I have a degree, and I agree with you. At least for software engineering.
What there could be is a standardised test, that is a national or international standard, not linked to a uni. Learn to program and do the test and that is your credential. Maybe it costs $200 or something.
That way you can skip uni, self teach but be able to show you can code without employers needing to find novel ways to evaluate.
Ultimately if you standardize something, people will gamify it. The point of employers finding novel ways to evaluate candidates is to win that game and beat the average. Good for them! It can't/shouldn't be otherwise (imo).
What there could be is a standardised test, that is a national or international standard, not linked to a uni. Learn to program and do the test and that is your credential. Maybe it costs $200 or something.
That way you can skip uni, self teach but be able to show you can code without employers needing to find novel ways to evaluate.
Just spitballing!