Nelnet (NNI) 10-Q 7 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information Document (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NELNET INC
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Public Float		$1,092,770,730
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	1258602
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Common Class A [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			34,592,926
Common Class B [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			11,486,932

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	$27,897,949	$28,005,195
Cash and cash equivalents:
Cash and cash equivalents - not held at a related party	38,071	37,781
Cash and cash equivalents - held at a related party	61,975	92,700
Total cash and cash equivalents	100,046	130,481
Investments and notes receivable	276,904	235,709
Restricted cash and investments	866,587	850,440
Restricted cash - due to customers	71,890	118,488
Accrued interest receivable	355,372	351,588
Accounts receivable (net of allowance for doubtful accounts)	55,968	50,552
Goodwill	126,200	126,200
Intangible assets, net	40,183	42,582
Property and equipment, net	51,003	45,894
Other assets	77,097	76,622
Fair value of derivative instruments	36,595	64,392
Total assets	29,955,794	30,098,143
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	27,815,324	28,027,350
Accrued interest payable	27,275	25,904
Other liabilities	174,248	167,881
Due to customers	71,890	118,488
Fair value of derivative instruments	85,564	32,842
Total liabilities	28,174,301	28,372,465
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	13,177	17,290
Retained earnings	1,762,711	1,702,560
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings	4,872	5,135
Total Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity	1,781,222	1,725,448
Noncontrolling interest	271	230
Total equity	1,781,493	1,725,678
Total liabilities and equity	29,955,794	30,098,143
Common Class A [Member]
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock	347	348
Total equity	347	348
Common Class B [Member]
Nelnet, Inc. shareholders' equity:
Common stock	115	115
Total equity	115	115
Variable Interest Entity, Primary Beneficiary [Member]
Assets:
Student loans receivable (net of allowance for loan losses)	27,965,879	28,181,244
Cash and cash equivalents:
Restricted cash and investments	850,890	846,199
Other assets	355,015	351,934
Liabilities:
Bonds and notes payable	28,119,030	28,391,530
Other liabilities	295,163	280,233
Fair value of derivative instruments	70,261	20,455
Equity:
Net assets of consolidated variable interest entities	$687,330	$687,159

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for loan losses	$51,161	$48,900
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$1,908	$1,656
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, authorized shares	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common Class A [Member]
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Shares Authorized	600,000,000	600,000,000
Shares Issued	34,713,065	34,756,384
Shares Outstanding	34,713,065	34,756,384
Common Class B [Member]
Par Value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Shares Authorized	60,000,000	60,000,000
Shares Issued	11,486,932	11,486,932
Shares Outstanding	11,486,932	11,486,932

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Interest income:
Loan interest	$171,944	$156,896
Investment interest	2,205	1,979
Total interest income	174,149	158,875
Interest expense:
Interest on bonds and notes payable	71,554	60,004
Net interest income	102,595	98,871
Less provision for loan losses	2,000	2,500
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	100,595	96,371
Other income (expense):
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	57,811	64,757
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	34,680	25,235
Enrollment services revenue	17,863	22,011
Other income	6,918	18,131
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	2,875	39
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net	-3,078	-4,265
Total other income (expense)	117,069	125,908
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	61,050	52,484
Cost of Services	11,702	14,475
Loan servicing fees	7,685	5,421
Depreciation and amortization	5,662	4,783
Other	29,129	30,206
Total operating expenses	115,228	107,369
Income before income taxes	102,436	114,910
Income tax expense	-37,630	-40,611
Net income	64,806	74,299
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	41	513
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$64,765	$73,786
Earnings per common share:
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc. shareholders - basic and diluted	$1.40	$1.59
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	46,290,590	46,527,917

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income	$64,806	$74,299
Available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during period, net	-213	3,675
Less reclassification adjustment for gains recognized in net income, net of losses	-205	-7,073
Income tax effect	155	1,258
Total other comprehensive loss	-263	-2,140
Comprehensive income	64,543	72,159
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	41	513
Comprehensive income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$64,502	$71,646

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Preferred Stock [Member]	Common Class A [Member]	Common Class B [Member]	Additional paid-in capital [Member]	Retained earnings [Member]	Accumulated other comprehensive earnings [Member]	Noncontrolling interest [Member]
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$1,443,990	$0	$349	$115	$24,887	$1,413,492	$4,819	$328
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		0	34,881,338	11,495,377
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	201							201
Net income	74,299					73,786		513
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-2,140						-2,140
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	-287							-287
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	-4,641					-4,641
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			155,705	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	2,246		2	0	2,244
Compensation expense for stock based awards	875				875
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			-20,564	0
Repurchase of common stock	-869		-1	0	-868
Conversion of Common Stock, Shares Converted			3,445	-3,445
Conversion of Common Stock, Amount Converted	0		0	0
Balance at Mar. 31, 2014	1,513,674	0	350	115	27,138	1,482,637	2,679	755
Balance (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2014		0	35,019,924	11,491,932
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	1,725,678	0	348	115	17,290	1,702,560	5,135	230
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		0	34,756,384	11,486,932
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income	64,806					64,765		41
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-263						-263
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0
Cash dividend on Class A and Class B common stock	-4,614					-4,614
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures (in Shares)			132,479	0
Issuance of common stock, net of forfeitures	2,468		1	0	2,467
Compensation expense for stock based awards	1,357				1,357
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)			-175,798	0
Repurchase of common stock	-7,939		-2	0	-7,937
Balance at Mar. 31, 2015	$1,781,493	$0	$347	$115	$13,177	$1,762,711	$4,872	$271
Balance (in Shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		0	34,713,065	11,486,932

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha1

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Common Class A [Member]
Dividends paid per common share	$0.10	$0.10
Common Class B [Member]
Dividends paid per common share	$0.10	$0.10

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$64,765	$73,786
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	41	513
Net income	64,806	74,299
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization, including debt discounts and student loan premiums and deferred origination costs	30,225	21,999
Student loan discount accretion	-10,746	-10,023
Provision for loan losses	2,000	2,500
Derivative market value adjustment	46,072	-2,916
Foreign currency transaction adjustment	-48,209	952
Proceeds from termination of derivative instruments	34,447	0
Gain on sale of loans	-351	0
Gain from debt repurchases	-2,524	-39
Gain from sales of available-for-sale securities, net	-205	-7,073
Proceeds (Payments) from sales (purchases) of trading securities, net	1,304	-731
Deferred income tax expense	224	2,497
Other	3,115	2,285
(Increase) decrease in accrued interest receivable	-3,784	8,881
Increase in accounts receivable	-5,416	-5,758
Decrease in other assets	605	1,303
Increase in accrued interest payable	1,371	613
Increase (decrease) increase in other liabilities	16,414	-185
Net cash provided by operating activities	129,348	88,604
Cash flows from investing activities, net of acquisitions:
Purchases of student loans	-844,120	-386,100
Net proceeds from student loan repayments, claims, capitalized interest, participations, and other	940,907	686,908
Proceeds from sale of student loans	3,996	0
Purchases of available-for-sale securities	-512	-69,930
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale securities	1,317	99,799
Purchases of investments and issuance of notes receivable	-49,953	-14,467
Proceeds from investments and notes receivable	4,709	0
Purchases of property and equipment, net	-8,372	-3,146
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash and investments	-16,147	29,356
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired	0	-1,909
Net cash provided by investing activities	31,825	340,511
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on bonds and notes payable	-1,459,807	-1,347,517
Proceeds from issuance of bonds and notes payable	1,285,760	972,384
Payments of debt issuance costs	-5,256	-4,700
Dividends paid	-4,614	-4,641
Repurchases of common stock	-7,939	-869
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	248	149
Issuance of noncontrolling interest	0	201
Distribution to noncontrolling interest	0	-287
Net cash used in financing activities	-191,608	-385,280
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-30,435	43,835
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	130,481	63,267
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	100,046	107,102
Cash disbursements made for:
Interest paid	53,235	48,750
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$45	$13,378

Basis_of_Financial_Reporting

Basis of Financial Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Financial Reporting	Basis of Financial Reporting
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2015 and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2015. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the "2014 Annual Report").
	Reclassifications
	Certain amounts previously reported within the Company's consolidated balance sheet and statements of income have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications include:
	•	Reclassifying certain investments and notes receivable, which were previously included in "other assets" to "investments and notes receivable."
	•	Reclassifying third-party loan servicing fees, which were previously included in "other" operating expenses to "loan servicing fees."
	The reclassifications had no effect on consolidated net income or consolidated assets and liabilities.

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Financing Receivables [Text Block]	Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses
	Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Federally insured loans
	Stafford and other	$	6,287,829		6,030,825
	Consolidation	21,687,746			22,165,605
	Total	27,975,575			28,196,430
	Private education loans	131,513			27,478
		28,107,088			28,223,908
	Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)	(157,978		)	(169,813	)
	Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans	(38,021		)	(39,170	)
	Allowance for loan losses – private education loans	(13,140		)	(9,730	)
		$	27,897,949		28,005,195
	(a)	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $32.4 million and $28.8 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $8.9 billion and $8.5 billion, respectively.
	On February 5, 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with CommonBond, Inc. ("CommonBond"), a student lending company that provides private education loans to graduate students, under which the Company committed to purchase up to $150.0 million of private education loans. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had purchased $15.2 million in private loans from CommonBond pursuant to this agreement.
	Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses
	The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	48,900		55,122
	Provision for loan losses:
	Federally insured loans	2,000			3,000
	Private education loans	—			(500	)
	Total provision for loan losses	2,000			2,500
	Charge-offs:
	Federally insured loans	(3,149		)	(3,631	)
	Private education loans	(676		)	(421	)
	Total charge-offs	(3,825		)	(4,052	)
	Recoveries - private education loans	254			371
	Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net	(230		)	100
	Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased	4,062			587
	Balance at end of period	$	51,161		54,628
	Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
	Federally insured loans	$	38,021		42,909
	Private education loans	13,140			11,719
	Total allowance for loan losses	$	51,161		54,628
	Repurchase Obligation
	The Company has sold various portfolios of private education loans to third-parties. Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the sale agreements in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance of loans subject to these repurchase obligations was $57.7 million and $155.3 million, respectively, and the associated obligation related to these loans was $3.9 million and $11.8 million, respectively. The Company repurchased $94.1 million of private education loans during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. The Company's estimate related to its obligation to repurchase these loans is included in "other liabilities" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
	Student Loan Status and Delinquencies
	Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The table below shows the Company’s loan delinquency amounts.
		As of March 31, 2015					As of December 31, 2014				As of March 31, 2014
	Federally insured loans:
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	2,781,537				$	2,805,228			$	2,879,382
	Loans in forbearance	3,244,255					3,288,412				3,213,638
	Loans in repayment status:
	Loans current	18,672,471			85	%	18,460,279		83.5	%	16,498,560		83.9	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days	911,653			4.2		1,043,119		4.8		832,381		4.2
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days	571,759			2.6		588,777		2.7		522,699		2.7
	Loans delinquent 91-120 days	346,857			1.6		404,905		1.8		344,143		1.8
	Loans delinquent 121-270 days	1,030,645			4.7		1,204,405		5.4		984,648		5
	Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	416,398			1.9		401,305		1.8		470,204		2.4
	Total loans in repayment	21,949,783			100	%	22,102,790		100	%	19,652,635		100	%
	Total federally insured loans	$	27,975,575				$	28,196,430			$	25,745,655
	Private education loans:
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	5,006				$	905			$	2,612
	Loans in forbearance	20					—				24
	Loans in repayment status:
	Loans current	118,278			93.5	%	18,390		69.2	%	57,115		86.6	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days	1,200			0.9		1,078		4.1		1,223		1.9
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days	1,753			1.4		1,035		3.9		1,748		2.7
	Loans delinquent 91 days or greater	5,256			4.2		6,070		22.8		5,818		8.8
	Total loans in repayment	126,487			100	%	26,573		100	%	65,904		100	%
	Total non-federally insured loans	$	131,513				$	27,478			$	68,540

