XML 97 R56.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jan. 31, 2018 entity | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) country entity | Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) country entity | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues |  | $ 1,261,223 | $ 983,394 | $ 1,277,439 | $ 855,933 | $ 1,175,893 | $ 929,855 | $ 1,231,910 | $ 906,534 | $ 4,377,989 | $ 4,244,192 | $ 4,291,659 |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | 468,733 |  |  |  | 464,965 |  |  |  | $ 468,733 | 464,965 | 458,673 | $ 461,584
Receivables deemed uncollectible, period |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 years |  |  |
Deferred online course development costs |  | 60,949 |  |  |  | 54,713 |  |  |  | $ 60,949 | 54,713 |  |
Deferred accreditation costs |  | 3,179 |  |  |  | 3,035 |  |  |  | 3,179 | 3,035 |  |
Deferred costs, gross |  | 176,402 |  |  |  | 160,554 |  |  |  | 176,402 | 160,554 |  |
Accumulated amortization of deferred costs |  | (112,274) |  |  |  | (102,806) |  |  |  | (112,274) | (102,806) |  |
Unamortized balances of deferred financing costs |  | 107,640 |  |  |  | 44,648 |  |  |  | 107,640 | 44,648 |  |
Advertising costs |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 277,960 | 274,870 | 278,296 |
Restricted cash included in operating cash inflows (outflows) |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,824 | (7,686) | (932) |
Restricted cash included in investing cash outflows |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (39,848) | (28,063) | (15,452) |
Cumulative effect of adoption to retained earnings |  | (946,236) |  |  |  | (1,037,701) |  |  |  | (946,236) | (1,037,701) |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2015-17 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Decrease in current deferred tax assets |  |  |  |  |  | 110,000 |  |  |  |  | 110,000 |  |
Decrease in current deferred tax liabilities |  |  |  |  |  | 6,000 |  |  |  |  | 6,000 |  |
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 | Pro Forma | Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cumulative effect of adoption to retained earnings |  | $ 2,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,000 |  |  |
Chile |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 617,258 | 564,631 | 536,542 |
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of consolidated entities (entity) | entity |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 12 |  |  |
Number of countries with variable interest entities (country) | country |  | 8 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8 |  |  |
Revenues |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 123,237 | 113,276 | 106,005 |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ 231,940 |  |  |  | $ 169,074 |  |  |  | 231,940 | 169,074 |  |
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Chile |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents |  | $ 101,000 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 101,000 |  |  |
Number of entities with cash balances (entity) | entity |  | 3 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 |  |  |
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Subsequent Event |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of VIE entities sold (entity) | entity | 1 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary | Central America & U.S. Campuses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Non-operating investment income |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 11,696 | $ 11,061 | $ 10,297 |

X
- Definition Accumulated Amortization Of Deferred Costs + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_AccumulatedAmortizationOfDeferredCosts
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Allowance For Doubtful Accounts, Receivables Deemed Uncollectible, Period + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_AllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsReceivablesDeemedUncollectiblePeriod
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Deferred Costs, Accreditations, Noncurrent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_DeferredCostsAccreditationsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Deferred Costs, Gross + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_DeferredCostsGross
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Deferred Costs, Online Course Development, Noncurrent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_DeferredCostsOnlineCourseDevelopmentNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Number Of Consolidated Entities + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_NumberOfConsolidatedEntities
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number Of Consolidated Entities Sold + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_NumberOfConsolidatedEntitiesSold
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Variable Interest Entity, Number Of Entities With Cash Balances + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_VariableInterestEntityNumberOfInstitutionsWithCashBalances
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 720 -SubTopic 35 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Excludes cash and cash equivalents within disposal group and discontinued operation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82887183&loc=d3e6676-107765 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3044-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, after accumulated amortization, of debt issuance costs. Includes, but is not limited to, legal, accounting, underwriting, printing, and registration costs. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 835 -SubTopic 30 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64930785&loc=d3e28555-108399 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.17) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, after allocation of valuation allowances and deferred tax liability, of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible differences and carryforwards, netted by jurisdiction and classified as current. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176650&loc=d3e31917-109318 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176650&loc=d3e31931-109318 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32537-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsLiabilitiesNetCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount, after deferred tax asset, of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable differences, with jurisdictional netting and classified as current. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32621-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176650&loc=d3e31958-109318 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176650&loc=d3e31917-109318 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176650&loc=d3e31931-109318 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32632-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxLiabilitiesCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The net cash inflow or outflow during the period for the aggregate increase (decrease) associated with funds and investments that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as assets held in escrow or contractually limited as to use or disposition) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as investing activities. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashAndInvestments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net cash inflow or outflow for the increase (decrease) associated with funds that are not available for withdrawal or use (such as funds held in escrow) and are associated with underlying transactions that are classified as operating activities. This may include cash restricted for regulatory purposes. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInRestrictedCashForOperatingActivities
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate amount of income from investments (for example, dividends) not considered a component of the entity's core operations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeNonoperating
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsOrChangeInAccountingPrincipleLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The number of countries in which the entity operates as of balance sheet date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfCountriesInWhichEntityOperates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's undistributed earnings or deficit. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(23)(a)(4)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 505 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(30)(a)(3)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201517Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdjustmentsForNewAccountingPronouncementsAxis=us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdate201409Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis=us-gaap_ProFormaMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_InitialApplicationPeriodCumulativeEffectTransitionAxis=us-gaap_DifferenceBetweenRevenueGuidanceInEffectBeforeAndAfterTopic606Member
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_CL
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_VariableInterestEntitiesByClassificationOfEntityAxis=us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityPrimaryBeneficiaryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=laur_CentralAmericaAndU.S.CampusesSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |