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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands |  |  | 3 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jan. 01, 2020 USD ($) | Jul. 01, 2018 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2020 USD ($) item segment | Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Funding to GCU for capital expenditures |  |  |  | $ 29,905 |
Other assets |  |  | $ 1,754 |  | $ 1,706
Number of operating segments | segment |  |  | 1 |  |
Number of reporting units | segment |  |  | 1 |  |
Unbilled revenue |  |  | $ 400 |  |
Amounts written off |  |  | 0 |  |
Allowance for doubtful accounts |  |  | 0 |  |
Lease liabilities |  |  | $ 35,922 |  |
Number of university partners | item |  |  | 24 |  |
Accounts receivable credit losses |  |  | $ 0 |  |
Allowance for credit losses | $ 5,000 |  | 5,000 |  |
Retained earnings |  |  | 1,408,897 |  | $ 1,341,344
Income tax expense |  |  | $ 22,791 | $ 11,456 |
Computer Software |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Estimated average useful life |  |  | 3 years |  |
Capitalized Content Development |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Estimated average useful life |  |  | 4 years |  |
Other assets |  |  | $ 1,044 |  |
Interest Rate Corridor | 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 | 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 |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Effective portion of losses on derivatives included as a component of other comprehensive income, net of taxes |  |  | $ 142 |  |
Other Assets |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Fair values of interest rate corridor instrument |  |  | $ 423 |  |
Minimum |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Initial contract terms |  |  | 7 years |  |
Minimum | Interest Rate Corridor | 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 | Interest Rate Corridor | 30 Day LIBOR exceeds 3.0% |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
30 Day LIBOR index rate |  |  | 3.00% |  |
Maximum |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Initial contract terms |  |  | 15 years |  |
Maximum | Interest Rate Corridor | 30-day LIBOR |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
30 Day LIBOR index rate |  |  | 1.50% |  |
Maximum | Interest Rate Corridor | 30 Day LIBOR equal to 1.5% through 3.0% |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
30 Day LIBOR index rate |  |  | 3.00% |  |
Grand Canyon University |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Purchase price of assets |  | $ 870,097 |  |  |
Interest rate on Secured Note |  | 6.00% |  |  |
Term of additional lending to GCU for approved capital expenditures |  | 3 years |  |  |
Funding to GCU for capital expenditures |  |  | $ 99,815 |  |
Master Services Agreement | Grand Canyon University |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Percentage of tuition and fee revenue used for closing of purchase agreement |  | 60.00% |  |  |
Restatement Adjustment | ASU 2016-13 |  |  |  |  |
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |
Allowance for credit losses | 5,000 |  |  |  |
Retained earnings | (3,832) |  |  |  |
Income tax expense | $ 1,168 |  |  |  |

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