Bonds_and_Notes_Payable

Bonds and Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and Notes Payable	Bonds and Notes Payable
	The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:
		As of March 31, 2015
		Carrying				Interest rate		Final maturity
		amount				range
	Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
	Bonds and notes based on indices	$	25,850,638			0.16% - 6.90%		8/26/19 - 8/26/52
	Bonds and notes based on auction	1,197,065				0.64% - 2.16%		3/22/32 - 11/26/46
	Total variable-rate bonds and notes	27,047,703
	FFELP warehouse facilities	1,010,258				0.17% - 0.29%		1/17/16 - 12/17/17
	Unsecured line of credit	—				—		6/30/19
	Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	59,837				3.65%		9/15/61
	Other borrowings	82,305				1.68% - 5.10%		11/11/15 - 12/31/18
		28,200,103
	Discount on bonds and notes payable	(384,779		)
	Total	$	27,815,324
		As of December 31, 2014
		Carrying				Interest rate		Final maturity
		amount				range
	Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
	Bonds and notes based on indices	$	25,713,431			0.19% - 6.90%		5/25/18 - 8/26/52
	Bonds and notes based on auction	1,311,669				0.47% - 2.17%		3/22/32 - 11/26/46
	Total variable-rate bonds and notes	27,025,100
	FFELP warehouse facilities	1,241,665				0.16% - 0.26%		1/17/16 - 6/11/17
	Unsecured line of credit	—				—		6/30/19
	Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	71,688				3.63%		9/15/61
	Other borrowings	81,969				1.67% - 5.10%		11/11/15 - 12/31/18
		28,420,422
	Discount on bonds and notes payable	(393,072		)
	Total	$	28,027,350
	FFELP Warehouse Facilities
	The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.
			NHELP-III (a)				NFSLW-I (b)		NHELP-II		Total
	Maximum financing amount		$	750,000			750,000		500,000		2,000,000
	Amount outstanding		537,005				404,020		69,233		1,010,258
	Amount available		$	212,995			345,980		430,767		989,742
	Expiration of liquidity provisions		May 5, 2015				June 11, 2015		December 17, 2015
	Final maturity date		January 17, 2016				June 11, 2017		December 17, 2017
	Maximum advance rates		92.2 - 95.0%				92.0 - 98.0%		91.0 - 97.0%
	Minimum advance rates		92.2 - 95.0%				84.0 - 90.0%		91.0 - 97.0%
	Advanced as equity support		$	32,515			19,001		3,640		55,156
	(a)	On April 30, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 29, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 29, 2018.
	(b)	On January 27, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $1.2 billion. On March 26, 2015, the Company reduced the maximum financing amount from $1.2 billion to $750 million.
	Asset-backed Securitizations
	The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
			2015-1				2015-2						Total
							Class A-1 notes		Class A-2 notes		2015-2 total
	Date securities issued		2/27/15				3/26/15		3/26/15		3/26/15
	Total original principal amount		$	566,346			122,500		584,500		722,000		$	1,288,346
	Class A senior notes:
	Total original principal amount		$	553,232			122,500		584,500		707,000		1,260,232
	Bond discount		—				—		—		—		—
	Issue price		$	553,232			122,500		584,500		707,000		1,260,232
	Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)		0.59		%		0.27	%	0.6	%
	Final maturity date		4/25/41				3/25/20		9/25/42
	Class B subordinated notes:
	Total original principal amount		$	13,114							15,000		28,114
	Bond discount		(1,157		)						(1,793	)	(2,950		)
	Issue price		$	11,957							13,207		25,164
	Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)		1.5		%						1.5	%
	Final maturity date		6/25/46								5/25/49
	Unsecured Line of Credit
	The Company has a $350.0 million line of credit that has a maturity date of June 30, 2019. As of March 31, 2015, the $350.0 million unsecured line of credit had no amount outstanding and $350.0 million was available for future use.
Debt Repurchases
During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company repurchased $11.9 million (par value) of its Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities unsecured debt and $1.4 million (par value) of its own asset-backed debt securities and recognized gains on such purchases of $2.5 million and approximately $39,000, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments
	The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange risk. Derivative instruments used as part of the Company's risk management strategy are further described in note 5 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report. A tabular presentation of such derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is presented below.
	Basis Swaps
	The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps").
				As of March 31,				As of December 31,
				2015				2014
	Maturity			Notional amount				Notional amount
	2016			$	1,000,000			$	—
	2021			—				250,000
	2022			1,900,000				1,900,000
	2023			2,400,000				3,650,000
	2024			—				250,000
	2026			800,000				800,000
	2028			—				100,000
	2036			—				700,000
	2039			—				150,000
				$	6,100,000			$	7,800,000
	The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was one-month LIBOR plus 6.0 basis points and 3.5 basis points, respectively.
	Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges
	The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.
			As of March 31, 2015							As of December 31, 2014
	Maturity		Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)			Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
	2015		$	1,100,000			0.89	%		$	1,100,000			0.89	%
	2016		750,000				0.85			750,000				0.85
	2017		1,350,000				0.85			1,250,000				0.86
	2018		100,000				1.02			—				—
	2025		100,000				2.32			—				—
	2045		25,000				2.46			—				—
			$	3,425,000			0.92	%		$	3,100,000			0.87	%
	(a)	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
	On August 20, 2014, the Company paid $9.1 million for an interest rate swap option to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income. The interest rate swap option gives the Company the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a $250 million notional interest rate swap in which the Company would pay a fixed amount of 3.30% and receive discrete one-month LIBOR. If the interest rate swap option is exercised, the swap would become effective in 2019 and mature in 2024.
	Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges
	The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate.
	Maturity		Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
	2036		$	25,000			4.28	%
	(a)	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
	Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
	In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date.
	The Company entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on a notional amount of €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on a notional amount of $450.0 million. In addition, under the terms of this agreement, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect between the U.S. dollar and Euro as of the issuance of the notes.
	The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instrument.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Re-measurement of Euro Notes	$	48,209			(952	)
	Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap	(49,805		)		(39	)
	Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)	$	(1,596	)		(991	)
	(a)	The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
	The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swap if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.
	Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:
		Fair value of asset derivatives							Fair value of liability derivatives
		As of				As of			As of			As of
		March 31,				December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2015				2014			2015			2014
	1:3 basis swaps	$	30,072			53,549			—			—
	Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	1,756				5,165			6,498			5,034
	Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	4,767				5,678			—			—
	Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	—				—			8,805			7,353
	Cross-currency interest rate swap	—				—			70,261			20,455
	Total	$	36,595			64,392			85,564			32,842
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $2.7 billion of 1:3 Basis Swaps for gross proceeds of $34.4 million.
	Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities
	The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:
							Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
	Derivative assets		Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets				Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement			Cash collateral pledged (received)			Net asset (liability)
Balance as of March 31, 2015		$	36,595			(9,761	)		5,556			32,390
Balance as of December 31, 2014		64,392				(12,387	)		—			52,005
						Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
Derivative liabilities		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets				Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement			Cash collateral pledged (received)			Net asset (liability)
Balance as of March 31, 2015		$	(85,564	)		9,761			6,400			(69,403	)
Balance as of December 31, 2014		(32,842		)		12,387			(1,454	)		(21,909	)
The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.
	Three months ended March 31,
	2015				2014
Settlements:
1:3 basis swaps	$	266			881
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(5,015		)		(6,950	)
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(252		)		(252	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap	(214		)		92
Total settlements - (expense) income	(5,215		)		(6,229	)
Change in fair value:
1:3 basis swaps	10,969				1,110
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(4,872		)		3,358
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	(912		)		—
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(1,452		)		(1,513	)
Cross-currency interest rate swap	(49,805		)		(39	)
Total change in fair value - (expense) income	(46,072		)		2,916
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)	48,209				(952	)
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense)	$	(3,078	)		(4,265	)

Investments_and_Notes_Receivab

Investments and Notes Receivable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments and Notes Receivable
	A summary of the Company's investments and notes receivable follows:
		As of March 31, 2015											As of December 31, 2014
		Amortized cost				Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses (a)		Fair value		Amortized cost	Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
	Investments (at fair value):
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)	$	130,754			5,998			(484	)	136,268		131,589	6,204	(236	)	137,557
	Equity securities	1,787				2,268			(48	)	4,007		1,553	2,216	(33	)	3,736
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	132,541			8,266			(532	)	140,275		133,142	8,420	(269	)	141,293
	Trading investments:
	Student loan asset-backed securities										6,526						7,830
	Total available-for-sale and trading investments										146,801						149,123
	Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value):
	Investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods										81,912						36,991
	Notes receivable										31,806						30,643
	Other										16,385						18,952
	Total investments and notes receivable										$	276,904					235,709
	(a)	As of March 31, 2015, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.
	(b)	As of March 31, 2015, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.
	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to the realized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities are summarized below.
			Three months ended March 31,
	Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income - income (expense):		2015				2014
	Other income		$	205			7,073
	Income tax expense		(76		)		(2,617	)
	Net		$	129			4,456

