Another good bet for a 529 would be Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS), which currently return approximately 3% plus whatever the inflation rate turns out to be. (Currently, that works out to a combined 5.5%, according to Vanguard's John Hollyer.) Unfortunately, the only 529 investors with access to reasonably priced TIPS are residents of South Dakota, who can buy into a Pimco TIPS fund with no load.
FORBES: Investment Guide