% |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
30 Day LIBOR index rate |  | 3.00% |  |  |  |  |  |  |

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