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Intangible Assets and Goodwill
	Intangible assets consist of the following:
		Weighted average remaining useful life as of March 31, 2015 (months)		As of March 31, 2015			As of December 31, 2014
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $18,820 and $17,361, respectively)	211		$	25,871		27,330
	Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $2,472 and $1,896, respectively)	39		6,393			6,969
	Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $403 and $272, respectively)	230		6,019			6,150
	Content (net of accumulated amortization of $225 and $0, respectively)	21		1,575			1,800
	Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $30 and $21, respectively)	110		325			333
	Total - amortizable intangible assets	178		$	40,183		42,582
	The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $2.4 million and $1.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of March 31, 2015, the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows:
	2015 (April 1 - December 31)	$	7,196
	2016	6,249
	2017	3,752
	2018	3,533
	2019	2,861
	2020 and thereafter	16,592
		$	40,183
	There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2015. The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is shown in the table below.
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing				Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset Generation and Management	Corporate and Other Activities	Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015	$	8,596			67,168		41,883	8,553	126,200

Earnings_per_Common_Share

Earnings per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Common Share	Earnings per Common Share
	Presented below is a summary of the components used to calculate basic and diluted earnings per share. The Company applies the two-class method in computing both basic and diluted earnings per share, which requires the calculation of separate earnings per share amounts for common stock and unvested share based awards. Unvested share-based awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered securities which participate in undistributed earnings with common stock.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	64,078	687	64,765	73,125	661	73,786
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	45,799,873		490,717	46,290,590	46,110,952	416,965	46,527,917
	Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.59	1.59	1.59
	Unvested restricted stock awards are the Company's only potential common shares and, accordingly, there were no awards that were antidilutive and not included in average shares outstanding for the diluted earnings per share calculation.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting
	See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.
	Effective January 1, 2015, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to reflect operational changes made within the organization. The operational and internal reporting changes included moving the majority of information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions to Corporate and Other Activities. The associated costs are allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of information technology related products and services. Information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions were historically included within the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment, and associated costs were allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of the related products and services. Prior period segment operating results have been reclassified to reflect these changes; however, the reclassifications had no effect on any operating segment's net income.
		Three months ended March 31, 2015
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset		Corporate and Other		Eliminations		Total
							Generation and		Activities
							Management
	Total interest income	$	7		2		172,423		2,153		(436	)	174,149
	Interest expense	—			—		70,540		1,450		(436	)	71,554
	Net interest income	7			2		101,883		703		—		102,595
	Less provision for loan losses	—			—		2,000		—		—		2,000
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	7			2		99,883		703		—		100,595
	Other income:
	Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	57,811			—		—		—		—		57,811
	Intersegment servicing revenue	12,871			—		—		—		(12,871	)	—
	Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			34,680		—		—		—		34,680
	Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		17,863		—		17,863
	Other income	—			—		4,576		2,342		—		6,918
	Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	—			—		351		2,524		—		2,875
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		3,590		(1,453	)	—		2,137
	Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(4,963	)	(252	)	—		(5,215	)
	Total other income	70,682			34,680		3,554		21,024		(12,871	)	117,069
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries and benefits	33,703			13,321		541		13,485		—		61,050
	Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		11,702		—		11,702
	Loan servicing fees	—			—		7,685		—		—		7,685
	Depreciation and amortization	446			2,195		—		3,021		—		5,662
	Other	14,600			3,802		1,068		9,659		—		29,129
	Intersegment expenses, net	9,700			2,614		13,040		(12,483	)	(12,871	)	—
	Total operating expenses	58,449			21,932		22,334		25,384		(12,871	)	115,228
	Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	12,240			12,750		81,103		(3,657	)	—		102,436
	Corporate overhead allocation	(2,153		)	(862	)	(1,078	)	4,093		—		—
	Income before income taxes	10,087			11,888		80,025		436		—		102,436
	Income tax (expense) benefit	(3,834		)	(4,518	)	(30,409	)	1,131		—		(37,630	)
	Net income	6,253			7,370		49,616		1,567		—		64,806
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—		41		—		41
	Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	6,253		7,370		49,616		1,526		—		64,765
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset		Corporate and Other		Eliminations		Total
							Generation and		Activities
							Management
	Total interest income	$	11		—		157,003		2,658		(797	)	158,875
	Interest expense	—			—		59,476		1,325		(797	)	60,004
	Net interest income	11			—		97,527		1,333		—		98,871
	Less provision for loan losses	—			—		2,500		—		—		2,500
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	11			—		95,027		1,333		—		96,371
	Other income:
	Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	64,757			—		—		—		—		64,757
	Intersegment servicing revenue	14,221			—		—		—		(14,221	)	—
	Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			25,235		—		—		—		25,235
	Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		22,011		—		22,011
	Other income	—			—		4,164		13,967		—		18,131
	Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	—			—		39		—		—		39
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		3,477		(1,513	)	—		1,964
	Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(5,977	)	(252	)	—		(6,229	)
	Total other income	78,978			25,235		1,703		34,213		(14,221	)	125,908
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries and benefits	29,398			10,027		609		12,450		—		52,484
	Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		14,475		—		14,475
	Loan servicing fees	—			—		5,421		—		—		5,421
	Depreciation and amortization	419			1,428		—		2,936		—		4,783
	Other	15,651			2,647		1,725		10,183		—		30,206
	Intersegment expenses, net	9,163			1,420		14,371		(10,733	)	(14,221	)	—
	Total operating expenses	54,631			15,522		22,126		29,311		(14,221	)	107,369
Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	24,358			9,713		74,604		6,235		—		114,910
Corporate overhead allocation	(1,860		)	(620	)	(1,329	)	3,809		—		—
Income before income taxes	22,498			9,093		73,275		10,044		—		114,910
Income tax (expense) benefit	(8,549		)	(3,455	)	(27,844	)	(763	)	—		(40,611	)
Net income	13,949			5,638		45,431		9,281		—		74,299
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—		513		—		513
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	13,949		5,638		45,431		8,768		—		73,786

Major_Customer

Major Customer	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]	Major Customer
	The Company earns loan servicing revenue from a servicing contract with the U.S. Department of Education that currently expires on June 16, 2019. Revenue earned by the Company's Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment related to this contract was $32.4 million and $29.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	Related Parties
	The Company has entered into certain contractual arrangements with related parties as described in note 20 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.  The following provides an update for a related party transaction that occurred during the first three months of 2015.
	On March 17, 2015, the Company made a $40.5 million equity investment in Agile Sports Technologies, Inc. (doing business as "Hudl"). David Graff, who has served on the Company's Board of Directors since May 2014, is CEO, co-founder, and a director of Hudl. Prior to the 2015 investment, the Company and Michael Dunlap, the Company's Executive Chairman and a principal shareholder, made separate equity investments in Hudl. As of March 31, 2015, the Company and Mr. Dunlap hold combined direct and indirect equity ownership interests in Hudl of 18.7% and 2.8%, respectively. The Company's investment in Hudl is included in "investments and notes receivable" in the Company's consolidated balance sheet.

Fair_Value

Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value	Fair Value
	The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
		As of March 31, 2015				As of December 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Total
	Assets:
	Investments (available-for-sale and trading):
	Student loan asset-backed securities	$	—	142,429	142,429	—	145,000	145,000
	Equity securities	4,007		—	4,007	3,736	—	3,736
	Debt securities	365		—	365	387	—	387
	Total investments (available-for-sale and trading)	4,372		142,429	146,801	4,123	145,000	149,123
	Fair value of derivative instruments	—		36,595	36,595	—	64,392	64,392
	Total assets	$	4,372	179,024	183,396	4,123	209,392	213,515
	Liabilities:
	Fair value of derivative instruments	$	—	85,564	85,564	—	32,842	32,842
	Total liabilities	$	—	85,564	85,564	—	32,842	32,842
	The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:
		As of March 31, 2015
		Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Student loans receivable	$	28,922,872	27,897,949	—	—	28,922,872
	Cash and cash equivalents	100,046		100,046	100,046	—	—
	Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	146,801		146,801	4,372	142,429	—
	Notes receivable	29,476		31,806	—	29,476	—
	Restricted cash	856,715		856,715	856,715	—	—
	Restricted cash – due to customers	71,890		71,890	71,890	—	—
	Restricted investments	9,872		9,872	9,872	—	—
	Accrued interest receivable	355,372		355,372	—	355,372	—
	Derivative instruments	36,595		36,595	—	36,595	—
	Financial liabilities:
	Bonds and notes payable	27,695,072		27,815,324	—	27,695,072	—
	Accrued interest payable	27,275		27,275	—	27,275	—
	Due to customers	71,890		71,890	71,890	—	—
	Derivative instruments	85,564		85,564	—	85,564	—
		As of December 31, 2014
		Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Student loans receivable	$	28,954,226	28,005,195	—	—	28,954,226
	Cash and cash equivalents	130,481		130,481	130,481	—	—
	Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	149,123		149,123	4,123	145,000	—
	Notes receivable	28,832		30,643	—	28,832	—
	Restricted cash	800,164		800,164	800,164	—	—
	Restricted cash – due to customers	118,488		118,488	118,488	—	—
	Restricted investments	50,276		50,276	50,276	—	—
	Accrued interest receivable	351,588		351,588	—	351,588	—
	Derivative instruments	64,392		64,392	—	64,392	—
	Financial liabilities:
	Bonds and notes payable	27,809,997		28,027,350	—	27,809,997	—
	Accrued interest payable	25,904		25,904	—	25,904	—
	Due to customers	118,488		118,488	118,488	—	—
	Derivative instruments	32,842		32,842	—	32,842	—
	The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and liabilities are described in note 21 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report.

Legal_Proceedings

Legal Proceedings	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings	Legal Proceedings and Regulatory Matters
	Legal Proceedings
	Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al
	On August 6, 2012, an Amended Complaint was served on Peterson's Nelnet, LLC, a subsidiary of Nelnet, Inc. ("Nelnet"), CUnet, LLC, a subsidiary of Nelnet, and on Nelnet (collectively, the "Keating Defendants"), in connection with a lawsuit by Grant Keating in the U.S. Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (the “Ohio District Court”). The lawsuit was originally instituted on August 24, 2011, and alleges that the Keating Defendants sent an advertising text message to the named plaintiff in June 2011 using an automatic telephone dialing system, and without the plaintiff's express consent. The complaint also alleges that this text message violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, purportedly entitling the plaintiff to $500, trebled for a willful violation. The complaint further alleges that the Keating Defendants sent putative class members similar text messages using an automatic telephone dialing system, without such purported class members' consent. The complaint seeks to establish a class action. On August 29, 2013, the Keating Defendants filed motions for summary judgment, and the named plaintiff filed a motion for class certification. On May 12, 2014, the Ohio District Court granted the Keating Defendants' motion for summary judgment, dismissing the case. On September 8, 2014, the named plaintiff filed an appeal brief with the Circuit Court of Appeals and on October 22, 2014, the Keating Defendants filed a responsive brief. As of the filing date of this report, the Ohio District Court has not established, recognized, or certified a class. The Keating Defendants intend to continue to defend themselves vigorously in this lawsuit.
	Due to the uncertainty and risks inherent in class determination and the overall litigation process, the Company believes that a meaningful estimate of a reasonably possible loss, if any, or range of reasonably possible losses, if any, for this lawsuit cannot currently be made.
	Regulatory Matters
	Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Examination
	The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the "CFPB"), which has broad authority to regulate a wide range of consumer financial products and services. On December 3, 2013, the CFPB issued a rule that allows the CFPB to supervise nonbank student loan servicers that handle more than one million borrowers, including the Company, thus giving the CFPB broad authority to examine, investigate, supervise, and otherwise regulate the Company's businesses, including the authority to impose fines and require changes with respect to any practices that the CFPB finds to be unfair, deceptive, or abusive.
	The CFPB is currently conducting its initial supervisory examination of the large nonbank student loan servicers, including the Company. If the CFPB were to determine the Company was not in compliance, it is possible that this could result in material adverse consequences, including, without limitation, settlements, fines, penalties, adverse regulatory actions, changes in the Company's practices, or other actions. However, the Company is unable to estimate at this time any potential financial or other impact that could result from the CFPB's examination, in the event that any adverse regulatory actions occur.

