v3.26.1
Segment Reporting - Schedule of Reportable Operating Segments Reconciled to Consolidated Financial Statements (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Jun. 30, 2025
Jun. 30, 2026
Jun. 30, 2025
Dec. 31, 2025
Interest income:          
Loan interest $ 164,598 $ 172,104 $ 335,622 $ 338,543  
Investment interest 40,315 40,185 80,517 81,574  
Total interest income 204,913 212,289 416,139 420,117  
Interest expense 108,902 132,854 218,485 257,968  
Net interest income 96,011 79,435 197,654 162,149  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses 41,077 17,930 94,321 33,267  
Less provision for beneficial interests 2,441 4,977 6,571 6,487  
Net interest income after provision 52,493 56,528 96,762 122,395  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue 0 0 0 0  
Other, net 18,399 22,976 28,836 47,579  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 175,044 0 175,044  
Derivative settlements, net 166 744 746 1,489  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 3,686 (3,866) 5,273 (10,190)  
Total other income (expense), net 314,004 461,177 631,421 776,955  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 41,270 55,739 93,310 113,247  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits 152,664 134,699 292,035 272,922  
Depreciation and amortization 10,142 7,624 19,312 16,879  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 32,809 25,662 56,414 47,874  
Postage expense 0 0 0 0  
Servicing fees 0 0 0 0  
Other expenses 64,199 56,617 126,038 104,924  
Intersegment expenses, net 0 0 0 0  
Total operating expenses 259,814 224,602 493,799 442,599  
Income (loss) before income taxes 65,413 237,364 141,074 343,504  
Income tax (expense) benefit (19,942) (59,510) (40,003) (84,521)  
Net income (loss) 45,471 177,854 101,071 258,983  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 21,191 3,605 36,717 5,035  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. 66,662 181,459 137,788 264,018  
Total assets 14,275,064 13,711,088 14,275,064 13,711,088 $ 14,063,783
Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 164,598 172,104 335,622 338,543  
Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest 40,315 40,185 80,517 81,574  
Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 132,244 120,724 260,086 241,465  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 2,087 1,845 4,174 3,478  
Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 118,884 118,184 273,319 265,515  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 39,183 39,844 89,136 87,891  
Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 40,625 26,112 63,161 50,799  
Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 1,259 0 5,254  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 0 14,050 0 21,878  
Operating Segments          
Interest income:          
Total interest income 199,139 204,720 404,646 404,085  
Interest expense 111,368 134,738 224,879 261,118  
Net interest income 87,771 69,982 179,767 142,967  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses 41,077 17,930 94,321 33,267  
Less provision for beneficial interests 2,441 4,977 6,571 6,487  
Net interest income after provision 44,253 47,075 78,875 103,213  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue 4,872 5,668 9,949 11,416  
Other, net 22,174 8,012 49,769 13,170  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 0 0 0  
Derivative settlements, net 166 744 309 1,489  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 3,686 (3,866) 6,180 (10,190)  
Total other income (expense), net 282,026 249,466 599,612 522,865  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 41,270 41,689 93,310 91,369  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits 125,992 111,407 240,852 226,759  
Depreciation and amortization 7,819 4,678 14,542 10,101  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 0 0 0 0  
Postage expense 8,237 9,551 17,043 17,127  
Servicing fees 9,387 7,926 18,766 15,504  
Other expenses 30,749 25,436 59,031 47,562  
Intersegment expenses, net 25,617 25,425 50,378 49,467  
Total operating expenses 207,801 184,423 400,612 366,520  
Income (loss) before income taxes 77,208 70,429 184,565 168,189  
Income tax (expense) benefit (18,520) (16,908) (44,173) (40,343)  
Net income (loss) 58,688 53,521 140,392 127,846  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (9) (23) (27) 5  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. 58,679 53,498 140,365 127,851  
Total assets 13,099,774 12,505,399 13,099,774 12,505,399  
Operating Segments | Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 164,598 172,104 335,622 338,543  
Operating Segments | Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest 34,541 32,616 69,024 65,542  
Operating Segments | Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 132,244 120,724 260,086 241,465  
Operating Segments | Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 118,884 118,184 273,319 265,515  
Operating Segments | Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Loan Servicing and Systems (LSS)          
Interest income:          
