You need from 24-30+ credits of Accounting coursework in every state. No one is taking 8-10 accounting classes in college to round out their electives. 99% of CPAs have a business degree. Yes, there are exceptions.
You're confusing SITTING for the exam with being issued a license -- it's the latter where you'll need a degree. The rules are set up to allow college students, who are close to graduation, to sit for the exam. The coursework requirements are such that a certain number of credits in Accounting must already be in hand, and it's almost inconceivable that any person meeting those requirements wouldn't be on the cusp of graduating.
PASSING the test is what is rigorous. Just as you don't need a law degree to sit for the bar (in some states), the requirements to sit for the CPA exam are basic. But the exam itself is not a walk in the park.
<And you don't need a college degree to become one in many states.>
I don't think ANY state requires a degree or CPA license to be employed in a job that may have the word accountant in its title;
however, there are certain kinds of roles, with certain responsibilities, that generally require a degree, and sometimes a CPA license.
I'm straight and disagree with your assertion that our educational system had become feminised to the point of "alienating and neglecting hetero boys". Curious to hear the basis for your opinion, though.