Basis_of_Financial_Reporting_S

Basis of Financial Reporting Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Financial Reporting	Basis of Financial Reporting
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Nelnet, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2015 and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014 and, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year ending December 31, 2015. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the "2014 Annual Report").

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A1

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	Student loans receivable consisted of the following:
		As of			As of
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Federally insured loans
	Stafford and other	$	6,287,829		6,030,825
	Consolidation	21,687,746			22,165,605
	Total	27,975,575			28,196,430
	Private education loans	131,513			27,478
		28,107,088			28,223,908
	Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs (a)	(157,978		)	(169,813	)
	Allowance for loan losses – federally insured loans	(38,021		)	(39,170	)
	Allowance for loan losses – private education loans	(13,140		)	(9,730	)
		$	27,897,949		28,005,195
	(a)	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $32.4 million and $28.8 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $8.9 billion and $8.5 billion, respectively.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables	Activity in the Allowance for Loan Losses
	The provision for loan losses represents the periodic expense of maintaining an allowance sufficient to absorb losses, net of recoveries, inherent in the portfolio of student loans. Activity in the allowance for loan losses is shown below.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Balance at beginning of period	$	48,900		55,122
	Provision for loan losses:
	Federally insured loans	2,000			3,000
	Private education loans	—			(500	)
	Total provision for loan losses	2,000			2,500
	Charge-offs:
	Federally insured loans	(3,149		)	(3,631	)
	Private education loans	(676		)	(421	)
	Total charge-offs	(3,825		)	(4,052	)
	Recoveries - private education loans	254			371
	Purchase (sale) of federally insured and private education loans, net	(230		)	100
	Transfer from repurchase obligation related to private education loans repurchased	4,062			587
	Balance at end of period	$	51,161		54,628
	Allocation of the allowance for loan losses:
	Federally insured loans	$	38,021		42,909
	Private education loans	13,140			11,719
	Total allowance for loan losses	$	51,161		54,628
Accrual Related to Repurchase Obligation Rollforward	Repurchase Obligation
	The Company has sold various portfolios of private education loans to third-parties. Per the terms of the servicing agreements, the Company’s servicing operations are obligated to repurchase loans subject to the sale agreements in the event such loans become 60 or 90 days delinquent. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the balance of loans subject to these repurchase obligations was $57.7 million and $155.3 million, respectively, and the associated obligation related to these loans was $3.9 million and $11.8 million, respectively. The Company repurchased $94.1 million of private education loans during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. The Company's estimate related to its obligation to repurchase these loans is included in "other liabilities" in the Company's consolidated balance sheets.
Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators	Student Loan Status and Delinquencies
	Delinquencies have the potential to adversely impact the Company’s earnings through increased servicing and collection costs and account charge-offs.  The table below shows the Company’s loan delinquency amounts.
		As of March 31, 2015					As of December 31, 2014				As of March 31, 2014
	Federally insured loans:
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	2,781,537				$	2,805,228			$	2,879,382
	Loans in forbearance	3,244,255					3,288,412				3,213,638
	Loans in repayment status:
	Loans current	18,672,471			85	%	18,460,279		83.5	%	16,498,560		83.9	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days	911,653			4.2		1,043,119		4.8		832,381		4.2
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days	571,759			2.6		588,777		2.7		522,699		2.7
	Loans delinquent 91-120 days	346,857			1.6		404,905		1.8		344,143		1.8
	Loans delinquent 121-270 days	1,030,645			4.7		1,204,405		5.4		984,648		5
	Loans delinquent 271 days or greater	416,398			1.9		401,305		1.8		470,204		2.4
	Total loans in repayment	21,949,783			100	%	22,102,790		100	%	19,652,635		100	%
	Total federally insured loans	$	27,975,575				$	28,196,430			$	25,745,655
	Private education loans:
	Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$	5,006				$	905			$	2,612
	Loans in forbearance	20					—				24
	Loans in repayment status:
	Loans current	118,278			93.5	%	18,390		69.2	%	57,115		86.6	%
	Loans delinquent 31-60 days	1,200			0.9		1,078		4.1		1,223		1.9
	Loans delinquent 61-90 days	1,753			1.4		1,035		3.9		1,748		2.7
	Loans delinquent 91 days or greater	5,256			4.2		6,070		22.8		5,818		8.8
	Total loans in repayment	126,487			100	%	26,573		100	%	65,904		100	%
	Total non-federally insured loans	$	131,513				$	27,478			$	68,540

Bonds_and_Notes_payable_Tables

Bonds and Notes payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Bonds and Notes Payable [Abstract]
Schedule of Debt	The following tables summarize the Company’s outstanding debt obligations by type of instrument:
		As of March 31, 2015
		Carrying				Interest rate		Final maturity
		amount				range
	Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
	Bonds and notes based on indices	$	25,850,638			0.16% - 6.90%		8/26/19 - 8/26/52
	Bonds and notes based on auction	1,197,065				0.64% - 2.16%		3/22/32 - 11/26/46
	Total variable-rate bonds and notes	27,047,703
	FFELP warehouse facilities	1,010,258				0.17% - 0.29%		1/17/16 - 12/17/17
	Unsecured line of credit	—				—		6/30/19
	Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	59,837				3.65%		9/15/61
	Other borrowings	82,305				1.68% - 5.10%		11/11/15 - 12/31/18
		28,200,103
	Discount on bonds and notes payable	(384,779		)
	Total	$	27,815,324
		As of December 31, 2014
		Carrying				Interest rate		Final maturity
		amount				range
	Variable-rate bonds and notes issued in asset-backed securitizations:
	Bonds and notes based on indices	$	25,713,431			0.19% - 6.90%		5/25/18 - 8/26/52
	Bonds and notes based on auction	1,311,669				0.47% - 2.17%		3/22/32 - 11/26/46
	Total variable-rate bonds and notes	27,025,100
	FFELP warehouse facilities	1,241,665				0.16% - 0.26%		1/17/16 - 6/11/17
	Unsecured line of credit	—				—		6/30/19
	Unsecured debt - Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities	71,688				3.63%		9/15/61
	Other borrowings	81,969				1.67% - 5.10%		11/11/15 - 12/31/18
		28,420,422
	Discount on bonds and notes payable	(393,072		)
	Total	$	28,027,350
Schedule of Line of Credit Facilities	FFELP Warehouse Facilities
	The Company funds a portion of its FFELP loan acquisitions using its FFELP warehouse facilities. Student loan warehousing allows the Company to buy and manage student loans prior to transferring them into more permanent financing arrangements.
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company had three FFELP warehouse facilities as summarized below.
			NHELP-III (a)				NFSLW-I (b)		NHELP-II		Total
	Maximum financing amount		$	750,000			750,000		500,000		2,000,000
	Amount outstanding		537,005				404,020		69,233		1,010,258
	Amount available		$	212,995			345,980		430,767		989,742
	Expiration of liquidity provisions		May 5, 2015				June 11, 2015		December 17, 2015
	Final maturity date		January 17, 2016				June 11, 2017		December 17, 2017
	Maximum advance rates		92.2 - 95.0%				92.0 - 98.0%		91.0 - 97.0%
	Minimum advance rates		92.2 - 95.0%				84.0 - 90.0%		91.0 - 97.0%
	Advanced as equity support		$	32,515			19,001		3,640		55,156
	(a)	On April 30, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 29, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 29, 2018.
	(b)	On January 27, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $1.2 billion. On March 26, 2015, the Company reduced the maximum financing amount from $1.2 billion to $750 million.
Schedule of asset-backed securitizations [Table Text Block]	Asset-backed Securitizations
	The following table summarizes the asset-backed securitization transactions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2015.
			2015-1				2015-2						Total
							Class A-1 notes		Class A-2 notes		2015-2 total
	Date securities issued		2/27/15				3/26/15		3/26/15		3/26/15
	Total original principal amount		$	566,346			122,500		584,500		722,000		$	1,288,346
	Class A senior notes:
	Total original principal amount		$	553,232			122,500		584,500		707,000		1,260,232
	Bond discount		—				—		—		—		—
	Issue price		$	553,232			122,500		584,500		707,000		1,260,232
	Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)		0.59		%		0.27	%	0.6	%
	Final maturity date		4/25/41				3/25/20		9/25/42
	Class B subordinated notes:
	Total original principal amount		$	13,114							15,000		28,114
	Bond discount		(1,157		)						(1,793	)	(2,950		)
	Issue price		$	11,957							13,207		25,164
	Cost of funds (1-month LIBOR plus:)		1.5		%						1.5	%
	Final maturity date		6/25/46								5/25/49