Total interest income 868 624 2,008 1,345  
Interest expense 286 0 834 0  
Net interest income 582 624 1,174 1,345  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses 0 0 0 0  
Less provision for beneficial interests 0 0 0 0  
Net interest income after provision 582 624 1,174 1,345  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue 4,798 5,603 9,804 11,287  
Other, net (57) 113 (267) 225  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 0 0 0  
Derivative settlements, net 0 0 0 0  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 0 0 0 0  
Total other income (expense), net 136,985 126,440 269,623 252,977  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 2,087 1,845 4,174 3,478  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits 74,924 65,549 142,545 135,123  
Depreciation and amortization 5,071 1,821 9,073 4,474  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 0 0 0 0  
Postage expense 8,237 9,551 17,043 17,127  
Servicing fees  
Other expenses 15,193 11,099 29,386 21,931  
Intersegment expenses, net 17,233 17,240 33,952 33,718  
Total operating expenses 120,658 105,260 231,999 212,373  
Income (loss) before income taxes 14,822 19,959 34,624 38,471  
Income tax (expense) benefit (3,557) (4,790) (8,309) (9,233)  
Net income (loss) 11,265 15,169 26,315 29,238  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. 11,265 15,169 26,315 29,238  
Total assets 704,764 168,435 704,764 168,435  
Operating Segments | Loan Servicing and Systems (LSS) | Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Loan Servicing and Systems (LSS) | Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest 868 624 2,008 1,345  
Operating Segments | Loan Servicing and Systems (LSS) | Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 132,244 120,724 260,086 241,465  
Operating Segments | Loan Servicing and Systems (LSS) | Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Loan Servicing and Systems (LSS) | Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Loan Servicing and Systems (LSS) | Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Education Technology Services and Payments (ETSP)          
Interest income:          
Total interest income 4,732 5,417 10,851 12,356  
Interest expense 0 0 0 0  
Net interest income 4,732 5,417 10,851 12,356  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses 0 0 0 0  
Less provision for beneficial interests 0 0 0 0  
Net interest income after provision 4,732 5,417 10,851 12,356  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue 74 65 145 129  
Other, net 1,902 0 1,902 0  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 0 0 0  
Derivative settlements, net 0 0 0 0  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 0 0 0 0  
Total other income (expense), net 120,860 118,249 275,366 265,644  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 39,183 39,844 89,136 87,891  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits 45,596 41,598 88,292 83,339  
Depreciation and amortization 2,442 2,505 4,811 4,936  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 0 0 0 0  
Postage expense  
Servicing fees  
Other expenses 12,714 9,904 24,474 18,952  
Intersegment expenses, net 6,293 6,273 12,326 11,877  
Total operating expenses 67,045 60,280 129,903 119,104  
Income (loss) before income taxes 19,364 23,542 67,178 71,005  
Income tax (expense) benefit (4,648) (5,650) (16,123) (17,052)  
Net income (loss) 14,716 17,892 51,055 53,953  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 45  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. 14,716 17,892 51,055 53,998  
Total assets 519,834 533,317 519,834 533,317  
Operating Segments | Education Technology Services and Payments (ETSP) | Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Education Technology Services and Payments (ETSP) | Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest 4,732 5,417 10,851 12,356  
Operating Segments | Education Technology Services and Payments (ETSP) | Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Education Technology Services and Payments (ETSP) | Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 118,884 118,184 273,319 265,515  
Operating Segments | Education Technology Services and Payments (ETSP) | Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Education Technology Services and Payments (ETSP) | Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Asset Generation and Management          
Interest income:          
Total interest income 150,591 169,941 313,603 337,179  
Interest expense 87,425 120,066 182,981 234,369  
Net interest income 63,166 49,875 130,622 102,810  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses 41,326 11,133 89,792 24,144  
Less provision for beneficial interests 2,441 4,977 6,571 6,487  
Net interest income after provision 19,399 33,765 34,259 72,179  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue 0 0 0 0  
Other, net 19,765 7,507 46,012 12,411  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 0 0 0  
Derivative settlements, net 89 581 193 1,162  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 1,972 (2,165) 3,466 (5,961)  
