Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate, Increase (Decrease)

No definition available.

Name:	laur_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRateIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	laur_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument Carrying Before Debt Issuance Costs, Net of Unamortized Discounts

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	laur_DebtInstrumentCarryingBeforeDebtIssuanceCostsNetOfUnamortizedDiscounts
Namespace Prefix:	laur_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Debt To Consolidated EBITDA Ratio

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	laur_DebtInstrumentDebtToConsolidatedEBITDARatio
Namespace Prefix:	laur_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Percentage Of Collateral Pledged

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	laur_DebtInstrumentPercentageOfCollateralPledged
Namespace Prefix:	laur_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line Of Credit Facility, Accordion Feature, Higher Borrowing Capacity Option

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	laur_LineOfCreditFacilityAccordionFeatureHigherBorrowingCapacityOption
Namespace Prefix:	laur_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, before unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but is not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, commercial loans, mortgage loans, convertible debt, subordinated debt and other types of debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (b)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120520924&loc=SL6031897-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of assets pledged to secure a debt instrument.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCollateralAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114775985&loc=d3e28878-108400

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Effective interest rate for the funds borrowed under the debt agreement considering interest compounding and original issue discount or premium.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 20
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120520924&loc=SL6036836-161870

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=119993939&loc=d3e28551-108399

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- 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_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current and noncurrent portions of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120398452&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120400017&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCredit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The cash outflow during the period from the repayment of aggregate short-term and long-term debt. Excludes payment of capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=121586364&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_RevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=laur_AlternateBaseRateABRMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_NewCreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=laur_TermLoanOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=laur_TermLoanTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=laur_TermLoanThreeMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=laur_TermLoanFourMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_RevolvingCreditFacilityandTermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_SeniorSecuredCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_SecuredDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_SecondAmendedAndRestatedCreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis=laur_TermLoanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_TheSeniorNotesdue2025Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodOneMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodAxis=us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPeriodTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_SeniorNotes8Point250PercentDue2025FirstSaleOfferMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_SeniorNotes8Point250PercentDue2025Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_SeniorNotes8Point250PercentDue2025SecondAssetSaleOfferMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=us-gaap_LineOfCreditMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_RangeAxis=srt_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=laur_WaldenUniversityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	dei_LegalEntityAxis=laur_UnitedStatesGuarantorsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=laur_NewCreditFacilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis=laur_SeniorNotes8Point250PercentDue2025Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Debt - Debt Refinancing and Senior Notes Due 2019 Exchange Transaction (Details) - USD ($)					12 Months Ended
	Oct. 07, 2019	Feb. 01, 2019	Feb. 01, 2018	Apr. 26, 2017	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 14, 2020	Nov. 16, 2020	Nov. 12, 2020	Oct. 13, 2020	Mar. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2017
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase payments of long term debt					$ 705,353,000	$ 2,507,790,000	$ 867,915,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing under credit facility						121,300,000
Revolving Credit Facility \| Alternate Base Rate (ABR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Borrowing under credit facility						81,100,000
New Credit Agreement \| Term Loan One \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.50%
New Credit Agreement \| Term Loan One \| Alternate Base Rate (ABR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
New Credit Agreement \| Term Loan Two \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.25%
New Credit Agreement \| Term Loan Two \| Alternate Base Rate (ABR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.25%
New Credit Agreement \| Term Loan Three \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
New Credit Agreement \| Term Loan Three \| Alternate Base Rate (ABR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
New Credit Agreement \| Term Loan Four \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	1.75%
New Credit Agreement \| Term Loan Four \| Alternate Base Rate (ABR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	0.75%
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt		$ 340,000,000	$ 1,239,000
Incremental borrowing capacity				$ 565,000,000
Senior Secured Credit Facility \| Secured Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total senior and other debt					0	$ 202,400,000
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity				$ 50,000,000
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility \| London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate						3.61%
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility \| Alternate Base Rate (ABR)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate						5.75%
Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio				275.00%
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total senior and other debt					798,725,000	$ 800,000,000
Senior Notes \| The Senior Notes due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt outstanding				$ 800,000,000
Senior Notes \| The Senior Notes due 2025 \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate				8.25%
Repurchase price, percent				106.188%
Senior Notes \| The Senior Notes due 2025 \| Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchase price, percent				100.00%
Senior Notes \| Senior Notes, 8.250%, Due 2025, First Sale Offer
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount											$ 300,000,000
Senior Notes \| Senior Notes, 8.250%, Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount								$ 500,000	$ 775,000		$ 300,000
Senior Notes \| Senior Notes, 8.250%, Due 2025, Second Asset Sale Offer
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount										$ 650,000,000
Lines of credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total senior and other debt					59,014,000	14,542,000
Debt outstanding					$ 59,014,000	14,542,000
Lines of credit \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total interest rate					2.10%
Lines of credit \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total interest rate					7.93%
Lines of credit \| Secured Credit Facility \| Walden University
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Receivables and intangibles pledged as collateral					$ 407,267,000	400,484,000
Lines of credit \| Secured Credit Facility \| United States Guarantors
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of collateral pledged (no more than)					65.00%
Lines of credit \| New Credit Agreement \| Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity												$ 410,000,000	$ 385,000,000
Lines of credit \| New Credit Facilities \| Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity													$ 1,600,000,000
Lines of credit \| Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt			350,000,000
Repurchase payments of long term debt			$ 350,000,000
Lines of credit \| Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Term Loan \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			2.50%	3.50%
Lines of credit \| Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement \| Term Loan \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate			3.50%	4.50%
Decrease in basis spread on variable rate			0.0100
Senior Notes, 8.250%, Due 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total senior and other debt					$ 798,725,000	$ 800,000,000