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest Rate Swaps - 1:3 Basis swaps	Basis Swaps
	The following table summarizes the Company’s basis swaps outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 in which the Company receives three-month LIBOR set discretely in advance and pays one-month LIBOR plus or minus a spread as defined in the agreements (the "1:3 Basis Swaps").
				As of March 31,				As of December 31,
				2015				2014
	Maturity			Notional amount				Notional amount
	2016			$	1,000,000			$	—
	2021			—				250,000
	2022			1,900,000				1,900,000
	2023			2,400,000				3,650,000
	2024			—				250,000
	2026			800,000				800,000
	2028			—				100,000
	2036			—				700,000
	2039			—				150,000
				$	6,100,000			$	7,800,000
	The weighted average rate paid by the Company on the 1:3 Basis Swaps as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was one-month LIBOR plus 6.0 basis points and 3.5 basis points, respectively.
Interest Rate Swaps - Floor Income Hedges	Interest Rate Swaps – Floor Income Hedges
	The following table summarizes the outstanding derivative instruments used by the Company to economically hedge loans earning fixed rate floor income.
			As of March 31, 2015							As of December 31, 2014
	Maturity		Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)			Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
	2015		$	1,100,000			0.89	%		$	1,100,000			0.89	%
	2016		750,000				0.85			750,000				0.85
	2017		1,350,000				0.85			1,250,000				0.86
	2018		100,000				1.02			—				—
	2025		100,000				2.32			—				—
	2045		25,000				2.46			—				—
			$	3,425,000			0.92	%		$	3,100,000			0.87	%
	(a)	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
Interest Rate Swaps - Unsecured Debt Hedges	Interest Rate Swaps – Unsecured Debt Hedges
	The Company had the following derivatives outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 that are used to effectively convert the variable interest rate on a portion of the Junior Subordinated Hybrid Securities to a fixed rate.
	Maturity		Notional amount				Weighted average fixed rate paid by the Company (a)
	2036		$	25,000			4.28	%
	(a)	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.
Impact of Foreign Exchange Contracts on the Statement of Income	Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
	In 2006, the Company issued €352.7 million of student loan asset-backed Euro Notes (the "Euro Notes") with an interest rate based on a spread to the EURIBOR index. As a result of the Euro Notes, the Company is exposed to market risk related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and Euro. The principal and accrued interest on these notes are re-measured at each reporting period and recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in U.S. dollars based on the foreign currency exchange rate on that date.
	The Company entered into a cross-currency interest rate swap in connection with the issuance of the Euro Notes. Under the terms of the cross-currency interest rate swap, the Company receives from the counterparty a spread to the EURIBOR index based on a notional amount of €352.7 million and pays a spread to the LIBOR index based on a notional amount of $450.0 million. In addition, under the terms of this agreement, all principal payments on the Euro Notes will effectively be paid at the exchange rate in effect between the U.S. dollar and Euro as of the issuance of the notes.
	The following table shows the income statement impact as a result of the re-measurement of the Euro Notes and the change in the fair value of the related derivative instrument.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Re-measurement of Euro Notes	$	48,209			(952	)
	Change in fair value of cross-currency interest rate swap	(49,805		)		(39	)
	Total impact to consolidated statements of income - income (expense) (a)	$	(1,596	)		(991	)
	(a)	The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
	The re-measurement of the Euro-denominated bonds generally correlates with the change in fair value of the corresponding cross-currency interest rate swap. However, the Company will experience unrealized gains or losses related to the cross-currency interest rate swap if the two underlying indices (and related forward curve) do not move in parallel.
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	Consolidated Financial Statement Impact Related to Derivatives
	The following table summarizes the fair value of the Company’s derivatives as reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:
		Fair value of asset derivatives							Fair value of liability derivatives
		As of				As of			As of			As of
		March 31,				December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2015				2014			2015			2014
	1:3 basis swaps	$	30,072			53,549			—			—
	Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	1,756				5,165			6,498			5,034
	Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	4,767				5,678			—			—
	Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	—				—			8,805			7,353
	Cross-currency interest rate swap	—				—			70,261			20,455
	Total	$	36,595			64,392			85,564			32,842
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company terminated a total notional amount of $2.7 billion of 1:3 Basis Swaps for gross proceeds of $34.4 million
Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]	Offsetting of Derivative Assets/Liabilities
	The Company records derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets on a gross basis as either an asset or liability measured at its fair value. Certain of the Company's derivative instruments are subject to right of offset provisions with counterparties. The following tables include the gross amounts related to the Company's derivative portfolio recognized in the consolidated balance sheets, reconciled to the net amount when excluding derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangements and cash collateral received/pledged:
							Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
	Derivative assets		Gross amounts of recognized assets presented in the consolidated balance sheets				Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement			Cash collateral pledged (received)			Net asset (liability)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		$	36,595			(9,761	)		5,556			32,390
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		64,392				(12,387	)		—			52,005
							Gross amounts not offset in the consolidated balance sheets
	Derivative liabilities		Gross amounts of recognized liabilities presented in the consolidated balance sheets				Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement			Cash collateral pledged (received)			Net asset (liability)
	Balance as of March 31, 2015		$	(85,564	)		9,761			6,400			(69,403	)
	Balance as of December 31, 2014		(32,842		)		12,387			(1,454	)		(21,909	)
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance	The following table summarizes the effect of derivative instruments in the consolidated statements of income.
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Settlements:
	1:3 basis swaps	$	266			881
	Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(5,015		)		(6,950	)
	Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(252		)		(252	)
	Cross-currency interest rate swap	(214		)		92
	Total settlements - (expense) income	(5,215		)		(6,229	)
	Change in fair value:
	1:3 basis swaps	10,969				1,110
	Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges	(4,872		)		3,358
	Interest rate swap option - floor income hedge	(912		)		—
	Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges	(1,452		)		(1,513	)
	Cross-currency interest rate swap	(49,805		)		(39	)
	Total change in fair value - (expense) income	(46,072		)		2,916
	Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)	48,209				(952	)
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net - income (expense)	$	(3,078	)		(4,265	)

Investments_and_Notes_Receivab1

Investments and Notes Receivable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Summary Investment Holdings	A summary of the Company's investments and notes receivable follows:
		As of March 31, 2015											As of December 31, 2014
		Amortized cost				Gross unrealized gains			Gross unrealized losses (a)		Fair value		Amortized cost	Gross unrealized gains	Gross unrealized losses		Fair value
	Investments (at fair value):
	Available-for-sale investments:
	Student loan asset-backed and other debt securities (b)	$	130,754			5,998			(484	)	136,268		131,589	6,204	(236	)	137,557
	Equity securities	1,787				2,268			(48	)	4,007		1,553	2,216	(33	)	3,736
	Total available-for-sale investments	$	132,541			8,266			(532	)	140,275		133,142	8,420	(269	)	141,293
	Trading investments:
	Student loan asset-backed securities										6,526						7,830
	Total available-for-sale and trading investments										146,801						149,123
	Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value):
	Investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods										81,912						36,991
	Notes receivable										31,806						30,643
	Other										16,385						18,952
	Total investments and notes receivable										$	276,904					235,709
	(a)	As of March 31, 2015, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.
	(b)	As of March 31, 2015, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.
Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]	The amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income related to the realized gains and losses on available-for-sale-securities are summarized below.
			Three months ended March 31,
	Affected line item in the consolidated statements of income - income (expense):		2015				2014
	Other income		$	205			7,073
	Income tax expense		(76		)		(2,617	)
	Net		$	129			4,456

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A1

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]	Intangible assets consist of the following:
		Weighted average remaining useful life as of March 31, 2015 (months)		As of March 31, 2015			As of December 31, 2014
	Amortizable intangible assets:
	Customer relationships (net of accumulated amortization of $18,820 and $17,361, respectively)	211		$	25,871		27,330
	Computer software (net of accumulated amortization of $2,472 and $1,896, respectively)	39		6,393			6,969
	Trade names (net of accumulated amortization of $403 and $272, respectively)	230		6,019			6,150
	Content (net of accumulated amortization of $225 and $0, respectively)	21		1,575			1,800
	Covenants not to compete (net of accumulated amortization of $30 and $21, respectively)	110		325			333
	Total - amortizable intangible assets	178		$	40,183		42,582
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]	The Company recorded amortization expense on its intangible assets of $2.4 million and $1.0 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company will continue to amortize intangible assets over their remaining useful lives. As of March 31, 2015, the Company estimates it will record amortization expense as follows:
	2015 (April 1 - December 31)	$	7,196
	2016	6,249
	2017	3,752
	2018	3,533
	2019	2,861
	2020 and thereafter	16,592
		$	40,183
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable operating segment as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is shown in the table below.
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing				Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset Generation and Management	Corporate and Other Activities	Total
	Balance as of December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015	$	8,596			67,168		41,883	8,553	126,200

Earnings_per_Common_Share_Tabl

Earnings per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
		Common shareholders		Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total	Common shareholders	Unvested restricted stock shareholders	Total
	Numerator:
	Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	64,078	687	64,765	73,125	661	73,786
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	45,799,873		490,717	46,290,590	46,110,952	416,965	46,527,917
	Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$	1.4	1.4	1.4	1.59	1.59	1.59

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	See note 14 of the notes to consolidated financial statements included in the 2014 Annual Report for a description of the Company's operating segments. The following tables include the results of each of the Company's operating segments reconciled to the consolidated financial statements.
	Effective January 1, 2015, internal reporting to executive management (the "chief operating decision maker") changed to reflect operational changes made within the organization. The operational and internal reporting changes included moving the majority of information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions to Corporate and Other Activities. The associated costs are allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of information technology related products and services. Information technology infrastructure personnel and related functions were historically included within the Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing operating segment, and associated costs were allocated to the other operating segments based on those segments' actual use of the related products and services. Prior period segment operating results have been reclassified to reflect these changes; however, the reclassifications had no effect on any operating segment's net income.
		Three months ended March 31, 2015
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset		Corporate and Other		Eliminations		Total
							Generation and		Activities
							Management
	Total interest income	$	7		2		172,423		2,153		(436	)	174,149
	Interest expense	—			—		70,540		1,450		(436	)	71,554
	Net interest income	7			2		101,883		703		—		102,595
	Less provision for loan losses	—			—		2,000		—		—		2,000
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	7			2		99,883		703		—		100,595
	Other income:
	Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	57,811			—		—		—		—		57,811
	Intersegment servicing revenue	12,871			—		—		—		(12,871	)	—
	Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			34,680		—		—		—		34,680
	Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		17,863		—		17,863
	Other income	—			—		4,576		2,342		—		6,918
	Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	—			—		351		2,524		—		2,875
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		3,590		(1,453	)	—		2,137
	Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(4,963	)	(252	)	—		(5,215	)
	Total other income	70,682			34,680		3,554		21,024		(12,871	)	117,069
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries and benefits	33,703			13,321		541		13,485		—		61,050
	Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		11,702		—		11,702
	Loan servicing fees	—			—		7,685		—		—		7,685
	Depreciation and amortization	446			2,195		—		3,021		—		5,662
	Other	14,600			3,802		1,068		9,659		—		29,129
	Intersegment expenses, net	9,700			2,614		13,040		(12,483	)	(12,871	)	—
	Total operating expenses	58,449			21,932		22,334		25,384		(12,871	)	115,228
	Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	12,240			12,750		81,103		(3,657	)	—		102,436
	Corporate overhead allocation	(2,153		)	(862	)	(1,078	)	4,093		—		—
	Income before income taxes	10,087			11,888		80,025		436		—		102,436
	Income tax (expense) benefit	(3,834		)	(4,518	)	(30,409	)	1,131		—		(37,630	)
	Net income	6,253			7,370		49,616		1,567		—		64,806
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—		41		—		41
	Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	6,253		7,370		49,616		1,526		—		64,765
		Three months ended March 31, 2014
		Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing			Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce		Asset		Corporate and Other		Eliminations		Total
							Generation and		Activities
							Management
	Total interest income	$	11		—		157,003		2,658		(797	)	158,875
	Interest expense	—			—		59,476		1,325		(797	)	60,004
	Net interest income	11			—		97,527		1,333		—		98,871
	Less provision for loan losses	—			—		2,500		—		—		2,500
	Net interest income after provision for loan losses	11			—		95,027		1,333		—		96,371
	Other income:
	Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	64,757			—		—		—		—		64,757
	Intersegment servicing revenue	14,221			—		—		—		(14,221	)	—
	Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	—			25,235		—		—		—		25,235
	Enrollment services revenue	—			—		—		22,011		—		22,011
	Other income	—			—		4,164		13,967		—		18,131
	Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	—			—		39		—		—		39
	Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	—			—		3,477		(1,513	)	—		1,964
	Derivative settlements, net	—			—		(5,977	)	(252	)	—		(6,229	)
	Total other income	78,978			25,235		1,703		34,213		(14,221	)	125,908
	Operating expenses:
	Salaries and benefits	29,398			10,027		609		12,450		—		52,484
	Cost to provide enrollment services	—			—		—		14,475		—		14,475
	Loan servicing fees	—			—		5,421		—		—		5,421
	Depreciation and amortization	419			1,428		—		2,936		—		4,783
	Other	15,651			2,647		1,725		10,183		—		30,206
	Intersegment expenses, net	9,163			1,420		14,371		(10,733	)	(14,221	)	—
	Total operating expenses	54,631			15,522		22,126		29,311		(14,221	)	107,369
	Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	24,358			9,713		74,604		6,235		—		114,910
Corporate overhead allocation	(1,860		)	(620	)	(1,329	)	3,809		—		—
Income before income taxes	22,498			9,093		73,275		10,044		—		114,910
Income tax (expense) benefit	(8,549		)	(3,455	)	(27,844	)	(763	)	—		(40,611	)
Net income	13,949			5,638		45,431		9,281		—		74,299
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	—			—		—		513		—		513
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$	13,949		5,638		45,431		8,768		—		73,786