Total other income (expense), net 21,826 5,923 49,671 7,612  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 0 0 0 0  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits 1,883 1,469 3,511 2,690  
Depreciation and amortization 0 0 0 0  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 0 0 0 0  
Postage expense  
Servicing fees 7,752 7,102 15,904 14,013  
Other expenses 1,000 2,464 2,051 3,352  
Intersegment expenses, net 1,396 1,260 2,748 2,510  
Total operating expenses 12,031 12,295 24,214 22,565  
Income (loss) before income taxes 29,194 27,393 59,716 57,226  
Income tax (expense) benefit (7,005) (6,569) (14,325) (13,725)  
Net income (loss) 22,189 20,824 45,391 43,501  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (9) (23) (27) (40)  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. 22,180 20,801 45,364 43,461  
Total assets 8,877,882 10,036,454 8,877,882 10,036,454  
Operating Segments | Asset Generation and Management | Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 140,264 157,300 292,616 311,768  
Operating Segments | Asset Generation and Management | Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest 10,327 12,641 20,987 25,411  
Operating Segments | Asset Generation and Management | Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Asset Generation and Management | Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Asset Generation and Management | Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Asset Generation and Management | Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Nelnet Bank          
Interest income:          
Total interest income 42,948 28,738 78,184 53,205  
Interest expense 23,657 14,672 41,064 26,749  
Net interest income 19,291 14,066 37,120 26,456  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses (249) 6,797 4,529 9,123  
Less provision for beneficial interests 0 0 0 0  
Net interest income after provision 19,540 7,269 32,591 17,333  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue 0 0 0 0  
Other, net 564 392 2,122 534  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 0 0 0  
Derivative settlements, net 77 163 116 327  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 1,714 (1,701) 2,714 (4,229)  
Total other income (expense), net 2,355 (1,146) 4,952 (3,368)  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 0 0 0 0  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits 3,589 2,791 6,504 5,607  
Depreciation and amortization 306 352 658 691  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 0 0 0 0  
Postage expense  
Servicing fees 1,635 824 2,862 1,491  
Other expenses 1,842 1,969 3,120 3,327  
Intersegment expenses, net 695 652 1,352 1,362  
Total operating expenses 8,067 6,588 14,496 12,478  
Income (loss) before income taxes 13,828 (465) 23,047 1,487  
Income tax (expense) benefit (3,310) 101 (5,416) (333)  
Net income (loss) 10,518 (364) 17,631 1,154  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 0 0 0 0  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. 10,518 (364) 17,631 1,154  
Total assets 2,997,294 1,767,193 2,997,294 1,767,193  
Operating Segments | Nelnet Bank | Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 24,334 14,804 43,006 26,775  
Operating Segments | Nelnet Bank | Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest 18,614 13,934 35,178 26,430  
Operating Segments | Nelnet Bank | Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Nelnet Bank | Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Nelnet Bank | Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Operating Segments | Nelnet Bank | Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
NFS Other Operating Segments          
Interest income:          
Total interest income 7,809 8,870 16,326 17,690  
Interest expense 1,170 1,428 2,544 2,198  
Net interest income 6,639 7,442 13,782 15,492  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses 0 0 0 0  
Less provision for beneficial interests 0 0 0 0  
Net interest income after provision 6,639 7,442 13,782 15,492  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue 0 0 0 0  
Other, net 11,122 5,265 7,536 6,376  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 0 0 0  
Derivative settlements, net 0 0 0 0  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 0 0 0 0  
Total other income (expense), net 51,747 31,377 70,697 57,175  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 0 0 0 0  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits 1,568 539 3,081 1,017  
Depreciation and amortization 0 0 0 0  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 32,809 25,662 56,414 47,874  
Postage expense  
Servicing fees  
Other expenses 1,662 2,206 2,923 3,059  
Intersegment expenses, net 486 321 943 565  
Total operating expenses 36,525 28,728 63,361 52,515  
Income (loss) before income taxes 21,861 10,091 21,118 20,152  
Income tax (expense) benefit (5,247) (2,395) (5,086) (4,779)  
Net income (loss) 16,614 7,696 16,032 15,373  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 3 (114) 72 (238)  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. 16,617 7,582 16,104 15,135  
