| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 00500 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (http://strayereducation.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows)  | 
| Table | (Implied) | 
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0001013934 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) | 
| Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31  | 2015-01-01 - 2015-12-31  | 2014-01-01 - 2014-12-31  | |
Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract]  | |||
Cash flows from operating activities:  | |||
Net income  | 34,802,000    | 40,023,000    | 46,356,000    | 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:  | |||
Amortization of gain on sale of assets  | (  | (  | (  | 
Amortization of deferred rent  | (  | (  | (  | 
Amortization of deferred financing costs  | |||
Depreciation and amortization  | |||
Deferred income taxes  | (  | (  | (  | 
Stock-based compensation  | |||
Changes in assets and liabilities:  | |||
Tuition receivable, net  | (  | (  | |
Other current assets  | (  | (  | |
Other assets  | (  | ||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  | (  | (  | |
Income taxes payable and income taxes receivable  | (  | ||
Deferred revenue  | |||
Other long-term liabilities  | (  | (  | (  | 
Net cash provided by operating activities  | |||
Cash flows from investing activities:  | |||
Purchases of property and equipment  | (  | (  | (  | 
Cash used in acquisition, net of cash acquired  | (  | ||
Net cash used in investing activities  | (  | (  | (  | 
Cash flows from financing activities:  | |||
Payments on term loan  | (  | (  | |
Payments of contingent consideration  | (  | (  | (  | 
Payment of deferred financing costs  | (  | ||
Net cash used in financing activities  | (  | (  | (  | 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents  | (  | ||
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of year  | 106,889,000    | ||
Cash and cash equivalents - end of year  | 129,245,000    | 106,889,000    | 162,283,000    | 
Noncash transactions:  | |||
Purchases of property and equipment included in accounts payable  | |||