Fair_Value_Tables

Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The following tables present the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. There were no transfers into or out of level 1, level 2, or level 3 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
		As of March 31, 2015				As of December 31, 2014
		Level 1		Level 2	Total	Level 1	Level 2	Total
	Assets:
	Investments (available-for-sale and trading):
	Student loan asset-backed securities	$	—	142,429	142,429	—	145,000	145,000
	Equity securities	4,007		—	4,007	3,736	—	3,736
	Debt securities	365		—	365	387	—	387
	Total investments (available-for-sale and trading)	4,372		142,429	146,801	4,123	145,000	149,123
	Fair value of derivative instruments	—		36,595	36,595	—	64,392	64,392
	Total assets	$	4,372	179,024	183,396	4,123	209,392	213,515
	Liabilities:
	Fair value of derivative instruments	$	—	85,564	85,564	—	32,842	32,842
	Total liabilities	$	—	85,564	85,564	—	32,842	32,842
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	The following table summarizes the fair values of all of the Company’s financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets:
		As of March 31, 2015
		Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Student loans receivable	$	28,922,872	27,897,949	—	—	28,922,872
	Cash and cash equivalents	100,046		100,046	100,046	—	—
	Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	146,801		146,801	4,372	142,429	—
	Notes receivable	29,476		31,806	—	29,476	—
	Restricted cash	856,715		856,715	856,715	—	—
	Restricted cash – due to customers	71,890		71,890	71,890	—	—
	Restricted investments	9,872		9,872	9,872	—	—
	Accrued interest receivable	355,372		355,372	—	355,372	—
	Derivative instruments	36,595		36,595	—	36,595	—
	Financial liabilities:
	Bonds and notes payable	27,695,072		27,815,324	—	27,695,072	—
	Accrued interest payable	27,275		27,275	—	27,275	—
	Due to customers	71,890		71,890	71,890	—	—
	Derivative instruments	85,564		85,564	—	85,564	—
		As of December 31, 2014
		Fair value		Carrying value	Level 1	Level 2	Level 3
	Financial assets:
	Student loans receivable	$	28,954,226	28,005,195	—	—	28,954,226
	Cash and cash equivalents	130,481		130,481	130,481	—	—
	Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	149,123		149,123	4,123	145,000	—
	Notes receivable	28,832		30,643	—	28,832	—
	Restricted cash	800,164		800,164	800,164	—	—
	Restricted cash – due to customers	118,488		118,488	118,488	—	—
	Restricted investments	50,276		50,276	50,276	—	—
	Accrued interest receivable	351,588		351,588	—	351,588	—
	Derivative instruments	64,392		64,392	—	64,392	—
	Financial liabilities:
	Bonds and notes payable	27,809,997		28,027,350	—	27,809,997	—
	Accrued interest payable	25,904		25,904	—	25,904	—
	Due to customers	118,488		118,488	118,488	—	—
	Derivative instruments	32,842		32,842	—	32,842	—

Student_Loans_Receivable_Detai

Student Loans Receivable (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses	$51,161,000		$48,900,000		$54,628,000	$55,122,000
Student loans receivable	27,897,949,000		28,005,195,000
Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses	38,021,000				42,909,000
Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Allowance for loan losses	13,140,000				11,719,000
held for investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	28,107,088,000		28,223,908,000
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	157,978,000	[1]	169,813,000	[1]
Student loans receivable	27,897,949,000		28,005,195,000
held for investment [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	27,975,575,000		28,196,430,000
Allowance for loan losses	38,021,000		39,170,000
held for investment [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	131,513,000		27,478,000
Allowance for loan losses	13,140,000		9,730,000
held for investment [Member] | Stafford and Other [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	6,287,829,000		6,030,825,000
held for investment [Member] | Consolidation Loans [Member] | Federally insured loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	21,687,746,000		22,165,605,000
Non-accretable discount [Member] | held for investment [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Student loans receivable, gross	8,900,000,000		8,500,000,000
Loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs	32,400,000		28,800,000
CommonBond Purchase Commitment [Member] | Private education loans [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Loans and Leases Receivable, Commitments to Purchase or Sell	150,000,000
Financing Receivable, Significant Purchases	$15,200,000
[1]	As of MarchB 31, 2015 and DecemberB 31, 2014, "loan discount, net of unamortized loan premiums and deferred origination costs" included $32.4 million and $28.8 million, respectively, of non-accretable discount associated with purchased loans of $8.9 billion and $8.5 billion, respectively.

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A2

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Allowance for Loan Losses (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$48,900	$55,122
Provision for loan losses	2,000	2,500
Charge-offs	-3,825	-4,052
Recoveries - non-federally insured loans	254	371
Purchase (sale) of federally insured loans and other, net	-230	100
Transfer from repurchase obligation related to non-federally insured loans purchased, net	4,062	587
Allowance for loan losses - balance	51,161	54,628
Federally insured loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Provision for loan losses	2,000	3,000
Charge-offs	-3,149	-3,631
Allowance for loan losses - balance	38,021	42,909
Private education loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses [Roll Forward]
Provision for loan losses	0	-500
Charge-offs	-676	-421
Allowance for loan losses - balance	$13,140	$11,719

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A3

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Repurchase Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Repurchase Obligation [Line Items]
Student loans receivable	$27,897,949,000		$28,005,195,000
Other liabilities	174,248,000		167,881,000
Private education loans sold subject to repurchase agreement [Member]
Repurchase Obligation [Line Items]
Days delinquent to trigger repurchase range, minimum		60
Days delinquent to trigger repurchase range, maximum		90 days
Student loans receivable	57,700,000		155,300,000
Other liabilities	3,900,000		11,800,000
Financing Receivable, Significant Purchases	$94,100,000

Student_Loans_Receivable_and_A4

Student Loans Receivable and Allowance for Loan Losses Student Loan Status and Delinquency (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Federally insured loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	$2,781,537	$2,805,228	$2,879,382
Loans in forbearance	3,244,255	3,288,412	3,213,638
Student loans receivable, gross	27,975,575	28,196,430	25,745,655
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	18,672,471	18,460,279	16,498,560
Loans current, percentage	85.00%	83.50%	83.90%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	911,653	1,043,119	832,381
Loans delinquent 31-60 days, percentage	4.20%	4.80%	4.20%
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	571,759	588,777	522,699
Loans delinquent 61-90 days, percentage	2.60%	2.70%	2.70%
Loans delinquent 91-120 days	346,857	404,905	344,143
Loans delinquent 91-120 days, percentage	1.60%	1.80%	1.80%
Loans delinquent 121-270 days	1,030,645	1,204,405	984,648
Loans delinquent 121-270 days, percentage	4.70%	5.40%	5.00%
Loans Delinquent Greater than 271 Days	416,398	401,305	470,204
Loans delinquent 271 days or greater, percentage	1.90%	1.80%	2.40%
Total loans in repayment	21,949,783	22,102,790	19,652,635
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%
Private education loans [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Loans in-school/grace/deferment	5,006	905	2,612
Loans in forbearance	20	0	24
Student loans receivable, gross	131,513	27,478	68,540
Loans in repayment status:
Loans current	118,278	18,390	57,115
Loans current, percentage	93.50%	69.20%	86.60%
Loans delinquent 31-60 days	1,200	1,078	1,223
Loans delinquent 31-60 days, percentage	0.90%	4.10%	1.90%
Loans delinquent 61-90 days	1,753	1,035	1,748
Loans delinquent 61-90 days, percentage	1.40%	3.90%	2.70%
Loans delinquent 91-120 days	5,256	6,070	5,818
Loans delinquent 91 days or greater, percentage	4.20%	22.80%	8.80%
Total loans in repayment	$126,487	$26,573	$65,904
Total loans in repayment, percentage	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

Outstanding_Debt_Obligations_D

Outstanding Debt Obligations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$27,815,324	$28,027,350
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount (Premium), Net	-384,779	-393,072
Variable-rate bonds and notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	27,047,703	27,025,100
Bonds and notes based on indices [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	25,850,638	25,713,431
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.16%	0.19%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	6.90%	6.90%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	26-Aug-19	25-May-18
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	26-Aug-52	26-Aug-52
Bonds and notes based on auction or remarketing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	1,197,065	1,311,669
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.64%	0.47%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	2.16%	2.17%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	22-Mar-32	22-Mar-32
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	26-Nov-46	26-Nov-46
FFELP warehouse facilities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	1,010,258	1,241,665
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.17%	0.16%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	0.29%	0.26%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	17-Jan-16	17-Jan-16
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	17-Dec-17	11-Jun-17
Line of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	0	0
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.00%	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	0.00%	0.00%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	30-Jun-19	30-Jun-19
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	30-Jun-19	30-Jun-19
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	59,837	71,688
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	3.65%	3.63%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	3.65%	3.63%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	15-Sep-61	15-Sep-61
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	15-Sep-61	15-Sep-61
Other borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	82,305	81,969
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	1.68%	1.67%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	5.10%	5.10%
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	11-Nov-15	11-Nov-15
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	31-Dec-18	31-Dec-18
Bonds and notes payable, gross [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$28,200,103	$28,420,422

