v3.20.2

Segment and Geographic Information - Contract Acquisition Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions | Sep. 30, 2020 | Dec. 31, 2019
--- | --- | ---
Graduate Program Segment |  |
Segment Information |  |
Capitalized contract cost | $ 0.5 | $ 0.5

X
- Definition Amount, after accumulated amortization and accumulated impairment loss, of asset recognized from cost incurred to obtain or fulfill contract with customer. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 340 -SubTopic 40 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68051541&loc=SL49131252-203054 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CapitalizedContractCostNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

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

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- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=twou_GraduateProgramSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |