A great university, but an even better stock. Why? American Public University System (APUS), wholly owned by American Public Education, Inc. (APEI), makes a strong case for leadership in its segment by providing online programs to address critical challenges in higher education. As America faces the dual challenges of reining in crippling tuition costs while significantly increasing the number of college graduates receiving a quality education, APUS has found a business model that seems to accomplish both goals.

There are lots of analysts out there who say that, over the long term, stocks in the pharmaceutical sector should do well. For the most part, they are talking about cash rich pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer (PFE), McKesson (MCK), Medtronic (MDT) and Forest Laboratories (FRX) according to Gene Marcial of our sister site, DailyFinance.

But there are other, less obvious ways, to play growth in the pharmaceutical industry as well. Hilary Kramer, editor of GameChangerStocks.com, recently recommended two stocks that are "under the radar" and could do very well in the near future.

The editor of The Oberweis Report explains, "In particular, bet on companies building the latest generation semiconductors or facilitating greater network bandwidth. In particular, we like new pick Cirrus Logic (CRUS).

"Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU), the largest private market coal firm in the world, had a great 2008," says Jack Adamo who has recently added the stock to the buy list of Insiders Plus.

"Peabody has extensive holdings in the U.S. and Australia, the latter serving the China/Asia Pacific markets. It sells steam coal for heating and utility use, and coking coal for steel making.

"Peabody has had some decent iInsider buying in the last few months -- about 30,000 shares -- not enough to get too excited about, but encouraging. There were also 27,000 options exercised, most of it at very low prices, for which the holder took no profits.

"That's also a good sign, particularly since those exercises come with a tax bill, and shares weren't sold to pay it. It implies faith the stock will rise.

This post is part of a report entitled "Six-pack of technology favorites." You can read about the other top tech stock picks here.

"The semiconductor industry has been under pressure now for sometime, but one of the fastest growing businesses within semiconductors has been in programmable logic devices (PLDs)," notes wireless sector specialist Nikhil Hutheesing.

In The Forbes Wireless Stock Watch, he explains, "One of the top companies in this business is San Jose, California-based Altera (NASDAQ: ALTR). Here's his bullish review.

"These PLDs are chips that allow software developers to use inexpensive software tools to quickly develop, simulate, and test their designs. Then, a design can be quickly programmed into the chip and immediately tested in a live circuit.

"Unlike other chips, PLDs are based on re-writable memory technology. That means that if a designer wants to change the design on the chip, the device can be easily reprogrammed.

"Once the design is final, customers can go into immediate production by simply programming as many PLDs as they need with the final software design file. The result is that a final design can be completed much faster and less expensively than that of a custom, fixed logic device.

"While Altera also manufacturers other kinds of chips, it's the PLD business that could really boost the company's business. Eventually, Altera plans to replace the ASIC business entirely with PLDs.

While the race for Democratic nomination for president seems to be 67% wrapped up with Hillary Clinton getting the nomination, the Republican nomination is far from settled. According to Intrade.com, a betting site where you can bet on the outcome of the elections, Mike Huckabee has been gaining a lot of ground recently.

As a stock analyst, I can recognize a healthy, up-trending chart, and support for Huckabee has taken off in the last two months, from a 3% chance of the Republican nomination to a 12% chance of the nomination.