Bonds_and_Notes_Payable_Outsta

Bonds and Notes Payable Outstanding Lines of Credit (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Jan. 27, 2015
Unsecured Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount	$350,000,000
Amount outstanding	0
Amount available	350,000,000
FFELP warehouse facilities [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount	2,000,000,000
Amount outstanding	1,010,258,000
Amount available	989,742,000
Advanced as equity support	55,156,000
FFELP warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-III Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount	750,000,000	[1]
Amount outstanding	537,005,000	[1]
Amount available	212,995,000	[1]
Expiration of liquidity provisions	5-May-15	[1]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	17-Jan-16	[1]
Maximum Advance Rates - range minimum	92.20%	[1]
Maximum advance rates - range maximum	95.00%	[1]
Minimum Advance Rates - range minimum	92.20%	[1]
Minimum advance rates - range maximum	95.00%	[1]
Advanced as equity support	32,515,000	[1]
FFELP warehouse facilities [Member] | NFSLW-I Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount	750,000,000	[2]	1,200,000,000
Amount outstanding	404,020,000	[2]
Amount available	345,980,000	[2]
Expiration of liquidity provisions	11-Jun-15	[2]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	11-Jun-17	[2]
Maximum Advance Rates - range minimum	92.00%	[2]
Maximum advance rates - range maximum	98.00%	[2]
Minimum Advance Rates - range minimum	84.00%	[2]
Minimum advance rates - range maximum	90.00%	[2]
Advanced as equity support	19,001,000	[2]
FFELP warehouse facilities [Member] | NHELP-II Warehouse [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum financing amount	500,000,000
Amount outstanding	69,233,000
Amount available	430,767,000
Expiration of liquidity provisions	17-Dec-15
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	17-Dec-17
Maximum Advance Rates - range minimum	91.00%
Maximum advance rates - range maximum	97.00%
Minimum Advance Rates - range minimum	91.00%
Minimum advance rates - range maximum	97.00%
Advanced as equity support	$3,640,000
[1]	(a)On April 30, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to change the expiration date for the liquidity provisions to April 29, 2016, and to change the final maturity date to April 29, 2018.
[2]	(b)On January 27, 2015, the Company amended the agreement for this warehouse facility to temporarily increase the maximum financing amount to $1.2 billion. On March 26, 2015, the Company reduced the maximum financing amount from $1.2 billion to $750 million.

Bonds_and_Notes_Payable_Assetb

Bonds and Notes Payable Asset-backed Securitizations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Variable Rate Basis	1-month LIBOR
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	$0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	1,288,346
2015-2 Securitization [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	26-Mar-15
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	722,000
2015-2 Securitization [Domain] | 2015-2 Securitization Class A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	26-Mar-15
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	122,500
2015-2 Securitization [Domain] | 2015-2 Securitization Class A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	26-Mar-15
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	584,500
2015-1 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization, issuance date	27-Feb-15
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	566,346
Class A [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	1,260,232
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	1,260,232
Class A [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	707,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	707,000
Class A [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization [Domain] | 2015-2 Securitization Class A-1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.27%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	122,500
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	122,500
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	25-Mar-20
Class A [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization [Domain] | 2015-2 Securitization Class A-2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.60%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	584,500
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	584,500
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	25-Sep-42
Class A [Member] | 2015-1 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	0.59%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	0
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	553,232
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	553,232
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	25-Apr-41
Class B [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	-2,950
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	28,114
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	25,164
Class B [Member] | 2015-2 Securitization [Domain]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	1.50%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	-1,793
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	15,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	13,207
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	25-May-49
Class B [Member] | 2015-1 Securitization [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Basis	1.50%
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Unamortized Discount	-1,157
Asset-backed securitization issuance, Face Amount	13,114
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$11,957
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	25-Jun-46

Bonds_and_Notes_Payable_Debt_R

Bonds and Notes Payable Debt Repurchases (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain from debt repurchases	$2,524,000	$39,000
Junior Subordinated Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	11,900,000
Gain from debt repurchases	2,500,000
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount		1,400,000
Gain from debt repurchases		$39,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments Outstanding (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$27,815,324,000		$28,027,350,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Paid on Swap	one-month LIBOR		one-month LIBOR
Weighted average basis spread on variable rate paid on swap	6.00%		3.50%
Derivative, Notional Amount	6,100,000,000		7,800,000,000
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap	3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,000,000,000		0
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	0		250,000,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,900,000,000		1,900,000,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Oustanding 4 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	2,400,000,000		3,650,000,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding 5 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	0		250,000,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding 6 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	800,000,000		800,000,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding 7 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	0		100,000,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding 8 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	0		700,000,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | One Month to Three Month Basis Swap Outstanding 9 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	0		150,000,000
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	3,425,000,000		3,100,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	0.92%	[1]	0.87%	[1]
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap	3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap 1 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,100,000,000		1,100,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	0.89%	[1]	0.89%	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap 2 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	750,000,000		750,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	0.85%	[1]	0.85%	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap 3 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,350,000,000		1,250,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	0.85%	[1]	0.86%	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap 4 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	100,000,000		0
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	1.02%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap 5 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	100,000,000		0
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.32%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Fixed Rate Floor Income Interest Rate Swap 6 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	25,000,000		0
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	2.46%	[1]	0.00%	[1]
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | unsecured debt hedges [Member] | Maturity 2036 [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	25,000,000		25,000,000
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate	4.28%	[1]	4.28%	[1]
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap	3-month LIBOR		3-month LIBOR
Swaption [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Financial Instruments Used in Operating Activities			9,100,000
Derivative, Notional Amount	$250,000,000
Derivative, Type of Interest Rate Received on Swap	1-month LIBOR		1-month LIBOR
Derivative, Swaption Interest Rate	3.30%
[1]	For all interest rate derivatives, the Company receives discrete three-month LIBOR.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments Cross-currency Interest Rate Swaps (Details)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2015
	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)	Currency Swap [Member]		Currency Swap [Member]		Currency Swap [Member]
				USD ($)		USD ($)		EUR (€)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Bonds and notes payable	$27,815,324		$28,027,350					€ 352,700
Derivative, Notional Amount				450,000		450,000		352,700
Re-measurement of Euro Notes				48,209		-952
Change in fair value of cross currency interest rate swaps	-46,072	2,916		-49,805		-39
Total impact to statements of income - income (expense)				($1,596)	[1]	($991)	[1]
[1]	The financial statement impact of the above items is included in "Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements, net" in the Company's consolidated statements of income.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	$36,595,000	$64,392,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	85,564,000	32,842,000
Derivative, Name [Domain]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	36,595,000	64,392,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	85,564,000	32,842,000
1:3 basis swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	30,072,000	53,549,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	0	0
notional amount of terminated derivatives	2,700,000,000
Proceeds to terminate and or amend derivative instruments	34,400,000
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	1,756,000	5,165,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	6,498,000	5,034,000
Swaption [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	4,767,000	5,678,000
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	0	0
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	0	0
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	8,805,000	7,353,000
Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	0	0
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	$70,261,000	$20,455,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments Gross/Net (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	$36,595	$64,392
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	85,564	32,842
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability	85,564	32,842
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement, liability	9,761	12,387
Cash collateral received		1,454
Cash collateral pledged	6,400
Fair value of derivative instruments, liability, net	69,403	21,909
Derivative Financial Instruments, Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset	36,595
Derivatives subject to enforceable master netting arrangement, asset	-9,761	-12,387
Cash collateral pledged	5,556	0
Fair value of derivative instruments, asset, net	$32,390	$52,005

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen6

Derivative Financial Instruments Income Statement Effect of Derivative Instruments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	($5,215)	($6,229)
Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	-5,215	-6,229
Change in fair value	-46,072	2,916
Re-measurement of Euro Notes (foreign currency transaction adjustment) - income (expense)	48,209	-952
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments and derivative settlements - income (expense)	-3,078	-4,265
1:3 basis swaps [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	266	881
Change in fair value	10,969	1,110
Interest rate swaps - floor income hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	-5,015	-6,950
Change in fair value	-4,872	3,358
Interest rate swap option - floor income hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Change in fair value	-912	0
Interest rate swaps - hybrid debt hedges [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	-252	-252
Change in fair value	-1,452	-1,513
Cross-currency interest rate swaps [Member] | Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative settlements, net	-214	92
Change in fair value	($49,805)	($39)

Investments_and_Notes_Receivab2

Investments and Notes Receivable Summary (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments and notes receivable	$276,904		$235,709
Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	146,801		149,123
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	132,541		133,142
Gross unrealized gains	8,266		8,420
Gross unrealized losses	-532	[1]	-269
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	140,275		141,293
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	130,754	[2]	131,589	[2]
Gross unrealized gains	5,998	[2]	6,204	[2]
Gross unrealized losses	-484	[1],[2]	-236	[2]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	136,268	[2]	137,557	[2]
Investments [Member] | Available-for-sale investments [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Amortized cost	1,787		1,553
Gross unrealized gains	2,268		2,216
Gross unrealized losses	-48	[1]	-33
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	4,007		3,736
Investments [Member] | Trading investments [Member] | Student Loan Asset-Backed and Other Debt Securities [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	6,526		7,830
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Investments accounted for under the cost and equity methods [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments	81,912		36,991
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Notes Receivable [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments	31,806		30,643
Other Investments and Notes Receivable (not measured at fair value) [Member] | Other Investments [Member]
Investment Holdings [Line Items]
Other Investments	$16,385		$18,952
[1]	As of MarchB 31, 2015, the Company considered the decline in market value of its available-for-sale investments to be temporary in nature and did not consider any of its investments other-than-temporarily impaired.
[2]	As of MarchB 31, 2015, the stated maturities of the majority of the Company's student loan asset-backed and other debt securities classified as available-for-sale were greater than 10 years.