Total assets 1,093,814 1,077,523 1,093,814 1,077,523  
NFS Other Operating Segments | Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 0 0 0 0  
NFS Other Operating Segments | Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest 7,809 8,870 16,326 17,690  
NFS Other Operating Segments | Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
NFS Other Operating Segments | Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
NFS Other Operating Segments | Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 40,625 26,112 63,161 50,799  
NFS Other Operating Segments | Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Corporate and Other Activities          
Interest income:          
Total interest income 2,165 2,661 5,300 4,973  
Interest expense 564 651 1,195 1,284  
Net interest income 1,601 2,010 4,105 3,689  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses 0 0 0 0  
Less provision for beneficial interests 0 0 0 0  
Net interest income after provision 1,601 2,010 4,105 3,689  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue 0 0 0 0  
Other, net (14,913) 9,603 (28,493) 27,840  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 175,044 0 175,044  
Derivative settlements, net 0 0 437 0  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 0 0 (907) 0  
Total other income (expense), net (14,913) 185,906 (28,963) 208,138  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 0 14,050 0 21,878  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits 25,110 22,784 48,125 45,279  
Depreciation and amortization 2,323 2,946 4,770 6,778  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 0 0 0 0  
Postage expense  
Servicing fees  
Other expenses 18,954 17,006 38,056 32,592  
Intersegment expenses, net (26,028) (25,616) (51,176) (49,670)  
Total operating expenses 20,359 17,120 39,775 34,979  
Income (loss) before income taxes (33,671) 156,746 (64,633) 154,970  
Income tax (expense) benefit 3,825 (40,207) 9,256 (39,398)  
Net income (loss) (29,846) 116,539 (55,377) 115,572  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 21,213 3,838 36,696 5,461  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. (8,633) 120,377 (18,681) 121,033  
Total assets 681,431 541,471 681,431 541,471  
Corporate and Other Activities | Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 0 0 0 0  
Corporate and Other Activities | Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest 2,165 2,661 5,300 4,973  
Corporate and Other Activities | Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Corporate and Other Activities | Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Corporate and Other Activities | Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Corporate and Other Activities | Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 1,259 0 5,254  
Eliminations/ Reclassifications          
Interest income:          
Total interest income (4,200) (3,963) (10,133) (6,632)  
Interest expense (4,200) (3,963) (10,133) (6,632)  
Net interest income 0 0 0 0  
Less provision (negative provision) for loan losses 0 0 0 0  
Less provision for beneficial interests 0 0 0 0  
Net interest income after provision 0 0 0 0  
Other income (expense):          
Intersegment revenue (4,872) (5,668) (9,949) (11,416)  
Other, net 16 96 24 193  
Gain on partial redemption of ALLO investment 0 0 0 0  
Derivative settlements, net 0 0 0 0  
Derivative market value adjustments, net 0 0 0 0  
Total other income (expense), net (4,856) (5,572) (9,925) (11,223)  
Cost of services and expenses:          
Cost of services 0 0 0 0  
Operating Expenses          
Salaries and benefits (6) (30) (23) (134)  
Depreciation and amortization 0 0 0 0  
Reinsurance losses and underwriting expenses 0 0 0 0  
Postage expense (8,237) (9,551) (17,043) (17,127)  
Servicing fees (9,387) (7,926) (18,766) (15,504)  
Other expenses 12,833 11,969 26,028 21,711  
Intersegment expenses, net (75) (130) (145) (362)  
Total operating expenses (4,872) (5,668) (9,949) (11,416)  
Income (loss) before income taxes 16 96 24 193  
Income tax (expense) benefit 0 0 0 0  
Net income (loss) 16 96 24 193  
Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests (16) (96) (24) (193)  
Net income (loss) attributable to Nelnet, Inc. 0 0 0 0  
Total assets (599,955) (413,305) (599,955) (413,305)  
Eliminations/ Reclassifications | Loan interest          
Interest income:          
Loan interest 0 0 0 0  
Eliminations/ Reclassifications | Investment interest          
Interest income:          
Investment interest (4,200) (3,963) (10,133) (6,632)  
Eliminations/ Reclassifications | Loan servicing and systems revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Eliminations/ Reclassifications | Education technology services and payments revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Eliminations/ Reclassifications | Reinsurance premiums earned          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue 0 0 0 0  
Eliminations/ Reclassifications | Solar construction revenue          
Other income (expense):          
Revenue $ 0 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0