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Share-Based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Details) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended
--- | --- | ---
Aug. 31, 2019 director | Jun. 30, 2018 USD ($) employee shares | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($) shares | Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) shares | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) shares | Dec. 31, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares granted |  |  | 152 | 163 | 192 |
Number of new non-employee directors | director | 2 |  |  |  |  |
Forfeiture of shares by transferred employees at closing of transaction |  |  | 16 | 95 | 34 |
Minimum eligible age to participate in the plan |  |  | 21 years |  |  |
University made discretionary matching contributions | $ |  |  | $ 2,238 | $ 1,625 | $ 2,837 |
Grand Canyon University |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of former employees hired | employee |  | 100 |  |  |  |
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vesting period | 1 year |  |  |  |  |
2017 Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares available for grant |  |  | 1,763 |  |  |
Maximum | 2017 Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares available for grant |  |  | 3,000 |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares withheld for taxes |  |  | 68 | 151 | 151 |
Common stock in lieu of taxes | $ |  |  | $ 8,127 | $ 15,152 | $ 9,790 |
Unrecognized share-based compensation cost | $ |  |  | $ 23,044 |  |  |
Costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period |  |  | 2 years 1 month 6 days |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants | Grand Canyon University |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares issued under plan |  | 82 |  |  |  |
Share-based compensation expense for restricted stock awards | $ |  | $ 7,880 |  |  |  |
Recognized deferred compensation plan expense for former GCE employees | $ |  | $ 9,568 |  |  |  |
Forfeiture of shares by transferred employees at closing of transaction |  | 86 |  |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants | Share-based Payment Arrangement, Nonemployee [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares granted |  |  | 3 | 3 | 4 |
Vesting period |  |  | 1 year |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants | 2008 Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Shares granted |  |  | 149 | 160 | 188 |
Vesting period |  |  | 5 years |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member] | 2008 Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vesting right percentage |  |  | 20.00% |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member] | 2008 Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vesting right percentage |  |  | 20.00% |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member] | 2008 Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vesting right percentage |  |  | 20.00% |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants | Share-based Compensation Award Tranche Four [Member] | 2008 Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vesting right percentage |  |  | 20.00% |  |  |
Restricted Stock Grants | Share-based Compensation Award Tranche Five [Member] | 2008 Plan [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vesting right percentage |  |  | 20.00% |  |  |
Employee Stock Option [Member] |  |  |  |  |  |
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |
Vesting period |  |  |  |  |  | 5 years
Expiration period of options |  |  |  |  |  | 10 years
Options granted |  |  | 0 | 0 | 0 |

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- Definition The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan). + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c)(2)(iii)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=116856206&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
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