Investments_and_Notes_Receivab3

Investments and Notes Receivable Realized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Securities (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other income	$205	$7,073
Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Gain (Loss) on Investments [Line Items]
Other income	205	7,073
Income tax expense	-76	-2,617
Net	$129	$4,456

Intangible_Assets_Intangible_A2

Intangible Assets Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	178 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$40,183,000	$42,582,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	18,820,000	17,361,000
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	211 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	25,871,000	27,330,000
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	2,472,000	1,896,000
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	39 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	6,393,000	6,969,000
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	403,000	272,000
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	230 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	6,019,000	6,150,000
Media Content [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	21 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,575,000	1,800,000
Covenants not to compete [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	30,000	21,000
Weighted average remaining useful life (months)	110 months
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$325,000	$333,000

Intangible_Assets_Amortization

Intangible Assets Amortization Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$2,400,000	$1,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year	7,196,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	6,249,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	3,752,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	3,533,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	2,861,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	16,592,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$40,183,000		$42,582,000

Intangible_Assets_Goodwill_Det

Intangible Assets Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$126,200
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	126,200
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	8,596
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	8,596
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	67,168
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	67,168
Asset Generation and Management [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	41,883
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	41,883
Corporate and Other Activities [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	8,553
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill	$8,553

Earnings_per_Common_Share_Deta

Earnings per Common Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$64,765	$73,786
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	46,290,590	46,527,917
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$1.40	$1.59
Common shareholders [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	64,078	73,125
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	45,799,873	46,110,952
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$1.40	$1.59
Unvested restricted stock shareholders [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$687	$661
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted	490,717	416,965
Earnings per share - basic and diluted	$1.40	$1.59

Segment_Reporting_Details

Segment Reporting (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	$174,149	$158,875
Interest expense	71,554	60,004
Net interest income	102,595	98,871
Less provision for loan losses	-2,000	-2,500
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	100,595	96,371
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	57,811	64,757
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	34,680	25,235
Enrollment services revenue	17,863	22,011
Other income	6,918	18,131
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	2,875	39
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	2,137	1,964
Derivative settlements, net	-5,215	-6,229
Total other income (expense)	117,069	125,908
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	61,050	52,484
Cost to provide enrollment services	11,702	14,475
Loan servicing fees	7,685	5,421
Depreciation and amortization	5,662	4,783
Other	29,129	30,206
Intersegment expenses, net	0	0
Total operating expenses	115,228	107,369
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	102,436	114,910
Corporate overhead allocation	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	102,436	114,910
Income tax (expense) benefit	-37,630	-40,611
Net income	64,806	74,299
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	41	513
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	64,765	73,786
Student Loan and Guaranty Servicing [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	7	11
Interest expense	0	0
Net interest income	7	11
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	7	11
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	57,811	64,757
Intersegment servicing revenue	12,871	14,221
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0
Total other income (expense)	70,682	78,978
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	33,703	29,398
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Loan servicing fees	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	446	419
Other	14,600	15,651
Intersegment expenses, net	9,700	9,163
Total operating expenses	58,449	54,631
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	12,240	24,358
Corporate overhead allocation	-2,153	-1,860
Income (loss) before income taxes	10,087	22,498
Income tax (expense) benefit	-3,834	-8,549
Net income	6,253	13,949
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	6,253	13,949
Tuition Payment Processing and Campus Commerce [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	2	0
Interest expense	0	0
Net interest income	2	0
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	2	0
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	34,680	25,235
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0
Total other income (expense)	34,680	25,235
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	13,321	10,027
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Loan servicing fees	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	2,195	1,428
Other	3,802	2,647
Intersegment expenses, net	2,614	1,420
Total operating expenses	21,932	15,522
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	12,750	9,713
Corporate overhead allocation	-862	-620
Income (loss) before income taxes	11,888	9,093
Income tax (expense) benefit	-4,518	-3,455
Net income	7,370	5,638
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	7,370	5,638
Asset Generation and Management [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	172,423	157,003
Interest expense	70,540	59,476
Net interest income	101,883	97,527
Less provision for loan losses	-2,000	-2,500
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	99,883	95,027
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	4,576	4,164
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	351	39
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	3,590	3,477
Derivative settlements, net	-4,963	-5,977
Total other income (expense)	3,554	1,703
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	541	609
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Loan servicing fees	7,685	5,421
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Other	1,068	1,725
Intersegment expenses, net	13,040	14,371
Total operating expenses	22,334	22,126
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	81,103	74,604
Corporate overhead allocation	-1,078	-1,329
Income (loss) before income taxes	80,025	73,275
Income tax (expense) benefit	-30,409	-27,844
Net income	49,616	45,431
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	49,616	45,431
Corporate and Other Activities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	2,153	2,658
Interest expense	1,450	1,325
Net interest income	703	1,333
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	703	1,333
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	0	0
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	17,863	22,011
Other income	2,342	13,967
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	2,524	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	-1,453	-1,513
Derivative settlements, net	-252	-252
Total other income (expense)	21,024	34,213
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	13,485	12,450
Cost to provide enrollment services	11,702	14,475
Loan servicing fees	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	3,021	2,936
Other	9,659	10,183
Intersegment expenses, net	-12,483	-10,733
Total operating expenses	25,384	29,311
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	-3,657	6,235
Corporate overhead allocation	4,093	3,809
Income (loss) before income taxes	436	10,044
Income tax (expense) benefit	1,131	-763
Net income	1,567	9,281
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	41	513
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	1,526	8,768
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total interest income	-436	-797
Interest expense	-436	-797
Net interest income	0	0
Less provision for loan losses	0	0
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	0	0
Other income:
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	0	0
Intersegment servicing revenue	-12,871	-14,221
Tuition payment processing, school information, and campus commerce revenue	0	0
Enrollment services revenue	0	0
Other income	0	0
Gain on sale of loans and debt repurchases	0	0
Derivative market value and foreign currency adjustments, net	0	0
Derivative settlements, net	0	0
Total other income (expense)	-12,871	-14,221
Operating expenses:
Salaries and benefits	0	0
Cost to provide enrollment services	0	0
Loan servicing fees	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0
Other	0	0
Intersegment expenses, net	-12,871	-14,221
Total operating expenses	-12,871	-14,221
Income (loss) before income taxes and corporate overhead allocation	0	0
Corporate overhead allocation	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0
Income tax (expense) benefit	0	0
Net income	0	0
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc.	$0	$0

Major_Customer_Details

Major Customer (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Customer	Department of Education	Department of Education
Concentration Risk Dollar Value [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Loan and guaranty servicing revenue	32.4	29.9

Related_Party_Transactions_Tra

Related Party Transactions Transactions with Related Parties (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Agile Sports Technologies, Inc. [Domain]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	$40.50
Parent Company [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	18.70%
Board of Directors Chairman [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	2.80%

Assets_and_Liabilities_that_ar

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$146,801	$149,123
Fair value of derivative instruments	36,595	64,392
Total assets	183,396	213,515
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	85,564	32,842
Total liabilities	85,564	32,842
Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	142,429	145,000
Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	4,007	3,736
Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	365	387
Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	4,372	4,123
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total assets	4,372	4,123
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 1 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	4,007	3,736
Level 1 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	365	387
Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	142,429	145,000
Fair value of derivative instruments	36,595	64,392
Total assets	179,024	209,392
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Fair value of derivative instruments	85,564	32,842
Total liabilities	85,564	32,842
Level 2 [Member] | Student loan asset-backed securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	142,429	145,000
Level 2 [Member] | Equity securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Level 2 [Member] | Debt securities [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	$0	$0

Fair_Value_of_Financial_Instru

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	$27,897,949,000	$28,005,195,000
Cash and cash equivalents	100,046,000	130,481,000	107,102,000	63,267,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	276,904,000	235,709,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	71,890,000	118,488,000
Accrued interest receivable	355,372,000	351,588,000
Derivative instruments	36,595,000	64,392,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	27,815,324,000	28,027,350,000
Accrued interest payable	27,275,000	25,904,000
Due to customers	71,890,000	118,488,000
Derivative instruments	85,564,000	32,842,000
Fair value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	28,922,872,000	28,954,226,000
Cash and cash equivalents	100,046,000	130,481,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	146,801,000	149,123,000
Notes Receivable	29,476,000	28,832,000
Restricted cash	856,715,000	800,164,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	71,890,000	118,488,000
Restricted investments	9,872,000	50,276,000
Accrued interest receivable	355,372,000	351,588,000
Derivative instruments	36,595,000	64,392,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	27,695,072,000	27,809,997,000
Accrued interest payable	27,275,000	25,904,000
Due to customers	71,890,000	118,488,000
Derivative instruments	85,564,000	32,842,000
Fair value [Member] | Level 1 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	100,046,000	130,481,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	4,372,000	4,123,000
Notes Receivable	0	0
Restricted cash	856,715,000	800,164,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	71,890,000	118,488,000
Restricted investments	9,872,000	50,276,000
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	0	0
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Due to customers	71,890,000	118,488,000
Derivative instruments	0	0
Fair value [Member] | Level 2 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	142,429,000	145,000,000
Notes Receivable	29,476,000	28,832,000
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted cash - due to customers	0	0
Restricted investments	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	355,372,000	351,588,000
Derivative instruments	36,595,000	64,392,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	27,695,072,000	27,809,997,000
Accrued interest payable	27,275,000	25,904,000
Due to customers	0	0
Derivative instruments	85,564,000	32,842,000
Fair value [Member] | Level 3 [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	28,922,872,000	28,954,226,000
Cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	0	0
Notes Receivable	0	0
Restricted cash	0	0
Restricted cash - due to customers	0	0
Restricted investments	0	0
Accrued interest receivable	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	0	0
Accrued interest payable	0	0
Due to customers	0	0
Derivative instruments	0	0
Carrying value [Member]
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Student loans receivable	27,897,949,000	28,005,195,000
Cash and cash equivalents	100,046,000	130,481,000
Investments (available-for-sale and trading)	146,801,000	149,123,000
Notes Receivable	31,806,000	30,643,000
Restricted cash	856,715,000	800,164,000
Restricted cash - due to customers	71,890,000	118,488,000
Restricted investments	9,872,000	50,276,000
Accrued interest receivable	355,372,000	351,588,000
Derivative instruments	36,595,000	64,392,000
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Bonds and notes payable	27,815,324,000	28,027,350,000
Accrued interest payable	27,275,000	25,904,000
Due to customers	71,890,000	118,488,000
Derivative instruments	$85,564,000	$32,842,000

Legal_Proceedings_Details

Legal Proceedings (Details) (Pending Litigation [Member], Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Pending Litigation [Member] | Grant Keating v. Peterson's Nelnet, LLC et al [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingency, damages sought, value	$500
Loss contingency, inestimable loss	Due to the uncertainty and risks inherent in class determination and the overall litigation process, the Company believes that a meaningful estimate of a reasonably possible loss, if any, or range of reasonably possible losses, if any, for this lawsuit cannot currently be made.